Humboldt supervisors hear federal funding warning as SNAP cost shift remains unresolved

Humboldt County supervisors received and filed a report on the county’s 2026 federal legislative program Oct. 20, hearing that unresolved federal budget decisions could affect rural-county funding, a proposed Public Health Lab earmark and the cost of administering food assistance. The official meeting minutes and action record document the board’s action; the meeting recording captures the presentation and discussion.

Sean Quincy, the county’s deputy administrative officer, said the county was seeking reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools and advocating on federal grant rules, wildfire and public-lands issues, infrastructure and earmarks. Federal advocates from Paragon Government Relations told the board that all 12 appropriations bills had yet to pass and that the continuing resolution funding the federal government was set to expire Dec. 11.

The advocates said Humboldt receives about $1.7 million through the federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, which compensates counties for tax-exempt federal land, and could receive roughly $1 million through Secure Rural Schools if the program is reauthorized. They also said a $750,000 Public Health Lab earmark secured in a House bill by U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman would depend on enactment of a federal budget. Those figures were presented as funding at stake or being pursued, not as confirmed losses to Humboldt County.

Rachel Mackey of Paragon said proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could shift an estimated $2 billion in costs to California because of the state’s payment-error rate. She said the cost could eventually reach counties, but the discussion did not establish Humboldt County’s share or a specific local liability. Advocates urged Congress to delay the shift while California works to reduce its error rate and plan for the change.

The presentation also identified proposed federal grant rules and possible census changes as risks for counties. Mackey said a potential undercount could affect the allocation of federal programs, grants and loans, while another advocate said a proposed Office of Management and Budget rule could give political appointees more control over federal grant decisions. The board took no legislative action on the report beyond receiving and filing it. The underlying report and a county-specific estimate of Humboldt’s potential SNAP exposure were not included in the materials reviewed for this story.