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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES January 20,2026 made to move the February DSS Board Meeting from 2/16/26 until 2/23/26 by Chris Barnes. Ann Wilkerson seconded the motion. All board members were in favor. Fiscal Operations Manager, Rebekah Rapoza, facilitated a presentation to the Board of the County Manager's overview of the budget landscape that was presented to County Department Directors and to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). All budget requests need to align with the County's strategic goals. Ms. Rapoza reviewed the revenue sources for the county. The Board was reminded that SNAP reimbursement from the State decreases from 50% to 25% effective 10/1/26. Next, Ms. Rapoza reviewed the expenditure budget for the County. Increases include health insurance, retiree health insurance, and retiree benefits. Oscar Fleming asked if county employees are on the state health plan. It was explained they are not. Jamezetta Bedford shared the BOCC wants to know what is mandated and what isn't. Director Shewmaker discussed budget impacts of House Resolution 1 (HR1). She provided background on HR1 and reviewed the HR1 timeline. Ms. Shewmaker included a current data snapshot of Food and Nutrition Services with 4542 households receiving FNS. This covers 8363 participants. Benefits are loaded from the 3rd to the 21 st of each month. Orange County recipients receive FNS benefits totaling $31 million per year with $2.6 million per month. Director Shewmaker explained the federal match percentage reduction from 50% to 25% will cost Orange County$680,000. Beginning October 2027, states will pay the cost of benefits based on error rates. There is a current focus on state error rates, and this focus will continue into the future. Ms. Shewmaker stated historically changes in policy cause an increase in errors. She emphasized the importance of maintaining staffing to help prevent errors. Director Shewmaker shared a data snapshot of the Medicaid program in Orange County. As of December 2025, 21,141 individuals received Medicaid. 5094 individuals receive benefits as part of Medicaid Expansion, 9652 are children, and 2107 are ages 65 and up. The implementation of work requirements will begin in January 2027 which does impact our planning for FY26-27. There will be an increased workload and administrative burden. Recertification for expanded Medicaid will occur every six months instead of annually starting January 2027. Ms. Shewmaker asserted additional staffing will be needed. Ms. Shewmaker discussed possible DSS budget strategies. They include reducing our county childcare subsidy request, reducing our county funding in employment services, and reclassifying some staff positions and reallocating existing staff strategically to meet our goals and enhance revenue. Jamezetta Bedford shared a worry is if the North Carolina General Assembly decides not to match SNAP benefits. Ms. Shewmaker shared there is a strong advocacy effort by grocers because of the potential large economic impact in rural communities. There is advocacy on a federal level to delay the administrative cost share. Ann Wilkerson asked since the state has not passed a budget, will there be impacts on what DSS presented today. Ms. Shewmaker stated we are relying on last year's budget to guide us. We expect state estimates to look similar since there is no state budget. Oscar Fleming asked if DSS is collaborating with any non-profits or private sectors. Ms. Shewmaker shared we are meeting with food groups, and she is on a healthcare panel next week. 2. DSS Annual Work Plan The Board discussed the DSS annual work plan presented last month. Jamezetta Bedford asked if we could add training with staff and the Board on IDD. Everyone agreed to add this. Ann Wilkerson applauded DSS collaboration with other agencies. Ann Wilkerson moved to accept the report as presented. Jamezetta Bedford seconded the motion. All board members were in favor. 2