Supervisors told they should make it until January tax revenues
Marion County’s finances are in good enough shape that it will likely not have to borrow money to finish the calendar year.
The Board of Supervisors discussed budget items with CPA Charlie Prince on Nov. 20 and learned that the county will probably end up with enough to cover expenses before new revenues come in. In the past, Marion County officials have borrowed money to finish the year in anticipation of property taxes that begin to be paid in January.
Prince also discussed items where he saw negative balances, one of which was in garbage and solid waste.
“That account probably needs some deposits made to it,” he said. “But in January, you will have the fee increase. I look for things to get better. The next two negatives are the men’s and women’s facility at the prison.”
A $245,000 payment from the Mississippi Department of Corrections did not come in as it was supposed to; instead, $180,000 was received. The difference was one reason for the negative balance.
Prince said despite the problems, the county’s finances are stable.
“Cash-wise we certainly look better than anticipated,” he said. “When you look at the budget side of things, we’re early on. We are at 16.66 percent of the budget and at 11 percent on expenditures. This is the overall General Fund budget for the first two months. It’s going to take a little time for some of this stuff to work itself out. Hopefully, we’ve done a little better job budgeting this year. Hopefully, we’re going to be closer on things. No matter how much you plan, something can go awry somewhere, but we’re certainly better of cash-wise to handle a little mishap than we have been in a long time.”
The Marion County Board of Supervisors meets next in regular session on Dec. 4 at its offices on Courthouse Square.
