6.2. SR 06-19-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF ELK RIVER NOTES TO BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016 NOTE 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES A. Organization The City of Elk River, Minnesota (the City) operates under the "Optional Plan A" form of government as defined in Minnesota Statutes. Under this plan, the City Council, composed of an elected mayor and four elected Council Members. The Council appoints personnel responsible for the proper administration of all affairs relating to the City. The financial statements and the accounting policies of the City conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as applicable to governmental units. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the accepted standard setting body for establishing governmental accounting and financial reporting principles. B. Reporting Entity As required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the financial statements of the reporting entity include those of the City of Elk River (the primary government) and its component units. The Elk River Municipal Utilities is considered to be part of the primary government. The Elk River Municipal Utilities was established and statutory authority is provided in accordance with Chapter 412.321 of the Minnesota Statutes and is considered to be part of the City. The Utilities Commission has three council approved members who serve overlapping three-year terms. The statutes provide the City Council all the discretionary authority necessary to operate the utilities, except as its powers have been delegated to the Commission. The Utility funds are included with the enterprise funds of this report. Separate financial statements for the Utilities may be obtained at the Elk River Municipal Utilities, 13069 Orono Pkwy, Elk River, Minnesota. The City has considered all potential units for which it is financially accountable, and other organizations for which the nature and significance of their relationship with the City are such that exclusion would cause the City's financial statements to be misleading or incomplete. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has set forth criteria to be considered in determining financial accountability. These criteria include appointing a voting majority of an organization's governing body, and (1) the ability of the primary government to impose its will on that organization or (2) the potential for the organization to provide specific benefits to, or impose specific financial burdens on the primary government. Based upon the application of these criteria, the City has the following component units: Blended Component Unit The Economic Development Authority (EDA) was created to carry out economic and industrial development and redevelopment within the City in accordance with policies established by the City Council. The seven member board consists of three Council Members, the Mayor and three other council approved members. The criteria that result in the EDA being reported as a blended component unit include the fact that the EDA may not exercise any of its authorized powers without prior approval of the City Council and the City having operational responsibility. The EDA is reported as a special revenue fund and does not issue separate financial statements. (37)