Miss Haynes, the county auditor, told the Harrison County Commissioners Court on Dec. 30 that the Centers for Disease Control has approved a reimbursement grant of $958,920.64 for expenses the county already incurred. "We will be receiving $958,920.64," she said, adding most of the award will be posted to fund 490 while a portion currently resides in the general fund and that staff will work with outside auditors on the correct accounting treatment.

The court approved payment of regular bills after the auditor requested authorization for $1,066,841.46, noting $494,965.31 is the second installment for the county's eText-for-Internet program and will be covered by ARPA funds. Commissioner DeBois moved the payment motion; the court voted 5 to 0 in favor. The court also approved payroll for Dec. 20, 2024, by unanimous vote.

Why it matters: The CDC award is a reimbursement of previously incurred public-health expenditures, which the auditor said will free up budgeted general-fund dollars once processed. The approved payments and payroll clear routine county financial obligations before the new year.

Details and next steps: The auditor said the CDC is processing invoices and the county has not yet received the cash. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about which funds would be adjusted and were told staff will coordinate with the outside auditors to finalize accounting entries. The court took no further action on the grant beyond accepting the notification and approving routine payments and payroll.