Williams County officials reviewed a midyear financial report on July 15 that showed the county’s general fund roughly where it was at the same point last year, while staff flagged specific cash-flow risks and items that could change that outlook. Auditor and staff presented cash balances as of June 30 and a set of projections through December; commissioners discussed real estate tax gains, an $800,000 sewer loan advance expected to return and the county’s so-called rainy-day savings.

The auditors said the county’s general fund is “right around where it was this time last year,” and noted year-to-date revenue up about 0.6%, driven largely by higher real estate collections. “If you look through these reports, whether it's revenue or expenses, the general fund is right around where it was this time last year,” an auditor told the board. Commissioners and staff said the county also has roughly $800,000 advanced for sewer projects that staff expect to be repaid before Jan. 1.

Commissioners discussed the county’s practice of keeping a portion of the general fund as a rainy-day reserve. One commissioner described that balance as a de facto rainy-day fund that “just kinda hangs out,” and commissioners said the board could consider labeling or formalizing such reserves. Staff said funds earn interest and that the county’s investment manager moves cash among accounts to get the best yield.

The auditors also pointed to several one-time or timing-driven items that affect midyear comparisons: an advance of more than $1 million for projects (expected to come back), a surprise $100,000 board-of-elections bill that recurs about every five years and variance in recorder and conveyance fees tied to large property transactions. The board’s reported general fund increase of roughly $492,410 at midyear was attributed largely to higher real estate receipts.

Commissioners asked the auditor’s office to keep monitoring revenue accounts and suggested revisiting estimates in October if trends do not meet projections. No formal budget adjustments were made at the meeting.