Carroll County approves FY25 budget amendment, appropriations resolution

Carroll County supervisors approved a fiscal year 2025 budget amendment Tuesday that adds $20,000 to the medical examiner budget and places $187,000 into a capital projects fund, with the board adopting an appropriations resolution by roll call.

The amendment reallocates existing funds so the county can cover current medical examiner overages and hold funds in a capital projects account in case certain vendor invoices arrive before the close of FY25. "We're putting in an additional $20,000 in the medical examiner line. We've already exceeded budgeted amounts," Courtney said during the public hearing presentation. Courtney also explained that $187,000 was being set aside in a capital fund in case the items arrive and are payable in fiscal 2025; otherwise, payment would occur in fiscal 2026.

The board opened and closed a public hearing on the amendment; no members of the public spoke. Supervisors then moved to approve the appropriations resolution. A roll-call vote was held: Chair Stephanie Houseman voted yes; Miners responded yes; McCray voted yes. The resolution carried.

Why it matters: the amendment covers an immediate overrun in the medical examiner account and earmarks capital funds in anticipation of vendor discounts if projects proceed before fiscal-year end. County staff said the capital expenditures may be payable in FY26 if the invoices do not arrive in FY25.

The board recorded that the appropriation will be formalized in the adopted appropriations resolution and that unspent capital amounts will carry forward or be paid in the next fiscal year if the invoices fall in FY26.