At a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, county staff described a request from Hillside Country Living asking the county to provide a letter committing to temporarily cover negative balances to allow the facility's bills to be paid. The commissioners discussed the request and the county
uditor recommended caution given uncertain next-year revenues; no motion was made.

Hillside's current cash situation and the request

Commissioners were told Hillside Country Living had shown a negative balance in its accounts and that, on the day of the meeting, auditors saw a $72,000 shortfall. Staff said the facility later corrected the immediate issue but requested a written county assurance that the county would cover temporary negative balances so the auditor could legally process bills without interruption.

A county staff member described a proposed backing of $150,000 for calendar year 2025 to cover temporary cash shortfalls. "So it's for a $150,000 for the calendar year 2025," the staff member said. The auditor's office had previously made similar arrangements for other providers, staff said.

Budgetary concerns and lack of motion

Commissioners expressed concern about committing county funds without a clear guarantee for future budgets. One commissioner recommended the courts or departments use existing budget lines where possible rather than request county backing. Staff cautioned that a pending property-tax repeal (discussed in the meeting as an external risk) could reduce next-year revenue and argued for tightened budgets.

Because no motion was made to approve the county backing or transfer funds, the request was not acted upon; the meeting record shows the item "fails for lack of motion." Commissioners asked staff to follow up, talk with the auditor, and return with additional information rather than approve a county pledge immediately.

What happens next

Staff said they would discuss the Hillside request with Daryl (auditor) and return to the commissioners with additional detail. No formal ballot, vote or binding commitment was made at the meeting.