Flagstaff (azfamily) – Since Donald Trump took office, Government Efficiency Bureau (DOGE) Budget cuts have won $150 billion, with health services being the most seen.
The administration has called for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to cut 35% of spending, but HHS has already cut staff by 25%.
Coconino County’s budget is about $500 million, with 15%, or about $75 million, coming from the federal government. County leaders like supervisor Patrice Holstman say they already feel the impact of federal budget cuts, particularly with regard to health services.
Horstman said the county health department had already received federal funding cuts for several programs, but staff were not notified until the cuts were already established.
“Last week, the County Health Department received notifications from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control that multiple federal grants have been terminated,” Horstman said.
HHS director Michele Axlund said five health jobs have been cut and funds have been withdrawn, including funds for mobile vaccine services used primarily by seniors or indigenous peoples.
“There’s been measles outbreaks around us in these other states, so there’s not much staff to check,” Axland said. “We’ve seen vaccination rates in our own county begin to fall with school-age children, so we can’t put out a preventive campaign.”
Horstman is concerned about what important services will be cut next, especially in such large, rural counties.
With 40% of federal meals on wheel employees being cut, Holstman is worried about local impact.
“In 2024, the Coconino County Meal Wheel served 15,120 meals, and 9960 was served here at the Flagstaff and the Williams community gathering locations,” Holstman said. “So we can once again see that these are real impacts for real people.”
Axlund said they will work with the town’s nonprofit to find a solution, but residents are concerned about the impact.
“Our front desk has been making lots of calls here for the past few weeks,” she said. “Please be worried. Your senior is eating today, what will happen tomorrow?
Both women said people can help by supporting local nonprofits such as food banks and shelters. Here is the list of local resources.
Coconino County is also using federal funds to help reduce flooding and forest recovery after the fire. Holstman said these funds have not been cut, but they are still holding their breath.
“We currently have an ongoing forest restoration project with the Forest Service, and we are waiting for the final contract to ensure that we can proceed with the forest restoration,” she said. “There’s a lot of confusion, and as a result, when there’s confusion, people are very frankly less likely to move these large projects forward.”
Horstman said he hopes the federal government will reconsider local cuts and communicate better. She said the county is doing everything it can but needs a partnership between local government and the federal government.
“We rely on this state and the federal partnership because here in Coconino County, we can’t do it on our own,” Holstman said. “So it’s really a simple process the federal government recommends for partnerships with Coconino County.”
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