Rutherford County documents roughly $32 million revenue gain, approves year-end budget cleanup

Rutherford County commissioners voted to approve a package of year-end budget amendments that recognize roughly $32,000,000 in additional revenue and, after expenditure adjustments, would add about $26,000,000 to the county's unassigned fund balance.

Michael, the county finance director, told the commission the packet of amendments covers routine end-of-year cleanups, revenue revisions and refunding entries. "On the county general fund, the net increase, roughly to unassigned fund balance, ... is gonna be about $26,000,000," he said. He also said total additional revenue is "right at 32,000,000 increase," but that some of those dollars are restricted.

The package consolidated multiple line-item cleanups across funds, including: adjustments to revenue estimates, payouts of accrued leave for separations, transfers to correct budgeting line items, and entries related to a recent debt refunding that showed roughly $20 million in refunding receipts and matching bond-payment adjustments. Michael emphasized the amendments do not create new positions or authorize pay increases: "none of these amendments tonight are gonna grant any new positions. None of these amendments grant any raises or anything like that."

Commissioners asked for and received clarification on magnitude and timing. Michael said the estimates remain provisional because a month or two of sales-tax and hotel-motel tax receipts are still to be received. He also noted certain receipts are restricted, such as roughly $1.5 million identified for opioid-related programs and that some previously authorized use of fund balance earlier in the year (about $15 million) was anticipated to be partially restored by year-end receipts.

The commission approved the consolidated amendment in a single roll-call vote. Commissioners recorded affirmative votes from Commissioner Trey Gooch (vice chairman), Commissioner Harris, Commissioner Irvin, Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Piercy, Commissioner Sereno and Commissioner Peay; the motion carried.

The broader packet also included routine cleanup amendments for the unemployment pooled account (allocating costs to the departments that incurred them), transfers inside an EBJP grant, and an insurance allocation that reallocates employee insurance costs to the departments where the employees elected coverage. Several smaller departmental transfers and position reclassifications tied to the fiscal-year close were approved by separate motions during the meeting.

Commissioners were offered the chance to pull any item for separate consideration; none were removed from the consolidated vote. Finance staff said they will continue to monitor revenues and will return with final figures after the remaining receipts post.

The commission moved on to other business after the vote.