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Clerk asks commissioners to consider moving Laredo licensing receipts into technology fund
Summary
County staff reported Laredo online licensing generated roughly $3,179.40 (with about $1,669 paid to vendor Fiddler in 2025) that has been deposited into general fund; staff asked the board whether those receipts can be routed into the clerk’s technology fund to pay licensing and scanning costs beginning in 2026, pending legal review.
An unidentified county official described receipts from the Laredo online business-licensing subscription and asked the board to consider routing those receipts into the clerk’s technology fund instead of county general. The speaker said the Laredo licensing fees totaled about $3,179.40 to date and that vendor fees paid to Fiddler for 2025 amount to about $1,669; the remaining balance was cited around $1,509.73 for 2025. The speaker said larger counties had allowed such receipts to fund tech accounts and that using the tech fund would also cover licensing and a planned book-scanning project that may carry a roughly $10,000 bill.
Legal and budget context: The speaker reported that Cindy had raised a legal question and that the clerk had sought counsel from Brian; the clerk said Brian thought the reallocation "can" be done but requested the board’s direction. Unidentified Speaker 2 summarized an Attorney General opinion included in the packet allowing similar funds to be used for salaries and benefits in some contexts, but flagged that full legal and finance confirmation would be needed.
Board response and next steps: Commissioners asked to review the packet, asked staff to provide more detailed reports and hard-copy budget worksheets showing where receipts and expenditures post, and agreed any change would likely be implemented at the start of the calendar year (January 2026) rather than midyear. Commissioners did not take formal action; staff were asked to return with documentation and Cindy and Brian’s legal/finance confirmation.
Ending: The board postponed a decision until staff verify legal authority and provide clearer budget worksheets and projections. The clerk and finance staff will return with recommended language if permitted.
