State reclassifies Weber County appropriation as competitive grant; county staff seek certainty to cover a $31,710 monthly payroll gap

Staff informed commissioners that a legislative appropriation intended to continue Weber County's forensic social work and re-entry programs has been transferred administratively to a competitive-grant process within the Department of Public Safety and that county staff must now file an application.

Stephanie Russell said the appropriation had been awarded by the legislature but the department informed staff that an administrative process change required the funds to flow through a competitive grant, which in this case appears to be open to Weber County programs only. Russell and Katherine McGee said they would meet with the DPS representative (Joe) the following day to confirm application timing, reporting requirements and whether the grant would be retroactive.

Russell reported that four current staff (three forensic social workers and a legal secretary) cost about $31,710 per month in salary and benefits. She said the prior federal re-entry grant runs through September, but the forensic social-work appropriation expires at the end of the month; staff are concerned about bridging the payroll until state funds are dispersed.

Commissioners expressed surprise at the administrative reclassification and pressed staff to get written confirmation that the award is Weber-only, whether the grant will be retroactive to cover July payroll, and the expected disbursement timeline. Staff said DPS indicated an award by late July or August was possible; Russell committed to getting written confirmation and to report back to the commission. No formal vote was taken; staff offered to return with more details or to schedule a further work session once they have the department's written guidance.