Whitman County 2025 budget amendments approved

COLFAX — County Commissioners moved and seconded approving 2025 budget amendments during the regular commission meeting on Monday, Dec. 2.

Chief Financial Officer Jessica Jensema reported that there was a total requested revenue adjustment of $202,642 and expense adjustments of $189,180, totaling adjustment of revenue exceeding expenses of $13,462.

“No transfer from the reserve would be required,” Jensema reported.

Jensema reported for general government there was a request to increase revenue by $347,000.

“A majority of that is the opioid settlement money that we’ve received this year,” she said. “Then increase the expenses by $415,000. There was an oversight in the Whitcom user fees in the budget and we also have to add that to 2025 as well.”

For administration, Jensema reported a decrease in revenue of $400,000 and a decrease in expense of $381,600.

Jensema reported an increase of expenses of $61,588 for Superior Court.

“If you recall, this was grant money received in 2023 that didn’t make it into the 2024 budget for the audio visual upgrades,” Jensema reported, adding the department already spent the funds and is now bringing the budget back up to catch up for the courtroom.

Whitman County Treasurer Chris Nelson requested via Jensema’s request, an increase in revenue of $250,000 for interest earnings.

Jensema reported the Prosecutor’s Office is requesting an increase in expenses for $5000 for professional services; and Juvenile an increase to expenses of $4,000.

The Palouse Empire Fair Office is requesting an increase of revenue and expenses of $5,642, for their lease on the cell tower out at the fairgrounds.

“They’re expecting to put that money into fair improvement,” Jensema reported.

IT is requesting an increase to expenditures of $79,000 for unexpected infrastructure expenses.

“Then there are no requests to adjust any funds outside of current expenses. One time expenditures, grants, one time expenditures in the 2025 budget,” Jensema reported.