Anne Arundel County school officials will see if a plan to use surplus health insurance funds for other departments will find County Council approval.
The council will get public comment, hear testimony from school officials and take an emergency vote on a resolution to shift $13 million in the schools budget.
“This is to account for the restoration of funds the council has cut from our budget,” schools spokesman Bob Mosier said, referring to the $7 million in cuts in the schools? budget.
Part of that shuffling of funds includes taking $3.9 million in surplus health care premiums, raising concern among many on the dais.
“They want to spend a fund balance and the books have not been closed out ? in layman?s terms, they?re spending money when they haven?t balanced the checkbook,” said Council Chairman Ronald Dillon, R-District 3.
Dillon is out-of-town today, so Councilman Edward Middlebrooks, R-District 2, will act as chairman.
Assistant Superintendent Greg Nourse said Friday afternoon that he had not seen the resolution, though Middlebrooks said through his assistant that the resolution would go before the council today.
If not, the school?s request would automatically go into effect Aug. 5.
School officials are also asking for an extra fund to help pay for $2 million in unexpected electricity costs.
Nourse said a combination of mandates to run air conditioners and furnaces longer, and keep lights on overnight for security, as well as rate hikes, have contributed to the unexpected utility hikes.
Meeting info
The Anne Arundel County Council will meet tonight at 7 at 44 Calvert St. in Annapolis. Visit aacounty.org or call 410-222-1401 to get the meeting agenda and contact information for your council representative.
