Scott County staff presented the county’s third‑quarter financial results on Nov. 4, projecting an approximate $3.2 million favorable variance for 2025 operations. The report attributed most of the variance to stronger investment earnings and several department‑level variances.

‘‘At this time, we do project year end results for Scott County for the operations to have a favorable variance of roughly $3,200,000,’’ a county finance staff member said. The countywide favorable variance was driven by higher‑than‑budgeted investment earnings (more than $2,000,000 projected) and a near $500,000 favorable projection in Health and Human Services. Planning and Resource Management projected about a $425,000 favorable variance, and Transportation/Transformation/Enterprise Services projected roughly $150,000 in favorable variance, with vacancies cited as a contributing factor.

The county attorney’s office showed a projected negative variance of about $140,000 related to state revenue timing; community services were projected to be favorable by about $115,000 as land records revenues exceeded budget. The sheriff’s office recorded an unfavorable variance near $105,000 attributed to over‑complement positions that historically offset vacancies but this year resulted in higher personnel costs.

Presenters noted material assumptions and risks in the projection, including the federal shutdown and the county’s planned transition to a stand‑alone MN Choices administrator beginning Jan. 1. Staff said the projection includes a roughly $1,000,000 shortfall expected from state payments tied to the MN Choices transition and that third‑quarter state payments had not yet been received; final results will depend on payments and evolving assumptions.

The board asked questions about investment strategy and maturities; staff reported about 88% of county investments were in 0–2 year maturities and that interest rates on short‑term instruments had declined 30–40 basis points since the prior quarter. The county continues to monitor the yield curve and make modest moves into longer maturities as appropriate.

Provenance: presentation began at 00:29:35 and concluded before the SNAP/WIC briefing at 00:39:32.