Commissioners ask for MOU and spending breakdown before approving $332,000 STARS request

County commissioners on Aug. 11 asked the STARS program director to provide a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a detailed spending plan before the board considers releasing $332,000 the program requested from previously budgeted funds.

Commissioners said they want documentation that explains whether the requested funds would be used to pay off an existing building, who would own the building once paid off, and what would happen to the facility if the nonprofit dismantles the program. One commissioner said the board can approve or withhold general‑fund allocations but that once money is allocated and distributed, the county’s authority to dictate spending is limited unless spending conditions were written into an MOU or contract.

County counsel and staff told the commission that the county can ask for the MOU and conditions before authorizing disbursement; counsel advised that unless the earlier budget explicitly restricted how funds were to be used, the county could not retroactively direct spending after the funds are distributed. Commissioners asked staff to ensure any requested conditions are documented in the MOU before the funds are released.

The STARS director had submitted an email request and staff responses were pending; commissioners said they expect the director to provide the MOU and an itemized plan so the board can consider the request at the next meeting.