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County extends West Central Interpreting contract and staff warns SNAP guidance is still pending
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Summary
The board approved a two-year countywide contract (not to exceed $50,000) with West Central Interpreting as its founder steps back; Health & Human Services staff also updated the board on SNAP work-requirement changes and potential local effects while state guidance remains pending.
Zach Mahboob, founder of the local interpreting service, told commissioners he is stepping back and introduced Saido as the organization’s new president. Caroline Khan, Kandiyohi County director of health and human services, recommended renewing a two-year countywide contract with West Central Interpreting to preserve service continuity for in-person and phone interpreting and to keep rate stability; the contract includes a county spending cap of $50,000 for the two-year term and the board approved the contract.
Khan also briefed commissioners on federal SNAP-related changes amid shifting federal funding and potential USDA updates. She said some programs have been funded through continuing resolutions, the USDA has funding through September 2026, and federal work requirements are in flux. Khan said staff had seen an increase in SNAP applications (172 additional applications from Oct. 1 to the meeting), noted that state guidance on implementation is still outstanding, and estimated potential local impacts discussed in-session (she referenced figures including ‘around 200’ and ‘just over 600’ clients in different contexts). Khan said staff will continue to monitor guidance and report back once the state provides operational instructions.
