Madison County authorizes payment to U.S. Treasury, directs staff to confirm balance and attempt ACH

Madison County approved a resolution authorizing payment to the U.S. Treasury to settle a balance that officials said is changing daily because of interest and federal offsets. The board voted by voice after a brief discussion and directed staff to attempt payment by automated clearing house, then seek refunds if Treasury offsets continue.

The discussion centered on how Treasury handles offsets. Speaker 2, who described contacting Congressman Dunn’s office and a Treasury representative, said Treasury staff told them offsets can continue for up to 30 days after a payment because their system can take that long to update: "they can continue to offset after 30 days after we pay the balance due because it takes 30 days for them to update their system." Speaker 2 recommended approving a not‑to‑exceed amount so staff could call Treasury, obtain a current balance, and pay the actual amount due by ACH rather than mailing a check.

Board members and staff raised several differing figures from the county’s records during the discussion. Examples cited in the meeting included $22,005.49, an older $24,000 figure, and an estimate from Treasury through March 15 of $13,903.43; speakers stressed these are estimates and that the true balance could be lower or higher depending on subsequent offsets and accrued interest. Speaker 2 said the Treasury estimate "does not account for any continuing offsets" and advised following up 30 days after payment to check for refunds if offsets were processed after the payment.

The motion to approve the resolution was made by Diane Taylor and seconded by Heather; Speaker 1 called for voice votes and announced the motion carried. The resolution, as discussed in the meeting record, authorized payment up to the stated not‑to‑exceed figure and gave Shelley authority to contact Treasury, determine the exact balance, and execute the payment; the board preferred ACH if feasible. Speakers agreed that any refunds resulting from offsets are not automatic and require the county to submit forms to Treasury.

Following the vote, staff were instructed to monitor incoming Treasury notices, to file refund requests if offsets occurred after payment, and to document communications with Treasury. No recorded roll‑call vote tally was provided in the meeting record; outcomes were announced by the chair through voice vote.

The meeting concluded after a final motion to adjourn, which passed by voice vote.