Finance director previews FY27 budget, flags elevator modernization as capital priority

The jail board received an early FY27 budget preview and a year-to-date financial update through Aug. 31 from the jail finance director, who said revenue timing and state estimates left the agency "a little bit short" of targets but that operating expenditures were on pace.

The presentation noted State Compensation Board revenue estimates came in lower than the county had budgeted, and the City of Manassas usage rate was 9.8% year-to-date versus a budgeted 9.4%. The finance director said federal billing for holds was minimal and provided a breakdown of federal agency holds billed so far.

On capital priorities, the finance director identified modernizing the jail's elevators as the largest upcoming item, saying the equipment is obsolete, breaks down frequently and creates operational risk because inmates are transported via those elevators. The office said it will work with FFM on building projects to identify the best path forward.

The director provided commissary figures and trust balances: roughly $100,000 of commissary budget spent year-to-date against a $900,000 appropriation and a commissary cash balance of about $1,957,000 as of Aug. 31; the inmate trust account ending balance was $90,544. The director also said the agency will seek release of some salary lapse dollars at year-end to cover hiring that exceeded original salary lapse assumptions.

Quote from the meeting: "I think the biggest item that we have is a capital item, and that's to modernize our elevators," the finance director said.

Next steps: Finance staff will continue FY27 drafting, bring additional detail at agency check-ins and work with county facilities teams and FFM on elevator modernization options.

The board asked no substantive policy changes during the presentation and commended finance staff for clear reporting.