County staff says SNAP benefits refilled and local feeding sites supported through November

Sherman County received a brief human-services update during the commissioners meeting: county staff (Speaker 5, identified in the meeting as Jennifer) said new funding was presented and that programs were fully funded "through the November or whenever the shutdown ceases," and that SNAP benefits were refilled over the weekend so residents should have benefits restored through November.

Commissioners raised related service questions. Speaker 3 asked whether a one-quarter-cent sales tax earmarked for "health care" could legally be used to pay for food assistance for adults and children; county participants and staff said they did not know whether that restriction would allow feeding programs to draw on those funds. Speaker 5 clarified that SNAP benefits are administered by the DCF office and that county staff do not control SNAP distribution.

Commissioners and staff also discussed Hope's Place, a local feeding site that provided meals on Tuesday and Friday while SNAP benefits were interrupted. Speakers said the events served a "good crowd" and were open to anyone in need; no precise attendance counts were given on the record.

Separately, Speaker 1 asked about a local individual ('Chris') taking a clinic or national registry test to support more paramedics; the discussion ended with a note that the county might ask candidates to report back with an update so the county could potentially increase paramedic staffing.