Adams County committee advances several resolutions, appoints two humane officers and moves budget and policy items to county board

At its meeting the Adams County finance committee advanced multiple routine and financial resolutions to the full county board and approved two appointments.

The committee approved a resolution to appoint two humane officers — Rich Jackson and Dan Wolfer — who will attend training in September. The director presenting the resolution said the appointments were the culmination of a year-long discussion; Supervisor Pease moved the measure and Supervisor Edwards seconded. The motion passed and the resolution will be forwarded to the county board.

The finance director asked the committee to establish a special revenue fund to hold employee scholarship donations. He explained the donations come from employee payroll deductions and that eligibility for the scholarship requires the applicant be a child or grandchild of an Adams County employee and attend Adams Friendship School. The director estimated the scholarship fund balance carries about $10,000 and that the program typically awards $1,000 each year; the committee moved the resolution to the county board.

The committee also approved a budget amendment to the 2025 Adams County general fund to recognize higher-than-expected circuit court revenues and offset related indigent-counseling and jury costs; planning and zoning revenues were higher than budgeted but contracted inspection costs rose as well. The finance director said if the committee did not approve the amendment, the variance would be noted in the audit.

Finance staff reviewed a proposed Adams County fiscal policy with a number of technical updates, including: lowering the capitalization threshold to $10,000, removing capitalization of interest, shortening bank reconciliation timing to 20 days per auditors’ recommendations, updating grant purchase thresholds to match federal guidance, and adjusting certain credit-card reporting thresholds. Staff said they would distribute a redline and a clean copy to supervisors ahead of the county board packet; the committee voted to forward the policy resolution.

Other business included a treasurer’s report on transfers and investment bid activity, a human resources note that monthly reports will be provided next meeting, and a staff report that the housing committee will resume meetings now that marketing materials are finished. The committee set its next meeting for April 2 at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned.