2018 Popular Annual Financial Report For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 | Page 13

The total cost of general fund programs and services was $31.43 million. The cost of public safety programs accounted for 41.33 percent of expenditures, while general government func- tions accounted for 22.14 percent. Spending in the cultural/recreational category decreased by 51.4 percent, which was more in line with historical spending after a significant land pur- chase in FY 16-17. Major initiatives funded in the FY 17-18 budget (excluding Garner Bond Program projects) includ- ed street resurfacing, funding to complete the update of the Town’s comprehensive growth and transportation plans and financing of vehicle and equipment replacement. Total expenditures per capita decreased from $1,098 to $1,004 (8.6 per- cent) because FY 16-17 numbers included a $2.9 million purchase of land for future development. G eneral F und E xpenditures FY 15-16 FY 16-17 FY 17-18 General government $6,780,440 $6,212,951 $6,960,076 Public safety 10,751,421 11,605,337 12,989,182 Transportation 2,708,200 2,656,663 2,899,718 Environmental protection 1,853,286 1,888,478 1,895,800 Cultural/recreational 2,795,777 6,045,834 2,936,533 Debt service 2,792,645 3,435,669 3,748,006 $27,681,769 $31,844,932 $31,429,315 TOTAL F und B alance O VERALL, GENERAL FUND REVENUES and other financing sources exceeded expendi- tures and transfers by $650,000, which was added to the Town’s fund balance. Fund balance is akin to a savings account for the Town and can be used to fund capital projects, balance the budget and for emergencies or cash flow during the year. The chart to the right shows the different categories of fund balance. These categories represent any ex- ternal or Town Council-initiated restrictions on how fund balance can be used. Unassigned is the least restrictive and can be used for any purpose. Unas- signed fund balance at the end of FY 17-18 totaled $17.73 million, an amount equal to 56 percent of ex- penditures. The Town’s policy is a minimum of 30 per- cent. Total fund balance stood at $30.59 million. 2018 POPULAR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT C ategories of F und B alance in FY 17-18 Nonspendable $45,752 Restricted 4,172,519 Committed 6,503,558 Assigned 2,145,498 Unassigned TOTAL 17,726,861 $30,594,188 12