U.S. Government Standard General Ledger Board and
Issues Resolution Committee Meeting Minutes

April 15, 2004

GENERAL ITEMS

Judy Yuran (FMS) opened the meeting and introductions were made. She stated that we are coming up on the end of the cycle and that a new TFM release will be coming out in June. She noted that Kathy Winchester (FMS) would be presenting a proposal to modify the rescission/reduction accounts; Karen Metler (FMS) would be presenting proposals to add accounts for commitments in programs not subject to apportionment; and Melinda Pope (FMS) would be presenting a proposal to add an account for warrants receivable under a continuing resolution.

HANDOUTS

• Draft USSGL Account Title and Definition Changes Due to OMB Circular No. A-11 (2003) Rescission Related Changes Proposed for FY 2005
  
  
• Draft IRC Proposal to Add New USSGL Accounts 4720, "Commitments - Programs Exempt From Apportionment" and 4690, "Anticipated Resources - Programs Exempt From Apportionment"
  
  
• Draft - Extensions of Availability Other than Reappropriations
  
  
• Draft Appropriations Provided by a Continuing Resolution scenario along with a proposal for new USSGL account 1910, "Warrants Receivable under Continuing Resolution" and a revision of USSGL account 1010, "Fund Balance With Treasury"
  
  
• OMB handout on FACTS II and the Program and Financing Schedule
  

DISCUSSIONS

Kathy presented revisions to the current rescission/reduction accounts. She discussed changes to account titles and definitions and proposed USSGL account 4396, "Authority Permanently Unavailable for Obligation Pursuant to Public Law," for deletion. She also presented a chart showing how amounts in reduction accounts crosswalk to the SF-133.

Kathy said the change in terminology at OMB refers to what was previously called "rescissions." The new term is "reductions," and it will include sequestrations, across-the-board cuts, and rescissions.

The following issues were raised concerning the revisions to the rescission/reduction accounts:

• A question was raised about the meaning of the term "available" for USSGL account 4383, "Temporary Reduction - Prior-Year Balances." Treasury interprets it to mean "fully available" for obligation and investment. OMB interpretation is that these funds are available for investment only.
  
  
• Richard Fontrose (FASAB) did not like the term "downward adjustment" used in the title of accounts 4133 and 4143. He stated that he would try to come up with alternate wording. Teresa Tancre (OMB) stated that the proposed titles are consistent with OMB Circular A-11 and with the title and definition of USSGL account 4391. Judy also asked the IRC to contact Kathy if they thought of a better title.

Melinda discussed a proposal to add USSGL account 1910, "Warrants Receivable Under a Continuing Resolution" (CR); and a proposal to modify the definition of account 1010, "Fund Balance With Treasury." Judy indicated that the account was created in response to agency requests to create an account for the Fund Balance With Treasury (FBWT) that is to be received when a warrant is not issued under a CR.

She also presented a scenario for appropriations provided by CRs. She stated that the scenario was updated to include the new account and FMS' policy of not issuing warrants for CRs in every instance. The scenario indicates that FMS may issue a warrant under the following circumstances:

• The CR covers specific mandatory Federal payments;
  
  or
  
  
• On a case-by-case basis after the second quarter of the fiscal year;
  
  and/or
  
  
• The CR covers the entire year.

The following issues were raised during the discussion concerning warrants under CRs:

• Richard brought up the issue of negative FBWT under CRs. He is opposed to this and is in favor of having Treasury issue warrants to prevent this problem. Teresa stated that the notes to financial statements should explain that agencies are operating under a CR, causing the negative cash balance. She also stated that auditors should understand this.
  
  
• Richard also suggested crosswalking USSGL account 1910 to line 1 instead of line 5 on the Balance Sheet in order to show a positive Fund Balance With Treasury when agencies are operating under CRs.
  
  
• Agencies also indicated that they have not had difficulties recording CRs and did not believe a new account was necessary. Judy said she will take this under consideration and consider rescinding the proposed account.

Note that as a result of comments received during this meeting and after consultation with OMB staff, this proposal was rescinded.

Karen presented proposals to add several USSGL accounts. The proposed additions are account 4191, "Balance Transfers - Extensions of Availability Other Than Reappropriations"; 4720, "Commitments - Programs Exempt From Apportionment"; and 4690, "Anticipated Resources - Programs Exempt From Apportionment."

Karen presented a scenario demonstrating the use of USSGL account 4191, which is to record transfers during the fiscal year from an expired TAFS to an unexpired TAFS as a result of authority to extend the period of availability of the expired balances, but does not meet the definition of a reappropriation. She also presented proposals to add USSGL accounts 4720, "Commitments - Programs Exempt From Apportionment" and 4690, "Anticipated Resources - Programs Exempt From Apportionment" to allow agencies to create commitments in programs that are exempt from apportionment.

The following issues arose concerning these account additions:

• Tim Clower (Treasury) had an issue with the definition of "reappropriation" on p. 2 of the handout for USSGL account 4191. He did not think the word "subsequent" should be used in the definition. Teresa (OMB) stated that the definition of "reappropriation" was changed in the 2003 OMB Circular No. A-11. However, this concept will be illustrated in an explanatory table in the 2004 revision to the circular.

CLOSING REMARKS

Teresa Tancre provided a handout describing the link between FACTS II and the Budget Program and Financing Schedule and informed agency representatives that more information is available on the OMB Web site. Judy reminded agency representatives that the upcoming USSGL Board Meeting will be on April 29, 2004.

ATTENDEES

Judy Yuran, FMS
Kathy Winchester, FMS
Karen Metler, FMS
Melinda Pope, FMS
Shadonna Broaddus, FMS
Gwen Marshman, FMS
Toni Clark, FMS
Christine Chang, FMS
Karl Foltz, FMS
Keith Mertz, FMS
Bob Benefiel, DoDIG
Doug Neville, DoDIG
William Lemmon, DoDIG
Boris Lyubovitsky, FMS
Marilyn Evans, DHS
Don McKay, FMS/AS
Joseph Henry, SBA
Veronica Freeman, DOL
Tim Clower, Treasury
Tracy Carroll, HUD
Dow Dispanet, HUD
Ann Burnell, HHS
Ava Lun, FMS
Teresa Tancre, OMB
Charles Hores, DOE
Lynn Moaney, USDA
Shujaat Khan, FMS
Bob Booker, DFAS
Janice Alexander, NSF
Denise Robinson, FCC
Charleta Dixon, USDA