By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County Legislators agreed Monday to borrow $10 million to address cash flow issues for the fourth consecutive year.

“Due to the current financial obligations of St. Lawrence County and a decreasing level of cash flow available, St. Lawrence County is in need of issuing revenue anticipation notes to meets its cash flow financing needs for the remainder of the year,” the resolution put forward by finance committee chairman Fred Morrill said.

The interest is expected to cost the county roughly $100,000 in interest over a 12-month period.

Although the county is expected to bring in the $10 million in revenue this budget year, the county has a low fund balance and must borrow money to ensure it has enough cash flow to pay its bills on a day-to-day basis.

This is the fourth consecutive year the county has had to borrow money and the trend is likely to continue into the near future.

The county borrowed $8.5 million in 2011, $12 million in 2012 and $10 million in 2013.

The recently implemented five-year financial recovery plan that included a one percent increase in sales tax was supposed to allow the county to start building back its depleted balance and reduce its reliance on borrowed cash.

Last year when the county borrowed $10 million, St. Lawrence County Treasurer Kevin Felt said believed the county would eventually be able stop borrowing money if it is able to stick to its proposed plan.