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Finance director warns county may use roughly $6.1M of fund balance to close FY2026
Summary
Finance director Heather Woody told commissioners May revenue and timing effects could leave the county needing to use an estimated $6.1 million of fund balance to close the fiscal year; staff expect additional sales‑tax deposits that could reduce that use.
Finance director Heather Woody presented the May 2026 financial report, highlighting timing differences between when expenditures are paid and revenues are recorded and noting lagging collections for several programs including the governor's highway safety program and Emergency Management grants.
Woody said that, based on current estimates and expected late deposits, the county budget may require using approximately $6.1 million of fund balance to close the year but that two remaining sales‑tax deposits (expected $2–2.5 million combined) could improve the position. "If we were to close the books on May 30, we would be in the negative $4,900,000," Woody said, describing how timing and encumbrances affect the monthly snapshot.
The director reviewed departmental requisitions and prior‑year invoices that require payment and described encumbrances on contracts over $24,999. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about payroll, reimbursement timing for HUD and transportation programs, and whether positions or programs removed by the state could be picked up locally — staff said some cuts cannot be absorbed without new local funding.
Board discussion referenced long‑term trends: finance staff and auditors noted a decline in the general fund balance from roughly $35 million in FY2022 to about $19.4 million in FY2025 and urged continued expenditure restraint and evaluation of revenues and fees.
