Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 28, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 15,407	$ 13,343
Investment securities available for sale	1,478	1,498
Contract receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments of $1,693 and $2,125, respectively	27,303	35,107
Income tax receivable	1,018	1,293
Other current assets	2,148	2,119
Total current assets	47,354	53,360
Property, buildings and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $17,410 and $16,994, respectively	4,313	4,428
Deferred income taxes	789	1,203
Other assets	1,843	1,786
Total assets	54,299	60,777
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,396	8,073
Lines of credit	0	581
Accrued payroll costs	4,895	6,338
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	60	382
Billings in excess of revenue	3,227	2,850
Other accrued liabilities	2,072	2,645
Total current liabilities	14,650	20,869
Income taxes payable	329	31
Deferred income taxes	0	3
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	67	66
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued)	0	0
Capital in excess of par value	17,608	17,608
Retained earnings	22,578	23,509
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,923)	(2,018)
Treasury stock, at cost (Class A common: 27,320 shares; Class B common: 64,801 shares)	(1,037)	(1,037)
Total Ecology and Environment, Inc. shareholders' equity	37,270	38,106
Noncontrolling interests	1,983	1,702
Total shareholders' equity	39,253	39,808
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	54,299	60,777
Class A [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	30	30
Class B [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	$ 14	$ 14