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CITY OF RAMSEY Management's Discussion and Analysis Year Ended December 31, 2004 As management of the City of Ramsey, Minnesota (the City), we have provided readers of the City's financial statements with this narrative overview and analysis of the financial activities of the City for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. OVERVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) is intended to serve as an introduction to the City's basic financial statements, which are comprised of three components: 1) government-wide financial statements, 2) fund financial statements, and 3) notes to basic financial statements. This report also contains other information in addition to the basic financial statements themselves. 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 private sector businesses. The Statement of Net Assets presents information on all of the City's assets and liabilities (excluding Fiduciary Funds), with the difference between the two reported as net assets. Over time, increases or decreases in net assets 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 assets changed during the most recent fiscal year. All changes in net assets 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. delinquent taxes and special assessments). Both of the government-wide financial statements distinguish functions of the City that are principally supported by property taxes and intergovernmental revenues (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 include general government, public safety, public works, parks and recreation, and insurance. The business-type activities of the City include enterprises for water, sewer, street light, recycling, and storm water utilities. 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. The funds of the City are 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 the 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. -3-