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County finance midyear snapshot: departmental expenses near 46%, registry of deeds remains strong
Summary
Deputy finance manager Alex Kimball and County Manager Jim Gailey presented a midyear general fund update on July 13 showing departmental expenses at about 46.2% of budget, strong registry of deeds receipts, and several revenue lines to watch; the committee was briefed on timing and next steps for the fall budget schedule.
Deputy finance manager Alex Kimball and County Manager Jim Gailey presented the county’s midyear general fund overview to the Cumberland County Finance Committee on July 13 and said the county is cautiously optimistic about revenues but will watch several variable lines closely as the formal budget season begins.
Kimball told the committee the departmental payroll-and‑benefit slice of the general fund — the part he watches most closely — stood at about 46.2% of budget through the midyear review, compared with 43.5% at the same point in the prior year. “As long as we’re under 50, I’m happy,” Kimball said, noting that certain timing quirks and one‑time payments push month‑to‑month percentages.
Why it matters: The midyear review provides a snapshot that staff will use to prepare 6‑month and 12‑month budget materials for the fall. The update highlighted both revenue lines that are pacing below expectations (some emergency management reimbursements are received in arrears) and lines unexpectedly strong this year, most notably the registry of deeds and probate-related receipts.
Registry of deeds and other revenues: Kimball put the registry of deeds on the committee’s watch list. The office posted a strong “summer bump” that, combined with higher property values and transaction volumes, may represent a new normal above pre‑pandemic averages. “We may certainly help next year’s budget if this keeps on going,” Kimball said. Probate fees and related filings are also trending higher than expected; staff said the rise is consistent month‑to‑month and is not a single large outlier.
Other items the committee discussed included EMS/FEMA reimbursements (timing causes low early receipts), sheriff’s revenue trends that will need attention in the budget process, and how certain large IT and contracted fees appear early in the fiscal year (for example, Spillman software costs).
Budget process and schedule: Jim Gailey reminded the committee that the County Commissioners will hold a caucus on Aug. 8 to appoint any additional members to the finance committee and that new appointments will be sworn after Labor Day. Kimball and Gailey outlined a schedule to begin department‑by‑department reviews in September; staff noted they will present both a six‑month budget and a 12‑month fiscal budget this cycle as part of the county’s transition to a fiscal-year presentation.
Ending: Kimball said, “I think we’re looking pretty good… I’m certainly not concerned that we’re going to be heading into a negative fund balance for the year.” Committee members said they expect to reconvene in September for a fuller review when June and other close‑out numbers are finalized.
