Appropriation
A legal authorization granted by the city council to spend a specific amount of money for a specific purpose during a defined time period.
How It Works
An appropriation is the legal mechanism by which elected officials authorize spending. City departments cannot spend money without an appropriation. The annual budget adoption is essentially one large appropriation act. Mid-year changes typically require supplemental appropriations approved by the council. Spending beyond the appropriated amount is illegal in most jurisdictions.
Related Terms
- General Fund — The primary operating fund for a city government, covering most day-to-day services like police, fire, parks, and administration.
- Operating Budget — The portion of a city budget covering recurring, day-to-day expenses like salaries, utilities, supplies, and ongoing program costs.
- Capital Budget — The portion of a city budget dedicated to long-term infrastructure investments like buildings, roads, vehicles, and technology systems.
About This Definition
This definition is part of the CitySpend Municipal Finance Glossary — 59 terms explaining how city governments fund and manage public services. All definitions are written in plain language for taxpayers, journalists, students, and municipal bond investors.