2015-04-22 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

CITY OF CENTERVILLE,MINNESOTA NOTES TO T14E FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31,2014 Note 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES-CONTINUED Non-exchange transactions,in which the City receives value without directly giving equal value in return,include property taxes,grants,entitlement and donations. On an accrual basis,revenue from property taxes is recognized in the year for which the tax is levied.Revenue from grants,entitlements and donations is recognized in the year in which all eligibility requirements have been satisfied. Eligibility requirements include timing requirements,which specify the year when the resources are required to be used or the year when use is first permitted,matching requirements,in which the City must provide local resources to be used for a specified purpose,and expenditure requirements,in which the resources are provided to the City on a reimbursement basis. On a modified accrual basis,revenue from non-exchange transactions must also be available before it can be recognized. Unearned revenue arises when assets are recognized before revenue recognition criteria have been satisfied. Grants and entitlements received before eligibility requirements are met are also recorded as unearned revenue. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures.Accordingly,actual results could differ from those estimates. The City reports the following major governmental funds: The General fund is the City's primary operating fund.It accounts for all financial resources of the City,except those required to be accounted for in another fund. The Debt Service fund accounts for the resources accumulated and payments made for principal and interest on long-term general obligation debt of governmental funds. The Park fund captures all park capital items and receives all the City's park dedication fees. The City reports the following major proprietary funds: The Water fund accounts for the activities of the water distribution system the City maintains. The Sewer fund accounts for the activities of the City's sewage collection operations. As a general rule the effect of interfund activity has been eliminated from government-wide financial statements. Proprietary funds distinguish operating revenues and expenses from nonoperating items. Operating revenues and expenses generally result from providing services and producing and delivering goods in connection with a proprietary fund's principal ongoing operations. The principal operating revenues of the City enterprise funds are charges to customers for sales and services. Operating expenses for enterprise funds include the cost of sales and services, administrative expenses and depreciation on capital assets.All revenues and expenses not meeting this definition are reported as nonoperating revenues and expenses. When both restricted and unrestricted resources are available for use,it is the City's policy to use restricted resources first,then unrestricted resources as they are needed. -48-