County legal warns departments: re-granting county funds requires prior commission approval

Jonathan Radford, county legal counsel, told the Board of Commissioners that expenditures of county funds — including grant funds accepted by county departments — must be approved by the board before disbursement. Radford said there can be “significant legal ramifications” if departments expend county funds without prior commission authorization.

Ian Johnson, another county attorney, recommended contract or grant language that requires departments to seek commission approval before dispersing funds to outside organizations. Commissioners said they would clarify expectations with departments that manage grants, and Radford asked staff to flag invoices so legal can check whether the payment requires prior board action.

The board asked staff to invite the affected department to the next meeting to discuss two items: a $3,000 request noted in the claims packet and previously dispersed amounts that may not have had explicit prior authorization. Commissioners emphasized that when the commission accepts a grant, the funds become county funds and departments should not re-grant them without board approval.

No final decision was made about the $3,000 request; the board directed staff to place the item on the next agenda for discussion.