Committee approves ‘opportunity fund’ policy to use excess unassigned reserves for one-time projects

The Winnebago County Personnel & Finance Committee voted to approve an amended fund-reserve policy, creating an "opportunity fund" that allows use of excess unassigned general-fund reserves above a 30% threshold for one-time expenditures.

Jamie, a finance staff presenter, told the committee the opportunity fund is intended for one-time, non‑recurring uses such as capital improvements, technology upgrades and economic development. "So the thing I wanna make sure and point out is that we call it an opportunity fund because it is one of those one-time expenditures," Jamie said during the presentation. Paul, who led earlier drafting work, said the policy clarifies that the calculation will use the unassigned general fund balance rather than other assigned general-fund categories.

Supervisors debated whether to limit eligible uses or to provide examples; the committee agreed to narrow the focus to three categories while keeping board oversight in place. A clarifying amendment was offered and accepted to insert the word "reserve" into the threshold language and to reference the unassigned general-fund calculation. After the amendment, a motion to approve the opportunity fund policy as amended was moved and seconded and the committee approved the measure by voice vote (5–0).

Why it matters: The policy creates a formal mechanism to spend planned, one-time resources from reserve funds without eroding the 30% fund-balance floor intended for fiscal stability. The committee emphasized board review and an annual opportunity plan requirement to document expected returns or benefits from funded projects.

Next steps: The approved policy will be forwarded per committee practice to the full county board for consideration as required by county rules.