Harris County CFO reports stronger‑than‑expected revenues; commissioners weigh replacing payroll software with ADP

Harris County commissioners heard a fiscal update and a proposal to replace the county’s payroll system at their April 15 regular meeting.

CFO Elizabeth Barfield told the board the county’s year‑to‑date financial report through March 2025 shows higher than budgeted grant receipts and several large capital outlays. “It’s different than anything you’ve seen,” Barfield said of the new report format designed to show four years of year‑to‑date figures, budget comparisons and variances.

Barfield said the county received about $914,000 in LMIG receipts this fiscal year (budgeted at $930,000) and that some funds categorized as LRA were not budgeted, which explains variances in the general fund revenue column. On the expense side she said the sheriff’s department is over budget because some items were purchased against SPLOST 2025 before the SPLOST receipts were collected; the general fund will be reimbursed when those SPLOST proceeds arrive.

Barfield detailed other capital and grant activity: ARP (American Rescue Plan) reserves are being used for payments on an elevated water tank (three…