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Hampton manager urges keeping social services staff on payroll amid reimbursement uncertainty
Summary
City Manager Bunting told council the city plans to support social services workers through the federal shutdown to avoid losing trained staff, while seeking reimbursement from state and federal sources; mixed messaging about reimbursement timing remains unresolved.
City Manager Bunting told Hampton City Council that local staff who process SNAP, TANF and Medicaid applications should remain on the payroll while the federal government shutdown continues, even though reimbursement timing from state and federal sources is unclear.
"We pay upfront and we get reimbursed later," the city manager said, noting there has been "mixed messaging" about whether the state would continue to support the workers during the shutdown. He urged council to endorse a local strategy to continue paying staff so the city does not lose trained employees to other employers.
Bunting said the city has developed a financial approach to support staff temporarily and hopes to be reimbursed once the federal government reopens. He argued retaining workers avoids service disruptions and the difficulty of re‑recruiting and retraining specialized staff who cross‑train on multiple assistance programs.
The manager also noted staff safety concerns in some sister localities’ lobbies and said he has been in communication with Chief Weidman and Sheriff Bowden about extra precautions if needed.
Council members expressed support and asked staff to keep the body informed as the state clarifies reimbursement rules.
