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2022-12-21 Auditor Treasurer UpdateAuditor / Treasurer Update December 21, 2022 10:30 a.m. Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, County Manager Erik Martin, Rodney Reynolds, Steve Wohld, Nic Scott, Arny Davis, Grace Jimenez, Larry Grove, Tom Stanton, Becky Butler, Sherri Dokken Guest(s): Recorder: Tammy Martin Public comment: None. Treasurer’s Office updates: Rodney Reynolds presented updates for the Lewis County Liquid Investment Portfolio. Rodney said the hope is for inflation to come down so the interest earnings on investments will be at in comparison to current interest rates. Rodney said the year-to-date sales and use tax is ahead approximately 7%. Rodney said the general fund receives majority of its revenue from the Treasurer’s Office. Rodney estimates approximately $5 million more in revenue has been received for the 2022 year compared to 2021. Rodney said lodging tax revenue received comes primarily from Air BNB’s located in East Lewis County. Lodging tax revenue received this year is approximately 1.7% ahead of last year. Auditor’s Office updates: Grace said the general fund is 81% expended for the year. Bond payments and general fund transfers will occur in the next few weeks. Reports will reflect these transfers soon. Grace said all other funds outside of the general funds do not reflect the general fund transfers. The only fund that stands out for reporting purposes is the Juvenile Justice construction and the general government construction fund will be completely expended at the end of Dec. 2022. The Broadband Infrastructure has low expenditures due to a delay from the state. Grace said there is more activity in December and January because of the 60-day open period. Grace said the Auditor’s Office is down two FTEs. Grace said needs have changed in the office and if any changes or increases are needed, she will present that to the Board. Larry Grove said staffing is low in elections as well. He is looking for additional staffing. Larry said he is applying for a grant for election security and this would fund part of the position. This grant is renewable and would help offset the costs. Larry said there was a Congressional District 3 machine recount resulting no changes from Lewis County and minimal changes in other counties. Larry provided updates from Recording. Larry says it costs $203.50 to record documents. Becky Butler said Lewis County portions that come from DNR distributions are much smaller than in the past. Becky said Lewis County will under-collect the 2022 year and increase in the 2023 dues to delays in harvesting timber. Adjourned 11:36 a.m.