The pilot project gave the Department of Children and Families' service districts limited authority to transfer funds between budget categories and entities and to pool salary rate for district staff.
This increased flexibility reduced processing time for budget transfers and enhanced district ability to remain within budget.
Districts did not appear to use their transfer authority in a manner that adversely affected clients.
Although districts have retained their authority to transfer funds between budget categories and entities, the Legislature did not extend the pilot project to continue their authority to pool salary rate.
The issue of providing the Department greater budget flexibility is likely to reemerge when it submits its proposed performance-based program budget during the 1998 Legislative Session.