2002-08-12 CC Worksession - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF CENTERVILLE, MINNESOTA NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2001 Note 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - CONTINUED Account Receivable Accounts receivable include amounts billed for services provided before year end. Unbilled utility enterprise fund receivables are also included for services provided in 2001. The City annually certifies delinquent water and sewer accounts to the county for collection in the following year. Therefore, there has been no allowance for doubtful accounts established. Special Assessments Special assessments represent the financing for public improvements paid for by benefiting property owners. These assessments are recorded as receivables upon certification to the County. Special assessments are recognized as revenue when they are received in cash or within 60 days after year end. All special assessments receivable are offset by a deferred revenue liability. Interfund Receivables and Payables Transactions between funds that are representative of lendinglborrowing arrangements outstanding at the end of the fiscal year are referred to as either "interfund receivables/payables" (i.e., the current portion of interfund loans) or "advances to/from other funds" (i.e., the non-current portion of interfund loans). All other outstanding balances between funds are reported as "due to/from other funds." Advances between funds are offset by a fund balance reserve account in applicable governmental funds to indicate they are not available for appropriation and are not expendable available financial resources. Inventories The inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Prepaid Items Certain payments to vendors reflect costs applicable to future accounting periods and are recorded as prepaid items. Fixed Assets Fixed assets used in governmental fund types of the City are recorded in the general fixed assets account group (unaudited) at cost or estimated historical cost if purchased or constructed. Donated fixed assets are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of donation. Assets in the general fixed assets account group are not depreciated. Interest incurred during construction is not capitalized on general fixed assets. Public domain (infrastructure) general fixed assets (e.g., roads, bridges, sidewalks and other assets that are immovable and of value only to the City) are not capitalized. The cost of normal maintenance and repairs that do not add to the value of the asset or materially extend assets' lives are not included in the general fixed assets group or capitalized in the proprietary funds. Property, plant and equipment in the proprietary funds of the City are recorded at cost. Property, plant and equipment donated to these proprietary fund type operations are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of donation. Major outlays for capital assets and improvements are capitalized in proprietary funds as projects are constructed. Interest incurred during the construction phase of proprietary fund fixed assets is reflected in the capitalized value of the asset constructed, net of interest earned on the invested proceeds over the same period. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated in the proprietary funds of the City using the straight line method over the following estimated useful lives: Assets Years Collection system Water distribution system Equipment 60 40 5-10 -12-