Board amends public-transportation budget lines; treasurer and commissioners press for clear accounting

The Shelby County Board approved a budget amendment on Aug. 14 that reorganizes an existing CEFS (Community and Economic Funding Services) grant allocation into specific line items to support a public-transportation administrator position. The board voted 16–1 in favor with Commissioner Tim Brown recorded as the lone no vote.

County staff said the amendment does not add new money but reallocates previously awarded grant funds so the transportation administrator’s salary, benefits, telecommunications, mileage and other line items are properly tracked. “All of the money will be from the grant. Right? So, the county is not paying for any,” the presenter said during the meeting while describing the source of funds. Clerk and treasurer staff worked to ensure the line items correspond with the grant reporting requirements.

Some commissioners voiced concern that the county treasurer had not been sufficiently involved in earlier discussions; others replied that the treasurer had been consulted and had confirmed the grant would cover the listed expenses. Commissioner Tim Brown asked for the treasurer’s blessing before the amendment was finalized; board members said the amendment would be posted for public inspection and could be revised at the next meeting if needed.

The county clerk and staff said the amendment places the grant money into more granular line items (instead of one large line), which staff said will make reimbursements and auditing easier and improve tracking for IDOT/CEFS reporting.

The roll call recorded 16 ayes, 1 nay (Brown). County staff said the treasurer’s office will create the line items and continue to coordinate claims processing once the amendment is final and publicly posted for the required display period.