Sponsor: Finance
Title
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Status Report on Projects and Closure of Select Projects
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Recommendation
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Approve the closure of the projects and release appropriations per attached document.
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Background and Rationale
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Finance is commited to increasing transparency and providing additional information to the Ramsey Board and county leadership. As part of this effort, the Finance department worked with the Service Team Controllers to review open projects. Projects are a way that the county can account for an initiative separately from the regular operating budget. This is commonly used for things such as specific studies, litigation, time limited initiatives and capital efforts. Funds in projects carry over from one fiscal year to the next until there is action to close the project.
When the need for projects is recognized by Ramsey County staff, the project is presented to the Ramsey County Board for approval. Once approved, funds are set aside in a project, and remain within the project beyond the end of the fiscal year until the project is complete, and funds are exhausted, or staff recognize the project is complete and the balance of the funds are not required. When projects are complete, the remaining appropriations are closed to the fund(s) that supported the effort.
Finance, along with the Service Team Controllers, conducted a thorough review of all projects as of the end of 2022 and is bringing forward a list of projects and recommendations for closure of 19 projects with a release of nearly $685,000. If approved by the Ramsey County Board, the projects will be closed, and the appropriations released to the fund where they were originally funded. Funds will be reported in the 2023 year-end financial reports and can be authorized for use at the Ramsey County Board’s discretion.
To provide visibility and transparency to the Ramsey County Board and the public, Finance brings a report to the board annually for informational purposes. Attached is the 2022 year end Ramsey County project report.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Releasing the project appropriations allows the County to repurpose funds to strategically support the mission and vision of Ramsey County. Not only does this new process allow the county to repurpose funds for community needs, but it also gives a clearer picture of available resources overall.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Community is involved in many ways in the various projects that are listed on the attachments. This specific action does not have community involvement.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
This action will return $684,906 back to the various funds listed on the attached list. This will be reflected in the 2023-year end close and adds to the fund balance in each fund.
|
General Fund Total |
$ 20,203 |
|
Information Technology Project Fund |
$ 320,230 |
|
Work Force Solutions Fund |
$ 1,217 |
|
Recorders Technology Fund |
$ 62,597 |
|
City/School Project Fund |
$ 280,659 |
|
TOTAL |
$ 684,906 |
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Project list with requested closures noted
2. Update information on open projects