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Carroll County delegation approves series of year-end line-item transfers
Summary
The delegation approved multiple budget line-item transfers at the meeting, including smaller administrative cleanups and larger transfers to nursing, corrections, and agency-staff accounts; members said transfers were intended to close out 2024 obligations and avoid layoffs.
Carroll Countys delegation approved a series of year-end line-item transfers during the meeting to cover payroll, agency staffing, facility costs and other closing obligations for 2024.
Delegation members described the transfers as routine year-end cleanups intended to cover bills that were incurred in 2024 but not fully funded in the original line items. Finance staff told the delegation the transfers were drawn from other accounts to leave sufficient balances to carry the county through the end of the year.
The delegation recorded and approved the following transfers (motions and recorded votes as stated in the meeting):
- 2024-11: Transfer of $15,800 (administration). Motion made and seconded; vote recorded as Vice Chairman Smith: yes; Judge Scott: yes; Representative Bercow: yes; Representative McElhin: yes; Chairman: yes. Passed.
- 2024-12: Transfer of $20,300. Motion approved on recorded vote (5-0).
- 2024-13: Transfer of $35,100. Motion approved on recorded vote (5-0).
- 2024-14: Transfer of $1,500 (physician services line cleanup). Motion approved on recorded vote (5-0).
- Nursing home / agency-staff transfers (agenda sequence described during the meeting): a transfer amount described and approved by the delegation as $670,000 to cover agency staff and related shortfalls; motion passed on a 5-0 recorded vote. Delegation discussion noted this was intended to cover vacancies, agency staff used to backfill positions, and end-of-year Medicare/Social Security/retirement obligations.
- Large transfers for operations and corrections: - 2024-16: Transfer for House of Corrections of $117,330. Motion approved on recorded vote (5-0). - 2024-17: Transfer of $3,600. Motion approved. - 2024-18a: Transfer of $3,293 (facilities minor clean-up). Motion approved. - 2024-18b: Transfer of $80,017 (facilities, electricity/propane and property costs). Motion approved on recorded vote (5-0). - 2024-19 (DPW): Transfer of $30,765 (tree removal, heater replacement and other DPW expenses). Motion approved.
- Corrections line transfers and vehicle/academy costs: - 2024-20 / 2024-21 (Corrections): Transfer of $2,100,143 covering clothing, vehicles, academy costs and overtime related to corrections staffing and academy increases; motion carried.
Delegation members asked clarifying questions about whether the transfers created any line-item shortfalls for the remainder of the year. Finance and department representatives said they had reviewed balances and were leaving sufficient funds for remaining 2024 obligations; several members asked that finance provide clearer breakout reports in the future so the delegation could review transfers before they were signed by department heads. Representatives also noted the transfers avoided layoffs and allowed the county to cover unexpected late bills (for example a late hospital bill applied to physician services).
No transfers were rejected at the meeting; all were approved by recorded votes or unanimous voice votes where noted.
