Unexpended amounts in any fund in a university current year operating budget shall be carried forward and included as the balance forward for that fund in the approved operating budget for the following year.(1) Each university shall maintain a minimum carry forward balance of at least 7 percent of its state operating budget; however, a university may retain and report to the Board of Governors an annual reserve balance exceeding that amount. If a university fails to maintain a 7 percent balance in state operating funds, the university shall submit a plan to the Board of Governors to attain the 7 percent balance of state operating funds within the next fiscal year.
(2) Each university that retains a state operating fund carry forward balance in excess of the 7 percent minimum shall submit a spending plan for its excess carry forward balance. The spending plan shall be submitted to the university’s board of trustees for review, approval, or, if necessary, amendment by September 30, 2020, and each September 30 thereafter. The Board of Governors shall review, approve, and amend, if necessary, each university’s carry forward spending plan by November 15, 2020, and each November 15 thereafter.
(3) A university’s carry forward spending plan must include the estimated cost per planned expenditure and a timeline for completion of the expenditure. A carry forward spending plan may include retention of the carry forward balance as a reserve fund to be used for authorized expenses in subsequent years. Authorized expenditures in a carry forward spending plan may include:(a) Commitment of funds to a public education capital outlay project for which an appropriation has previously been provided that requires additional funds for completion and which is included in the list required by s. 1001.706(12)(d); (b) Completion of a renovation, repair, or maintenance project that is consistent with s. 1013.64(1) or replacement of a minor facility; (c) Completion of a remodeling or infrastructure project, including a project for a developmental research school, if such project is survey recommended pursuant to s. 1013.31; (d) Completion of a repair or replacement project necessary due to damage caused by a natural disaster for buildings included in the inventory required pursuant to s. 1013.31; (e) Operating expenditures that support the university’s mission;
(f) Any purpose specified by the board or in the General Appropriations Act, including the requirements in s. 1001.706(12)(c) or similar requirements pursuant to Board of Governors regulations; and (g) A commitment of funds to a contingency reserve for expenses incurred as a result of a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to s. 252.36. (4) Annually, by September 30, the chief financial officer of each university shall certify the unexpended amount of funds appropriated to the university from the General Revenue Fund, the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, and the Education/General Student and Other Fees Trust Fund as of June 30 of the previous fiscal year.
(5) A university may spend the minimum carryforward balance of 7 percent if a demonstrated emergency exists and the plan is approved by the university’s board of trustees and the Board of Governors.
