Morgan County DHS approves October warrants and benefit authorizations totaling more than $840,000

The Morgan County Board of Social/Human Services on Dec. 16 approved operating warrants for October 2025 totaling $551,383.79 and certified provider and vendor benefit authorizations of $840,868.34.

Accounting Manager Susan Nitzel told the board the operating warrants included $318,337.14 in operating costs and $233,046.65 in payroll direct deposits, and that the increase from September was largely due to quarterly contracts. "The majority of that was in the contracts and grants that are paid quarterly," Nitzel said. She named several contract providers under Colorado Works temporary aid, including A Caring Pregnancy, Baby Bear Hugs, Morgan County Family Center, Rising Up, S.A.R.A. and S.H.A.R.E., saying these groups directly assist families.

Nitzel also summarized the benefit authorizations, saying the October total was down roughly $6,000 from September with a $12,000 increase in child care and a $9,000 decrease in food‑stamp spending. Year‑over‑year spending was down about $57,000, with food‑stamp payments down roughly $21,000 and TANF down about $16,000.

Commissioner Tim Malone made the motions to approve both the warrants and the benefit certifications; Commissioner Kelvin Bernhardt seconded each motion and the board voted 3–0 in favor. Chairman Jon Becker asked whether the food‑stamp figure included school distributions; Nitzel said it did not and covers only family and individual payments.

Director Jacque Frenier noted the Local Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) remains available and said DHS continues to coordinate with the sheriff’s office. The DHS portion of the meeting recessed at 9:20 a.m.

The approvals were recorded in the DHS minutes for Nov. 18, 2025, and staff authorized the chairman to sign the related documents.