Spencer County fiscal court adopts $11.6 million budget amendment, including $10 million for sewer project

Spencer County Fiscal Court approved a large budget amendment on Oct. 7, 2024, increasing receipts and appropriations across several funds by a total of $11,578,767.25.

The amendment, adopted on second reading, adds $10,050,000 in state grants designated for sewer expenses and adjusts other line items across the General, Road, Jail, State Grants, Senate Bill 135 and Opioid funds. The court voted to adopt the ordinance on a voice vote after the second reading; the motion for adoption was made by Zach Cotton and seconded by Esq. Pharris.

Why it matters: The single largest addition is the $10,050,000 in state grant receipts that the court budgeted to sewer‑related expenditures, a change that increases the county’s capital and operating outlays for sanitation projects. The amendment also recognizes opioid settlement proceeds, audit-reported surpluses, and other receipts that the court said must be appropriated to match planned work and grant requirements.

Details: The amendment lists specific account adjustments (totaling $11,578,767.25) and corresponding expenditure increases, including a $500,000 capital projects allocation for the animal shelter, a $277,000 state discretionary allocation (CPPP), and an $10,050,000 increase in the sewer expense line tied to state grants. The court record states the amendment was approved on second reading; the treasurer answered clarifying questions about increases and the use of parentheses to indicate decreases in accounting entries.

The court said next steps include reconciling transfers and ensuring grant‑specific reporting and procurement obligations are met before funds are spent. No roll‑call ballot count was recorded in the minutes for this item beyond the voice vote notation.