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Public hearing held on updated General Assistance and Medical Assistance guidelines; formal adoption delayed by statute
Summary
Lincoln County held a public hearing March 10 on revised General Assistance and Medical Assistance guidelines that update burial, rent and income amounts; final adoption must wait the statutorily required period.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. March 10 on proposed amendments to the county’s General Assistance and Medical Assistance guidelines.
County staff and contractors from the Department of Health and Human Services (contracted unit manager Jada Venizzi) briefed the board on the revisions. Staff said the committee reviewed guideline dollar amounts and adjusted burial/cremation allowances, rent assistance levels and income guidelines to better reflect recent cost increases. Commissioners said the revised figures restore purchasing power lost over several years and acknowledged that some providers had contacted them to express concerns about the prior amounts.
No formal exhibits were received into the record at the hearing. Staff and commissioners thanked local funeral directors for their willingness to continue providing indigent services under the updated fee structure; meeting remarks named local providers that have continued to serve the county.
After public comment closed, the board recessed the hearing at 10:09. The county attorney advised that, by statute, the board must wait the required posting/notice period before taking final action; the board will address formal adoption at a subsequent meeting after the statutory waiting period. Staff said they will bring the ordinance or resolution back for action at the next appropriate meeting.
The hearing record noted the primary focus of the revisions: updated cremation/burial allowances, rent/income guidelines, and an added vendor for sundry/basic-needs distributions to replace a previously closed supplier.
