Finance Director Stacy Hamm told the forum that Richland County closed the year with a stronger fund balance than expected and that the numbers presented were unaudited but close to final. "These are unaudited," Hamm said, briefing council on current fund balances. Hamm reported the general fund increased by about $5,200,000 and that the general fund finished the year at approximately 26%, within the county's 20% to 35% policy range.

Hamm also reviewed enterprise and special funds: the county reported strong transportation receipts (bringing in about $67,000,000 and spending roughly $25,000,000 on projects to date) and said the solid-waste fund was approaching break-even after prior deficits. She described outstanding debt positions and how March payments and updated assessed values change bonding capacity and the statutory 8% borrowing cap.

Separately, staff described roughly $13,000,000 in identified savings. County procurement and risk management flagged multiple efficiencies: negotiation on the medical contract at the detention center produced a 0% increase this year (estimated savings of about $641,000), property insurance restructuring saved roughly $300,000, plumbing improvements at the Alvin S. Glen detention facility reduced water costs (~$650,000 annually), and a construction manager'at'risk delivery produced a one-time bond savings of about $1,450,000 on the voter-registration project. Staff summarized those items as ongoing and one-time savings that improve the general fund position.

Why it matters: The fiscal briefing provides the basis for decisions about capital spending, debt capacity and program funding going into the 2026 budgeting cycle. Officials stressed the numbers were subject to the final audit and that figures for bond capacity depend on timing of payments and assessed-value updates.

What's next: Staff will finish the audit before the month'end and provide more detailed district-level project lists and budget projections to council members for public outreach and the Penny 2 planning process.