County finance report: general‑fund collections near budgeted levels; mineral severance receipts rise

County finance staff reported to an unnamed county committee that general‑fund revenues were approximately 96% of budget while overall expenditures were about 80%, with the difference expected to add to the fund balance. Staff highlighted several year‑over‑year collection increases: property‑tax collections were about $759,000 higher than the same time last year; prior‑year collections were about $63,000 higher; Clerk and Master collections were about $115,000 higher. Staff also reported a notable quarter increase in mineral severance tax receipts and said the county saw expanded activity tied to a Walmart distribution project in the last quarter. On schools and special funds, staff said school collections were near budget (about 98%) with expenditures at about 89%. The school‑age‑care program showed a revenue shortfall (collected 76% of budget while expending 96%), and finance staff said an amended budget would likely be presented next month. "That difference will go to fund balance," the county finance staff said, summarizing the primary general‑fund result. Staff also said there will be an opportunity to adjust the local mineral‑severance fee; any change would require action by the county commission, and Mark's office was identified as the lead on that follow‑up. The committee moved to accept the monthly and quarterly reports and to forward the quarterly summary to the full commission; those procedural actions were approved by voice vote during the meeting.