By Mary Alice Murphy

The Grant County Commission held a special meeting Wednesday morning, July 27, 2016, to make final adjustments to the fiscal year 2016 budget. According to Financial Officer Linda Vasquez the adjustments included a $153,000 increase in property tax receipts and a $390,200 increase in the federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes.

In the financial report ending June 30, the county Road Fund had a cash balance of $305,000.

The General Fund had a cash balance of $3.291,797.

For the fiscal year 2017, the General Fund budget is expected to have an ending balance of $2.515 million on June 30, 2017. Budgeted revenues are $13 million.

Because a three-twelfths reserve is required, and equals $2.495 million, the surplus at the end of FY 2017 is estimated to be $55,000.

For the FY 2017 budget for the Road Fund, it is expected to have $161,000, with the required one-twelfth reserve being $144,000, leaving a surplus of $17,719.

The Detention Center has budgeted revenues of $794,000, but will require a $1.9 million transfer from the General Fund to meet its expenses of $2.712 million. It will have a zero cash balance at the end of the year and has no required reserve.

"That $1.9 million is a glaring transfer directly from the General Fund to take care of the Detention Center," Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said.

"I'm hoping that Tu Casa will see fewer people incarcerated," Commissioner Ron Hall said.

The budget passed with the commissioners, including Commissioner Gabriel Ramos voting to approve.

The last item was acceptance of the Enhanced 911 annual grant agreement of $219,652.

The short meeting adjourned, with the next regular work session to take place Aug. 16, followed by the regular meeting Aug. 18.