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NOTE 1 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) E. Cash and Investments Cash balances from all funds are combined and invested to the extent available in short-term investments. Earnings from the pooled investments are allocated to the individual funds based on the average monthly cash and investment balances of the respective funds. Bond proceeds are held in separate accounts with investment earnings recorded directly to the applicable fund. The City reports all other investments at fair value except for certain investment pools reported at amortized cost. The City categorizes its fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The hierarchy is based on the valuation inputs used to measure the fair value of the asset. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets; Level 2 inputs are significant other observable inputs; and Level 3 inputs are significant unobservable inputs. Debt securities classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy are valued using a matrix pricing technique. Matrix pricing is used to value securities based on the securities’ relationship to benchmark quoted prices. See Note 2 for the City’s recurring fair value measurements as of the current year-end. F. Receivables Utility and miscellaneous accounts receivable are reported at gross. Since the City is generally able to certify delinquent amounts to the county for collection as special assessments, no allowance for uncollectible accounts has been provided on these receivables. The only receivables not expected to be fully collected within one year are leases receivable, property taxes receivable and special assessments receivable. G. Property Taxes Property tax levies are set by the City Council by December of each year and are certified to the County Auditor for collection in the following year. In Minnesota, counties act as collection agents for all property taxes. A portion of the property taxes levied is paid by the state of Minnesota through various tax credits, which is included in intergovernmental revenue in the financial statements. The county spreads all levies over taxable property. Such taxes become a lien on January 1 and are recorded as receivables by the City on that date. Real property taxes may be paid by taxpayers in two equal installments on May 15 and October 15. Personal property taxes are due in full on May 15. The county provides tax settlements to cities and other taxing districts several times a year. Taxes which remain unpaid at December 31 are classified as delinquent taxes receivable and are offset by deferred inflows of resources in the governmental fund financial statements. 65