What is the least constrained category of fund balance?

The least constrained category of fund balance is the unassigned fund balance. This category represents the funds that are available for any purpose and are not subject to any external restrictions or designations. Unassigned balances are the residual amounts that remain after all other classifications have been accounted for, allowing the government complete flexibility in how to use these funds.

In contrast, other classifications like assigned fund balance and nonspendable fund balance have specific constraints. For instance, assigned fund balances are amounts that a government intends to use for specific purposes, indicating that some level of restriction is applied. Nonspendable fund balance includes amounts that cannot be spent due to their form, such as inventory or pre-paid expenses, which inherently limits their availability for other uses.

Therefore, unassigned fund balance stands out as the most flexible option, allowing for maximum discretion in funding future expenditures or addressing unforeseen financial needs.