Final answer:
The transaction that creates an expenditure on the General Fund statement is a transfer of resources to the Debt Service Fund to pay for general obligation debt service. These transfers are considered expenditures as they represent financial outflows with no direct good or service received by the General Fund.
Step-by-step explanation:
When looking at the General Fund statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balance, certain transactions are classified as expenditures. Expenditures are outflows or the use of funds in exchange for goods or services. However, transfer payments are also considered a form of expenditure. These are payments where the government does not directly receive a good or service, but provides financial support to individuals or other segments of the economy.
Examining the Transactions
Transfers to other funds, such as the Debt Service Fund (for paying general obligation debt) or the Capital Projects Fund (for funding major capital projects), do indeed create expenditures in the General Fund. The reason is that resources are being allocated and utilized for specific purposes that lead to decreased fund balances in the General Fund.
In contrast, a loan to the Sewage Enterprise Fund or a purchase of water from the Water Enterprise Fund are not classified as expenditures in this context because they are transactions between the General Fund and an enterprise fund where the General Fund expects to be repaid or is receiving a direct service.
Correct Answer
The transaction that represents an expenditure on the General Fund statement is most accurately described by option b: A transfer of resources to the Debt Service Fund so the Debt Service Fund can pay debt service on general obligation debt.