My WebLink
|
Help
|
About
|
Sign Out
Home
Browse
Search
2016-02-10 CC Packet
Centerville
>
City Council
>
Agenda Packets
>
1996-2022
>
2016
>
2016-02-10 CC Packet
Metadata
Thumbnails
Annotations
Entry Properties
Last modified
2/5/2016 10:42:44 AM
Creation date
2/5/2016 10:41:24 AM
Metadata
There are no annotations on this page.
Document management portal powered by Laserfiche WebLink 9 © 1998-2015
Laserfiche.
All rights reserved.
/
75
PDF
Print
Pages to print
Enter page numbers and/or page ranges separated by commas. For example, 1,3,5-12.
After downloading, print the document using a PDF reader (e.g. Adobe Reader).
View images
View plain text
STATE OF MINNESOTA <br /> a OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR <br /> SUITE 500 <br /> 525 PARK STREET (651)296-2551(Voice) <br /> (651)2964755(Fax) <br /> REBECCA OTTO SAINT PAUL,MN 55103-2139 state.auditor(a),osa.state.mn.us(E-mail) <br /> STATE AUDITOR 1-800-627-3529(Relay Service) <br /> Statement of Position <br /> Public Expenditures: Donations and Dues <br /> Public entities are often asked to give funds to support various groups and activities. <br /> While the causes may be worthwhile, public entities need to be cautious when making <br /> any financial commitments involving public funds. <br /> In most circumstances, public entities have no authority to give away public funds as <br /> donations. Generally, in order to spend money, a public entity must have authority to do <br /> so. Authority for an expenditure may be specifically stated in a statute or charter, or it <br /> may be implied as necessary to do what an express power authorizes. In addition, the <br /> expenditure must be for a"public purpose." <br /> Gifts/Donations to Private Individuals/Organizations <br /> Following these general principles, donations to people, non-profits, charities, or other <br /> groups are not permitted unless they are based upon specific statutory or charter <br /> authority. For example, the Minnesota Attorney General's Office has issued opinions <br /> finding that cities have no authority to donate city funds to organizations such as the Red <br /> Cross or the Boy Scouts.' The assumption is that a gift of public funds to an individual <br /> or private entity serves a private rather than a public purpose. <br /> Before a public entity makes a contribution, it is important for that entity to determine <br /> that it has specific authorization to make the expenditure. Here are some examples of <br /> specific, statutorily authorized appropriations: <br /> • Artistic Organizations. A county, city or town may appropriate money to <br /> support artistic organizations? <br /> • Historical Causes. A town or city may appropriate annually a specified amount <br /> to a county historical society so long as the society is affiliated with, and <br /> approved by, the Minnesota Historical Society.3 Cities have express authority to <br /> commemorate important and outstanding events in city history, and to appropriate <br /> money to collect, preserve and distribute its history data for future generations.' <br /> The Attorney General's Office recognizes that a city can advance money to a <br /> 'See,for example, Op.Att'y Gen.59-A-3(May 21, 1948). <br /> 'Minn.Stat. §471.941. <br /> 'Minn.Stat. § 138.053. <br /> 4 Minn.Stat.§471.93. <br /> Reviewed: December 2014 2007-1017 <br /> Revised: April 2014 <br /> This Statement of Position is not legal advice and is subject to revision. <br /> An Equal Opportumty Employer <br /> 36 <br />
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.