Commissioners approve multiple mid-year appropriations and transfers, including EMS equipment funding

The Hocking County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 28 approved several budget actions to cover operating needs and capital items for departments including EMS, 911 and county utilities.

Key actions approved by voice vote included:
- Certification of additional revenue and appropriation for EMS (Fund 2020) into other expenses of $5,355.65 to cover credit-card payments for 2025 EMT tuition.
- Additional appropriation for the County Municipal Map project (Fund 2089) and hospitalization account (Fund 2300) totaling $23,950 from funds received in June.
- An appropriation transfer for 911 (account 1100 salaries) of $5,000 into contract services to support transition to the state ESI net.
- EMS equipment appropriation of $16,000 into equipment (Fund 2020): $10,000 will come from an external grant and $6,000 will be transferred from existing county appropriations to cover the balance for rescue tools.
- An appropriation to Commissioners’ utilities (Fund 03500) of $55,000 to cover utility expenses for the remainder of the year.
- Certification and appropriation of incoming demo and site revitalization funds of $11,719.30 to allow invoice payments.
- Smaller transfers for training ($1,000), magistrate pay and supplies to avoid end-of-year shortfalls.

Commissioners discussed some of the paperwork formatting and asked staff for clearer line-item presentation in the future. County Auditor Chris Roberts confirmed the EMS equipment funding could be processed as presented with combined transfer and appropriation on one sheet.

All actions were approved by unanimous voice vote at the meeting.

What this means: the county moved to cover near-term expenses and capital acquisitions for public safety and operations; staff will execute transfers and processing through the auditor’s office so vendors and employees can be paid.