Lee County finance staff told the Finance Committee on the morning the county’s general fund is running slightly below the straight‑line projection for the fiscal year, and that recent receipts — including the first property‑tax distribution and stronger-than-expected landfill revenue — have bolstered county cash balances.

Reid Acree, finance staff, said the county’s expenditures this month were “coming in, you know, ahead of schedule,” noting the committee’s 35% of expenditures remaining compares with the 33% that would reflect a strict month-by-month pace. Acree said department heads are “tightening up a little bit,” which he said should help keep the county under budget at year end.

The finance presentation also noted receipt of the first property tax distribution and a transfer of public‑safety bond money back into county general, explaining a pronounced month‑to‑month swing in reported cash balances. Acree said sales tax receipts continue to be higher than the same months last year and that use tax receipts have begun to tick up after several months of depressed amounts; he said the county received a notification that August’s use‑tax adjustment will be about $12,000, higher than recent $6,000–$7,000 levels but well below prior years’ peaks.

On solid‑waste revenues, Acree told the committee landfill receipts — reported quarterly by the vendor — are trending above budget and that, if the pattern holds into the fourth quarter, the solid‑waste fund could finish the year roughly $50,000–$70,000 above budgeted revenues. The county’s solid‑waste fund maintains a $2 million minimum balance; Acree said any excess can be transferred to county general at year‑end.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the use‑tax volatility and the department’s ability to refine revenue forecasts. Acree said the county had contacted the state Department of Revenue and learned the department does not receive advance notice when retailers’ adjustments are processed, which limited the state contact’s ability to explain month‑to‑month swings. He said staff will monitor the trend over the next months and adjust budget forecasts if the upward tick in use tax continues.

Committee Chair and members offered no objections to the presentation and moved on to other agenda items.