Cherokee County DSS warns H.R. 1 could cut reimbursements; board begins budget planning

The Cherokee County Department of Social Services board met Jan. 27, 2026, and heard from Director Amanda T. McGee that H.R. 1—s change to administrative reimbursement could reduce county revenue and will affect the department—s budget planning for FY2026—6/27. Director McGee said the county currently estimates about a $135,000 loss in reimbursement and noted implementation is expected Oct. 1, 2026.

The meeting packet included a statewide model spreadsheet projecting annualized impacts under the new match (50% to 25%). That model lists Cherokee County—s estimated total FNS expenditures as $834,605 and shows an annualized county share value in the packet table of $208,651. The board discussed both figures during the budget review and noted the packet cautions local budget changes could alter the modeled outcome.

Board members were told the county association is lobbying the State to absorb first-year costs. The board—s Business and Administrative Office has begun collecting staff requests for the next fiscal year and will present a full proposed budget at the February meeting. Staff noted potential capital and operational needs now under consideration: first-floor flooring and paint, training-area renovations, new printer for Child Support Services, continuation of Patterson Pope scanning contract, security improvements (gates and bulletproofing at the front-office entry), and the addition of two county vehicles.

The board voted on routine procedural items during the meeting. Dr. Catherine Yost moved to adopt the meeting agenda and later moved to approve the November 18, 2025 minutes; Pat Ivie seconded both motions and the board recorded that all present voted in favor.

Next steps: staff will finalize the full FY2026—6/27 request for presentation next month and monitor State-level developments around H.R. 1 implementation and any emergency funding discussions.