Richland County Government Annual Budget Fiscal Year 2009 / 2010

Budget Amendment ProceduresAfter the formal adoption of the budget by theCounty Council in June for the fiscal yearbeginning July 1, changes may be made to theadopted budget with a budget amendment. Anamendment is a County Council agenda itemprocessed to increase or decrease an existingdepartment level budget. At no time can thebudget be amended so that it is no longerbalanced.A budget amendment is considered a generalordinance and will require three readings and apublic hearing after it is officially presented toCouncil.Several appropriation methods are addressed inthe county code:a. Supplemental appropriations. If during thefiscal year, the county administrator certifiesthat there are available for appropriation,revenues in excess of those estimated in thebudget, the Council, by ordinance and afterpublic hearings, may make supplementalappropriations for the year up to the excess.b. Emergency appropriations. CountyCouncil is given the authority under SouthCarolina Code 1976, section 4-9-130 toapprove appropriation for public emergencies.c. Reduction of appropriations. If at any timeduring the fiscal year, it appears probable tothe county administrator that the revenuesavailable will be insufficient to meet theamount appropriated, he shall report to theCouncil without delay. The Council shall thentake further action as it deems necessary toprevent or minimize any deficit and for thatpurpose it may by ordinance reduce one ormore appropriations.d. Transfer of appropriations. At any timeduring the fiscal year, the countyadministrator may transfer part or all of anyunencumbered appropriation balance amongprograms within a department, office, oragency and, upon request by the countyadministrator, the Council, may by ordinancetransfer a part or all of any unencumberedappropriation balance from one departmentto another. The FY2010 Budget Ordinancestates that the County Administrator maytransfer up to $100,000 between direct reportdepartments.The individual department affected by the itemand presented to Council by the CountyAdministrator usually initiates items requiringaction by County Council. All budgetamendments are submitted to Administration forfinal coordination and preparation of the CountyCouncil agenda. The items requested are requiredto accompany a “Council Request of Action”(ROA) form from the department and acompleted amended budget ordinance from budgestaff. These forms are used to summarize theaction requested with the total impact to thecounty and once approved is the authority toamend the budget. The ROA is electronicallyforwarded through the Executive ManagementTeam for approval prior to being presented toCounty Council.Upon approval by County Council, a budgetresolution is prepared and signed by the CouncilChairperson, then forwarded for filing andprocessing.23