Board approves transfer of unassigned fund balance to Capital Investment Fund; ARP capacity designation kept separate

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved a staff recommendation to transfer $15,600,006.49 from the general fund unassigned fund balance to the Capital Investment Fund and to reclassify a portion of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds as an assigned 'ARP freedom capacity' balance.

Robin Coos, county finance staff, explained that the county’s combined general‑fund unassigned balance was roughly $86.8 million as of June 30, 2024, equal to about 20% of combined general‑fund expenditures. The county’s policy maintains an operating reserve equal to 15% of general‑fund expenditures (about $62.3 million by Coos’s figures). After accounting for amounts already re‑appropriated into FY2025 and a fall 2024 employee stipend of roughly $264,000, staff recommended transferring the remaining allowable balance (approximately $15.6 million) to the Capital Investment Fund.

Coos also requested that the board keep a $16,000,008.66 ARP 'freedom capacity' line separated and maintain that balance as a named assigned balance through December 2026 to allow easier tracking if funds must be reallocated. Commissioners approved the transfer and the ARP reclassification by voice/show‑of‑hands vote. The transfer increases the capital fund balance beyond $170 million in Coos’s presentation and leaves the county with its policy‑required reserve intact.

County staff noted the transferred funds could be used for debt service or future capital projects and asked commissioners to move the recommended action to the consent agenda for the April 21 meeting. The board approved placing the transfer on the consent agenda.