Executive committee declines to recommend two administrative budget lines; approves encumbrances and transfers

The Carroll County Delegation Executive Committee voted Feb. 21 to send two administrative budget lines to the full delegation for further review and approved several end-of-year financial housekeeping items.

Rep. Jonathan Smith moved — and Rep. Chris McAleer seconded — a motion to not recommend the Financial Administration budget (line 4150) as presented. Committee members raised questions about payroll shifts from HR, a proposed senior-accountant position, and a $50,000 contracted-services transition line; the not-recommend motion passed and the item will be considered by the full delegation.

The committee took the same action on the Executive budget (line 4130), which included funding for a half-time staffing increase; members voted to not recommend and forwarded the line for delegation review.

Separately, the committee approved 2025 encumbrances totaling $3,672,546.60 to clean up prior-year obligations (including jail medical costs) and approved Request #11, an end-year transfer of $416,176. Members noted the typical annual volume of transfers (30–35) and requested additional documentation on removed budget lines totaling $48,795.

The committee also reviewed the capital reserve plan (approximately $2.831 million including reserves; $1.914 million excluding reserves) and discussed risks of using reserves without clearer legislative guidance. Members asked for clarification of RSA authority and deferred any final action to the full delegation. An Agency Funding Subcommittee meeting was scheduled for March 7 to review outside-agency funding policy.

The meeting adjourned at 4:48 PM.