1993-03-01-TE-Warrant-and-1993-03-29-ATM-Warrant

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TOWN FINANCE TERMINOLOGY The following terms are frequently used in the annual town report and at the town meeting. In order to provide everyone with a better understanding of the meaning, the following definitions are provided. APPROPRIATION An authorization granted by the Town Meeting to make expenditures and to incur obligations for specific purposes. Appropriations for any expenditures are limited in dollar amount and time. AVAILABLE FUNDS - "FREE CASH" The amount certified annually by the Bureau of Accounts, Department of Revenue. The certified amount is the Unreserved Fund Balance less all outstanding taxes. This fund may be used by a vote of the town meeting as available funds for appropriation. AVAILABLE FUNDS - OTHER Usually refers to balances in special funds or to balances remaining in specific articles previously appropriated. These balances become available for re-appropriation by Town Meeting (or are returned to the town's general fund balance). "CHERRY SHEET" A financial statement issued by the State on cherry-colored paper that itemizes state aid due to the town, and charges payable by the town to the state and county. The assessors need the Cherry Sheet to set a tax rate. ENTERPRISE FUND A self-supporting account for a specific service or program that the town operates as a separate "business." Enterprise funds do not depend on taxes for operating revenue. For example, water operations are funded through the water enterprise fund, which receives funds from a consumption based fee system. Ideally, enterprise resources and expenditures should balance over time. Funds in enterprise accounts do not revert to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year. OVERLAY The overlay is the amount raised by the Assessors in excess of appropriations and other charges for the purpose of creating a fund to cover abatements granted by the Board of Assessors. RESERVE FUND This appropriation is voted at the annual town meeting in an amount not to exceed 5% of the tax levy of the preceding year. Transfers from the reserve fund are approved by the Appropriation Committee and may only be used for "extraordinary or unforeseen expenditures."