Changes to New Budget
On December 5, 2006, the Cayman Islands Government sought approval for changes to the budget of this financial year in Finance Committee today.
Kenneth Jefferson, Financial Secretary, said that, since the preparation of the Annual Plan and Estimates, changes have resulted in the need to make changes in the current appropriations.
3.7 million dollars was requested in appropriations in 7 output groups. 2.2 million of this sum is to pay for new outputs for the Health Services Authority for services with little to no external revenue earnings.
The Government requested 760 thousand dollars to fund increased operating costs of upgrading the Probation and Aftercare Unit. Also, the Government asked 370 thousand for covering additional security for the Portfolio of Legal Affairs, and 320 thousand for the Economic and statistics office needed to conduct several surveys (like the National Assessment of Living Conditions).
Besides the above-mentioned, the Government requested additional 8 million dollars for the cost of accelerating the construction of the East West arterial road, as well as 5 million for the construction of the road and 3 million for the land purchases and gazetted claims.
Taking into consideration the appropriation changes, the forecast operating surplus after financing expenses and extraordinary items for this financial year accounts for 32.499 million dollars. In accordance with the government, 14.072 million dollars is less than the approved budget.