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Public health warns WIC and COVID funding uncertainty will shift costs to county
Summary
The public health nurse told commissioners May 8 that WIC funding and COVID immunization money are uncertain for FY26; COVID funding will end and WIC allocations are still undecided, potentially reducing grant support for staff and shifting costs to the general fund.
Ravalli County’s public health nurse presented the department’s FY26 preliminary budget May 8 and warned commissioners that uncertainty in grant funding—particularly WIC and COVID immunization money—could shift staffing costs to the county general fund.
The presenter said COVID-related immunization funding the department expected for an additional year will not continue in the same form and that WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) allocations typically run Oct. 1–Sept. 30; the county does not yet know the WIC allocation for the coming federal year. The public health nurse reported that a reduction in COVID funding removed roughly $30,000 in expected revenues and said the department had planned wages assuming some grant support that may no longer be available.
Staffing plans discussed at the meeting included overlapping administrative coverage to support WIC transition: the department expects Emily and Maddie (nurses) to split time between WIC and immunization work; Laurie is scheduled to retire in December and Shannon is in training to replace her. The presenter requested “band bumps” (step increases) for two nurses who obtained Certified Lactation Consultant credentials and for tobacco coordinator Jenna, who completed a teaching certificate and launched a nicotine diversion program through youth court.
Commissioners cautioned that statewide legislative cuts and the county’s revenue cap on new growth reductions (projected 25% of new growth taken off county bottom line) make additional ongoing raises or new positions difficult. The public health staff said many program costs remain grant-funded, but losing grant revenue would force the general fund to absorb approximately $170,000 in payroll costs now covered by grants in the current year.
Commissioners and staff agreed to continue budget work and to explore grant options and internal savings; no final budget action was taken at the May 8 meeting.
