To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Plan to Respond to Impacts of the Federal Shutdown related to CalFresh
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. ADOPT a resolution proclaiming a local emergency caused by the disruption of funding for CalFresh food assistance benefits, including the activation of County disaster service workers.
2. ALLOCATE up to $21,000,000 from the General Fund from the following sources and in the following order to purchase debit cards for distribution to CalFresh eligible households for the month of November 2025 and DIRECT the County Administrator, or designee to prepare a Budget Amendment to effectuate the final allocation decision of the Board of Supervisors:
a. $8,181,373. General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance. This is the amount of COVID-19 FEMA reimbursement revenue that was received by the County after the FY25-26 Budget Adoption and is currently not appropriated in FY25-26. (4/5 Vote Required)
b. $9,729,868. Appropriation for Contingencies. This is the amount of COVID-19 FEMA reimbursement that was deposited into the Appropriation for Contingencies during the FY25-26 Budget Adoption. (4/5 Vote Required)
c. $3,088,759. Appropriation for Contingencies. (4/5 Vote Required)
3. AUTHORIZE the distribution of debit cards to November CalFresh Eligible Households and authorize the Employment and Human Services Director to execute a related contract or contract amendment.
4. DIRECT the Employment and Human Services Director to report to the Board of Supervisors, within 60 days, on the need for continuing the local emergency.
5. PROVIDE additional direction to staff on steps to mitigate the disruption of funding for CalFresh food assistance benefits.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Up to $21,000,000. 100% County General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
SNAP is a 100% federally funded benefit for households with incomes below 100% of the Federal...
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