October is the first month of the agency fiscal year. Fiscal staff are closing activity for the year and preparing for the audit. This has been an interesting year for us financially. Additional funds to support our services have been received as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Some of those funds may be used over the next 2 years while others must be utilized by the end of the calendar year 2020. We are grateful for the confidence that state and federal agencies have placed in us. If another stimulus package is passed by Congress, we will most likely receive some of those funds as well. Congress has passed a continuing resolution which provides funding for federal operations through December 11, 2020. Prior to that date, another spending authorization bill will have to be passed. Obviously, the result of the election on November 3rd will have an impact on that spending bill.
Iowa ended the year (June 30, 2020) with a $300 million-dollar surplus. The current year’s revenues are still uncertain but having some funds in surplus from the previous year is a very positive sign.
LIHEAP (Energy Assistance) applications for seniors and disabled persons begins in October. Staff will continue to take most applications on-line as the pandemic is still impacting our service delivery methods. We will continue to do our best to reach families. The process of on-line services proved to be very effective last year and we expect the same to be true again.
W.I.C. services continue to be provided electronically. Iowa has an exemption through November 22, 2020. This process is working well. I am hopeful the exemption will be extended for at least 6 more months. This would give us adequate time to address COVID-19 needs at our clinic locations.
It is hard to imagine what the coming year will bring but I am confident there will be many opportunities for Mid-Sioux. If the pandemic has taught me anything it is that our agency can weather almost any storm. We will most certainly face adversity in the future but our experiences in 2020 will help us to meet and overcome those challenges.
Enjoy the fall. It is a wonderful time of year.