County judge presents midyear fiscal review, projects $700,000–$800,000 carryover

Justice Reed presented the 2026 midyear fiscal review to the Marion County Quorum Court, saying the county’s general fund projection for the end of the calendar year is roughly between $700,000 and $800,000 but that the figure is fluid and depends on expenditures and third- and fourth-quarter revenues.

“What you're projecting at the end of 2026 calendar year there would be between seven and $800,000 left in county general,” Justice Reed said, stressing the projection is based on current expenditures and that additional requests or differing revenue could change the result.

Members pressed for accuracy and supporting documents; a member asked colleagues to review the handouts and check the arithmetic. One member noted the county uses a financial tracking system called FI and that the treasurer's office can provide source data. Committee members discussed the historical pattern of carryover and noted the county typically has not spent the entire budget in recent years.

Speakers recommended building the midyear review on actual salaries (rather than on obligated salary caps) for the third and fourth quarters. Committee members also noted roughly $2.8 million is currently obligated to departments funded by county general and agreed to revisit the midyear numbers at the July meeting with updated salary and expenditure figures.

The court did not take a final budget action on the projection itself but approved several ordinances earlier in the meeting to move funds between existing accounts. Justice Reed and county staff committed to return with revised figures and additional documentation.