The Ways and Means Committee approved a supplemental appropriation request intended to cover anticipated overages and fund the employment reserve during year-end closeout. Budget Director Douglas Wazinski and Deputy Budget Director Dean Messina presented the request and the committee voted to approve the appropriation.

Wazinski and Messina then reviewed the office’s year-to-date fiscal picture. They reported an overall revenue deficit for the period described in the materials (the transcript references multiple figures): a large deficit in total revenues (discussed as approximately $114 million at one point in the presentation), with $95 million attributed to taxes in a line read aloud by staff. State aid was described as a surplus of about $2.4 million, and health revenue was reported as up roughly $15 million (driven by early intervention and preschool). Contracted mental health revenues were described as down $1.8 million, the Department of Social Services (DSS) was cited as down $4.6 million, and aging was down about $2 million. Federal aid was presented as a deficit of about $15.2 million, with DSS federal aid down $12.1 million and planning and grants down about $3 million; staff said those grant reductions will be moved to the grant fund. Other revenues were cited as a deficit of $6.8 million, primarily because of lower interest and earnings.

On expenses, staff said overall expense totals increased by $5.8 million while fringe benefits and personal services decreased by about $5.7 million, reflecting vacancies. Wazinski said the general fund had 240 vacant positions at the time of the report and 297 vacancies countywide. Contractual spending was up $3.1 million and transfers were up $8.5 million, with the transfers including open-space funding of about $4 million; staff also referenced 9-1-1 in the transfers discussion. A committee member asked whether delayed DSS reimbursements were being followed up; staff said they believed the lag was a timing issue and that DSS follows up on reimbursements.

A motion to approve the supplemental appropriation was moved and seconded and the committee voted in favor. The discussion was framed as covering anticipated overages and year-end budget management; no additional specific policy changes were adopted at the meeting.