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CITY OF ELK RIVER,MINNESOTA <br /> NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS <br /> DECEMBER 31,2012 <br /> Note 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES-CONTINUED <br /> statements,certain eliminations are made in the preparation of the government-wide financial statements. Balances <br /> between the funds included in governmental activities(i.e.,the governmental funds) are eliminated so that only the net <br /> amount is included as internal balances in the governmental activities column. Similarly,balances between the funds <br /> included in business-type activities(i.e.,the enterprise funds) are eliminated so that only the net amount is included as <br /> internal balances in the business-type activities column. <br /> Further,certain activity occurs during the year involving transfers of resources between funds. In fund financial <br /> statements these amounts are reported at gross amounts as transfers in/out. While reported in fund financial statements, <br /> certain eliminations are made in the preparation of the government-wide financial statements. Transfers between the <br /> funds included in governmental activities are eliminated so that only the net amount is included as transfers in <br /> governmental activities column. Similarly,balances between the funds included in business-type activities are <br /> eliminated so that only the net amount is included as transfers in the business-type activities column. <br /> E. Measurement Focus,Basis of Accounting,and Financial Statement Presentation <br /> The accounting and financial reporting treatment is determined by the applicable measurement focus and basis of <br /> accounting. Measurement focus indicates the type of resources being measured such as current financial resources or <br /> economic resources. The basis of accounting indicates the timing of transactions or events for recognition in the <br /> financial statements. <br /> i <br /> The govermnent-wide financial statements are reported using the economic resources measurement focus and the accrual <br /> basis of accounting. Revenues are recorded when earned and expenses are recorded when a liability is incurred, <br /> regardless of the timing of related cash flows. Property taxes are recognized as revenues in the year for which they are <br /> levied. Grants and similar items are recognized as revenue as soon as all eligibility requirements imposed by the <br /> provider have been met. <br /> Governmental fund financial statements are reported using the current financial resources measurement focus and the <br /> modified accrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recognized as soon as they are both measurable and available. <br /> Revenues are considered to be available when they are collectible within the current period or soon enough thereafter to <br /> pay liabilities of the current period. For this purpose,the government considers revenues to be available if they are <br /> collected within 60 days of the end of the current fiscal period. Expenditures generally are recorded when a liability is <br /> incurred,as under accrual accounting. However,debt service expenditures,as well as expenditures related to <br /> compensated absences,other postemployment benefits,and claims and judgments,are recorded only when payment is <br /> due. General capital asset acquisitions are reported as expenditures in governmental funds. Issuance of long-term debt <br /> and acquisitions under capital leases are reported as other financing sources <br /> Property taxes,franchise taxes,licenses,and interest associated with the current fiscal period are all considered to be <br /> susceptible to accrual and so have been recognized as revenues of the current fiscal period. Entitlements are recorded as <br /> revenues when all eligibility requirements are met,including any time requirements,and the amount is received during <br /> the period or within the availability period for this revenue source(within 60 days of year end). Expenditure-driven <br /> grants are recognized as revenue when the qualifying expenditures have been incurred and all other eligibility <br /> requirements have been met,and the amount is received during the period or within the availability period for this <br /> revenue source(within 60 days of year end). Only the portion of special assessments receivable due within the current <br /> fiscal period is considered to be susceptible to accrual as revenue of the current period. All other revenue items are <br /> considered to be measurable and available only when cash is received by the government. <br /> The proprietary funds are reported using the economic resources measurement focus and the accrual basis of accounting. <br /> The agency fund has no measurement focus but utilizes the accrual basis of accounting for reporting its assets and <br /> liabilities. <br /> The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States <br /> of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and <br /> disclosures. Accordingly,actual results could differ from those estimates. <br /> i <br /> 38 <br /> I <br />