Oldham County board approves FY25 working budget as treasurer warns of low early-year cash flow

Oldham County Board of Education members approved the district's FY25 working budget during their Sept. 23 regular meeting following a treasurer's report that described the district's typical first-quarter cash flow pattern.

Treasurer Miss Alexander told the board the district was in the first fiscal quarter and that "we have our lowest cash flow in July, August, and September." She said the district received "$7,700,000 in receipts, but we had disbursements of $18.7 million," and that the ending fund balance shown in her packet was $55,400,000. She also noted a separate total cash balance number in the report of $44,900,000 tied to individual fund breakdowns.

The nut graf: the report highlighted that most district revenues are concentrated later in the year — with significant tax receipts expected in November through January — and that the board was voting to approve a working budget that anticipates those timing patterns.

Board members asked no substantive follow-up questions during the action item. Superintendent-level staff recommended approval, and Miss Alexander was present for questions before the vote.

The board voted to approve the working budget on a motion by Mrs. Sheffer, seconded by Mr. Dodson; the vote was 5-0.

The treasurer's materials in the packet also explained that capital outlay and building fund allocations are expected in the fall and additional allocations in the spring, and that report number 3 in the packet presented a historical actual comparison showing the seasonal revenue dip. The board did not request amendments to the working budget and directed no additional actions at the meeting.

What to watch next: the district will receive further state funding allocations in the coming months that could change the cash position reported for FY25.