GUIDE TO USING THE FY 2008 OPERATING BUDGET

 

 

The objective of the budget document is to describe the Town of Cary’s budget in a manner that is easy for the lay reader to use, yet comprehensive for the experienced reader.   Brief descriptions of the major sections of the document follow.

 

·         Introduction  (pages  1 - 74)

The most notable information in this section is the Manager’s Budget Message, which discusses the major revenue and expenditure issues for Fiscal Year 2008.  Other helpful information in this section includes the mission statement, goals and initiatives, Town-wide organization chart, adopted budget ordinance, fee schedule, pay ranges and authorized position listing, and a description of the budget process.

 

·         Financial Summaries (pages 75 - 90)

This section provides summary financial information on all funds that are included in the budget document.  Further details may be found in other sections of the document or in the Capital Improvements Budget and Plan.  Information on the Town’s financial condition, assessed value, tax rates, approved water and sewer rates, and debt service is also included.

 

·         Key Facts / Statistics (pages 91 - 96)

This segment of the budget describes the history of the Town and presents facts and statistics about Cary, including population comparisons and demographic information.

 

·         General Fund  (pages 97 - 220)

The General Fund is the Town’s major operating fund.  Graphs and charts provide historical summaries of revenues and expenditures.  Detailed discussions of budgeted revenue sources are also included here.  The General Fund Summary provides five fiscal years of revenue and expenditure data – actuals for FY 2004-2006, estimates for FY 2007, and the adopted budget for FY 2008.  In addition to revenue and expenditure data, this report shows the estimated ending fund balance for the General Fund.

 

The General Fund section of the budget also contains a narrative for each General Fund department.  The narratives present each department’s mission statement, program descriptions, activity history, FY 2007 accomplishments, key performance objectives, workload indicators and performance measures, and explanations of significant budget and service level changes for FY 2008.

 

·         Utility Fund  (pages 221 - 252)

The Utility Fund section is formatted in the same manner as the General Fund section but provides information related specifically to the Utility Fund.  The Utility Fund accounts for Town of Cary water and sewer operations.

 

·         Other Funds  (pages 253 - 272)

This portion of the budget contains information related to Town activities that are either partially or fully funded by transfers from the General, Utility, and Fleet Management funds.  The Transit Fund, Police Separation Fund, Self-Insurance Funds (Workers’ Compensation & Small Claims), Health and Dental Internal Service Fund, 911 Fund, Koka Booth Amphitheatre Fund, Community Development, Economic Development and Fleet Management Fund are all addressed in the Other Funds section.

 

  • CIB/CIP (pages 273 - 318)

This section contains information about the Capital Improvements Budget and Ten-Year Capital Improvements Plan.  Included is an overview of each funded project, a utility capital and general capital reserve summary, utility capital and general capital funding sources and expenditure graphs, lists of current projects and projects scheduled for closure as of June 30, 2007, and Ten-Year Plan.

 

·         Appendix  (pages 319 - 344)

The Appendix includes information on the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act, the Town’s budgeting and financial policies, a description of the Town’s fund structure and basis of budgeting, and definitions of individual expenditure accounts.  This section also includes historical staffing levels, an explanation of acronyms used in this document, and a glossary of terms.