August 7, 2024 |
Photo – WIC logo – Courtesy Wyoming Department of Health
Carbon County Commissioners denied a state request Tuesday to take on responsibility for state employees. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, is a federal program that provides food, health care, and nutritional education for low-income families.
The Wyoming Department of Health’s WIC Director Tina Fearneyhough asked commissioners to open employment positions within the county for state WIC staff. Fearneyhough said she is forced to use outside contractors to fill her department’s roster. Because of that, Fearneyhough said she is unable to offer the contractors paid time off or benefits. Hiring and retaining staff is difficult without those incentives, said the WIC director.
Fearneyhough said the Wyoming WIC program will reimburse the county for the entire salary and benefits of the potential employees. The WIC director said her department will also add an extra 5% payment to cover any administrative costs incurred by the county.
Fearneyhough said the state employs two part-time WIC workers in Carbon County. If necessary, the WIC director said she is willing to increase their weekly hours to comply with the county’s benefit requirements.
Fearneyhough said if the county prefers, her department will also hire and supervise the WIC employees itself.
County Clerk Gwynn Bartlett said the board has chosen to avoid working with contractors that are not directly overseen by local supervisors. Clerk Bartlett also said despite the WIC director’s assurances, the county will likely be required to financially contribute to the state employees.
Commissioner John Johnson said at first glance, the deal sounds appealing. However, Commissioner Johnson said he finds it difficult to support the agreement if the state can’t guarantee they’ll cover the entire cost of the WIC employees.
Commissioner John Espy agreed with Commissioner Johnson’s concerns. Commissioner Espy said it appears that the state is attempting to place its financial responsibilities onto the county.
Commission Chairwoman Sue Jones said she understands that WIC helps a lot of Carbon County residents. However, Chairwoman Jones said she doesn’t support the added complexity and cost associated with bringing the state workers into the county.
The county commissioners agreed that the time was not right to accept the state’s offer to add WIC employees to the county payroll.
