Liberty County reports stronger-than-expected June finances; fund balance increases

Liberty County's finance director told commissioners the county's general fund closed the fiscal year stronger than budgeted, with revenues above projections and total departmental spending below budget, generating a year-end increase to the fund balance.

Samantha Richardson, the county's finance director/CFO, presented a soft close for June 2025 and said June numbers show approximately $38 million in total assets, about $6.6 million in total liabilities, and a fund balance near $31 million. Richardson said the county's unreserved fund balance rose to 5.4 months through June, up from 4.8 months the previous year.

"The general fund revenues across multiple categories have exceeded our budget projections," Richardson told the board, adding that finance will complete additional audit adjustments and deferred-revenue calculations after August 31 and prepare the annual audit starting in October.

Richardson said the stronger fund balance gives the board flexibility to consider millage decisions or capital investments and makes the county better prepared for unforeseen events such as hurricanes. She also outlined department-level amendments that will be presented later to comply with state law requiring no single department exceed its adopted budget.

The finance report included details on several funds and one department over budget: solid waste closed the year with revenues less than expenses by about $500,000, largely because noncash depreciation accounted for roughly $400,000 of that gap and because of an unplanned scale replacement. Richardson said the next fiscal year's rate study and expense controls should help the fund recover.

Richardson also said the county has received the majority of FEMA debris-removal funds but still owes its debris-removal vendor roughly $250,000 to $300,000 of a total $1.7 million contract balance; the county has not yet been pressed for payment.

Commissioners praised staff for conservative revenue forecasting and spending discipline. Richardson said finance will return with finalized audit adjustments and the formal amendments needed to balance departmental accounts under Georgia law.

No formal votes were required at the presentation; commissioners directed staff to continue the audit-close process and present final amendment ordinances at a future meeting.