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City of Elk River <br /> May 17,2013 <br /> Page 2 <br /> I <br /> Compliance and Other Matters <br /> As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement,we performed tests <br /> of compliance with certain provisions of Minnesota statutes.However,the objective of our tests was not to provide an opinion on <br /> compliance with such provisions.While our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion,it does not provide a legal <br /> determination on the City's compliance with those requirements. We noted no instances of noncompliance with Minnesota statues. <br /> Planned Scope and Timing of the Audit <br /> We performed the audit according to the planned scope and timing previously communicated to you. <br /> Qualitative Aspects of Accounting Practices <br /> Management is responsible for the selection and use of appropriate accounting policies.The significant accounting policies used by <br /> the City are described in Note 1 to the financial statements. The requirements of GASB statements No. 63 and 65 were adopted for <br /> the year ended December 31,2012.The application of existing policies was not changed during the year.We noted no transactions <br /> entered into by the City during the year for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus.All significant transactions <br /> have been recognized in the financial statements in the proper period. <br /> Accounting estimates are an integral part of the financial statements prepared by management and are based on management's <br /> knowledge and experience about past and current events and assumptions about future events. Certain accounting estimates are <br /> particularly sensitive because of their significance to the financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting <br /> them may differ significantly from those expected. The most sensitive estimates affecting the financial statements include <br /> depreciation on capital assets as well as the liability for the City's Other Post Employment Benefits(OPEB). <br /> Management's estimate of depreciation is based on estimated useful lives of the assets.Depreciation is calculated using the straight- <br /> line method. Management's estimate of its OPEB liability is based on several factors including,but not limited to,anticipated <br /> retirement age for active employees,life expectancy,turnover,and healthcare cost trend rate. We evaluated the key factors and <br /> assumptions used to develop depreciation and the OPEB liability in determining that it is reasonable in relation to the financial <br /> statements taken as a whole. <br /> The disclosures in the financial statements are neutral,consistent,and clear. Certain financial statement disclosures are particularly <br /> sensitive because of their significance to financial statement users. <br /> Difficulties Encountered in Performing the Audit <br /> We encountered no significant difficulties in dealing with management in performing and completing our audit. <br /> Corrected and Uncorrected Misstatements <br /> Professional standards require us to accumulate all known and likely misstatements identified during the audit,other than those that <br /> are trivial,and communicate them to the appropriate level of management. Management has corrected all such misstatements. <br /> Disagreements with Management <br /> For purposes of this letter,professional standards define a disagreement with management as a financial accounting,reporting,or <br /> auditing matter,whether or not resolved to our satisfaction,that could be significant to the financial statements or the auditor's report. <br /> We are pleased to report that no such disagreements arose during the course of our audit. <br /> Management Representations <br /> We have requested certain representations from management that are included in the management representations letter dated <br /> May 17,2013. <br /> 952.835.9090 • Fax 952.835.3261 <br /> www.aemcpas.com <br />