County will see some shortfalls, but in overall good shape despite cuts in federal grants
Grants are good to get, but you can’t depend on them being there forever.
That lesson was hit home last week as members of the county’s finance committee got an update on April 10 from county personnel about the impact of federal cuts.
The Trump Administration has halted many federal programs and spending on projects as part of stated goals to cut what administration officials perceive as wasteful spending.
According to county health director Michelle Cahoon, she had been getting notification through state agencies about the funding that has been lost. The health department operated heavily on grant funding with the goal of providing services while having a minimal impact on the county levy.
“It is all up in the air,” she said. However, Cahoon noted that Taylor County is in a better situation than some of its neighboring counties based on how it has spent its grant funds. As of the meeting, she estimated her department has seen about $1,800 in grant cuts. She noted that by comparison, two neighboring counties lost $100,000 in the last three weeks.
Cahoon said their department has been diligent in spending grant funds for program goals and that they work to shift gears based on the funding availability. A large portion of the cuts have come from the end of COVID money which was set to be done this year anyway. “All of the COVID money is spent and we are sitting OK,” she said.
She also explained that she has grant-funded staff members who are fully aware that if the money is cut for their programs, then the positions will be eliminated. Cahoon said they are working to not have to do that, noting she does not want to lose any of her staff.
She cautioned that if the cuts continue and come down through the state, she may need to ask for levy funds to go toward the health department, noting that even if they did need levy funds to help bolster the health department, that she did not picture it being an astronomical amount.
Committee member Mike Bub urged people to contact their members of congress to ensure that funding continues for important programs. He gave the example of the federal budget cuts that eliminated funding for the national suicide prevention hotline and how this is important to keep going.
“We need to be reaching out to our representatives,” he said. “Now is the time to get on the phone.”
In other business, finance committee members:
• Authorized county clerk Andria Farrand to move forward with replacing two county vehicles at a cost not to exceed $65,500. She noted she was working with Ewald Automotive group out of the Milwaukee area which has the state bid prices, but also has approached local dealers to see price and availability. Committee member Scott Mildbrand expressed concern that if the price is comparable the county should look to purchase from local dealerships. “If I can buy it local, I want to buy it local,” Farrand said.
• Approved the carryover and petty cash funds for county departments at the recommendation of finance director Tracey Hartwig. This is a routine action which is separate from the review of all carryover funds that the county has asked departments to complete.
