Discussion and possible action to remove completely or partially the General Fund’s committed fund balance for transactions already disbursed or included in FY2027 adopted budget, by Order for the purpose to report the minimum amount of General Fund’s committed fund balance for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY2026 in compliance with Government Accounting Standards Board Statement N

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Discussion and possible action to remove completely or partially the General Fund’s committed fund balance for transactions already disbursed or included in FY2027 adopted budget, by Order for the purpose to report the minimum amount of General Fund’s committed fund balance for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY2026 in compliance with Government Accounting Standards Board Statement Number 54 (GASB No. 54); and any other matters incident thereto. Issue: During the December 8, 2025, Commissioners Court meeting, the County approved to commit the General Fund’s fund balance to fund various capital improvement projects in accordance with Government Accounting Standard Board Statement 54 (GASB No. 54) and Texas Local Government Code Sec. 111.070 emergency budget amendment for FY 2026 while adhering to the minimum twenty-five percentage of unassigned General Fund’s fund balance. The County’s Capital Improvement Plan requires utilization of the General Fund’s fund balance for the following projects: Water Utility Fund acquisition of municipal water rights — $8,500,000* purchase of the original committed $16,000,000 balance County land and building acquisition projects – If included in FY2026 -FY2027 General Fund adopted budget the $10,500,000 commitment should be removed Fairgrounds Improvements Series 2020 Fund transfer as of August 2026 – original committed $35,000,000 balance should be removed The County Bond Counsel and Bond Advisors prepared a reimbursement resolution for the acquisitions of these municipal water rights. Solution: The County would report only the minimum amount of General Fund’s committed fund balance, if any, for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY2026 in compliance with Government Accounting Standards Board Statement Number 54 (GASB No. 54); while the County adheres to the minimum twenty-five percentage unassigned General Fund’s fund balance. Result: The capital improvement program will continue as planned to meet the County’s capital improvements projects.

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.1/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.