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Board briefed on $1.79 million vehicle subfund residuals and plan to allocate across departments
Summary
County budget staff proposed appropriating $1,791,978 of residual balances from a closed motor vehicle replacement fund into a new vehicle subfund to allow departments to purchase vehicles; commissioners questioned interest earnings, allocation methodology and replacement cycle planning.
Budget staff told the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners that when the county closed its separate motor vehicle mobile equipment replacement fund last fiscal year, residual balances totaling $1,791,978 remained and need to be appropriated into the new vehicle subfund (subfund 107) to support vehicle purchases.
Budget Director Kyle Wolf explained the original capital project fund tracked interest earnings and encumbrances for vehicle purchases; when the capital project fund was closed in 2024, residual balances and apportioned interest were moved back to the general fund subfund. "That fund was closed last year, and a sub fund of the general fund was established for vehicle purchases," Wolf said. County staff told commissioners they had not yet moved the residuals into the subfund and the agenda item would appropriate the remaining balance to departments to provide additional capacity for vehicle purchases.
Commissioners extensively questioned the composition of the residual balance, particularly how much of the $1,791,978 represented interest earnings versus unspent appropriations. Chairman Martin asked whether interest earnings should revert to the general fund; Risk Management staff later reported that $64,500 of the total shown for non-departmental came from interest earnings when the funds were held in a capital project fund and recommended leaving that amount in non-departmental to help cover pressure on the claims budget.
Commissioners also asked about replacement-cycle planning and fleet management. Staff said departments have plans for emergency vehicles (ambulances, sheriff's patrol vehicles) and that Kimberly Bussey is conducting a deep dive into vehicle replacement planning similar to the capital improvement plan review. Staff noted that vehicle replacement has been affected by inflation, longer lead times for specialized equipment (for example, ambulances) and by accident-related replacements in the sheriff's office, which can shift replacement priorities.
The briefing did not record a formal vote; staff said the appropriation item will be presented for board action at the April 10 meeting and offered to provide a breakdown of the residuals, including exact interest earnings, and departmental replacement schedules.
Context: The residuals include unspent encumbrances, reimbursements (including municipal reimbursements for sheriff vehicles), and interest allocated while funds were held in capital project accounts. Commissioners requested staff return detailed apportionment and replacement-cycle documentation before final action.
