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County reports strong May revenue, growing fund balance; tax office details kiosks, recent tax sale; solid waste operating loss noted
Summary
County staff reported that the general fund had collected all budgeted revenues through May and that the unreserved fund balance increased to 6.1 months of operating expenses, while the tax office announced new vendor kiosk options for out‑of‑town tag renewals and a recent tax sale.
County officials told the Board of Commissioners Thursday that Liberty County had collected its budgeted revenues through May and that the unreserved fund balance rose to 6.1 months of operation expenses, up from 5.1 months the prior May.
Samantha (finance staff) reported expenditures of roughly 88 percent of budget at 11 months into the fiscal year and described a net favorable variance of about $2,384,000 through May. She said vacancies in county departments contributed to underspending and that the Georgia Department of Audits allows a thirteenth‑period budget amendment during year‑end close to reconcile departmental variances.
On sales taxes, staff reported roughly $1.2 million in SPLOST receipts for May and said TSPLOST collections for May were about $1,130,000. Total TSPLOST collections since inception were reported at $54,300,000, with approximately $25,400,000 spent to date on road projects.
County staff briefed the commission on outstanding FEMA reimbursements. Samantha said the county had recently received a large FEMA payment but estimated roughly $1,200,000 still owed for debris removal and an additional roughly $1,200,000 tied to a box culvert project.
Separate remarks from Mr. Sharp provided a tax office update: privileges for out‑of‑town tag renewals are now available through a vendor kiosk accessible at Kroger and Publix partner locations; the county is working to secure its own kiosk once a nearby Publix completes construction. Sharp said the county held its first tax sale in two years in March: the initial list included about 130 properties, whittled to 18, of which 13 sold. He said another sale is planned for the end of the year and that the tax office’s 2023 collection rate is 98.8 percent, up from roughly 93 percent prior to his taking office. Shortened hours at the Midway office were replaced by Monday–Friday daily service.
On solid waste, finance staff said the fund shows a May net loss of about $243,000 when accounting entries including depreciation are included; cash‑flow is positive, but accounting depreciation for the year was reported at $397,000. Staff noted a past‑due balance from a customer who is paying $2,500 per month and likely will take 13–14 months to repay in full. Staff said new solid waste rates approved by the county are expected to move the fund back toward sustainability.
Commissioners asked questions about department overspending, timing for year‑end true‑ups, and how unspent funds are used. Samantha said unspent budgeted funds move into the undesignated unreserved fund balance to act as a safety net for unanticipated costs such as hurricane debris removal until federal reimbursement arrives.
No budget amendments were adopted at the meeting; staff said they will return as needed after the fiscal year close to process required adjustments.
