Finance staff asked the commission to delegate authority to complete several year‑end budget actions that require timing flexibility. Lindsay said staff need authority to transfer budget authority from the rainy‑day reserve to the general fund so the county can make an interfund transfer into the risk‑management fund and to move operating reserve authority tied to the 1% sales tax into the road and bridge fund.

"What we're asking is for your approval for us to do a transfer of budget authority from the rainy day reserve to the budgeted transfers program in the general fund," Lindsay said. She added that claims have been higher than usual, property‑insurance costs increased, and that employee health claims and prescriptions are driving a health‑benefit increase she described as "over 10%."

Staff said the 2026 budget includes a 5% projection for health costs, but that actual increases will likely exceed that and that plan changes and increased employee cost‑sharing are among the options being considered. Commissioners asked that staff circulate a breakdown of tax‑foreclosure parcels and how a roughly "1.2" figure will be distributed among delinquent taxes and other lienholders; staff said they will provide those details by email.

Why it matters: transfers affect how reserve funds are used, may change departmental spending authority before year end, and rising health costs can have multi‑year budget implications for county employees and benefits plans.

What’s next: staff will circulate requested breakdowns, present more detailed health‑cost analysis in the monthly financial report, and may bring plan‑change options to future briefings; commissioners authorized keeping an agenda item for final actions at the Wednesday meeting.