2016-12-31 Management Letter - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Future Accounting Standard Changes The following Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements have been issued and may have an impact on future the City financial statements: (1) GASB Statement No. 74 - Financial Reporting for Posteniploynient Benefit Plans Other than Pension Plans Summary The objective of this Statement is to improve the usefulness of information about postemployment benefits other than pensions (other postemployment benefits or OPEB) included in the general purpose external financial reports of state and local governmental OPEB plans for making decisions and assessing accountability. This Statement results from a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of existing standards of accounting and financial reporting for all postemployment benefits (pensions and OPEB) with regard to providing decision -useful information, supporting assessments of accountability and interperiod equity, and creating additional transparency. This Statement replaces Statements No. 43, Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefit Plans Other Than Pension Plans, as amended, and No. 57, OPEB Measurements by Agent Employers and Agent Multiple -Employer Plans. It also includes requirements for defined contribution OPEB plans that replace the requirements for those OPEB plans in Statement No. 25, Financial Reporting for Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Note Disclosures for Defined Contribution Plans, as amended, Statement 43, and Statement No. 50, Pension Disclosures. Statement No. 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other than Pensions, establishes new accounting and financial reporting requirements for governments whose employees are provided with OPEB, as well as for certain nonemployer governments that have a legal obligation to provide financial support for OPEB provided to the employees of other entities. The scope of this Statement includes OPEB plans -defined benefit and defined contribution -administered through trusts that meet the following criteria: • Contributions from employers and nonemployer contributing entities to the OPEB plan and earnings on those contributions are irrevocable. • OPEB plan assets are dedicated to providing OPEB to plan members in accordance with the benefit terms. • OPEB plan assets are legally protected from the creditors of employers, nonemployer contributing entities, and the OPEB plan administrator. If the plan is a defined benefit OPEB plan, plan assets also are legally protected from creditors of the plan members. This Statement also includes requirements to address financial reporting for assets accumulated for purposes of providing defined benefit OPEB through OPEB plans that are not administered through trusts that meet the specified criteria. Effective Date and Transition This Statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2016. Earlier application is encouraged. -17-