Franklin County supervisors discuss moving unspent department funds into special projects to cushion courthouse repairs; set budget steps for public health/home

Franklin County supervisors discussed using unspent balances in several county funds to build a special-projects cushion ahead of expected major courthouse repairs and the county’s temporary transfer of public health and home care services to a hospital.

The conversation centered on transferring untransferred budgeted amounts from three general-basic subfunds—conservation, veterans affairs and public health—into the county’s special projects fund at the end of the fiscal year and then adopting a budget amendment for the next fiscal year. Supervisors were told conservation had approximately $38,000 remaining, veterans affairs about $12,456 and public health about $20,893.50 as of a recent May fund-balance report. The presenter said those amounts put the departments above the county’s 25% reserve guideline and could be moved without leaving departments underfunded.

Why it matters: Supervisors and staff said the courthouse needs significant repairs (including a roof project with engineering plans under way) and that relying on bond financing later could be more costly. The county’s insurance deductible for hail and wind on the courthouse was given as roughly $266,000, a figure officials said could leave much of the repair cost to the county even if an insurance claim proceeds.

What the board directed: Supervisors directed staff to check up-to-date fund balances after the fiscal year close and, if any department fell below the 25% reserve, to transfer funds next week to restore the 25% minimum. The board asked staff to prepare an amendment early in the next fiscal year to move remaining unspent, untransferred amounts into the special projects fund. No final transfer was approved at the meeting; supervisors characterized the action as direction to staff rather than a binding appropriation.

Public health/home care budget: The board also discussed the county’s interim payment obligations while Franklin County Public Health and Franklin County Home Care operate under the county umbrella for roughly two months during an expected transition to hospital operation. Members discussed budgeting roughly 17% of the programs’ annual budgets (a number that was described as covering about two months; staff said 20% could be used if the board prefers a larger cushion). Supervisors asked staff to prepare a budget amendment by the start of the fiscal year and to have a more exact number ready for the next meeting; they also directed staff to prepare an additional amendment if the handoff to the hospital is extended beyond the expected two-month window.

Process and next steps: Staff said the county will not leave departments without funds: transfers would be done as needed to maintain the 25% reserve, and transfers intended for special projects would require an amendment to the adopted budget. The board did not approve a definitive dollar transfer at the meeting; it asked staff to return with exact end-of-year balances and the suggested amendment language.

Background details: County staff described the roof project procurement steps—engineering plans being prepared, then public advertisement for bids—and reiterated the roughly $266,000 insurance deductible for hail and wind on the courthouse (presenter’s figure). That insurance detail was cited by supervisors as a reason to seek internal funding options rather than relying solely on insurance recoveries or bonds.

Ending: Supervisors said they will review the final fund-balance numbers next week and expect a proposed budget amendment in the first amendment cycle of the fiscal year. The board gave staff direction rather than taking a final fiscal action at the meeting.