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Warren County treasurer flags rising unfunded mandates, urges tighter budget management
Summary
County Treasurer Christine Norton presented a 2024 year-end budget variance review to the Warren County Finance and Budget Committee, highlighting a 12% drop in unappropriated general fund balance since 2016, rising psychiatric 730-exam costs, slower sales-tax budgeting practice, and internal-control recommendations on timekeeping and overtime.
Christine Norton, Warren County treasurer, told the Finance and Budget Committee that the county’s 2024 year-end review shows a shrinking cushion in the general fund and several cost pressures local officials cannot control. "There was a 12% decrease in our general fund unappropriated balance," Norton said, adding that New York state unfunded mandates and other required expenditures were large drivers.
Norton said nearly $1.9 million of a line-item she discussed — psychiatric costs tied to so-called 730 exams — accounted for a large share of recent increases. "Of the 1,900,000, that was mentioned above, 79% of that is our psychiatric 7 30 exams. We have no control over it. Literally, Warren County has 0 control over these expenses. It's New York state mandated," she said.
The treasurer also reviewed operational items that affected 2024 results: a $21 million bond issuance that drew from the general fund, $480,000 in safety-related spending for the…
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