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Supervisors weigh budget increases, levy options and a $300,000 potential transfer as general basic fund balance tightens
Summary
Board members reviewed department budget requests and a multi-fund worksheet that shows a projected shortfall in the general basic fund; supervisors asked departments to refine budgets and considered transferring funds from general supplemental but asked staff to confirm legality and timing before action.
Chickasaw County supervisors spent an extended portion of the Feb. 3 meeting reviewing departmental budget requests, proposed levy rates and projected fund balances, and directed staff to continue analysis before final levy and budget decisions.
County financial staff presented a consolidated worksheet showing department-level requests across general basic (GB) and general supplemental (GS) funds. The presentation showed GB with an estimated June 30, 2026 ending balance that the staff characterized as below the commonly recommended reserve (about 25% of expenses). The worksheet identified several departments with large percentage increases in requested budgets, including the sheriff's office and other smaller offices, and flagged that GB required close review.
Staff and supervisors discussed options to close the gap: cutting departmental budgets, transferring money from other county funds that have restricted purposes (with the caution that restricted funds typically must be used for their designated purpose), and moving money from general supplemental back to general basic. County staff said a prior $300,000 transfer from GB to GS had occurred and that returning some of that money to GB might be possible, but they would confirm with the auditor's office and the timeline for tax receipts.
Supervisors asked departments to re-examine requests and to provide detail on expected reimbursements or one-time expenses that might free up funds. Staff said some departments already provided estimated returns of unused budget amounts and that those figures would be compiled before the board's next hearing. The board discussed proposed levy numbers (an example scenario in the packet showed a 3.50 levy for GB and approximately 1.90 for GS), and members expressed concern that statewide tax reform proposals could further constrain future levy growth.
No final levy or transfers were approved at the meeting. Supervisors directed staff to continue outreach with department heads, refine the projected returns and bring recommended adjustments and any legally permissible transfers back to the board for action at the scheduled hearings.
