Washington County warns of steep Social Services cost growth, board approves related budget adjustments

Chairman and members of the Washington County Board of Supervisors heard extended briefing and discussion on March budget variances and mounting costs in the Department of Social Services, and approved a package of budget amendments and program appropriations to cover immediate shortfalls.

The county—s finance staff told supervisors that cash balances were down about $6,000,000 from the same time last year and that unreserved fund balance is projected to drop by about $18,800,000, which could leave roughly $15,000,000 in reserves if proposed appropriations for 2025 are used. "Cash balances are down about $6,000,000 overall from the same time last year," a county finance official said at the meeting.

Why it matters: Supervisors were repeatedly warned the increases are largely driven by mandated social-service expenditures that the county must pay and that are partly funded by state and federal sources; the county—s local share has risen and the county cannot delay many of the payments. The board voted to move forward with several budget amendments to cover program shortfalls while staff continue to seek additional state revenue and monitor year-end closing.

Details of the discussion and…