Speakers at the Nov. 3 Halifax County Board of Commissioners meeting used the public‑comment period and staff briefings to highlight community energy and veterans initiatives and to alert residents and partner agencies about local effects of a federal government shutdown.

During public comment, a Center for Energy Education representative invited residents to the annual Veterans Day event Thursday, Nov. 6 at 10 a.m., and described event services, including flu shots and a presentation about veterans benefits. ‘‘We have invited veterans from across the Willow Valley area and beyond to participate in our program,’’ the presenter said.

Shanna Brown of the Center for Energy Education provided an update on Energy Saver NC, stating the program has helped hundreds of Halifax County residents apply for energy‑efficiency assistance and that qualified households may receive up to $16,000 through certain home‑improvement programs. Brown urged contractors and home assessors to attend a Nov. 8 meeting to become certified to help complete necessary repairs before energy upgrades can be installed.

Kathy Scott updated the board on the Stellar Jones waterline replacement project, noting that during pipeline work the town requested temporary connections to Halifax County’s water system. ‘‘The cost for the water usage was $936.59, and I’m requesting your permission to reimburse Halifax County Public Utilities for this $936.59,’’ Scott said; the board later adopted the amendment.

County Manager King briefed the board on the operational consequences of the federal shutdown. He said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services billing had been paused and later resumed for some items, and he warned that SNAP benefits were uncertain. ‘‘We have 15,000 citizens that receive SNAP benefits,’’ King said, noting that the county population includes many households that rely on monthly benefits.

DSS staff outlined contingency planning. Staff are coordinating a county‑organized, drive‑through food distribution scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14; the sheriff’s office will provide traffic control and emergency management will assist with logistics. County staff will solicit donated nonperishable food items from employees (two hours of administrative leave offered for donations of at least 10 items) and will seek partners to help scale the response.

Health Director Michelle James told the board she was requesting two full‑time contingency positions funded with clinical Medicaid fees, ‘‘so no county involved’’ in the event WIC funding is halted. Accounting staff supported the temporary creation to retain existing employees and avoid recruitment costs if federal funding is interrupted.

County staff emphasized that program rules and benefit timelines can change quickly; residents were urged to open and respond to correspondence from DSS so that benefit eligibility can be preserved and, if possible, retroactive payments can be issued once federal funding resumes.

The county plans to continue public updates via its Facebook page and direct outreach to community partners as the situation evolves.