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CITY OF ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA <br />NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS <br />DECEMBER 31, 2017 <br />42 <br />NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – CONTINUED <br />P.Pensions <br />For purposes of measuring the net pension liability, deferred outflows/inflows of resources, and pension expense, <br />information about the fiduciary net position of the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) and additions <br />to/deductions from PERA’s fiduciary net position have been determined on the same basis as they are reported by PERA <br />except that PERA’s fiscal year is June 30. For this purpose, plan contributions are recognized as of employer payroll <br />paid dates and benefit payments and refunds are recognized when due and payable in accordance with the benefit terms. <br />Investments are reported at fair value. <br />For purposes of measuring the net pension liability (asset), deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of <br />resources related to pensions, and pension expense, information about the fiduciary net position of the defined benefit <br />plan administered by Elk River Fire Relief Association and additions to and deductions from the plan’s fiduciary net <br />position have been determined on the same basis as they are reported by the plan. Investments are reported at fair value <br />or amortized cost. <br />Q.Unearned Revenue <br />Unearned revenue arises when assets are recognized before revenue recognition criteria have been satisfied. Grants and <br />entitlements received before eligibility requirements are met are also recorded as unearned revenue. At December 31, <br />2017, the balance reported in the governmental fund financial statements consists of $588,127 from unearned park <br />dedication credits and $19,234 from other unearned miscellaneous fees and contributions. <br />R.Long-Term Liabilities <br />In the government-wide financial statements, and proprietary fund types in the fund financial statements, long-term debt <br />and other long-term obligations are reported as liabilities. Bond premiums and discounts, if material, are amortized over <br />the life of the bonds using the straight-line method. Bond issuance costs are expensed as incurred. <br />In the governmental fund financial statements, long-term debt and other long-term obligations are not reported as <br />liabilities. The face amount of debt issued is reported as other financing sources. Premiums or discounts on debt <br />issuances are reported as other financing sources or uses, respectively. Issuance costs, whether or not withheld from the <br />actual debt proceeds received, are reported as debt service expenditures. <br />S.Compensated Absences <br />It is the City’s policy to permit employees to accumulate earned but unused vacation and sick pay benefits. Unused <br />vacation can be accrued by the employees up to a maximum of 240 hours, the limit of which is determined by years of <br />service. All vacation pay is accrued when incurred in the government-wide and proprietary fund financial statements. A <br />liability for these amounts is reported in governmental funds only if they have matured, for example, as a result of <br />employee resignations and retirements. In the event a liability is recorded in the governmental funds, the General fund <br />would be used to liquidate the compensated absences payable. <br />Employees can also accrue an unlimited amount of unused sick leave. Employees with two or more years of service are <br />entitled to receive severance pay equal to 50 percent of unused sick leave, up to a maximum of 480 hours. The liability <br />for severance pay is accounted for the same as accrued vacation pay.