In a recent county legislature meeting, a heated debate emerged over a proposed change to the county's financial management policy, specifically regarding the target fund balance. The current bipartisan agreement maintains that the unallocated fund balance should be between 5% and 15% of the county's budget, which is nearing $300 million. The proposed resolution suggests establishing a target fund balance of 12.5%, a figure that many legislators questioned.

Legislator Larson voiced strong opposition to the change, emphasizing that the burden of proof lies with those advocating for the new target. He argued that the existing policy has served the county well and questioned the necessity of a specific target when the current range has been effective. Larson highlighted that each percentage point in fund balance represents approximately $3 million of taxpayer money, raising concerns about the implications of adopting a higher target.

Other legislators echoed Larson's sentiments, expressing skepticism about the rationale behind the 12.5% figure. Legislator Bancoskie proposed an alternative target of 11.5%, suggesting that it would better serve taxpayers by reducing the fund balance and returning money to the community. Meanwhile, Legislator Parker motioned to table the resolution for further discussion, but this motion ultimately failed.

During the discussion, Finance Director Kitty Crow clarified that the proposed changes were based on a review of fund balance policies from other counties, noting that many had similar or higher target percentages. However, this explanation did little to quell the concerns of several legislators who felt the proposed target lacked justification.

As the debate continued, Legislator Larson proposed an amendment to change the target to 10%, arguing that it would represent a more reasonable compromise between the existing range. This amendment also failed to pass, reflecting a divide among legislators regarding fiscal policy and the management of taxpayer funds.

The meeting underscored the complexities of county financial management and the differing philosophies on how best to handle taxpayer money. With the proposed resolution still on the table, the legislature faces ongoing discussions about the appropriate level of fund balance and the implications for future budgets and taxpayer relief.