Mission 

The Finance Department provides financial-related services to the County and supports the management of the County’s resources.   

Description of Core Services 

The Finance Department provides a wide range of technical services in support of the County, including the following: 

• Audit:  Working with external auditors to improve the integrity of the County’s financial reports and records 
• Accounts Payable:  Paying the County’s bills 
• Budgeting:  Assisting the Budget Officer in the creation of an annual budget, and using that budget to control expenditures and support ongoing decision-making 
• Capital Asset Financing:  Financing large capital projects 
• Contracts & Procurement:  Assisting in the execution of contracts and major procurement actions 
• Financial Monitoring:  Monitoring the financial status of the County 
• Financial Reporting:  Providing financial reports to administrators, other government entities and the general public 
• Financial Record Management:  Maintenance of financial records in accordance with laws and regulations 
• Fund Management:  Management of the various County funds 
• Grant Management:  Assisting in the management of various grants 
• Human Services, and Pub Health Accounting:  Provide general accounting services to the Department of Human Services, including their AP, Payroll, and support State accounting systems 
• Internal Control:  Establishing and enforcing sound internal control 
• Payroll:  Payment of employees 

2024 Goals 

• Capital Asset Financing:  Seek additional funding for the now under construction. 
• Internal Control:  Create and execute processes to comply with EMMA Continuing Disclosure requirements 
• All Other Core Processes:  Perform on time and within budget with accuracy and integrity 
• Staff Transition:  Training of staff in new positions (Director, Accountant, AP/PR) 

2023 Accomplishments and Challenges 

• Accounts Payable:  County A/P was processed accurately and on schedule at all times.  Also, Detention Facility construction cost invoices were processed for release by the Trustee in a timely manner.   
• Budgeting:  Completed the 2023 Budget process, including: 
  • Special analysis of rapidly changing operations (Detention and Dispatch Completed) 
  • Special analysis of underfunded capital project priorities (Court Facility and Transportation) 
  • Continuing use of Long Range Forecasting 
• Capital Asset Financing: (New Court Facility) Complete 
  • Procured DOLA grant for Design 
  • Fulfilled conditions of Underfunded Court Commission grant for Construction. 
  • Transferred additional General Funds (taken from planned transfers to other funds).   
  • Released Strategic Reserve to finance balance of project.   
• Capital Asset Financing: (Other) 
  • Various modifications and adjustments to 2023 budget to accommodate over budget spending on the new Detention Facility construction and SO Remodel projects completed Court Facility Shooting Range Complete 
• COVID-19 Response: 
  • Modification of multiple Finance Department processes to accommodate “remote” work.  
  • Redeployment of Finance staff to work from home. 
  • Creation of new benefit policy/system/internal control, to permit COVID related benefits. 
  • Monitoring new COVID grant opportunities and their (constantly changing) restrictions and constraints.   
  • Applying for, executing and reporting on, various COVID grants. 
• Detention Facility Construction Reporting: 
  • Completed the reporting process for the Detention Facility construction project… a separate “one off” project of reporting activity to the COP Trustee on the $13M+ financing. 
• RFP’s/IFB’s: 
  • Assisted in a record number of non-routine procurement projects that were unplanned and unanticipated. 
• Financial Monitoring:   
  • Provided ongoing information and feedback about budget spending, resulting in all funds (and most departments) remaining within their appropriated budgets. 
• Planned Staff Transition:  
  • Promotion of two department staff (Accountant to Finance Director and AP/PR Clerk to Accountant). 
  • Recruitment of new AP/PR Clerk. 
  • Beginning of complex training schedule.   
• Sale of Courthouse