CP-009: Budget Policy

It is the policy of the Commission to authorize the Executive Director or their designee to increase, decrease, or otherwise adjust the budget during the fiscal year based on revenue and expenditure information. Changes to the budget may include:

  • Adjust the budget to bring unexpended balances forward from the prior fiscal year’s approved budgets.
  • Adjust the budget for transfers between budgetary units, major expense categories, or line items.
  • Adjust the budget to increase funds to allow payment of appraisal fees, witness fees, and investigation expenses on land acquisition and construction projects.
  • Approve and/or execute contracts and agreements necessary in the daily operation of TPWD. Revenues derived from interagency agreements may be budgeted and expended.
  • Adjust the budget for appropriated revenues, such as the sale of equipment, donations, concessions, escrow, refunds, insurance proceeds, and publications revenue, so long as the expenditures are in agreement with the stated program goals and there will be sufficient cash to cover the budgeted amounts during the relevant fiscal year.
  • Approve and/or execute construction, repair, or renovation budgets, contracts, agreements, and change orders (if necessary) to complete a project. 
  • Adjust the budget from one TPWD facility major repair or development project to another or from available revenue to cover increased project costs or changes in scope.
  • Allocate super combo license revenue to the related stamp funds according to the documented methodology and authorize the related transfers of revenue to appropriate accounts.
  • Adjust the budget to cover the costs of lawsuits or settlements if deemed to be in the best interest of TPWD.
  • Adjust the budget to place a TPWD facility into reasonable operation when its condition poses a health or safety hazard or seriously hampers its ability to function.
  • Authorize classification changes anytime during a fiscal year, provided that such changes have been thoroughly justified and funds are available.
  • Increase the number of positions when new facilities are placed into operation and/or new programs are implemented, staying within the authorized full-time equivalency (FTE) limit.
  • Adjust the budget to make capital expenditures for construction projects funded in part with proceeds of bonds issued by the Texas Public Finance Authority.
  • Approve and/or execute the reimbursement of construction project costs with the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds issued by the Texas Public Finance Authority, pursuant to federal Internal Revenue Code guidelines.

Any budget adjustments that exceed a threshold of $250,000, excluding federal and bond funds, require the prior approval of the Chair, Vice Chair, or Commissioner designee through such means as a conference call or memo.

Donations or gifts exceeding $500 shall be accepted on a monthly basis by the Chair, Vice-Chair, or commissioner designee, with Commission acknowledgement of the acceptance of the donations at each scheduled Commission meeting.

Subject to notification of the Commission of any changes to previously discussed purposes or uses of funds, TPWD is authorized to use dedicated accounts and sub-accounts for purposes consistent with those outlined in relevant law including administrative rules as set forth in the Texas Administrative Code.

Review

The Commission shall review this policy at least annually.