Section 3511 - Operating reserve fund(a) The county commissioners shall have the power to create and maintain a separate operating reserve fund in order to minimize future revenue shortfalls and deficits, provide greater continuity and predictability in the funding of vital government services, minimize the need to increase taxes to balance the budget in times of fiscal distress, provide the capacity to undertake long-range financial planning and develop fiscal resources to meet long-term needs.(b) The county commissioners may annually make appropriations from the general county fund to the operating reserve fund, but no appropriation shall be made to the operating reserve fund if the effect of the appropriation would cause the fund to exceed five per cent of the estimated revenues of the county's general fund in the current fiscal year.(c) The commissioners may at any time, by resolution, make appropriations from the operating reserve fund for the following purposes only:(1) to meet emergencies involving the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the county;(2) to counterbalance potential budget deficits resulting from shortfalls in anticipated revenues or program receipts from whatever source; or(3) to provide for anticipated operating expenditures related either to the planned growth of existing projects or programs or to the establishment of new projects or programs if for each such project or program appropriations have been made and allocated to a separate restricted account established within the operating reserve fund.(d) The operating reserve fund shall be invested, reinvested and administered in a manner consistent with the provisions of section 1964 of this act relating to the investment of county funds generally.1953, July 28, P.L. 723, No. 230, § 511, added 2000, Oct. 30, P.L. 616, No. 85, § 1, imd. effective.