2002 CAFR - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASH MANAGEMENT The City of Ramsey subscribes to the "pooled cash" concept of investing, which means that all funds with cash balances (except the Escrow Fund and certain other funds) participate in an investment pool. This pooled cash concept provides for investing greater amounts of money at more favorable rates. During 2002, the City earned $1,349,002 from investments in obligations issued by the United States and its agencies, bank certificates of deposit, and commercial paper. RISK MANAGEMENT The City participates in the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT), a public entity risk pool for its general property and casualty, workers' compensation, and other miscellaneous insurance coverages. The City pays an annual premium to the LMCIT for insurance coverage. The LMCIT agreement provides that the Trust will be self - sustaining through member premiums and will reinsure through commercial companies for claims in excess of certain limits. The City has elected higher deductibles through the LMCIT in order to keep premiums at a minimum. To supplement the commercial coverages, the City established the Internal Trust Fund for Self- Insurance. Premiums for the LMCIT policies are not paid from this Internal Trust Fund, but rather are budgeted and paid from the respective operating funds. The City also carries commercial insurance for certain other risks of loss, including employee health insurance. Settled claims resulting from these risks have not exceeded commercial insurance coverage in any of the past three fiscal years. Debt statistics are listed as follows: DEBT MANAGEMENT Net bonded debt per capita and the percentage of net debt to the tax capacity and market value are useful indicators of the City's debt position to municipal management, citizens, and investors in city bonds. Net Bonded Debt per Capita Ratio of Net Bonded Debt to Tax Capacity Ratio of Net Bonded Debt to Market Value The following is a summary of bonded debt for fiscal year 2002: x $592.42 105.83% 1.03% Gross Debt Outstanding, January 1, 2002 $ 13,096,000 Add Debt Issued — 2002 295,000 Deduct Debt Redeemed — 2002 1,432,000 Gross Debt Outstanding, December 31, 2002 11,959,000 Less Amounts Available in Debt Service Funds, December 31, 2002 406,787 Net Debt, December 31, 2002 $ 11,552,213 The City has a current Moody's Investors Service bond rating of Al, which was last increased during 1993. This above average rating has had a positive effect on the sale of the City's bonds by broadening the City's market and lowering the interest rates on borrowing.