County budgets $280,000 for unhoused services, flags $4M capital for shelter project

Staff presented a proposed unhoused budget of $280,000 for 2027 that focuses on coordination and shelter support. The recommended package includes $50,000 to fund a 0.5 FTE homeless/unhoused coordinator (split between city and county general funds) and $230,000 from the city general fund to support the cold weather shelter.

Administrator House told the committee there is a $4 million capital funding pool available for a Willowgill replacement project made up of $2 million from Cerner funds and $2 million from ARPA, and that staff have been working on potential shelter locations with the director of buildings and logistics. "Those funds are available," he said, but added the challenge will be identifying sustainable operating funds for a shelter. He explained federal ARPA rules were managed so those ARPA dollars are not on an accelerated spending deadline.

Commissioners asked whether hiring the 0.5 FTE coordinator would proceed before receipt of partner commitments; staff said the funding partner wants a local match or commitment before they finalize support, and that some funding already exists in the 2026 amended budget to enable earlier hiring if approved. Commissioners also discussed reimbursement delays to shelter providers and a local preference to refer to the role as an "unhoused coordinator" for dignity and clarity.

What happens next: staff will continue to refine operating and capital options for shelter services and include the coordination position in budget planning; no final hiring or contract decisions were made at this meeting.