Page 90 - Forest Hill FY20 Annual Budget
P. 90

CITY OF FOREST HILL

               revise a budget appropriation. The City of Forest Hill's City Charter requires City Council approval through
               the adoption of a supplemental appropriation ordinance (which specifies both the source of revenue and
               the appropriate expenditure account) for any inter-departmental or inter-fund adjustments. City staff has
               the prerogative to adjust expenditures within a departmental budget.

               Budget Calendar:  The schedule of key dates or milestones  which the City departments follow in the
               preparation, adoption and administration of the budget.

               Budget Document: The instrument used by the City staff to present a comprehensive financial program
               to the City Council.

               Budget Message: The opening section of the Budget Document that provides the City Council and the
               public with a general summary of the most important aspects of the budget, changes from the current and
               previous fiscal years, and the views and recommendations of the City Manager. The Budget Message is
               also referred to as the City Manager's Message or Budget Transmittal Letter.

               Budget Re-estimate: Process of taking year-to-date financial information, using that information to project
               future financial performance for the remainder of the fiscal year, then comparing the result to the fiscal year
               budgeted amount as a way to gage financial performance. The re-estimate process takes place throughout
               the fiscal year for most funds.

               Budgetary Control: The control or management of a governmental unit or enterprise in accordance with
               an approved  budget for the purpose of keeping expenditures within  the limitations of available
               appropriations and available revenues.

               Budgeted Funds:  Funds  that are  planned for certain uses, but  have not  yet  been formally or  legally
               appropriated by the legislative body. The budget document that is submitted for City Council approval is
               comprised of budgeted funds.

               Capital  Project Budget:  The portion  of the annual operating  budget that  appropriates funds for the
               purchase of capital equipment items. These expenditures are often separated from regular operating items,
               such as salaries, services, and supplies. The Capital  Equipment  Budget includes funds for capital
               equipment purchases, which are usually distinguished from operating items according to their value and
               projected useful life. Examples include vehicles,  minor equipment, furniture, machinery, building
               improvements, and special tools. The dollar  value varies according to the policy established by each
               jurisdiction. For the City of Forest Hill, this limit is $5,000.

               Capital Improvement Program:  A plan for capital expenditures to  provide long-lasting physical
               improvements to be acquired over a fixed period of years.

               Capital Improvement Program Budget:  A Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget is a separate
               budget from the operating budget. Items in the CIP are usually construction projects designed to improve
               the value of government assets. Examples of capital improvement projects include new roads, sewer lines,
               buildings, recreational facilities, and large scale remodeling. The City Council receives a separate document
               that details the CIP costs for the upcoming fiscal year.

               Cash Basis Accounting: A basis of accounting in which transactions are recorded when cash is either

                                                                                                 Page 85 of 90
   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95