County financial report: Rutherford County DSS at 83.07% of budget after 11 months; travel and IT lines called out

Mister Price provided the board with the fiscal update for the 11 months ending May 31, 2025. He said the department's contribution from the general fund for administrative expenses is at 91.67% — "that's exactly on budget" for that line — and that the total department budget is at 83.07%, "which is 8.6% under budget." He also noted the GRAMA line is 91.32%, about 0.35% under budget.

Price identified several line items driving variances. He told the board that professional services (including contracted IT positions) and other program lines were over budget for the year in part because contracted IT positions received cost-of-living adjustments that were not budgeted. He said a Duke Energy invoice was miscoded to travel, creating an apparent travel overage; the invoice was $2,500 and Price said reclassification will correct the travel line.

On capital spending, Price said an HVAC line was slightly over budget because a new HVAC unit was installed and an encumbrance posted; he noted an encumbrance figure but said he would confirm purchase-order details next month. Price told the board that overall program lines had been over budget at points in the year but that general fund transfers and foster-care adjustments helped keep the total controlled.

Price concluded that the department would not necessarily exceed the adopted budget for the fiscal year and that routine reclassifications and timing differences explain many current variances. He recommended the board note the report; no action was taken at the meeting.