Council approves multiple year-end appropriations and transfers, including $600,000 for road materials

The Marshall County Council approved a package of year-end appropriations and transfers during its Nov. 10 meeting.

Key votes included: - Approval of a $600,000 appropriation from the general fund for stone, gravel and aggregates to purchase materials ahead of anticipated price increases and to ensure materials are ready for spring projects. - Approval of a $7,000 additional appropriation from the general fund for legal services in the BZA and a corresponding $7,000 reduction in a plan-commission contractual line. - Adjustment of a Superior Court appropriation to $3,025 (reduction from a larger request) after consultation with Judge Aldrich. - Approval of $3,000 for court-appointed doctors (Superior Court 3). - Approval of $55,000 additional appropriation from a special-purpose fund for land acquisition (noted as likely for the Bowen Building). - Approval of a $16,000 professional-services request from the EPIX fund. - Multiple grouped transfers across clerk records perpetuation, solid-waste and other funds totaling tens of thousands of dollars; the clerk’s microfilming transfer alone was $25,000 into office furniture and fixtures. - Adoption of Ordinance 2025-32 to dissolve or transfer dormant funds (transfer of $2,335 and $952.81 into the general fund and drug-free community fund respectively).

Council members discussed whether some items should be taken from restricted balances or program-specific funds before using the general fund. On the $600,000 road-materials request, councilors said the purchase simply shifts next year’s purchases into this fiscal year to avoid price increases. The motions carried as presented; several votes were unanimous.

Next steps: Departments will implement transfers and appropriations per approved motions; staff will report back on exact fund sources and schedule appropriation paperwork.