Mohave County approves up to $481,300 from contingency to support WIC during federal shutdown

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted Nov. 3 to authorize up to $481,300 in county contingency funds for WIC (Women, Infants and Children) food‑supplement packages while federal benefits were interrupted by a government shutdown.

Director of Public Health Palmer explained that the state can accept contingency funding to continue 30 days of WIC packages and then said the federal government may or may not reimburse the state and, by extension, the county. Board members discussed two options: a lower envelope to serve children up to age 12 and a larger option to cover all WIC‑eligible children (WIC covers pregnant/postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5). After public comment and internal debate, Supervisor Martin moved to fund the full program under Option 2; the board approved the transfer.

Supervisor Martin framed the vote as a child‑focused emergency response: “These kids are the most vulnerable in society… I’m not willing to let those kids suffer,” he said. Director Palmer noted eligibility requires county residency and periodic recertification; WIC enrollment is typically short term for many families but can persist if eligibility continues.

The IGA instructs staff to proceed with the state to distribute packages and to pursue any available federal reimbursement. The board directed staff to assume the county may not be repaid and to monitor expenditures.