HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-016
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CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOT A
RESOLUTION No. 04-16
RESOLUTION APPROVING A CAPITAL ASSET POLICY
WHEREAS, the Governmental Accounting Standard Board's Statement Number 34 requires
governments to report capital assets and to depreciate the capital assets over their estimated useful lives;
and
WHEREAS, as a result of the Governmental Accounting Standard Board's Statement Number 34
it is necessary for the City to develop and implement a Capital Asset Policy that meets the new financial
statement rep011ing requirements, and provides managcment intormation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Arden Hills has developed a policy that detines capitalization thrcsholds
for different types of capital assets, provides direction ou capital asset reporting and depreciation, and
oullines the useful life of various classes of capital assets.
NOW THEREl'ORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arden Hills.
Minnesota, that the Capital Asset Policy attached as "Exhibit A" to this resolution is hereby adopted.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARDEN HILLS THIS
12th DAY OF JANUARY, 2004.
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BeYerly Apli ",ski, AYOR
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Michelle Wolfe, Administrator ~
\\Em1h\Admin\Council\Resolutiolls\2004\04-16, Approving the Capital Asset Policy.doc
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City Council Approval Draft
January 12, 2003
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INTRODUCTION
For fiscal-year ending December 31, 2004, the City of Arden Hills will be required to implement
Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 34, Basic Financial
Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for State and Local Governments.
Statement No. 34 establishes new financial reporting requirements for state and local
governments throughout the Unitcd States. When implemented, it will create new information
and will restructure much of the information that the City of Arden Hills has presented in its
annual reports in the past. The intent of these new requirements is to make annual reports more
comprehensive and easier to understand and use.
Two key components of Statement No. 34 require governments to report capital assets and to
depreciate the capital assets over their estimated useful lives. Therefore, it will be necessary for
the City to develop and implement a Capital Asset Policy that meets the new financial statement
reporting requirements, and provides management information.
While the Capital Asset Policy is not all encompassing, it will provide guidance to implementing
the new reporting requirements, i.e., meeting the primary objective of financial reporting as it
pertains to valuation, allocation, presentation and disclosure; thcrefore this policy will not used
for property control purposes.
This policy is effective January 1,2004.
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. TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I Define Capital Assets and Capitalization Thresholds 4
SECTION II Capital Asset Reporting 4
SECTION III Capital Asset Depreciation 5
SECTION IV Capital Asset Definitions and Categories 5
SECTION V Capital Assets Estimated Useful Life 9
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CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
CAPITAL ASSET POLlCY
PURPOSE
It is the policy of the City of Arden Hills to maintain appropriate procedurcs regarding thc
procurement, management, and disposal of all capital assets, in accordance with Governmental
Accounting Stands Board Statement No. 34 (GASB 34). The Capital Assets Policy addresses
classcs of assets, determination of useful lives, and calculation of depreciation.
SECTION I
DEFINE CAPITAL ASSETS AND CAPITALIZATION THRESHOLDS
A capital asset is real or personal property used in operations and having a value equal to or
greater than the capitalization thrcshold set forth by the City, for that specific asset classification,
and has an estimated useful life greater than one year. For financial reporting purposes only, the
City will classify and cstablish capitalization thresholds for each asset class as follows:
CAPITAL ASSET CLASSIFICATION CAPITALIZATION THRESHOLD
Land and land improvements; $10,000
Other improvcments $25,000
Buildings and building imurovements; $25,000
Machinery and equipment; $ 5,000
Vehicles; $ 5,000
Infrastructure; and $100,000
Constructi on-in -progress. Accumulate all costs and capitalize if
over $25,000 for buildings or other
improvements and $100,000 for
infrastructure.
Other assets $ 5,000
Another criterion for recording capital assets is capital-related debt. Capitalizing these assets
will minimize the potential of reporting negative net assets in the statement of net assets. In most
cascs, these assets will mect the thresholds and guidelines for recording as a capital asset.
SECTION II
CAPITAL ASSET REPORTING
Capital assets should be recorded and reported at their historical costs, which includes costs
necessary to placing a capital asset into its intended use or state of operation. Historical cost
includes the vendor's invoice, the value of any trade-in or allowance, sales tax, initial installation
cost (excluding in-house labor), modifications, attachments, accessories or apparatus; and
ancillary charges such as freight and transportation charges, site preparation costs, and
professional fees.
