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Finance staff outlines carryover and budget‑authorization policy to comply with new state fund‑balance limits
Summary
County finance staff briefed the Board on a proposed framework to allow departments to request carryover or additional funds after the recent state law limited allowable unassigned fund balances; staff will refine the draft and solicit department‑head feedback.
County finance staff (presented by the Finance director) reviewed a draft policy to provide a formal process for departments to request use of carryover funds or additional resources while keeping reserves within the new state cap on unassigned fund balances. The presenter said recent audited balances left the county with unassigned funds nearly double the new state limit and described options the county used in the '27 budget to reassign funds into more specific pools.
He summarized the proposed framework: departments would complete an application describing the reason for additional funds (e.g., unfinished projects, emergent capital needs), explain why the request cannot wait for the next regular budget cycle, and show alignment with the county's strategic plan. The presenter emphasized guardrails and that this policy is intended to be a framework rather than a formulaic algorithm for approvals. "I think if we create a form and then we've got 5 supervisors who can vote yes or no... it is at least a process to get us," one supervisor said. Staff will refine language, present it to department heads and the policy review committee, and return with a revised draft.
