Columbus County commissioners approve $1.5 million FY24‑25 budget amendment, pause June water disconnects

Heather Woody, Columbus County financial director, asked the board to approve a fiscal year 2024–25 budget amendment that would authorize the use of up to $1,500,000 of fund balance to cover shortfalls and close out capital projects.

"The board is requested to approve an increase ... in the amount of $1,500,000," Woody said, listing the largest expense increases as $443,566 in the department on aging budget to provide senior meals and services, and $248,331 in the sheriff’s office for medical expenses and juvenile detention costs. She said lower-than-expected revenues in the Department of Social Services (DSS) — about $862,000 — also contributed to the shortfall.

Woody told the commissioners the request includes ordinances to close out capital projects, including the historic courthouse renovation, new courthouse construction (with transfer of unused funds back to the general fund), COVID‑19 response projects, three school capital projects now that construction accounts are closed, and the old dock water and sewer project in Water District 5. She said the board would also be asked to open an ordinance for hurricane mutual aid, amend ARPA funding in the department on aging, and approve two grant-funded airport projects for the AWOS system. Woody said the package encompasses 37 separate budget amendments or ordinance changes.

"Per our recommendation, we're also requesting the board to unrestrict, previously approved funding for Columbus County Schools in the amount of $1,700,000, as well as $375,000 for a fire training facility that was approved over 10 years ago," Woody said. She said moving those funds into unassigned fund balance would reduce the amount of new money needed to close out the fiscal year and that the board could re-restrict funds by future board action if projects resume.

Daniel Buck (role not specified in the transcript) appeared with Woody to request authority to hire a budgeted health‑services position at a higher rate than originally budgeted because the candidate has greater qualifications; Buck asked that two existing positions be consolidated so the overall headcount would not increase. Woody noted that the board must act because position counts are set in the budget ordinance.

Woody also requested that delinquency fees be waived and water service cutoffs paused for June in affected water districts because a recent software conversion interrupted online and telephone payment vendors. Woody said both payment channels are now restored and that the county will resume regular operations once customers can reliably pay.

Commissioners questioned the estimate for the sheriff's office and juvenile‑detention expenses. Commissioner Creech asked whether the $248,331 amount reflected bills already received or anticipated future invoices; Woody said the figure provides room for bills that may be received through the July 31 close of the fiscal year. She explained the county codes invoices to the year in which the services were provided, so late vendor invoices for the prior fiscal year must be charged to that prior year’s budget.

Several commissioners pressed for clarity about DSS revenue shortfalls and foster‑care costs. Woody said part of the DSS revenue shortfall stemmed from unfilled positions that normally generate reimbursable activity, and that foster care placements remain costly and sometimes do not qualify for reimbursement when children must be placed in nonfoster facilities.

The discussion also covered customer service issues tied to the billing software conversion. Woody said the telephone and online third‑party payment vendors were down during the conversion and have been restored; she described security reasons for routing telephone and online card payments through a third party rather than collecting card numbers verbally at county counters. Commissioners asked staff to work with collections and information technology to monitor phone rollover and staffing so fewer calls go unanswered and to consider accommodations for customers who need in-person help.

Commissioner Floyd moved to approve the package of budget amendments and ordinance actions; Commissioner Smith seconded. The board voted, with the chair calling for those in favor to say "aye." The chair then said "Motion passed." The transcript does not include a roll‑call tally.

The board approved the requested actions and later adjourned.

Ending: The board did not specify exact vote counts in the transcript; staff said the budget‑closeout steps were intended to ensure bills received by the July 31 fiscal‑year close can be paid and to avoid auditor findings.