Annual_Report_1995_001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� �.��u � , r u� • -u � The City Council approved a budgetary decision to install and implement a new telephony communications system throughout the city. This system upgrade is expected to provide departmenu with more ways to efficienUy serve the taxpayers and citizens of the community. Such options include more informational lines for community use, better interdepartmental communications. This improvement is expected to continue our efFiciency and to avoid addirional staffing. The Ciry implemented an Internet home page in 1995 which has provided an excellent source of communication with citizens and other interested parties. The home page, which has been a joint department effort, inciudes updates of the city council meetings, planning maps, city ordinances and recreational program information. The acceptance of this home page by the communiry has been a high level. The number of inquiries (uses) continues to grow on a monthly basis. Financial Information � � �_� �� .�� : .�-:. •�� • The accounting system provides for a complete, self-balancing account group for each fund of the City. Accounting records aze maintained on the modified accival basis for the governmental type funds and trust and agency funds, and the accrual basis of accounting is utilized for the proprietary type funds, as defined in the notes to the financial statements. In developing and altering the City's accounting system, consideration is given to the adequacy of internal accounting controls. Internal accounting controls are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance regarding the safeguarding of asseu against loss from unauthorized use or disposi�ion and the reliability of financial records for preparing financial statements and maintauung accountability for asseu. The concept of reasonable assurance recognizes the cost of a control shouid not exceed the benefiu likely to be derived, and the evaluation of cosu and benefits requires estimates and judgments by management. All internal control evaluations occur within the above framework. We believe that the City's internal accounting controls adequately safeguazd assets and provide reasonable assurance of proper recording of financial transactions. A budgetary system of accounu is maintained for the general and special revenue funds. Control is maintained by the use of a purchase order system and the continuing review of actual expenditures compared to budgeted amounts. Budget revisions are done upon approval of a resolution by the City Council. The financial statements of revenues and expenditures compazed with the budget in this report would reflect these revisions. Reserve for encumbrances is reported as part of the fund balance at the end of the fiscal year. 0