Carroll County commission authorizes letter to state seeking higher line-item transfer cap

Carroll County commissioners on Jan. 5 approved a request to send a letter to the stateaasenate appropriations chair asking that the statutory line-item transfer limit for the county be raised from $1,000 to $10,000.

The executive director told commissioners the $1,000 threshold dates to 2015 and said the increased limit would reduce repetitive paperwork and align Carroll County with neighboring counties. A commissioner echoed that the change would "streamline paperwork" for department heads and reduce administrative burden on routine transfers.

A motion to approve the draft letter and authorize hand delivery to the senator was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners said the change would remain subject to state-legislative approval; no formal statewide change has occurred through the commission's action alone.

The discussion noted the countyaasubmission would be an advocacy request to the legislature rather than a unilateral local rule; the commission did not set a timeline beyond arranging for hand delivery by a commissioner.

Next steps: staff will deliver the approved letter to the identified state senator and monitor whether a bill or amendment is introduced during the legislative session.