Finance committee reports $9.88M surplus, flags jail medical and planning overages and rebate-driven sales-tax shortfall

Benton County finance staff reported a $9,880,001.53 surplus and $8.5 million in transfers out as the committee opened its Feb. 10 meeting, but highlighted a few items requiring attention: jail medical services and planning engineering fees showed overages that staff will review and, if needed, address with transfers or appropriations in March.

Staff said the jail medical overage stems from a small number of expensive inmate hospitalizations and prescription costs for persons lacking insurance; finance will coordinate with the sheriff’s office to clarify release and billing procedures and the need for an appropriation.

Planning’s overages were tied to engineering and technical review work, partly driven by ETJ turnover and temporary understaffing; staff said they may seek an increase to the relevant line in 2026 if the review supports it.

On sales tax, the presenter said January’s reported receipts were notably affected by vendor rebates: "Overall, there was $814,000 worth of rebates claimed in January," which reduced collections compared with the prior year and explained a roughly $500,000 shortfall when compared to last year’s November reporting (sales reported in January reflect November activity).

Staff also reported McGriff insurance claims paid as of Dec. 31 totaled $6,100,000 and that the health fund ended the year with positive cash, although one invoice remained outstanding and could affect year-end appropriations.

Other housekeeping items: a Park Patrol fund (3411) overage was caused by a duplicated purchase order that has been canceled and will drop off the next month’s report; open-position and EMS-levy reconciliations were discussed and will be addressed administratively or through the quorum court as needed.

The committee heard the reports and moved several routine appropriation and transfer items to the quorum court for formal action.