In the event the historical cost of a capital asset is not determinable, it will be necessary to record
an estimated historical cost of the asset using alternative methods. Alternative methods include
standard costing and normal costing. Standard costing estimates the historical cost of a capital
assct by establishing thc average cost of obtaining the same or a similar asset at the time of
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acquisition. Normal costing estimates historical cost based on the current cost to either reproduce
or replace the capital asset, indexed by a reciprocal factor from the estimated acquisition date, i,e.,
taking the value of acquiring the asset new today and then discounting that amount by an
appropriate inflation factor back to the datc of acquisition.
Capital assets donated to the City shall be reported at fair value. Fair value is the amount at
which an asset could be exchanged in a current transfer at arm's length between willing parties,
other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Donations are defined as voluntary contributions of
resources to the City by a non-governmental entity. A voluntary contribution of resources
between governmental entities is not a donation.
SECTION III
CAPITAL ASSET DEPRECIATION
Depreciation is the proccss of allocating the cost of a tangible asset to the periods of benefit.
Capital assets shall be depreciated over their estimated useful live with exception of the
following:
. Inexhaustible assets, i.e., land, and land improvements that do not require maintenance or
replaccment, e.g., certain works of art and historical treasures;
. Infrastructure assets reported using the modified approach; and
. Construction work,in-progress.
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For financial purposes the City will use the straight-line method of depreciation, which allocates
the cost evenly over the life of thc asset. Generally, at the end of an asset's life, the sum of the
amounts charged for depreciation in each accounting pcriod, or accumulated depreciation, will
equal the original cost less salvage value.
A significant issue when recording capital assets is thc question of when expenditures are
capitalized as improvements versus recorded as repairs or maintenance expenses. The key
consideration for determining whether to capitalize expenditures depends on whether the cost
incurred, significantly extends the asset's useful life, increases its capacity, or improves its
efficiency. Therefore, capital asset improvement costs are capitalized if:
. The costs excceds the capitalization thresholds; and
. One of the following criteria is met:
o The value of the asset or estimated life is increased by 25% of the original cost or
Iifc period;
o The cost results in an increase in capacity of the asset; or
o The efficiency of the asset is increased by more than 10%.
SECTION IV
CAPITAL ASSET DEFINITIONS AND CATEGORIES
Land is the surface or crust of the earth, which can be used to support structures, and may be
used to grow crops, grass, shrubs, and trees; and is characterized as having an unlimited life, i.e.,
indefinite. Land is an inexhaustible asset and not depreciable.
. Land improvements consist of betterments, site preparation, and site improvements (other than
buildings) that ready land for its intended use. The costs associated with improvements to land
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are addcd to the cost of the land. Land improvements can be further categorized as inexhaustible,
not requiring maintenance or replacement; or exhaustible, e.g., parking lots, landscaping and
fencing.
Examples of items to bc capitalized as land and land improvements include:
. Purchase price or fair value at time of gift;
. Commissions;
. Professional fees, includes title searches, architect, legal, engineering, appraisal,
surveying, environmental assessments;
. Land excavation, fill, grading, and drainage;
. Demolition of existing buildings and improvements, less salvagc;
. Removal, relocation, or reconstruction of property owned hy others, i.e., power,
telephone and railroad lines;
. Interest on mortgages accrued at date of purchase;
. Accrued and unpaid taxcs at date of purchase;
. Other costs incurred in acquiring the land;
. Water wells, including initial cost for drilling, the pump and its casing; and
. Permanent right-of-way.
Other Improvements include land improvements that are exhaustible in nature and enhance the
quality or facilitate the use of land for a specific purpose.
Examples of items to capitalize as other improvements include:
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Fencing and gates;
Landscaping;
Parking lost, driveways, and parking barriers;
Outdoor sprinkler and irrigation systems;
Recreation areas and athletic fields, including bleachers;
Golf courses;
Paths and trails;
Septic systems;
Swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, skate parks;
Fountains,
Plazas and pavilions; and
Retaining walls.
