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22 City of Elk River Management’s Discussion and Analysis OVERVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) Government-Wide Financial Statements. The government-wide financial statements are designed to provide readers with a broad overview of the City’s finances, in a manner similar to a private- sector business. The Statement of Net Position presents information on all of the City’s assets and deferred outflows of resources and liabilities and deferred inflows of resources, with the difference between the four reported as net position. Over time, increases or decreases in net position may serve as a useful indicator of whether the financial position of the City is improving or deteriorating. The Statement of Activities presents information showing how the City’s net position changed during the most recent fiscal year. All changes in net position are reported as soon as the underlying event giving rise to the change occurs, regardless of the timing of related cash flows. Thus, revenues and expenses are reported in this statement for some items that will only result in cash flows in future fiscal periods (e.g., uncollected taxes and earned but unused vacation leave). Both of the government-wide financial statements distinguish functions of the City that are principally supported by taxes and intergovernmental revenue (governmental activities) from other functions that are intended to recover all or a significant portion of their costs through user fees and charges (business-type activities). The governmental activities of the City include general government, public safety, public works, culture and recreation, community development, and interest on long-term debt. The business-type activities of the City include municipal liquor, sewer, garbage, storm water, electric, and water utilities. The government-wide financial statements include not only the City itself (known as the primary government), but also a legally separate Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) which are backed by the full faith and credit of the City of Elk River. Financial information for this component unit is discretely presented for the primary government. The government-wide financial statements start on page 36 of this report. Fund Financial Statements. A fund is a grouping of related accounts that is used to maintain control over resources that have been segregated for specific activities or objectives. The City, like other State and local governments, uses fund accounting to ensure and demonstrate compliance with finance-related legal requirements. All of the funds of the City can be divided into three categories: governmental funds, proprietary funds, and fiduciary funds. Governmental Funds. Governmental funds are used to account for essentially the same functions reported as governmental activities in the government-wide financial statements. However, unlike the government-wide financial statements, governmental fund financial statements focus on near- term inflows and outflows of spendable resources, as well as on balances of spendable resources available at the end of the fiscal year. Such information may be useful in evaluating a government’s near-term financing requirements. Page 143 of 464