County staff informed commissioners Sept. 2 that the county has been approached to operate the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program after the regional nonprofit that previously ran the program ceased operations.

The county administrator said staff are working with North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services and WIC leadership to develop an agreement that would allow the county to operate the program starting by Oct. 1 if needed. County staff said the program would be funded by federal reimbursements and that payroll and benefits for WIC staff would be county expenses reimbursed by federal revenue.

Staff asked the commission for direction to bring an action before Oct. 1 if necessary; commissioners asked staff to consider a short-term contract (one year) to give the county time to solicit a nonprofit provider if desired. County staff noted an administrative fee may be charged and that the county can bill for staff time.

Why it matters: WIC provides nutrition services to pregnant and postpartum people, infants and young children. A lapse in local administration could disrupt access for participants. County operation would prevent immediate service interruption but would temporarily put program administration under county payroll and benefits rules, with federal reimbursement.

Staff said more information and a proposed agreement would be returned to the commission before Oct. 1.