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Saline County authorizes contingency to preserve health coverage for WIC staff amid funding uncertainty
Summary
The board authorized a contingency allowing temporary furloughs for WIC staff while preserving employer-paid health insurance if federal administrative funds are not restored; health officials said administrative funding hasn't been received since Oct. 10 and six full-time positions could be affected.
The Saline County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 28 voted to allow temporary furloughs for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program staff if needed — and to preserve their health-insurance eligibility while furloughed — as county leaders plan for possible lapses in federal administrative funding.
Marilyn Leamer, the county's human resources director, told commissioners the board's preapproval is a precaution: "staff are requesting the board to approve at this time to allow for a temporary furlough, but only if needed." She outlined a four-step contingency plan that first attempts to reassign WIC staff to vacant positions or other internal needs and uses vacant-position funds before furlough becomes the last resort.
Jason Tiller, Saline County health department director, said the county last received WIC administrative (NSA) funds on Oct. 10 and has been covering staff payroll from salary savings and vacancies. "As of right now, we are able to continue funding them through approximately Nov. 12," Tiller said, adding the county will learn more after a scheduled call with state WIC officials later in the week. He said the county is monitoring two separate buckets of WIC funding — administrative (NSA) and food benefits — and that some federal distributions have prioritized food benefits over administrative costs.
Tiller told the board that six full-time WIC employees are potentially affected and that the county is exploring staggered reduced schedules (for example, 32 hours per week) as an interim step to stretch funds while preserving services to clients. "We're trying everything that we can at this point," he said.
Commissioners asked for clarification about who covers insurance premiums during a temporary furlough. Leamer said county policy and the county's health-plan language permit employees to remain eligible for coverage during a mandatory temporary furlough or reduced schedule if the commission approves such action; employees would remain responsible for their share of premiums if applicable.
The board voted to approve the requested authorization to allow temporary furloughs if necessary while maintaining insurance eligibility, with the understanding that the action is contingent on actual funding shortfalls and would be reversed if administrative funding is restored.
The decision was procedural and did not immediately furlough staff. County officials said they would continue contingency planning and keep staff informed while awaiting state and federal guidance on administrative disbursements.
