What action must an agency take if it exceeds its budgetary authority?

When an agency exceeds its budgetary authority, the most appropriate action is to stop incurring new obligations until the issue is resolved. This is crucial because continuing to commit funds without the necessary authority can lead to illegal spending and potential financial mismanagement. By halting new obligations, the agency can assess the situation, address the over-expenditure, and identify necessary corrective actions to bring its budget back into compliance, ensuring responsible fiscal management and adherence to legal requirements.

The other options, while they may seem like potential solutions, do not directly address the immediate need to control spending. Seeking additional funding immediately might not be feasible or prudent without first evaluating the current budget situation. Reallocating funds from other departments could lead to further complications and may not be allowed under certain regulations. Notifying the public and stakeholders is important for transparency but does not halt the financial obligations that have exceeded the budgetary limits. Therefore, stopping new obligations is the most practical and necessary initial step to manage budget violations effectively.