County clerk flags inmate medical costs, year‑to‑date budget hotspots

Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo briefed commissioners on year‑to‑date wages, overtime and budget activity during the Dec. 8 meeting and pointed to several areas to watch as the year closes.

Vargo said the county is at 91.67% of the fiscal year and uses that measure to flag departments running higher than expected year‑to‑date; highlighted items included EMS overtime (budgeted, at about 87.09%) and several departments with red flags for percent of salary and benefits spent. "What typically happens that can cause some concern is storms, solid waste, public works, how that can impact them," Vargo said, urging caution and noting the county may need transfers.

Vargo also reported the off‑site inmate medical expenses paid by Advanced Correctional Health Care have produced a negative pool balance of $88,580 and that because average daily population remains high, additional transfers into that budget may be needed next year.

The clerk also noted the county general fund sits at roughly 80.45% of budgeted activity and that some transfers have been made previously to cover shortfalls in institutional areas such as inmate medical and prescriptions. Commissioners were invited to review the detailed pages and ask staff for follow‑ups.