In an effort to maintain transparency and comply with the mandates of Session Law 2019-251, the North Carolina Department of Transportation publishes a weekly financial health check known as the "NCDOT Cash Watch Numbers" report, with the most recent release showcasing the department's economic agility, as per information on the NCDOT website.
These reports, typically issued every Friday unless affected by holidays, outline the financial transactions of the NCDOT, including opening and closing cash balances, receipts, and broad categories of disbursements. The reports also detail reserved cash balances, including funds allocated for specific projects and held in a Trustee Account for use on Build NC bonds, GARVEE bonds, or Energy Savings-Roadway lighting projects.
The figures presented in these reports fluctuate daily, reflecting the department's income and expenditures. However, they are not final; the consolidated monthly cash balance is determined after line item reconciliation at the end of each month. Weekly reports provide interim snapshots rather than conclusive financial statements, as clarified by the NCDOT in their narrative.
An important detail to take from the latest data set is that "weekly balances are not indicative of what the final monthly cash balance will be," a statement reflecting the fluid nature of the department's financial standing and one that tempers expectations regarding the steadfastness of the figures presented throughout the month.
The NCDOT's weekly cash reports, including the latest addition, are available to the public through the department's dedicated webpage for those seeking more information on the state's transportation finances.
