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Commissioners press administration over late budget books and growth in nonprofit grants
Summary
Multiple commissioners criticized late delivery of the proposed budget book and asked for printed line‑item materials; finance staff said the proposal was uploaded to the system and would be distributed digitally and in print. Commissioners also asked whether ARPA dollars were used for nonprofit grants.
Several commissioners told the subcommittee they had not received the printed budget books and said that the lack of hard‑copy materials made it difficult to analyze the proposed budget.
Commissioner Mills called the situation unacceptable and said, "This whole process ... this has been the worst year. There's 0 information, and it's May 21." Director of Administration and Finance Audrey Tipton responded that the proposed budget had been uploaded to the county system the night before and that commissioners should receive the digital files that day; she said the department can provide printed copies on request. Michael Thompson, deputy CFO, noted a line‑item PDF is posted online and suggested commissioners could print the sections they need.
Commissioners asked for a line‑item exhibit that clearly shows which external funding requests were included or excluded in the proposed budget to assist amendment work during the committee process. Commissioner Morrison raised that grants to nonprofits had grown substantially in recent years and asked whether ARPA dollars were part of that growth; Tipton said some nonprofit grants were funded with ARPA dollars and that staff would provide a more detailed breakdown.
The committee noted the importance of adequate time for budget review and requested the administration email digital files to all commissioners and circulate printed books to those who request them. No formal committee action was taken at the meeting.
