Laurie Sharp, the county’s finance director, told commissioners the county is projecting a material revenue surplus through midyear driven by stronger-than-expected interest earnings and nursing-home private-pay census levels.

“We are 56% through 2025 already… Interest earned exceeds the budget of $100,000 by $58,001,” Sharp said, summarizing monthly and year-to-date receipts. She reported a projected $820,450 revenue surplus that, when paired with an expense surplus, would increase the estimated 2025 fund balance by about $1,068,070 to a projected $4,701,009.

Sharp highlighted department-level variances: deeds revenue is at 50% collected and ahead of last year; sheriff’s office fee and court-security receipts project a $57,500 surplus; corrections projected a $13,500 deficit that may improve with a recent rise in census; and the nursing home is projecting a significant surplus due to higher private-pay census and other revenue mix shifts. She also flagged maintenance and dietary expense items and noted several unplanned maintenance needs that have caused intra-year overspending in some lines (toilet replacements, a sewer grinder, heating fuel, and painting). Sharp said some planned capital purchases remain unspent and can cover overages in maintenance lines.

On cash flow, Sharp reported a current cash position in the millions and said the county still expects to require a second borrowing in October, though increased pro-share receipts have delayed that need. She reported nursing-home accounts-receivable collections at an overall 98% rate (99% in June, 91% in May) and said the county is still awaiting final audit work on the 2024 audit because the auditing firm experienced staffing turnover.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about specific capital projects and the audit schedule; no formal budget amendments or borrowing actions were taken at the meeting.