Fallsburg Central School District - Fund Balance Management (2020M-12)

Issued Date
May 08, 2020

[read complete report - pdf]

Audit Objective

Determine whether the Board and District officials effectively managed general fund balance.

Key Findings

  • The Board overestimated appropriations from 2016-17 through 2018-19, resulting in over $5 million in appropriated fund balance not being used to finance operations.
  • After adding back unused appropriated fund balances each year, the District’s recalculated surplus fund balance exceeded the statutory 4 percent limit each of the last three fiscal years ranging from 12.1 percent to 16.7 percent.

Key Recommendations

  • Adopt budgets that include reasonable estimates for appropriations and the amount of fund balance that will be used to fund operations.
  • Reduce surplus fund balance in a manner that benefits District taxpayers.

District officials agreed with our recommendations and have initiated or indicated they planned to initiate corrective action.