After tabling action last week, the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors approved the remaining fiscal year 2020 appropriations for some county departments Tuesday.

The Supervisors had previously appropriated 75% of the year’s budget, but citing concerns with multiple county projects and fund balances, some of the Supervisors suggested asking the departments to save the remaining 25% of their budgets to be added to next fiscal year. Several department heads attended this week’s meeting to see the Board’s outcome. County Auditor Marci McClellan presented a spreadsheet to the Board including the beginning cash balance for the fiscal year, the cash balance as of October 31st, taxes collected, the amount that was budgeted, what’s been appropriated, and what’s been spent. She also mentioned that until the 25% is appropriated, the Fair Board wouldn’t be getting a pending claims check. Supervisor Mike Dickson calculated that if all the taxes are received as expected, they should have about $1.8 million in the general basic fund. This doesn’t include how much may be spent for budget amendments.

Conservation Director Joe Hanner asked McClellan if this year’s numbers reflect previous years, and she didn’t have an exact answer, but she said the last few years the County’s expenses have exceeded revenues, which has caused them to take funds from their reserves. Dickson motioned for the Board to approve the remaining appropriations for all departments except the Attorney’s, Recorder’s, and Sheriff’s Offices, which was approved. The departments were excluded because of a lack of agreement on the new county handbook, which was approved earlier in the meeting. The Board mentioned that they could approve those remaining appropriations next week.