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Commissioners approve requisitions to pay inmate medical invoices after hours-long budget debate
Summary
Following extended discussion about invoicing, fund balance and budgeting limits, the board authorized requisitions to pay a set of substantial inmate medical invoices and directed finance staff to manage payments while monitoring budget impacts.
Columbus County commissioners approved requisitions to pay a series of medical invoices for jail inmates after an extended discussion about the size of the bills, fund balance pressures and how to handle similar charges going forward.
Sheriff's Office and finance staff outlined a set of invoices from Prime/medical providers for services rendered to inmates. Several invoices discussed in open session included amounts the board had previously seen as statements but had not received as invoices until recently. Commissioners and staff described some bills as dating to services from prior years (some going back to 2022) that only produced invoice documents last week.
County Manager Eddie Madden and finance staff warned that paying large, unexpected invoices by using fund balance risks depleting reserves. Commissioners and the sheriff's representatives said the county has limited ability to predict or budget for these extraordinary medical expenses, which can occur when inmates require hospitalization, prolonged care or air transfers.
The board discussed options including: - processing requisitions to pay the invoices now and delaying any formal budget amendment until later in the fiscal year; and - requesting that invoices go directly to the finance office in the future so they can be handled without altering the sheriff's operating budget.
Commissioners moved to approve the requisitions and pay the invoices from available funds while the finance office and county manager monitor impacts and, if necessary, bring a budget amendment later. The motion carried (voice vote); one commissioner voiced concerns about future budgeting and fund balance erosion during the discussion.
Why it matters: The invoices represent a significant unplanned expense that could affect county fund balance and next year's budgeting. Commissioners asked staff to pursue administrative changes, including routing invoices directly to finance and seeking state or legislative remedies if appropriate.
Votes at the meeting: Motion to approve payment requisitions for the discussed inmate medical invoices: passed (voice vote).
