Coconino supervisors approve up to $500,000 from Stability Fund to keep WIC benefits flowing during federal funding lapse

Coconino County supervisors voted unanimously Oct. 14 to use contingency money to keep federally administered WIC food benefits and local WIC staff funded while federal appropriations are disrupted.

The board approved a budget transfer of up to $400,000 from the county's Stability Fund to the Arizona Department of Health Services to sustain WIC food benefits for infants and non-infants for November and December 2025. Separately the board approved up to $100,000 to cover WIC staff wages and benefits from Nov. 15, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026, and authorized an agreement that will let the county transmit the money to ADHS.

The action follows presentations from Michelle Axland, director of Coconino County Health and Human Services, who told supervisors the state can fund WIC staffing only through Nov. 15 and will run out of federal food funds for November 1 unless local governments act. "This program has existed for over 50 years," Axland said, describing WIC as a USDA-funded nutrition program that serves pregnant parents through children age 4 and noting the local program serves "just less than 1,900 families." She said the county faces a choice of funding infants only, non-infants, or both, and explained the per-month cost figures.

Axland and county lawyers and finance staff settled on a three-part approach: (1) up to $400,000 to ADHS to cover a two-month shortfall for WIC food cards for infants and non-infants (November'December); (2) up to $100,000 to keep seven local WIC staff on payroll through Jan. 2; and (3) an intergovernmental agreement to transmit the funds to ADHS and clarify that transfers into the county WIC program are excluded while the emergency funding arrangement is active.

Board members said they supported the emergency measures while acknowledging the county's limited resources and the temporary nature of the fix. Treasurer and staff noted there is no guaranteed federal reimbursement if Congress later makes the state whole. Supervisor Tammy Ontiveros, who moved the first motion adopting the legal counsel'recommended wording, and Supervisor Geronimo Vasquez, who seconded it, both emphasized the urgency of covering infants and families and preserving continuity of service.

The board's votes were unanimous. Legal counsel and finance staff will finalize the IGA language and the chair was authorized to sign once the agreement is finalized.

What the board approved

- Up to $400,000 (budget adjustment) from the Coconino County Stability Fund to ADHS for WIC food benefits (infants and non-infants) for November and December 2025. Motion approved unanimously. - Up to $100,000 (budget adjustment) from the Stability Fund to Coconino County Health and Human Services to cover wages and benefits for seven WIC staff from Nov. 15, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026. Motion approved unanimously. - Authorization for the chair to sign an agreement with ADHS to receive county funds and have ADHS maintain WIC benefits for eligible county WIC recipients; transfers into the county program were excluded by the action. Motion approved unanimously.

Why it matters

WIC is a USDA-funded nutrition program serving pregnant caregivers and children up to age 4; state officials told counties they will exhaust federal food funds and must rely on other sources if the federal budget gap continues. Axland told the board that WIC participants statewide spend millions in local grocery stores and that stopping benefits would both harm families and reduce local economic activity. County leaders framed the vote as a short-term, targeted emergency measure to prevent service interruptions while urging state and federal remedies.

Ending

Supervisors said they expect to revisit the matter if the federal shutdown continues. County staff will notify WIC clients of the temporary measure and coordinate with local nonprofits to identify supplemental community support if needed.