The Barton County Commission Wednesday morning approved a resolution transferring and carrying over 2022 unexpended funds. After accounting of all 2022 transactions, funds were transferred  to the Capital Improvement and Equipment Replacement Funds, County Administrator Matt Patzner said.

“It’s the county’s practice to transfer unexpended funds from one year to the next,” he said. “After discussions with commissioners in the light of uncertainty with the economy, the proposed transfer will better position accounting for the future.”

The transfers to the Capital Improvement Fund come to  $1,015,799.21. That broken down includes: General Fund, $720,000; Federal Funds Exchange, $196,799.21; and Special Bridge, $99,000.

The transfers to the Equipment Replacement Fund total $583,200.79. That broken down includes: General Fund, $480,000; and Road and Bridge, $103,200.79. 

“That will bring our beginning 2023 reserve balances for capital improvement to $6,179,043.43 and for equipment replacement to $4,169,242.54,” he said. He stressed that reflects the beginning balances for 2023, and does not factor in any expenditures made this year.  

As a side note, commissioners met as the Governing Board of Fire District No. 1 immediately following the close of the agenda meeting. Approved was a carry-over fund transfer of $20,000 for the district, which covers the City of Claflin and Cheyenne, Independent and Logan townships.

District Fire Chief Doug Hubbard said this brings the total in their fund to around $120,000.