The Finance and Budget Committee approved an expenditure list totaling $509,939.30 at its Oct. 1, 2025, meeting after commissioners questioned specific line items.

Committee members pushed staff for clarifications on a legal fee recorded as $15,500, a $1,000 purchase for jail supplies, a bulk fuel purchase listed as 10,000 gallons of unleaded, and a fiber‑internet charge for the emergency center. Staff provided line‑by‑line explanations before the committee voted to accept the list.

Committee Chair Chairman Thatcher opened the meeting and asked for questions on the expenditure list. Commissioner Walker pointed to a line on page 77 showing “fees for engineer local, 15,500,” and asked what it covered. A staff member replied, “That is a fee that we paid to an attorney. We split the cost of arbitration.” Commissioner Walker followed up: “So they actually was 30,000.” The staff member confirmed, “Yes. That is correct.” The record indicates the $15,500 line reflected the county’s share of an arbitration expense that totaled $30,000, split with the other party.

Commissioner Walker also asked about a $1,000 charge for toilet paper for the jail. Staff responded that the jail was at full capacity, “generally over a 115 inmates there,” and added, “They use a lot of toilet paper.” The entry on the expenditure list was for the jail supply purchase.

During the same review, Commissioner O'Neil asked about claim 2408, listed as 10,000 gallons of unleaded fuel. Karen, a staff member, said the county operates two 10,000‑gallon tanks at the shop — “1 is for unleaded fuel and the other is for diesel” — and that buying in bulk provides a considerable discount.

Commissioner O'Leary asked whether a fiber‑internet line for the emergency center (claim 2318, page 37) was a recurring charge. Staff confirmed, “That is a monthly charge.”

After the line‑item explanations, a board member moved to review the expenditure list dated Oct. 1, 2025, in the amount of $509,939.30. The motion was seconded; the committee voted in favor. Chairman Thatcher announced, “Motion passes.” The committee recorded no budget transfers for the evening and then adjourned.

The committee’s review was a routine budget oversight item: members clarified the purpose and frequency of several charges and accepted the list as presented.