Treasurer reports record January sales-tax receipts and strong cash balances

Vernon County Treasurer Karen reported the county’s cash position and tax receipts for January, telling the Finance Committee that the county posted a record January in sales-tax receipts and that cash flow is stronger than a year earlier.

Karen said the balance at the bank was $16,406,739.64 and reported a cash-flow figure shown in the county system (reported in the meeting materials) of roughly $16,000,004.00 followed by an itemized presentation of receipts. Receipts for the reporting period totaled $5,472,014.61, and January sales-tax receipts were $285,639.43 — a January record for the county, the treasurer said. The committee discussed timing effects and noted the next month’s receipts could move differently because of timing and seasonal variance.

For delinquent and current taxes, the treasurer said the balance of delinquent taxes was $1,382,503.33 and that the county’s 2024 outstanding balance after municipal payments was listed as $13,000,556.68. The treasurer confirmed settlements from municipalities had been processed and that checks related to February settlements were expected to be received and entered soon, which should improve cash flow in the short term.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about timing and processing of settlements; the treasurer said W-2s and WRS reporting were completed on time and the county was preparing for the audit. No formal committee action was taken on the treasurer’s report; members accepted the report and moved on to other items.