Buildings refer to a structure that is permanently attached to the land, has a roof, is partially or
completely enclosed by walls, and is not intended to be transportable or movcable. Certain
buildings or structures that are ancillary parts of infrastructure networks, such as well houses and
pumping stations will be reported as infrastructure rather than as buildings.
Examples of items to be capitalized as buildings:
Purchased Buildings
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. Original purchase price;
. Expenses for remodeling, reconditioning, or altering a purchased building to make it
ready for its intended purpose;
. Environmental compliance, i.e., asbestos abatement;
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. Professional fees, includes architect, engineer, management fees for design and
supervision, legal;
. Cancellation or buyout of existing leases; and
. Other costs required to place or render the asset into operation.
Constructed Buildings
. Completed project costs;
. Cost of excavation or grading or filling of land for a specific building;
. Expenses incurred for the preparation of plans, specifications, blueprints;
. Building permits;
. Costs of temporary buildings used during construction;
. Additions to buildings, i.e., expansions, extensions, or enlargements.
Building improvements include capitalized costs that materially extend the useful life of a
building or increase the value of a building, or both, beyond one year. Building improvements
should not include maintenance and repairs done in the normal course of business.
Examples of items to be capitalized as building improvements include:
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. Installation or upgrade of heating and cooling systems, including ceiling fans and attic
fans;
. Original installation or upgrade of wall or ceiling covering such as carpeting, tiles,
paneling, or parquet;
. Structural changes such as reinforcement of floors or walls, installation or replacement of
beams, rafters, joists, steel grids, or other interior framing;
. Installation or upgrade of window or door-frames, upgrading windows or doors, built-in
closet and cabinets;
. Interior renovation of casings, baseboards" light fixtures, ceiling trim;
. Installation or upgrade of plumbing and electrical wiring; and
. Installation or upgrade of telecommunication systems.
Examples of items considered repairs or maintenance in nature and should not be capitalized as
buildings or building improvements include:
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. Adding, removing and/or moving of walls relating to renovation projects that are not
considered major rehabilitation projects and do not increase the value of the building;
. Improvement projects of minimal or no added life expectancy and/or value to the
building;
. Plumbing or electrical repairs;
. Cleaning, pest extermination, or other periodic maintenance;
. Interior decoration, i.e., draperies, blinds, curtain rods, wallpaper;
. Exterior decoration, i.e., detachable awnings, uncovered porches, decorative fences;
. Maintenance-type interior rcnovation including repainting, touch-up plastering,
replacement of carpet, tile, or pane sections, and refinishing of sinks and fixtures;
. Replacement of a part or component of a building with a new part of the same type and
performance capabilities, e.g., replacement of an old boiler with a new one of the same
type and performance capabilities;
. Any other maintenance-related expenditure, which does not increase the value of the
building.
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Equipment, Machinery and Vehicles refer to fixed or movable tangible assets used for
operations, the benefits of which extend beyond one year from date ofreceipt.
Examples of expenditures to be capitalized as equipment, machinery, and vehicles include:
. Original contract or invoice price;
. Freight chargcs;
. Handling and storage charges;
. In-transit insurance charges;
. Sales, use and other taxes imposed on the acquisition;
. Installation charges;
. Charges for testing and preparation for use;
. Cost of reconditioning used items when purchased; and
. Parts and labor associated with the construction of equipment, machinery, or vehicle.
Note that the cost of extended warranties and/or maintenance agreements, which can be
separately identified from the cost of the equipment, machinery, or vehicle, shall not be
capitalized.
Infrastructure Assets are long-lived capital assets that are linear and stationary in nature and can
be preserved for a significantly greater number of years than most capital assets.
Examples of infrastructure assets include:
. Roads, streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks;
. Bridges;
. Water and sanitary sewer systems;
. Drainage and stornl water systems;
. Street light systems; and
. Signage.
Infrastructure assets shall be capitalized and depreciated unless the modified approach is used.
The modified approach is an alternative to reporting depreciation for infrastructure assets that
meet the following criteria:
. The assets are managed using a qualifying asset management system; and
. It is documented that the assets are being preserved at or above a condition level
established by the City.
