As the economy continues to see higher inflation and other pressure on day-to-day living, the requests for assistance from those in need have been rising in Scotts Bluff County.
Commissioners Monday discussed the Emergency Relief and Aid Fund, which Management Accountant Lisa Rien said was typically expected to be at 67 percent of the overall budgeted amount at this time in the fiscal year, but it’s currently sitting at 82 percent spent.
Rien told the Board the aid portion of the fund is already at more than 102 percent of budget.
“Last year, we did put more funds into this account, that’s fully-funded by Keno. I just wanted some some input from you because Deb has offered such things as we can stop giving a tank of gas, you can just stop doing some of the programs we do because she often hears the comments from people ‘CAPWN sent me over to see what she’ll pay before we play,’ and I always thought we were last resort,” Rien said.
Approved grants for both emergency relief and requests for assistance with rent or fuel are already more than four times the amount budgeted for the entire fiscal year, and county burial assistance is at 62 percent.
Chair Ken Meyer saying it’s a sign of the times. “I think that population’s going to grow, and it has, we’ve seen it. CAPWN does their share, (the) Aging Office is doing their share and then some,” said Meyer. “And what’s left over, I think, is what we’re probably getting a little bit of that, or first (request). The need is out there and the need is becoming more and more.”
The Board decided not to change relief services being offered or transfer money to the fund at this time, however, Rien said the subject will come up again before the end of the fiscal year, likely in June.
