County Administrator Jason Molino relayed to Legislators information he has received from County departments regarding services that may be impacted from the ongoing Federal government shutdown. The Health Department reports that the Women Infants Children (WIC) program is funded through the end of February. Social Services Commissioner Kit Kephart indicates that the US Department of Agriculture will accelerate the February disbursement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) benefits for anyone with an open case. DSS is continuing to take new applications for benefits, and has been instructed to continue to process them in the normal manner. At the Airport, TSA workers are furloughed.
Other than that Molino said there is not much to report at this time; however, he cautioned that the situation is fluid and conditions could change as the shutdown continues. Regarding transportation, Highway has reported no impacts at present, with a lot of operational funds for the year already committed, but there is word that the Federal Transit Administration is affected, to what extent is not yet clear. Administrator Molino promised to keep legislators informed regarding what could be an ever-changing situation.