Cameron County Public Health informed the Commissioners Court on Tuesday that three grants administered through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) were terminated with immediate effect at the state level on March 25, forcing the county to end grant-funded jobs previously supported by those awards. The court approved a two-week transition period, extending employment through April 10, to allow staff time to apply for county positions and permit the department to post openings.

Public-health director Ezra (name used in the meeting) told the court the sudden notice arrived by email March 25 around 6:30 p.m. and required immediate action. "On March 26, we met with administration, legal, and HR to discuss options," Ezra said. "Ten employees were affected; we asked for a transition period to post positions and provide candidates time to apply." Ezra described it as one of the lowest points in a 26-year public-health career to stand before staff and notify them of layoffs. He said three of the positions have already been matched to county-funded titles and could be transferred quickly; he anticipated four positions that would have to be terminated after transitions and hiring concluded.

Why it matters: The terminated grants supported epidemiology and laboratory capacity and several COVID-related programs. Commissioners and the judge said the sudden, statewide terminations will hurt public-health capacity and affect the department's ability to respond to infectious disease, immunization and disparities work. Commissioners described the statewide action as "chainsaw"-style cuts and warned the reductions may reappear as public-health needs continue.

Court action: The court unanimously ratified an administrative decision to allow the affected employees to continue working through April 10 to provide time for internal transfers, recruitment and payroll processing. County staff said the extension would be paid from lapsed health-department salary funds and would minimize immediate service disruptions.

What comes next: The public-health director said the department will interview applicants for several general-fund positions that were opened to absorb eligible staff. He asked the court to authorize transitional payroll and the use of lapsed department funds to cover the pay period through April 10. Several commissioners urged continued efforts to preserve essential public-health capacity and praised the administration for securing the temporary extension for staff.

Ending: The courtaction provides a short-term buffer for affected employees and for the county to attempt internal reassignments; department leaders warned more staff reductions could occur once transitions and hiring close if funding is not restored.