Key Terms

Allocated: The amount of funds designated by the City of Austin Budget Office to be spent per reporting category or proposition. Allocated funds are tied to bond sales, which must be performed in $5,000 increments.

Appropriated: City Council authorizes the appropriation of funds, which gives staff the legal authority to expend the funds for a specific purpose. City Council may approve multiple installments of funding throughout the project’s phases.

Available: The amount of funds allocated minus the amount encumbered and expended. Available funds are programmed for specific purposes.

Encumbered: Commitments made to unperformed contracts for goods or services.

Expenditure: Funds that have been paid for goods or services.

Obligated: The sum of funds encumbered and expended.