Lincoln County approves three finance ordinances to recognize federal grants and amend budgets

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on June 29 approved three last-minute finance ordinances to recognize federal grants, amend an existing grant-project ordinance for the historic courthouse, and adjust the county budget for anticipated sales-tax distributions and insurance costs.

Deanna, a county finance presenter, told the board two federal grants for an airport project were awarded the previous week and expire tomorrow, so the county needed ordinances in place immediately to draw down the funds. "They are grants that we were just awarded last week that actually expire tomorrow and they're going to try and draw down the funds today or tomorrow," Deanna said.

Deanna said the second ordinance would amend the grant project ordinance for the historic courthouse (GPOA number four). The third ordinance was a routine budget amendment to budget what staff estimate will be excess Article 46 sales tax to be paid to schools and to allocate fund balance to the county's health insurance fund and other lines that may exceed estimates after the fiscal year ends.

Commissioner Patton moved to approve the package; the chair called for a voice vote and the chair declared the ordinances approved. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally for these votes.

No additional substantive debate was recorded; the board then moved to adjourn. The measures ensure the county can accept and use awarded federal funds and complete routine year-end accounting before the fiscal year ends.