On January 25th federal policymakers reached a temporary 3-week agreement to end the government through February 15th. For the past month during the shutdown, nine out of fifteen federal departments have been closed or reduced operations. While it appears a temporary agreement has been reached, County staff continues to monitor the effects of the shutdown. Given the temporary agreement continued federal impacts will likely change in the short-term.
Health and Human Services
Policymakers temporarily resolved the shutdown in time to provide full March benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), Commodity Supplemental Food (CSFP), Emergency Food Assistance (TEFAP) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, and Housing Assistance (HAP) are now expected to be funded through end of April regardless of possible future federal shutdowns.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) homeless assistance grants, supportive housing for veterans and housing for people with AIDS do not have any impacts in funding or operations. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is now proceeding with normal operations due to the recent appropriations bill passed. Due to the federal shutdown, County of Nevada Behavioral Health has been experiencing delays in federal payments for the Summer Haven, Winter Haven and Home Anew Programs. Services are still being provided to program clients through a redirection of other county funds. The County does expect immediate reimbursement of funds due to recent federal appropriations.
Public Works
Public Works is not expected to experience any known delays on the Donner Pass Road Project. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is now fully operational with the 3 week appropriation bill passed; continued work will now occur on a business as usual basis on federal-aid highway and bridge projects.
Sheriff's Office
The United States Marshals Service (USMS) operates under annual appropriations was affected during the government shutdown. Reimbursement payments for federal inmates have been delayed the Sherriff's Office is still receiving inmates into the jail and expects to be immediately reimbursed due to the recently passes appropriations bill. The FY 18 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program should now occur at a business as usual basis with the Justice Department in full operation.
Office of Emergency Services
Nevada County Office of Emergency Services primarily receives funds from the Department of Homeland Security. Funding for disaster recovery efforts such as the Winter Storms of 2017 has already been obligated. FEMA Mitigation Grant Funding requests should now function in a business as usual basis.
