SLATE board adopts preliminary 2025–26 budget after WIOA allocation increase

The SLATE board approved a preliminary budget for program year 2025–26 that staff described as reflecting a 14% increase in the WIOA formula allocation from the previous year. The motion to adopt the preliminary budget was moved and seconded and carried with members voting “aye.”

Cassandra, a SLATE staff member who presented the budget memo, said the agency experienced a notable rise in dislocated-worker funding and a modest increase in adult funding while youth funding remained largely the same. “Dislocated worker, that was over, over 50% increase, so we’re grateful for that,” a staff speaker said when summarizing changes.

Why it matters: the preliminary budget establishes program-year spending plans and guides staffing and service priorities while SLATE completes other administrative steps to receive state funds.

Board direction and next steps: the board approved the preliminary budget; staff will proceed with implementation planning and return any required final budgets or budget narratives to the state as part of the subaward process.

Details: no dollar totals for the allocation or the budget were disclosed in the meeting transcript; staff used percentage changes to describe major shifts in funding across program streams.