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Lawrence County flags potential $150K–$200K budget shortfall; public hearing scheduled on supplemental spending
Summary
Auditor reported unanticipated autopsy and mental-health contract bills and recommended a public hearing to consider transfers or a supplemental budget; the board directed staff to begin the public hearing process.
The Lawrence County Commission on Oct. 19 was told the county may need a supplemental budget of roughly $150,000 to $200,000 after the auditor flagged an increase in autopsy and qualified mental-health professional (QMHP) bills.
Auditor staff told the commission the county’s total deposits as of Sept. 30 were $21,847,343.97, with a bank balance of $20,744,114.65. The auditor said recent bills—citing a $9,000 charge for QMHP services in the first October billing cycle—have driven the potential shortfall and left about $570 in the line item after that payment.
The auditor outlined options for covering the gap: use $100,000 from contingency funds and place the remainder in a supplemental budget, or transfer funds now and use standard supplemental-budget procedures later. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether the taxed amounts had been levied and ultimately directed staff to schedule a public hearing and proceed with the budget process to address the shortfall.
The board’s instruction means the county will publish notice and hold a hearing before formally adopting any transfers or supplemental appropriation. No final fiscal action was taken at the Oct. 19 meeting; staff will return with formal hearing documents and recommended ordinance or resolution language.
