Newton County approves new bonds, extends flood disaster declaration, adopts budget amendments and directs auditor to pursue new accounting software

Newton County commissioners approved a set of newly filed bonds, extended a flood disaster declaration tied to spring 2024 storms, and adopted two budget amendments at a January 2025 court meeting. Commissioners also approved payment of county bills with a notation about an interstate-billing credit and directed the county auditor to evaluate and return with options for upgraded accounting software and a purchasing/PO process.

The court voted to accept the new bonds filed for several county officials, including Colton Havard (bond filed), Robert Burvey (constable), Greg Harbison (constable), Prentiss Hopson (commissioner), Carla Brooks (justice of the peace) and Melissa Burkes (tax assessor). A motion to accept the bonds was made and seconded and the court approved the filings by voice vote. The motion to accept the bonds was made and seconded; the meeting record shows the court approved the matter as part of the consent agenda.

The court took no action on two previously authorized emergency declarations — the Hurricane Laura declaration and an older COVID-19 declaration — but did extend an existing disaster declaration for flooding tied to an April 10, 2024 event (amended to include an April 27, 2024 event and an event on Feb. 25). Commissioner White moved to extend the flood declaration; Commissioner Hobson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote.

On budget amendments, commissioners approved two changes the court characterized as necessary for compliance and reporting. One amendment adds $68,061.09 for the arbitrator—s office to cover labor and benefits for 2025; the other records $92,471.08 from the SP22 allocation for the sheriff—s office (identified in the meeting as spent on ammunition, vehicles and radio consoles) so those expenditures appear on the county—s formal budget and can be included in required reports. Commissioner Austin moved the budget amendments; Commissioner White seconded, and the court approved them by voice vote.

On routine bills, the court approved payment of invoices across multiple funds (the auditor reported line-item amounts including $38,046.47 in the general fund and additional precinct and grant totals). County staff flagged an interstate-billing credit that affected the bills list; the court approved payment with a notation to adjust the interstate-billing credit. During discussion the amount for the credit was described at different points in the meeting (staff cited both $1,008.71 and a later figure of $5,008.51 for related invoice credits); the court instructed staff to resolve and code the credit to the proper account before final accounting.

Beyond votes, the court spent substantial time on county financial systems and procurement. County Auditor Courtney (auditor) briefed the court on recurring problems with the county—s current accounting software (described in the meeting as NetData/NETd online or legacy screens) and said the county needs a system upgrade. Courtney said county staff will evaluate options, including AccuFund (an accounting/financial-software package discussed in the meeting) and other vendors, and will bring recommendations to the department-head meeting. Commissioners agreed the county also needs a purchasing/PO process and a designated purchasing officer; the auditor said she would implement a purchasing role tied to the approved budget amendment, asked the judge to provide office space for that position, and said she will oversee hiring and rollout. Commissioner discussion set a target to begin implementation steps by March and to present software options at the next department-head meeting.

Quotes in the record were limited and conversational. Courtney, the county auditor, summarized the software problem: "Our software definitely needs updating," and said the county will evaluate options and consult other counties on solutions.

What—s next: the auditor will research accounting systems and procurement processes, involve IT and recommended partners (the meeting record named Shannon Poitier as a suggested participant), and return to the court and department heads with specific software and procurement recommendations. Staff will reconcile the interstate-billing credit and code it to the correct fund before completing final bill payments.