[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Carlisle 5-8-1986
by Ord. No. 1505, approved 5-8-1986. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Local government investment trust — See Ch.
38.
Tax collection — See Ch.
66.
The purpose of this chapter, to be known as the "Fiscal Control Ordinance
of the Borough of Carlisle," is to provide for a system of financial administration,
accounting, fiscal and budgetary control which conforms to generally accepted
accounting practices.
The fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and shall end on December 31.
An annual budget will be adopted by the Borough Council prior to the
first day of the fiscal year. The proposed budget shall be prepared by the
Borough Manager and transmitted to members of the Council for their review
a minimum of 45 days before the required date of adoption. The budget as adopted
shall be a balanced budget, with anticipated revenues (including appropriated
unencumbered surplus) equal to appropriated expenditures for all funds.
[Amended 1-10-1991 by Ord. No. 1701,
approved 1-10-1991]
No expenditure of any funds shall be legal or proper unless appropriations
adequate to meet that expenditure have been made in the budget. All purchases
shall be made in full compliance with applicable law.
At the time the proposed budget is reviewed by Council at a public meeting,
a copy of the proposed budget shall be made available for public inspection
during regular office hours in the Borough offices.
No earlier than 10 days after the proposed budget is reviewed by Council
at a public meeting and no later than the time that the budget is adopted
by the Council, a public hearing shall be held to give the public the opportunity
to comment upon the proposed budget. Notice of such public hearing shall be
given in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality no more than
20 days and no less than 10 days in advance of the hearing.
The adoption of the budget shall be accomplished by the approval of
a budget resolution which specifies the anticipated revenues by appropriate
categories and the appropriated expenditures for the several categories and
purposes set forth for each fund. Amendments to the budget shall be approved
by resolution.
A. Any increase in fund budget appropriations shall require
the approval of the Council in the form of an amendment to the budget resolution.
B. The transfer of appropriations among the various line
items within any Borough budget shall only require the approval of the Borough
Manager, except that any transfer of appropriations within any budget account
so as to increase the salary appropriation for the purpose of employing additional
personnel shall require an amendment of the budget resolution by the Council.
The Borough Manager shall present as part of the annual proposed budget
a statement of anticipated revenues on the basis of the ordinary and reasonable
revenues which can be expected for the fiscal year. Property tax revenue estimates
shall be based upon the anticipated tax rolls, less a stated discount for
early payments, plus a stated amount of delinquent taxes, including penalties
and interest, to be collected in the fiscal year based on consideration of
the actual experience in the collection of delinquent taxes in the three prior
fiscal years.
Borough Council may establish a fund, to be known as the "Capital Reserve
Fund," for the purpose of reserving moneys for capital improvements and other
lawful expenditures as directed by the annual budget. Revenues to the Capital
Reserve Fund shall consist of transfers from the Borough's operating
funds of moneys earmarked for capital improvement projects.
All appropriations which are not obligated, encumbered or expended at
the end of the fiscal year shall lapse and shall become a part of the unencumbered
fund balance which may be appropriated for the next fiscal year.
The following funds may be established and shall be used as necessary
to provide for the proper accounting of all financial activities of the Borough:
A. The general fund, to account for the general governmental
operations and all financial transactions not properly accounted for in another
fund.
B. Special revenue funds, to account for the proceeds of
special revenue sources, other than special assessments, or to finance specified
activities as required by law or administrative regulation.
C. Debt service funds, to account for the payment of interest
and principal on long-term debt other than special assessment and revenue
bonds.
D. Capital projects funds, to account for the receipt and
disbursement of moneys, including bond funds, used for the acquisition of
capital facilities other than those financed by special assessment and enterprise
funds.
E. Enterprise (utility) funds, to account for the financing
of services to the general public where all or most of the costs involved
are paid in the form of charges to users of such services.
F. Trust and agency funds, to account for assets held by
a governmental unit as trustee or agent for individuals, private organizations
and other governmental units.
G. Internal service funds, to account for the financing
of special activities and services performed by a designated organization
unit within a governmental jurisdiction for other organization units within
the same governmental jurisdiction.
H. Special assessment funds, to account for special assessments
levied to finance public improvements or services deemed to benefit the properties
against which the assessments are levied.
A complete self-balancing group of accounts shall be established and
maintained for each fund used. This group of accounts shall include all general
ledger accounts and subsidiary records necessary to reflect compliance with
legal provisions and to set forth the financial position and the results of
financial operations of the fund.
Additional accounts, as follows, shall be maintained:
A. A fixed asset account for the purpose of accounting for
those assets which are of a tangible nature, have a life longer than one fiscal
year and have a value greater than $5,000. General fixed assets shall be recorded
at original cost and shall be maintained pursuant to the rules and guidelines
issued by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
To the extent possible, the government-wide, proprietary, and fiduciary
fund financial statements are reported using the economic resources measurement
focus and the accrual basis of accounting. The governmental fund financial
statements are reported using the current financial resources measurement
focus and the modified accrual basis of accounting. All receipts and disbursements
shall be posted promptly and at least on a monthly basis. To the extent possible,
all interfund transfers shall be cleared by the end of the fiscal year.
Financial statements and reports showing the current conditions of budgetary
and proprietary accounts shall be prepared and presented to the governing
authority at least every three months. Not later than six months after the
close of the fiscal year, a comprehensive annual financial report covering
all funds and financial operations shall be prepared and published. A summary
of this report, containing at least a statement of revenues and expenditures
as of the close of the preceding fiscal year and the combined balance sheet
for all funds and account groups, shall be published in a newspaper of general
circulation in the municipality.
All the funds, accounts and financial transactions of the Borough shall
be subjected to an annual audit by an independent certified public accountant
who is to be selected by the Borough Council. The audit shall be conducted
in accordance with Governmental Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller
General of the United States. The auditor shall also have the powers and duties
set forth by law. See Section 1196 of the Borough Code (53 P.S. § 46196).
The responsibility for the proper execution of the provisions of this
chapter shall be with the Borough Manager, who may delegate certain duties
to the Director of Finance, except where the responsibility is explicitly
given to the Council.
Where any section of this chapter is found to be in conflict with any
of the provisions of the Borough Code, the provisions of the Borough Code
shall control.