DUNKIRK-The Dunkirk City School District consistently overestimated appropriations by an average of $3.7 million a year between July 2013-May 2017 according to State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s Office.
General fund budgeted appropriations for the 2016-17 fiscal year totaled more than $40 million per DiNapoli. DiNapoli says from 2013-14 through 2015-16, the District realized operating surpluses and did not need to use any appropriated fund balance to finance operations.
The Comptroller provided the following key recommendations:
- Adopt budgets that realistically reflect the District’s operating needs based on historical trends or other identified analyses.
- Review all reserves to determine if the amounts reserved are necessary and reasonable.
- Use surplus funds as a financing source for funding one-time expenditures, reducing District property taxes or funding needed reserves.
The full report, including the district’s comments, can be found here.