Plumas County Faces Federal Funding Cuts, Departments Adapt

QUINCY — On Tuesday, Plumas County supervisors heard about several potential local impacts of federal funding cuts. While many details remain uncertain, federal policies are beginning to have more local impact.

Public Health Grant Funding Ending, Department Not Worried

Interim Public Health Director Nicole Reinert explained to the board that her department had received notices to stop submitting invoices under several grants, including a COVID-19 immunization grant and an Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant. She noted that although the grants were originally expected to end in 2026, Public Health was already in the process of winding down their use. “We already had a plan to phase this funding out. This is not a huge hit to our agency,” said Reinert.

Reinert further reassured the board, stating, “We’re not facing any reduction of FTEs, personnel, or services. So it’s business as usual.” While the department has tapped into other funding sources to offset the cuts, Reinert mentioned that California and other states are legally challenging the federal reductions.

Cuts May Impact Certain Library Programs

County Librarian Dora Mitchell reported that a federal funding program, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which supplied state grants for services like free braille and talking books, has been suspended. The funding totals $15 million statewide and is distributed to local levels. Although Mitchell noted that Plumas County libraries have not yet experienced any impacts, programs such as Zip Books—which provides library users access to books not yet available locally—could be affected in the future.

County Project Funding Uncertain

Planning Director Tracey Ferguson reported that federal funding cuts could impact several county projects, though specifics remain unclear. She emphasized that the department is actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Ferguson highlighted the need for vigilance, noting that her team regularly communicates with state and federal agencies to assess how these cuts might affect ongoing and future projects. She also indicated that the department is exploring alternative funding options to minimize potential disruptions.