Allegany County staff outlines equipment purchase, auditor extension and FY25 budget amendments

County staff told the Allegany County Commissioners that several consent and budget items would be brought forward for formal action at a later public meeting, including a $125,000 equipment purchase, a five-year audit contract extension and multiple fiscal-year 2025 budget amendments.

The items presented included the proposed purchase of a used 2021 Caterpillar roller for the Rhodes division for $125,000; approval of a surety bond for the Allegany County (transfer) station with Harcourt National Insurance Company, which state requirements in Maryland necessitate the county sign; a proposed five‑year extension with the current auditors, Turnbull, Hoover and Kale, to audit fiscal years 2025 through 2029 with small annual cost increases; declaration of certain vehicles as surplus (including 02/2017 cutaway buses from transit); several budget amendments for fiscal 2025; and a memorandum of understanding between Allegany College of Maryland and the county to permit Western Maryland Works Makerspace incubator tenants at $35 per tenant.

The nut graf: the presentation grouped routine procurement, audit, and budget adjustments that county staff said require commissioner approval but will be scheduled individually for a public vote so commissioners can act on any item separately.

County staff summarized the budget amendments and line items, saying the first amendment would increase EMS revenues and expenditures by $350,000 to match additional revenues the county is collecting. Staff said another amendment would record about $1 million to reflect program open space activity tied to a one‑time state amount the presenter described as “the last big year you’ll see for a while.” The sheriff’s department would receive $400,000 in grant-funded appropriations and the state’s attorney’s office would receive $272,000 in grant activity, both reflected as amendments.

Staff also reported an expected negative impact: an overpayment by the state of Maryland to the county on income taxes tied to past lottery proceeds collections, which has led to a reduction in one allotment by $1 million. Staff listed additional budget increases, including extra revenue from an agreement with the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and increases in professional fees; staff summarized the net budget amendment figure as $1,300,000.

On contracts, staff described a proposed five‑year extension with Turnbull, Hoover and Kale, saying that “they’re the only game in town. No other firm does these type of services here anymore,” and recommended continuing the relationship with small cost increases. The presenters said the county must sign the transfer‑station surety bond with Harcourt National Insurance Company as required by Maryland.

Staff asked the commissioners whether to place the items on a future public agenda as separate voting items, so each could be approved or rejected independently. Commissioners did not record any final vote during the discussion segment in the transcript.

Ending: County staff said it would place the items on a future public meeting agenda for formal action. No formal motions or votes on these items were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.