Operational Surplus vs Financial Decisions of Local Government Units

Abstract

The article focuses on the importance of free cash flow (operating surplus), which in LGU became one of the main parameters determining the possibility of spending more than the level of budget revenues. The main objective of the article is to analyze and assess the impact of the operating surplus (balance of free cash flow) on the investment and financial decisions of the local government. The paper analyzes, in general terms, all types of territorial self-government units: communities, cities with poviat status and voivodeship in the 2001–2015 range. Financial data was derived from the Bestia’s reporting system. Conclusions drawn from the research conducted clearly show that the operating surplus is not so significant in the scope of financing the capital expenditure, but is of paramount importance in terms of the possibility of incurring liabilities by local governments in the context of the rigors of the Public Finance Act.