Calhoun County administrator warns of $3.5 million General Fund shortfall; revenues mixed

Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott told the Board of Commissioners on Oct. 7 that the county's $46 million General Fund is showing a $3.5 million deficit that the board must resolve before December.

Scott briefed commissioners after two budget-committee meetings that reviewed department requests for FY2022. She said locally generated revenues have fallen and singled out Charges for Services in Public Safety, which she said have declined by about $4 million from 2018–2021. "The main challenge is the continued reduction of locally generated revenues, mainly in Charges for Services within Public Safety, which have declined from 2018 to 2021 by $4 million," Scott said.

Scott also listed several revenue offsets recognized through August: roughly $1 million more in property-tax revenue related to increased property values, the first state distribution of marijuana tax receipts, higher personal property tax reimbursements and American Rescue Plan Act grant dollars accounted for in federal grants. She said countywide hotel accommodations tax revenue is up about $330,000 from last year, a sign of recovery in that industry.

The board received the August 2021 financial reports for informational purposes; Deputy Controllers Megan Banning and Jeryl Schoepke were present during the review (Res.167-2021). Scott said the budget gap remains significant and will require action in the coming weeks to balance the FY2022 plan.

The report was accepted for information; no formal fiscal action beyond acceptance was taken at the Oct. 7 meeting.