Finance director: county on track; board approves $255,000 CAPA grant application

Andrew Sullivan, the county's finance director, presented the third-quarter report and the annual forecast, telling commissioners that most departments are tracking at or below the 75% year-to-date benchmark and that the county currently projects a healthy fund balance at year end.

"As of March, we've collected 94.25% of total property taxes," Sullivan said, and noted timber revenue remains volatile and is currently tracking near 67% of the budgeted estimate.

He told the board staff are managing vacancies and identifying opportunities to reduce materials and services costs, and that the county expects to finish the year above the board's fund-balance policy (estimated around 36'37%).

On a related business item, Heidi Tandy, director of assessment and taxation, briefed the board on the annual CAFA/CAPA grant. "Funding continues to decline and remains unstable," she said, explaining the grant now covers an estimated 10'12% of department costs and that the county plans to request an estimated $255,000 for FY 2026'17. The board moved, seconded and approved the CAPA grant application and authorized the chair to sign.

The board did not change tax policy or adopt new spending commitments at the meeting; the CAPA application approval authorizes staff to pursue the grant.