Lee County finance committee finalizes budget plan; adds sheriff patrol positions and funds case-management upgrade

The Lee County Board’s finance committee reported it has finalized a draft budget that, as presented to the board, shows a roughly $6,000 positive balance ahead of final board action later in the fall. Committee chair reported that the draft budget includes two new patrol positions for the sheriff’s office to address overtime pressures and sets aside about $1 million for a case-management and file system for the circuit clerk. To balance the budget, the county will sweep excess balances from the solid-waste fund (maintaining a $2 million minimum by ordinance) into county general and transfer $200,000 out of capital reserves. The finance chair said the budget has materially improved from earlier projections when the county faced a $1.5 million shortfall. Timeline and process: The finance committee will pass the finalized budget to the executive committee in October for layover and for formal county board consideration and adoption in November. The chair emphasized there is still opportunity for public comment and for board members to raise questions before final adoption. Other fiscal actions at the meeting: The board approved updates to its financial and auditing policies and procedures (motion carried) and approved county officers’ reports and quarterly treasury reports. The board also approved claims and payroll as presented. Discussion vs. decision: The board approved policy updates and selected reports; the budget itself remains at the committee-to-executive stage and will require additional formal votes in October/November for final adoption.