Miami County projects $27M in revenue; staff flags investments, EMS collections and insurance RFP

Miami County staff told commissioners Sept. 17 they expect general fund revenue of about $27 million for the year and are projecting to use roughly $1 million in cash to balance the 2025 budget, leaving an estimated year-end cash balance just under $4.5 million and a general fund unassigned fund balance of about 15.7%–15.8%.

The update, presented by Lucas Mollinger, assistant county administrator, recapped revenue drivers, departmental spending and several items commissioners asked staff to track, including investment strategy, EMS billing collections, Road and Bridge capital needs and a recently opened insurance request for proposals.

"I'm the numbers guy," Lucas Mollinger said as he opened the financial presentation, and he walked commissioners through August totals showing $23,000,000 received and $17,000,000 spent year to date. The board's 2025 budget shows roughly $26,000,000 in budgeted revenue and about $29,000,000 budgeted spending; staff said the most likely year-end revenue figure is roughly $27,000,000 with expenditures running close to historical year-end percentages.

Mollinger outlined the county's main revenue sources for the general fund: ad valorem (property) tax at about 70% of general fund revenue, motor vehicle taxes roughly 6%, EMS billing roughly 5%–6%, sales tax about $1 million, and investment interest. He noted the county has several certificates of deposit (CDs) maturing between now and year end and recommended considering locking a larger amount for 12 months rather than staggering many smaller maturities given expected Federal Reserve rate cuts.

On EMS, staff projected billable services revenue to finish the year between $1.8 million and $1.9 million, up from roughly $1.6 million last year. Mollinger said department heads reported about 200–225 more calls this year compared with last year and credited a change in collection vendors for improved recovery of older receivables.

Road and Bridge saw a high year-to-date spend rate because the county encumbered a larger-than-usual asphalt contract early in the year. Mollinger said asphalt accounted for roughly 35%–38% of that department’s spending, salaries about 25%, rock about 12%, fuel about 7% and vehicles about 2%. The department's 2025 equipment and machinery budget is roughly $2,200,000, which staff said reflects a post‑COVID shift in capital planning and higher equipment prices.

On insurance, staff opened an RFP and received bids from vendors identified in the materials as "Elliot," "K Camp" and "K Work." Mollinger said the workers' compensation comparisons were close; Elliot submitted a workers' compensation figure referenced in the bid packet as $2.20. Property and casualty comparisons were less directly comparable because of differing deductibles and methodologies; staff invited the bidders to present to the commission at the next study session so commissioners can ask questions. Staff also noted administrative deadlines tied to pool participation and said a decision about staying in a particular pool or awarding a contract would be needed before November 1.

Mollinger projected the county will end 2025 with typical department-level spending rates in the mid‑80s to mid‑90s percent range and said he expects to give a close quarterly projection in October. Commissioners asked for a later break down of ad valorem by residential, commercial and agricultural classes and asked staff to notify them when the county is close to a CD reinvestment decision.

The report drew no formal vote; staff said they will return with more detailed Q3 estimates and that insurance bidders will present at the next study session so the commission can ask clarifying questions before any selection.