Commissioners direct staff to keep TANF CPI funding at last year’s levels for four local providers

Albany County commissioners directed staff to fund four local organizations at the same amounts they received in the prior year from the county’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) CPI grant, totaling $112,000 for fiscal year 2026.

County staff explained the state will amend the county's current agreement and recommended not reopening the subrecipient application because the county did not submit a new application this year. "I would not recommend that this year because we didn't go through the application process," a county staff member said.

Why it matters: The decision preserves continuity for local programs that rely on TANF pass-through funds and avoids delaying distributions while the state processes the county’s amendment.

Allocation breakdown: Staff said the county receives $112,000 in total. The recommended distribution is Cathedral Home Extended Families $17,885; Climb Wyoming $33,001; Interfaith $38,562; Big Brothers Big Sisters $19,353; and county indirect costs $3,199.

Process and reporting: Staff told commissioners that subrecipients report usage to the county (some monthly, some quarterly). Commissioners asked whether any agencies outside the existing four could access funds; staff said state rules and the lack of a new application process limit the county to the original subrecipients for this amendment year but the county can reopen applications next year.

Decision: Commissioners agreed without a formal motion to fund the organizations at the same levels as the prior year so the amendment can be processed quickly once it arrives from the state.