Under the modified approach the infrastructure, assets are not depreciated, and only the costs that
increase the capacity or efficiency of the asset are capitalized, while all other expenditures that
preserve the useful life of the assets are expensed. Only infrastructure assets that comprise a
network or subsystem of a network can be reportcd using the modified approach.
Other Capital Assets include computer software that is either purchased or developed for
internal use. Internally developed or purchased software should be capitalized if the cost of the
software exceeds the capitalization threshold. The software should be depreciated over the
software's estimated useful life. Capitalization of computer software includes software license
fees if the total dollar amount of the fee divided by the number of units or terminals exceeds the
threshold.
Examples of expenditures to be capitalized as computer software include:
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. External direct costs of materials and services, i.e., third"party fees for services;
. Costs to obtain software from third parties;
. Travel costs incurred by employees in their dutics directly associatcd with devclopment;
. Payroll and payroll-related costs of employees directly associated with or devoting time
to encoding, installing or testing; and
. Costs to develop or obtain software that allows for access or conversion of old data by
new information systems.
Note that upgrades and enhancements should only be capitalized to the extent that they increase
the functionality of the product.
Capital Leased Property includes leased real or personal property, for which ownership of the
asset substantially transfers to the lessee; therefore meeting the critcria for capitalizing as an
asset. The cost of the asset is capitalized if the lease agreement meets anyone of four conditions:
. It transfers ownership of the property to the lessee at the end of the lease term;
. Thc lease contains a "bargain purchase" option-an option that gives the lessee the right
to purchase the asset for a future price less than the fair market valuc;
. The lease term is cqual to at least 75% of the asset's estimated economic life; or
. The present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease, excluding
cxecutory costs, equals at least 90% of the fair market value of the leased asset at the time
the lessee signs the lease.
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Leases that do not meet any of the above conditions shall bc rccorded as an operating lease and
reported in the notes of the financial statements.
SECTION V
CAPITAL ASSETS ESTIMATED USEFUL LIFE'
Other imnrovements
Fencin" and "ates; 20 years
Landscaping; 20 ycars
Parking lots, driveways, and parkin" barriers; 15 years
Outdoor surinkler and irri"ation systems; 20 vears
Recreation areas and athletic fields, including 15 years
bleachers;
Golf courses; 20 vears
Paths and trails; 15 years
Septic systems; 15 years
Swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball 20 years
courts, skate parks;
Fountains, 20 years
Retaining walls. 20 years
Outdoor lighting 20 vears
Buildin"s and buildin" imnrovements
Buildinf's 40 vears
Temporary and portable buildin"s 25 years
Roof 20 vears
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I Estimated useful life values derived from the Internal Revenue Service Alternative Depreciation System
(ADS).
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HV AC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) 20 years
Electrical 20 years
Plumbinll 20 years
Snrinkler system 20 vears
Security and fire alann system 1 0 years
Cablinll 10 vears
Floor covering other than carpet 15 years
Carpeting 7 years
Interior construction 15 years
Interior renovation I 0 years
Elevators 20 vears
Eouinment machinerv, and vehicles
Athletic equipment 10 years
Audio visual equipment 6 years
Business machines and office equipment 7 years
Telecommunications equipment 10 years
Computer hardware and software 4 years
Fire Department equipment 10 ycars
Furniture and fixtures, excluding structural I 0 years
comnonents of a building
Grounds equipmcnt (mowers, tractors, bobcats) 10 years
Kitchen equipment (appliances) 1 0 years
Lab equipment 10 vears
Law enforcement equipment 10 years
Machinery, tools and other equipment 5 years
Outdoor equipment (playgrounds, scoreboards) 15 years
Custodial equipment 10 years
Photocopiers 5 years
Cars, light general purpose trucks (actual weight 7 years
less than 13,000 pounds)
Heavy general purpose truck and equipment e.g., 9 years
front loaders, graders (actual weight greater than
13,000 pounds)
Firefighting trucks 20 years
Infrastructure
Roads, streets, curb and gutter 30 vears
Parking lots 15 vears
Sidewalks 20 vears
Water, sanitary sewer, stonn sewer systems 50 years
Bridges 30 years
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