Page 247 - BudgetBookCover_FY26_Adopted.pdf
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Dallas Central Appraisal District
The Dallas Central Appraisal District is the legal entity established by the Texas legislature to appraise all property within Dallas County for property tax
purposes. All taxing units within Dallas County use the property values certified by DCAD to determine their tax levies. The district is governed by a board of
directors appointed by the participating taxing units, ensuring county-wide representation in the oversight of the appraisal process.
Debt Service
The City's obligation to pay the principal and interest of all bonds and other debt instruments according to a predetermined payment schedule.
Debt Service Fund
A fund used to account for resources and expenditures related to retirement for the City's general obligation debt service, sometimes referred to as a "sinking
fund."
Deficit
The excess of the liabilities of a fund over its assets; or the excess of expenditures over revenues during an accounting period; or in the case of proprietary
fund, the excess of expense over income during an accounting period.
Delinquent Taxes
Taxes that remain unpaid after the date on which a penalty for nonpayment is attached. Property taxes are delinquent if not paid by January 31.
Department
A major administrative organizational unit of the City containing one or more divisions or activities.
Depreciation
A non-cash expense that reduces the value of an asset as a result of wear and tear, deterioration, action of the physical elements, inadequacy or obsolescence.
Division
A major administrative organizational unity of the City which indicates overall management responsibility for one or more activities.
Ellis Appraisal District
The Ellis Appraisal District serves as the official agency responsible for appraising all taxable property within Ellis County, as established by state law. All taxing
entities in the county rely on EAD-certified property values to calculate property taxes. The district is overseen by a board of directors appointed by the local
taxing units, providing governance and accountability across the jurisdiction.
Encumbrance
An obligation, usually in the form of a purchase order, contract, or salary commitment, related to uncompleted contracts for goods or services. Used in
budgeting, encumbrances are not classified as expenditures or liabilities, but are shown as a reservation of fund balance. Upon payment, encumbrances are
recorded as expenditure and liquidated, thereby releasing the reservation of fund balance. Outstanding or unliquidated encumbrances at year-end are closed
out.
Enterprise Fund
A fund established to account for operations that are financed and operated in a manner similar to private business enterprises, where the intent of the
governing body is that the costs of providing goods or services to the general public on a continuing basis be financed or recovered primarily through user
charges.
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