FY2018 Recommended Budget

BASIS OF BUDGETING

The accounts of the Town of Morrisville are organized on the basis of funds. A fund is an independent fiscal and accounting entity, with a self- balancing set of accounts. Funds maintain independent records of cash and/or other resources, together with all related liabilities, obligations, reserves and equities. The purpose of a fund is to carry out specific activities or attain certain objectives in accordance with special financial regulations, restrictions or limitations. The budget covers the activities and expenditures for a fiscal year that runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.

The main differences between Budget and CAFR for proprietary funds are: Capital Outlay and Debt Service principal payments are recorded as expenditures for budgetary purposes as opposed to adjustments of balance sheet accounts in the financial statements. Depreciation is not recognized for budgetary purposes and is recorded as a charge applied against the capital assets in the CAFR. 

The Town develops its budget as required by the North Carolina Local Government Budget & Fiscal Control Act. All budgets are prepared and adopted using the modified accrual basis whereby revenues are recognized when measurable and available and expenditures are recognized when a liability is incurred. Expenditures may not legally exceed appropriations at the departmental level for all annually budgeted funds. During the year, the Town’s accounting system is maintained on the same basis as the adopted budget. Unexpended funds revert to fund balance at close of year. Unexpended capital reserve funds carry forward from year to year. At year-end, the Town’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is prepared on the basis consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). 

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