In what Warren County Commissioners Chairman Stephen Vanco described as "a very abbreviated meeting" Wednesday, the commissioners discussed possible reasons for lower operational funds as compared to last year and adopted a policy concerning usage of designated funds.
County operational funds stand at approximately $320,000. At the same time last year, funds for operation stood at approximately $548,000, a difference of more than $200,000.
The commissioners asked County Treasurer Dennis Munksgard if property tax revenues could be causing the shortfall. Munksgard replied that delinquent tax notices were issued later this year and sheriff's sale announcements had only recently been made. He said his office has seen an upturn in the last week in payment of taxes. According to Munksgard, later notices could explain the difference in funds from 2011 to 2012.
The commissioners approved payment of a total of just over $54,000 in bills. The figure included approximately $43,000 in county operations costs and around $11,100 in operational costs at the Warren County Jail.
The commissioners also adopted a policy agreement specifying usages for emergency reserve funds. The agreement cited funds reserved for specific usages, such as health care costs, could not be used for other purposes, funds must be utilized for their designated purpose.
The agreement formally recognized a policy the commissioners agreed was already in place.