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Consideration of request by the Health Department for approval of 2025-2028 Memorandum of Agreement with the State of WI Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Protection
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Submitted by:
Laura Stephens, Health Officer and Meghan Spredemann, Public Health Manager
Department:
Health Department
A. Issue
Every 3 years, the Wauwatosa Health Department renews a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Our current agreement expires on June 30, 2025, and we are requesting approval of an updated 3-year agreement to extend through June 30, 2028
B. Background/Options
DATCP oversees the inspection and licensing of retail food, lodging, and recreational establishments. The Wauwatosa Health Department maintains an MOA to act as an Agent for DATCP to manage and provide these services locally. The MOA provides a framework for delivering services and aims to improve the level of service and consistency for these services.
As outlined by the agreement, the Health Department issues licenses, conducts inspections, completes and maintains all required establishment records and inspection reports, follows up on complaints and foodborne illness outbreaks, collects samples, and enforces the relevant state statutes, administrative codes, and local ordinances. The MOA covers retail food establishments, campgrounds, recreational and educational camps, public swimming pools and water attractions, hotels, motels, tourist rooming houses, and bed and breakfast establishments, as applicable.
We also agree to provide sufficient staffing to implement the program. The Health Department has two Environmental Health Specialists, an office assistant, and a Public Health Manager, who all assist with this program. Each Environmental Health Specialist dedicates 50% of their time to this contract for a total of 1.0 FTE. The Health Department collects license and inspection fees for the establishments, and we reimburse the state a percentage of our revenue, as specified by the MOA. In 2024, we collected a total of $151,709 and reimbursed $11,213 to DATCP.
To ensure compliance with the agreement, the Health Department submits an annual self-assessment and completes a site visit with DATCP every 3 years.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority 5: Quality of Life
Goal 2: Align public health resources in the City with those across the region and state.
D. Fiscal Impact
Approval of the MOA will allow the Health Department to continue to collect revenue for licensing fees.
E. Recommendation
Health Department staff recommends approval of the 2025-2028 Memorandum of Agreement with the State of WI Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.