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County staff ask commissioners to consider taking on federally funded WIC program; special meeting requested
Summary
County staff told commissioners they are finalizing details to assume administration of the federally funded WIC nutrition program and requested a special meeting later this month for a final decision prior to Oct. 1.
County staff told commissioners they are finalizing terms to take on administration of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program and requested a special meeting in late September so the commission can make a final decision before Oct. 1.
Why it matters: WIC provides federally funded nutrition benefits and services to eligible women and children; a county decision to take on program administration would shift local fiscal-agent responsibility to the county while the program remains 100% federally funded.
County leadership said state WIC officials and county staff have ongoing discussions to finalize what local administration would look like if the county became the fiscal agent. Staff reminded commissioners that the program is 100% federally funded and that, if funding were ever lost, the county’s reduction-in-force policy could be used to address staffing impacts. Staff also said the county has a higher poverty rate relative to other North Dakota counties and that this service covers the whole county.
Timeline and action requested: Because an execution deadline exists before Oct. 1, county staff asked the board to hold a special meeting next week to take final action; staff proposed the afternoon of Sept. 25 or Sept. 26 and said they would coordinate with commissioners and with Cindy (staff) about availability. Commissioners agreed to attempt to coordinate the special meeting date and consider combining it with other special-meeting business (for example, budget matters) if schedules permit.
Service and oversight questions: Commissioners asked operational questions about complaint resolution and who constituents would contact; staff said the program director and county administration would be the first points of contact for concerns and that state WIC leadership would remain a funder and partner. Commissioners also cautioned about adding positions and noted they want clarity on operations and oversight before action.
Next steps: Staff will meet with state WIC officials, finalize the terms and return at the special meeting with formal documents for the commission’s vote.
