Putnam County Commission approves broad budget amendments, EMS write‑off and land purchase; ratifies new solid waste director

The Putnam County Commission approved a slate of fiscal and administrative items during a regularly scheduled meeting that also drew residents for a separate library nominations debate.

Fiscal review committee brought forward budget amendments across the county general fund, solid waste, industrial development, debt service, capital projects, road department, general purpose school fund, school federal projects, and central cafeteria fund. Each amendment passed with recorded handset votes announced by the clerk as 24 yes, zero no. Commissioners then approved GASB 34 cleanup amendments to close out the fiscal year.

The commission also approved an Emergency Services year‑end write‑off of longstanding uncollectible ambulance/EMS accounts presented to comply with audit requirements. Staff explained write‑off does not end collection efforts; accounts remain referred to third‑party collectors within legal limits. The transcript read the write‑off amount as "$682,55257"; the numeric value is recorded here as $682,552.57 based on the meeting context and standard currency formatting. Staff stated write‑offs are an annual, audit‑driven practice.

Separately, the commission approved purchase of a 37.66‑acre tract of land bordering the county landfill to extend capacity; the transcript contained a mis‑transcribed purchase price noted as "$52,17." The commission supported the acquisition as a strategic step to preserve landfill space for county needs.

The commission ratified the chair’s appointment of Brian Reed as solid waste director, replacing Doug Ashurn, who was recognized for 29 years of service. The appointments and fiscal motions were carried without recorded opposition.

Clerk and staff also reported a corrected resolution acknowledging audited beginning fund balances for FY2025–2026 and rescinded a prior rounding resolution in response to changes in state law. Commissioners suggested the city council and county revisit the interlocal library agreement at a later date to reduce future contention.

All motions described above were recorded as passing in the meeting minutes; commissioners directed staff to continue routine collection activity and to distribute committee rule change drafts to commissioners ahead of future agenda consideration.