Seneca County approves $172,213 transfer tied to sheriffs ERO stipend; commissioners clarify ICE-related reimbursements

The Seneca County Board of Commissioners on March 31 approved a $172,213.56 transfer and a package of sub-appropriations tied to an ERO stipend the sheriff's office recently received.

The transfer and sub-appropriations were explained by the county auditors office as funds deposited into general fund revenue that must be moved to the capital projects and expense lines to be properly tracked and spent. "It was like $340,000 from an ERO stipend," the auditor said, adding the amount reflected an initial payment and that future quarterly payments are expected but could vary.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the stipend is a reimbursement related to housing activities for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and that treating it like dedicated funding—rather than ordinary general fund revenue—allows the county to track how the dollars are used. The board approved the action by roll call, 3-0.

Details of the package: The auditor described the primary transfer of $172,213.56 to the county capital projects fund. Smaller items funded from the stipend and remaining in the general fund included supply purchases of $3,382.05 and $2,259 (drone remotes and various supplies), a $600 audit-line expense for FY25, and an equipment purchase of $499.98 for a CCW laptop. The office said equipment or supply purchases under $5,000 remain on existing general fund lines; larger amounts are moved through the sub-appropriation and transfer process so the county can tie expenditures back to the stipend.

Commissioners exchange: Commissioner Bostecker moved the package and Commissioner Paradiso seconded. Commissioners asked for clarification about the source and timing of the payments. Commissioner Paradiso described the stipend as a per-diem-style payment tied to housing ICE prisoners: "We're getting paid x amount per day to house ICE prisoners," he said, and thanked county staff and the sheriff for arranging the funding. The auditor cautioned that the quarterly amount could change and that administrative steps are required because the payments arrive in general fund revenue initially.

What the vote did and did not do: The vote authorized the accounting transfers and sub-appropriations needed to spend the ERO stipend and related purchases; it did not create a new recurring program or change policy. Commissioners requested staff continue to report back on remaining quarterly payments and to provide additional detail on outstanding loan balances referenced elsewhere in the meeting.

Next steps: The county will complete the bookkeeping transfers as described and will continue to receive and account for future stipend payments as they arrive; staff will provide follow-up figures on loan balances and any future stipend amounts at a later meeting.