Owen County finance office reports stronger cash balances; council approves probation appropriations and transfers

County finance staff told the council the county general fund balance was about $6.88 million, up from roughly $6.1 million the previous year, and that the highway fund had increased to about $2.8 million from approximately $1.16 million. Officials said an unexpected supplemental settlement of roughly $1.3 million had posted into LIT-related funds and recommended holding some of those dollars in reserve for possible needs later in the fiscal year.

Sheila, a county staff member, described necessary corrections to LIT allocations and a sequence of transfers to move storage/unit monies and sheriff-designated funds into fund 9181. "When these transfers are done, the total available will be $179,293.95," she said, providing a numeric total for the target fund after corrections.

Public hearing and votes: During a public hearing the council approved a $45,000 appropriation for probation (care of patients) and a $150,000 re-appropriation for commissioners (originally encumbered for window projects and later repurposed). The motions were made and seconded and carried after member discussion.

Other finance notes: Staff advised the council that some LIT balances will need to be reconciled with the state (including roughly $17,898 to return), and that a new state grant deposit of approximately $780,000 appeared in fund 9187 with a required match component. Council members were also informed that two transfers requested by probation/corrections were approved.

Next steps: The council directed staff to finalize the paperwork for transfers, submit required forms to the state, and include the Area 10 transit match request and other community-grant discussions in upcoming budget workshops this summer.