Joint Finance/HHS Meeting 9.30.26

The Washington County, New York, Joint Finance/Human Services meeting on October 1, 2026, focused largely on reviewing 2027 departmental budgets and related funding. The committee approved a resolution recognizing $129,940 in state aid and amending the 2026 county budget by that amount. Human Services also discussed a potential $50,000 shortfall in the WIC grant; a motion was made to reduce the related budget funding and eliminate a position at year-end, but the transcript does not capture a vote on that motion. The department noted that the county’s WIC sponsorship decision will be revisited when the next grant cycle is known. A request to backfill a preschool service coordinator position was approved to move forward to Personnel, and the committee considered a request for a letter supporting Comfort Food Community’s competitive grant application, which could fund staff at no cost to the county if awarded.

Procurement-related discussion included plans to seek bids for preschool transportation in late spring, before the existing contract expires in August; the current provider was identified as Duran. The preschool budget also includes approximately $310,000 in contract expenses for evaluations and school administrative costs. The Office for Aging described plans to replace aging nutrition-program equipment, with costs to be estimated for the 2027 budget. Other budget items included a $148,965 change grant, projected public-health and social-service funding, and a potential $223,244 reduction in Medicaid-related expenses. No contract award or vendor selection was approved at this meeting.