Commissioners approve $3.0 million accounts payable list and discuss long-term care funding uncertainty

Rockingham County commissioners on May 1 approved the county’s accounts payable list totaling $3,000,684.88 and spent notable time discussing long-term care funding and upcoming budget hearings.

During the consent agenda, commissioners moved and approved the balance-payable list for May 1. Commissioners noted large items on the list, including remittances to state and local entities; a commissioner said, “You see the money goes fast,” in reference to several large bills on the list.

Following the vote, commissioners and staff discussed budget pressures affecting long-term care. County staff reported they had met with state legislators and that Senator Gray was “very noncommittal” on changes to the proposed cap for long-term care reimbursement (the board seeks a 2% cap while the current proposal is 3%). Staff also described uncertainty about repayment or credit timing tied to federal Medicaid FMAP matters and House Bill 2 provisions; those items are expected to be prominent in imminent committee-of-conference activity at the state level.

The board was reminded that a public hearing on the commissioners’ proposed FY26 budget will be held Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Hilton following the board meeting, and that a third-quarter budget review is scheduled for Friday at 9:30 a.m. Staff said they will circulate comparative revenue reports and continue monitoring state and federal developments that could change county costs.

The accounts-payable motion and subsequent budget items passed with recorded affirmative votes from the commissioners present. Staff was directed to continue budget preparation and to report back as legislative and federal developments become clearer.