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Show PROBLEMS REMAIN State General Fund Anticipates Balance of Four Million Dollars j Higher than anticipated general fund receipts have brightened the State General Fund picture considerably during the past 12 months, according to a current analysis analy-sis of stat' finances just prepared by Utah Foundation, the private governmental research organization. i The report estimates that the State General Fund will end the present (1959-1961 biennium with a $4 million balance. A year ago, following the 1959 legislative session, no ending balance was Indicated. Despite the improved general fund picture, the FoundaUon ob-services ob-services that the next Utah Legislature Leg-islature will be faced with the problem of meeting rising expenditure expen-diture demands with shrinking fund balances to cushion the impact im-pact In order to balance the budgets for the 1957-1959 and 1959-1961 bienniums, the General Gener-al Fund will have used approximately approx-imately $10.6 million In previously previous-ly accumulated balances and surpluses. In Its analysis of the Uniform School Fund, the Foundation observes ob-serves that substantial property tax was needed to balance the Uniform School Fund Budget during the present (1959 1961) biennium. The state school property tax in 1953 was 6-1 mills ($6.10 per $1,000 assessed valuation). Based Bas-ed on the best information available avail-able at this time, the FoundaUon predicts that the state school levy in 1900 again will be about six mills. This compares with only one mill in 1957 and 1958.; When the school equalization program pro-gram was first established In 1947, however, the' state school levy was 8.5 mills In 1947 and 8.9 mills- In 1948. Foundation analysts point out that it is difficult to obtain a complete and objective understanding under-standing of Utah state finances because of the multiplicity of state funds and limitations in the state's accounting system. On Mar. 1, I960, there were 197 separate state funds for cash control purposes in Utah. Each of these funds is a separa fiscal fis-cal and legal entity established to satisfy a specific constitutional, constitution-al, statutory, or administrative requirement The report points out that "an excessive number of funds, restricted in use, not only seriously impedes fiscal manage ment, but also tends to ' defeat the Judicious use of public money mon-ey the very objective that fund restricts are estbIUhu to attain." According to the study, more than two-thlrda rl total state disbursements lr: " 'i iic not subject to spec" tive appropriations. In analyzing the Statrs hc-counting hc-counting system, the study ob serves that "while the Utah accounting ac-counting system provides mechanical me-chanical control over state finances, fi-nances, It fails to fuml6h the data needed for formulating sound decisions Involving pub lic policy." As an example, the roport notes that state receipts and disbursements often are Inflated In-flated by items that bear little or no relationship to general governmental operations. The FoundaUon suggests that "in order to secure Improvements in the state accounting system, Utah might make the Legislative Legisla-tive Auditor a special advisor in matters of state accounting." According Ac-cording to the report, he could advise administrative authorities on charges which could make the financial information more useful to the Legislature. In addition, ad-dition, he could suggest statutory statu-tory revisions to the Legislature which would Improve the accounting ac-counting system. the four day meet with 100 of the entrance fees returned in prize money. Sponsors of the tournament state that prizes are so arranged that at least one in each ten entries will win a cash award. . ' Mrs. Nelson has application blanks available that give all details.' de-tails.' Those Interested In entering enter-ing the tournament should contact con-tact her as soon as possible. |