Wasco County finance director reports steady tax revenue, recommends budget adjustments after grants and SIP receipts

Wasco County’s mid-year financial presentation on Feb. 4 showed property tax revenues tracking near $90 million and most departments performing within budgetary expectations, but staff requested budget amendments to incorporate new funds and awards.

Finance Director Mike Middleton said the General Fund’s investment earnings were $449,000 (about 62.5% of the year’s projection) and that property taxes were executing at roughly 89.9% of budgeted receipts. He identified two significant mid-year adjustments that require action: a combined $8.2 million in Strategic Investment Program receipts (Community Service Fees and Guaranteed Annual Payment receipts) that must be distributed to partner agencies and taxing districts, and an increase of approximately $239,000 to the newly created Specialty Court Fund to reflect larger-than-expected grant awards for Treatment, Mental Health and Family Treatment courts (totaling roughly $254,000 in awards).

The board unanimously approved two resolutions to increase resource appropriations and related expenditures (Resolutions #26-001 and #26-002). Middleton noted staff will process budget transfers to partner agencies and track grant awards in separate sub-departments to maintain fiscal integrity.

Middleton also flagged operational concerns: lower-than-expected quarterly 9-1-1 cell-phone tax receipts and one-time project revenues and expenses such as a $3.5 million Rowena debris cleanup and an $8 million return of lottery funds related to a Resolution Center project (the county will retain interest earned during the holding period). Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with legislators about state disbursement delays affecting 9-1-1 cash flow.