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County staff report fund transfers and a state rate error that put a tax-related fund negative
Summary
Staff presented transfers for a health-department grant and veterans program and alerted the council that an incorrect county rate was provided by the state (DLGF) during settlement, producing a negative balance in a tax-related fund; staff described administrative options and said the State Board of Accounts was aware and would not take exception.
County staff presented two budget-transfer items and a corrective explanation after discovering a state-provided rate error in the settlement calculations.
Staff said the first transfer moves health-department grant funds from travel to supplies ($1,006,618.84) to purchase additional supplies and end travel for the grant cycle. A second small transfer would correct salary and benefit lines for a veterans program. Both transfers were presented for council approval.
Separately, staff reported that during settlement they received an incorrect property-tax rate from the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) that belonged to a different county. Using the wrong rate caused the PTRC fund to show a negative balance. Staff contacted the state controller, comptroller and the State Board of Accounts. The state identified two corrective options: advertise and change rates (which staff said could not be done in time) or let the imbalance ride and allow the formula-driven adjustments in future settlements to correct the fund balance. Staff said the State Board of Accounts indicated it would not take exception because the error originated with state documentation.
The council discussed the administrative implications; staff said they would continue to track remedy options and provide documentation to state officials.
