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Auditor-Treasurer: Sherburne County posts higher investment earnings, notes ARPA, forfeited land change and election updates
Summary
County Auditor-Treasurer presented a preliminary December trial balance and reported investment earnings ahead of budget, ARPA balances, forfeited land procedural changes based on a court result, upcoming elections and the arrival of the external auditor team.
Sherburne County’s Auditor-Treasurer presented the county’s preliminary December trial balance on Jan. 21 and reported investment earnings above budget, new restrictions on forfeited land proceeds, upcoming elections and the start of the 2024 external audit.
"Investment earnings are above budget by almost $2,200,000 at year end," Auditor-Treasurer Lorraine said, reporting interest earnings of $3,499,103.64 compared with $2,904,745.51 the prior year. The report also shows ARPA funds of $2,200,000 and a Recorder’s Compliance Fund balance of $542,647. Lorraine cautioned the December trial balance will shift as year-end journal entries and a period-3 settlement are completed.
Lorraine told commissioners CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) arrived to begin the county’s 2024 audit. She also reported election work: township elections for Becker, Blue Hill, Clear Lake, Livonia, Palmer and Santiago townships are scheduled for March 11, 2025, and two special elections are set for April 8 — a Baldwin city liquor election and a two-question bonding referendum for ISD 742 (St. Cloud).
On forfeited land, Lorraine said new statewide guidance following a court result (referred to in the meeting as the Tyler Hennepin result) changes proceeds handling: the county may recoup only direct costs (for example, lock changes and court costs), and net proceeds are available to previous owners after costs. The county has seven newly forfeited parcels, including a Zimmerman home; those properties are being prepared for auction through Public Surplus with sales opening Feb. 13.
Commissioners also asked about election equipment replacement; Lorraine said staff expect most equipment to reach end-of-life by 2026 and are preparing options and cost estimates for replacement.
