Warren County finance panel approves series of budget amendments, capital projects and funding for county water monitoring

The Warren County Finance & Budget Committee met April 30 and approved a slate of routine budget transfers, capital project actions and policy steps intended to streamline planning and ongoing environmental monitoring.

Committee members voted to approve the agenda’s first item, routine transfers of funds submitted in the meeting packet. Members then heard informational reports, including a journal report already approved by the county and a county attorney update on insurance reserve matters.

The committee approved a $13,000 amendment requested by the sheriff’s office to reflect the departure of a part‑time school resource officer, and approved an economic development item to reflect receipt of ARPA funds as noted in the agenda. Members also approved two amendments reallocating insurance deductible reserves totaling $20,000 to cover out‑of‑pocket commercial property and casualty claims identified for 2026.

On capital projects, the committee approved a suite of public works referrals: the Smith Road/13th Brook bridge replacement project (approximately $395,000 total with a $5,500 local match reported in the packet), closure and fund transfer for an existing capital project (H410) and establishment of a salt‑production equipment capital project (approximate budget $250,000). Supervisors praised public works staff for securing grant support on several projects.

The committee adopted a multi‑year capital planning policy recommended by the Warren County Risk & Safety Committee. Supervisor Bruno said the policy “takes the assessment and moves it into project and plan form,” creating a five‑year capital program intended to improve prioritization and support grant strategy. Risk manager Marilyn Murvers was credited with drafting the policy; the county administrator will convene a committee to implement the process and the treasurer’s office will provide relevant historical data each quarter.

Members authorized temporary summer appointment positions described in the packet and approved a referral from Human Services to amend the budget for anticipated state public health funds.

The committee also approved a request to provide $10,000 to the Soil & Water Conservation District for Warren County water‑quality monitoring in the 2026 field season. The county’s director (Jim) said the program has run in partnership with municipalities and lake associations for several years and that the program’s overall operating cost “works out to be about $25,000,” with participating lakes contributing and the county providing the requested $10,000 to help cover staff time, lab services, supplies and transportation.

Finally, the county attorney recommended that the committee enter executive session under Section 105C of the Public Officers Law to discuss correspondence from a partnering law‑enforcement agency about recovery of seized assets tied to an active criminal investigation; the committee voted to go into executive session.

Votes at a glance: item 1 (fund transfers) — approved; item 4 (SRO budget amendment, $13,000) — approved; item 5 (ARPA receipt reflection) — approved; item 6 (water‑quality funding, $10,000) — approved; item 7 (Human Services amendment, $35,137) — approved; item 8 (public works capital projects including H447 bridge, H410 closure, H42 salt equipment) — approved; item 9 (insurance deductible reserve reallocations totaling $20,000) — approved; item 10 (multi‑year capital planning policy) — approved; item 11 (temporary summer positions) — approved; item 12 (enter executive session) — approved.

The committee proceeded with administrative business and moved to executive session on the law‑enforcement correspondence later in the meeting.