BUDGET AND FISCAL POLICY (REVISED) - 4-2017

Home Browse Search

guideline should be set by the appropriate policy body and articulate a framework and process for how the government would increase or decrease the level of unrestricted fund balance over a specific time period." In particular, governments should provide broad guidance in the policy for how resources will be directed to replenish fund balance should the balance fall below the level prescribed. Appropriate Level. The adequacy of unrestricted fund balance in the general fund should take into account each government's own unique circumstances. For example, governments that may be vulnerable to natural disasters, more dependent on a volatile revenue source, or potentially subject to cuts in state aid and /or federal grants may need to maintain a higher level In the unrestricted fund balance. Articulating these risks in a fund balance policy makes it easier to explain to stakeholders the rationale for a seemingly higher than normal level of fund balance that protects taxpayers and employees from unexpected changes in financial condition. Nevertheless. GFOA recommends, at a minimum, that general -purpose governments, regardless of size, maintain unrestricted budgetary fund balance in their general fund of no less than two months of regular general fund operating revenues or regular general fund operating expenditures.5 The choice of revenues or expenditures as a basis of comparison may be dictated by what Is more predictable in a government's particular oircumstances a Furthermore, a government's particular situation often may require a level of unrestricted fund balance in the general fund significantly in excess of this recommended minimum level. In any case, such measures should be applied within the context of long -term forecasting, thereby avoiding the risk of placing too much emphasis upon the level of unrestricted fund balance in the general fund at any one time. In establishing a policy governing the level of unrestricted fund balance in the general fund, a government should consider a variety of factors, Including: 1. The predictability of its revenues and the volatility of its expenditures (Le., higher levels of unrestricted fund balance may be needed if significant revenue sources are subject to unpredictable fluctuations or if operating expenditures are highly volatile); 2. Its perceived exposure to significant one -time outlays (e.g., disasters, immediate capital needs, state budget cuts); 3. The potential drain upon general fund resources from other funds, as well as, the availability of resources in other funds; 4. The potential impact on the entity's bond ratings and the corresponding Increased cost of borrowed funds; 5. Commitments and assignments (i.e., governments may wish to maintain higher levels of unrestricted fund balance to compensate for any portion of unrestricted fund balance already committed or assigned by the government for a specific purpose). Governments may deem it appropriate to exclude from consideration resources that have been committed or assigned to some other purpose and focus on unassigned fund balance, rather than on unrestricted fund balance. Use and Replenishment. The fund balance policy should define conditions warranting its use, and if a fund balance falls below the government's policy level, a solid plan to replenish it. In that context, the fund balance policy should: 1. Define the time period within which and contingencies for which fund balances will be used; 2. Describe how the government's expenditure and /or revenue levels will be adjusted to match any new economic realities that are behind the use of fund balance as a financing bridge; 3. Describe the time period over which the components of fund balance will be replenished and the means by which they will be replenished. Generally, governments should seek to replenish their fund balances within one to three years of use. Specifically, factors influencing the replenishment time horizon Include 65C -12