6.1. SR 06-06-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2015 Note 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - CONTINUED 12. Fund Balance In the fund financial statements, fund balance is divided into five classifications based primarily on the extent to which the City is bound to observe constraints imposed upon the use of resources reported in governmental funds. These classifications are as follows: Nonspendable - consists of amounts that cannot be spent because it is not in spendable form, such as prepaid items. Restricted - consists of amounts related to externally imposed constraints established by creditors, grantors or contributors; or constraints imposed by state statutory provisions. Committed - consists of amounts that are constrained for specific purposes that are internally imposed by formal action (resolution) of the City Council. Those committed amounts cannot be used for any other purpose unless City Council removes or changes the specified use by taking the same type of action it employed to previously commit those amounts. Assigned - consists of amounts intended to be used by the City for specific purposes but do not meet the criteria to be classified as restricted or committed. In governmental funds other than the general fund, assigned fund balance represents the remaining amount that is not restricted or committed. In the general fund, assigned amounts represent intended uses established by the governing body itself or by an official to which the governing body delegates the authority. Pursuant to City Council Resolution, the City's Finance Director and/or City Administrator is authorized to establish assignments of fund balance. Unassigned - is the residual classification for the general fund and also reflects negative residual amounts in other funds. The City uses restricted amounts to be spent first when both restricted and unrestricted fund balance is available. Additionally, the City would first use committed, then assigned, and lastly unassigned amounts of unrestricted fund balance when expenditures are made. The City Council has formally adopted a fund balance policy for the General Fund. The City's policy is to maintain a minimum unassigned fund balance of 40-45% of budgeted operating expenditures for cash-flow timing needs. 13. Net Position Net position represents the difference between assets and deferred outflows of resources and liabilities and deferred inflows of resources. Net position is displayed in three components: a. Net investment in capital assets - Consists of capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation reduced by any outstanding debt attributable to acquire capital assets. b. Restricted net position - Consist of net position balances restricted when there are limitations imposed on their use through external restrictions imposed by creditors, grantors, laws or regulations of other governments. c. Unrestricted net position - All other net position balances that does not meet the definition of "restricted" or "net investment in capital assets". When both restricted and unrestricted resources are available for use, it is the City's policy to use restricted resources first, then unrestricted resources as they are needed. -58-