The Seward County Board of County Commissioners approved two actions to keep the county WIC program operating while federal funding is at risk during a government shutdown: they authorized Health Director Bree Greason to sign a tentative State WIC contract via DocuSign, and they approved transferring up to $35,000 previously earmarked in fourth-quarter health sales tax dollars to fund WIC staff in the short term.

Tammy Thompson, the county’s WIC director, told the board the state had provided a tentative allocation of $387,185 for federal nutrition services administrative funds and $15,000 for breastfeeding peer counselor funds for a tentative total of $402,185 for State Fiscal Year 2026. She said the state typically provides final federal allocations later and that the county must file a tentative contract with the state by the deadline.

Thompson explained that staff could continue to issue certain benefits to clients through October under existing food and nutrition systems, but that WIC staff salaries would be at risk if federal disbursements are delayed. She said 1,260 clients are currently served by the county’s WIC program and noted historical federal WIC inflows to the county ranging from roughly $900,000 to $1.4 million in recent grant years.

A motion to permit Greason to sign the tentative contract via DocuSign was moved and seconded and approved by the board. Later in the meeting the board approved a motion to transfer $35,000 previously set aside for fourth quarter WIC needs back to cover first-quarter staff wages and benefits during the federal funding pause. Commissioner Abbott moved the transfer and Commissioner Ford seconded; the motion passed by show of hands.

WIC staff members present at the meeting included Susan Laquago and Lillia Perez. County staff said that in prior shutdowns the county was later reimbursed for such expenses but noted the state could not guarantee reimbursement this time.

County officials said the transfer is intended as a short-term measure to maintain program continuity and compliance until federal appropriations are restored or final allocations are received from the state.