The Polk County Commissioners Court spent much of its Tuesday meeting explaining a budget amendment for $8,285,883 in general fund reserves. The money would go to out-of-county inmate housing, sheriff's office and jail capital projects, a district attorney's office remodel, and the road and bridge precincts and restoration projects fund. More spectators than usual attended after some residents expressed concern that County Judge Sydney Murphy was depleting county funds before she leaves office.
Murphy said the county began fiscal year 2027 with a general fund balance of about $20.6 million, roughly 59% of budgeted general fund expenses. She said county policy requires at least 25%, and the court prefers 35%. She said the balance is projected to stay above 35% after the amendment.
Murphy said three items carry out actions the court already took. The out-of-county inmate housing agreement was approved Sept. 8, 2026, for 180 days. The jail control and access system and a remodel of the district attorney's office by Trueline Construction were approved Oct. 13, 2026. Murphy said each agreement or proposal must still come before the court for approval before any payment is issued. She said about $5.9 million would go to the four road and bridge precincts and the restoration projects fund.
Murphy said claims that there was no planning are false, and that planning for some projects began in 2018. She said the county built a communications tower with ARPA funds and local partnerships.