County finance report: $1.6 million in bills; FY26 revenues and short-term deficit; board approves appropriation resolution

Mister Harrison, presenting the county financial report, told the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 8 that the total amount of bills for the period is $1,602,514.06 and requested several additional appropriations: $2,506 for DocuSign software, $702 for a hazardous materials event for solid waste, $54,778 for flood-related courthouse elevator damage (previously discussed), and $59,782 for a sheriff's office needs assessment from the capital purchases fund.

Harrison said fiscal-year-to-date general fund revenues for FY26 totaled $2,267,662 while expenditures were $3,584,308, producing a year-to-date deficit of $1,316,646; he noted this is common early in the fiscal year because only about 8% of the fiscal year has passed. He presented month-to-month comparisons for sales, meals and lodging taxes and reported specific collections: sales tax $480,112 (10% of budget), meals tax $270,135 (8% of budget), lodging tax $143,962 (17% of budget), meals tax (again referenced) $40,040,861 (12% of budget) [note: figure stated in the record] and cigarette taxes $22,500 (10% of budget).

Harrison also reported continued work with school-division staff on implementation of the Tyler ERP system and said the chart of accounts has been completed. He added that the county expects about $100,000 to be returned from the city of Lexington for FY25 911 center cost savings; the return will be distributed proportionally among localities.

The board adopted the appropriation resolution by recorded vote.

Why it matters: The report summarizes county finances at the start of the fiscal year, identifies immediate appropriations the board authorized, and signals ongoing software and budget transitions that affect county accounting and operations.