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Commissioners review January fiscal report and discuss hiring, vacancy and strategic-planning directives
Summary
Finance staff reported January budget performance showing revenues and expenses near expected early-year levels; commissioners discussed vacancy review, mandated vs. nonmandated services, and whether to pursue a strategic-planning grant from DCED.
Finance staff presented the county—iscal report through January 2025 and described general-fund and all-services budget performance as on track for the start of the year.
Janelle Friese and Theresa Beckner said the general fund had recognized a small percentage of budgeted revenue in January (typical for the start of the year) and that investment income is running ahead of budget. General-fund expenses through January were about 7.7% of the budget (just below an even-distribution 8.3% for one month). On the all-services side, staff reported revenues somewhat below last year's pace and expenses near expected levels; staff characterized the near-term outlook as "cautiously optimistic." Commissioners praised staff for budget discipline.
Following the report, commissioners discussed earlier staff directives to review the employee roster and vacancies, to distinguish mandated versus nonmandated services, and to consider target budgeting with increased board involvement. Staff also described a possible funding opportunity: a Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) grant that could pay up to 50% of the cost of a strategic-planning consultant; the grant would require a county resolution and a commitment of local matching funds if pursued. Commissioners expressed mixed views about hiring an outside firm and asked to meet with the DCED representative for details before committing to apply.
Why it matters: budget performance and staffing decisions affect the county's ability to deliver mandated services and to meet fiscal targets; a DCED grant could offset consultant costs but would require local match and board approval.
Next steps: Staff to arrange a meeting with the DCED representative to explain the grant; no firm commitment to hire a consultant was made at the meeting. Staff will continue work on vacancy review and mandated/nonmandated service analysis.
