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Miami County projects $800,000 use of reserves after Q3 financial review
Summary
County staff told commissioners the general fund is projected to use roughly $800,000 of reserves this year, leaving an estimated year‑end balance near $4.6 million (about 16.5%). Commissioners discussed payroll accruals, health‑insurance reserves and timing of pharmacy rebates.
Lucas Mellinger, assistant county administrator, told the Miami County Board of County Commissioners during a study session on Oct. 15 that the county’s quarter‑3 financial review shows revenues running ahead of the year’s conservative budget while expenses will likely push the county to draw down reserves.
“Revenues coming in at just over $27,000,000 for the general fund” and expenses projecting to roughly $27,900,000, Mellinger said, producing an estimated cash impact of about $800,000 and a projected year‑end general fund balance near $4.6 million, or roughly 16.5 percent of annual spending.
Mellinger framed the projection by walking commissioners through payroll and nonpersonnel assumptions. He said average payrolls run about $730,000–$750,000, with about 7½ remaining payroll runs that account for roughly $5.6 million in personnel costs (rounded in the projection to $5.75 million). He added routine nonpersonnel spending and scheduled transfers—such as appraisal and election equipment transfers—add several hundred thousand dollars more to year‑end obligations.
Mellinger also outlined the county’s health‑insurance reserve position: the self‑insurance fund currently holds about $300,000, even as monthly claims in recent months have run near $300,000. He said the county’s consultant, Lockton, recommends roughly three months of claims in reserve—about $900,000—meaning the county would need to transfer additional dollars to reach that target.
Commissioners discussed the timing of pharmacy rebates from Blue Cross, which Mellinger said are paid quarterly and are unlikely to be received until January; those rebates, when realized, will partially offset claims costs in future quarters. The board also clarified standard payroll‑accrual practices used to assign pay dates to the fiscal year for audit consistency.
On departmental details, Mellinger reported the EMS budget was set at approximately $3.4 million and was about 66 percent spent through Q3. Road and Bridge revenue and expense patterns were discussed separately: Mellinger said Road and Bridge historically averages about $5 million in revenue, with current encumbrances and timing causing apparent volatility in year‑to‑date spending totals.
The board did not take a formal vote on transfers during the session. Commissioners asked staff to return with additional detail and potential transfer scenarios in advance of year‑end decisions.
