Budgeting Basics and Beyond

13.3. Capital Budget Forms

Request forms should be completed and approved for capital expenditures. A commitment record contains the purchase orders issued. An appropriation form for capital expenditures provides information on the benefits to be obtained from the proposed project and the expected cost savings. The authorization sets forth the type and scope of the project. Exhibit 13.4 is a typical annual capital budget request form.

Exhibit 13.5 is an illustrative preliminary budget request form.

An appropriation request form is filled out by the manager of the responsibility unit in detail, providing justification to support the capital proposal. The manager must thoroughly appraise the proposed capital project.

A proposal form for capital expenditures may include title of project, project objectives, description of project, proposed budget, analysis and evaluation, supporting documentation and calculations, justification, and time estimates.

Exhibits 13.6, 13.7, and 13.8 present typical appropriation request forms.

A capital budget form summarizes proposed capital projects for the period by responsibility center. Exhibit 13.9 presents an illustrative capital budget form.