Strafford County delegation backs $1.44 million budget supplement, OKs short-term borrowing to cover cash shortfalls

The Strafford County legislative delegation executive committee on Sept. 30 recommended a supplemental appropriation of $1,442,531 to the county's 2025 budget and authorized short-term borrowing to cover timing and revenue shortfalls tied to that expense and other delayed revenues.

The recommendation followed a presentation by County Commissioner Nivalares and staff explaining that a large, unbudgeted inmate hospital bill and changes in federal payments had left the county without a fund balance to absorb the costs. "We have no fund balance at all," Commissioner Nivalares told the committee, summarizing the county's cash position.

The delegation approved the recommendation by roll call and also approved (by roll call) a related increase in the amount to be raised by taxes, a tax-anticipation note (to borrow up to $1,442,531) and revenue-anticipation borrowing up to $6,962,000 to smooth county cash flow while expected revenues are collected.

Why it matters: The supplemental appropriation addresses bills the county says it must pay now; the borrowing measures temporarily shift cash obligations into short-term debt until anticipated revenues arrive. Committee members repeatedly pressed county officials about whether budget reductions or departmental changes could reduce future needs.

Details and causes County staff told the delegation that the largest single driver of the supplemental request was an inmate medical bill that, prior to insurance adjustments and other recoveries, totaled nearly $2 million. County staff said hospitals and insurers have covered…