Polk County approves resolution asking state to help offset SNAP changes as federal shutdown stalls benefits

Polk County Board of Supervisors voted on Oct. 21 to approve Resolution 30-25, a lobbying resolution asking the state of Wisconsin to provide additional funding to offset county costs associated with recent federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The resolution came from the Health and Human Services committee with a unanimous recommendation to the full board.

The motion to approve Resolution 30-25 was made during the meeting and seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and the measure carried. The resolution’s text, as presented to the board, asks state legislators to consider funding county administrative burdens created by federal SNAP eligibility and verification changes. The transcript does not include a printed resolution text in full beyond that description.

County staff used the administrator report to describe immediate operational impacts from a federal government shutdown: the energy-assistance program manager reported that federal payments are not being issued while the shutdown continues and that customers will receive letters once payments resume. Staff said November food-share (SNAP) benefits may not be available to residents unless the shutdown ends, which could leave some households with truncated or delayed benefits; by contrast, Medicaid/BadgerCare Plus coverage was reported to continue and WIC benefits remained available for scheduled November appointments.

The resolution was introduced by the Health and Human Services committee and forwarded with a unanimous committee recommendation. The transcript records seconding and a standard voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. The meeting record does not quote the full resolution language but describes it as a lobbying request to support counties on SNAP-related cost increases while the state budget process continues.

The approval comes as county staff monitor program changes and the federal shutdown’s local effects; staff said they will mail notices to clients when federal payments resume and continue to process what they can in the meantime.