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County authorizes 60‑day transition and RIF framework to manage threatened federal grant cuts
Summary
Faced with uncertain federal funding, Sedgwick County authorized staff to implement a 60‑day temporary funding approach followed by reductions in force (RIF) if grants are lost, while creating weekly monitoring and fiscal‑note reporting to the commission.
County manager Tom Stultz told the board that multiple federal grants are at risk, and described three response options: immediate program cuts, locally replacing lost grant funds, or a hybrid approach that temporarily funds affected programs for 60 days while staff develops a fiscal note and transition plan. He recommended the hybrid 60‑day approach to allow time to identify alternatives and reduce workforce disruption.
Staff outlined a monitoring process of weekly meetings and a finance template that will produce a fiscal note for each impacted grant. Chief human resources officer Sheena Schmutz described the reduction‑in‑force (RIF) policy that would apply after the 60‑day transition, including a standard package (four weeks pay and two months of insurance in typical cases) and coordination to avoid adverse employee impacts. Deputy county manager Tim Coffin and division staff described two known instances already affected (a Comcare first‑episode psychosis pilot and supplemental health‑department funding) and explained how earned revenue or other budget lines could absorb some positions. "So I move to approve that the administration of the RIF policy that the board authorizes staff to authorize a 60 day sunset in the matter if the matter arises due to federal grant challenges," a commissioner moved and the board approved; staff will return weekly with reports and fiscal notes.
