BET reviews reserve history, plans August schedule for revenue supplement decisions

Budget staff presented a historical spreadsheet of county reserves after September supplements and urged caution when designating transfers from reserve because one‑time infusions (for example CARES/ARPA funds and returned jail trust dollars) can mask the ongoing baseline.

The presenter highlighted that, after stripping out one‑time dollars, the county’s total reserve after supplement has ranged lower in recent years and cautioned that supplement decisions should distinguish ongoing versus one‑time funding to avoid a false sense of durable reserves. Board members agreed and discussed the August–September schedule: staff generally has revenues available by August and the board typically schedules special BET meetings later in August and in September to prepare Budget Board recommendations.

Members asked staff to provide updated revenue projections at the regularly scheduled August meeting; if projections are ready sooner the board will schedule special meetings to consider supplements. The board asked that the spreadsheet and the presenter’s document be made part of the record and requested follow‑up that clarifies how CARES/ARPA and other one‑time monies affected past reserve balances.

No formal funding decisions were made during the discussion; the board directed staff to return with updated revenue projections and cost details on watch‑list items before any transfers from reserve are recommended.