Laserfiche WebLink
CITY OF RAMSEY <br />Notes to Financial Statements (continued) <br />December 31, 2001 <br />NOTE 1— SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) <br />Major revenue that is susceptible to accrual includes property taxes, special assessments, <br />intergovernmental revenue, charges for services, and interest earned on investments. Major <br />revenue that is not susceptible to accrual includes licenses and permits, fees, and miscellaneous <br />revenue. Such revenue is recorded only when received because it is not measurable until <br />collected. <br />2. Recording of Expenditures — Expenditures are recognized under the modified accrual basis of <br />accounting when the related fund liability is incurred, except for principal and interest on general <br />long-term debt which is recognized when due. Certain expenditures for approved disbursements <br />or liabilities incurred in advance of the year in which the item is to be used are recorded as <br />prepaid. <br />Proprietary Funds are accounted for using the accrual basis of accounting. Under this method, revenues <br />are recognized when earned and expenses are recognized when they are incurred. The City applies only <br />those applicable pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued on or before <br />November 30, 1989, in accounting and reporting for its proprietary operations. <br />F. Cash and Investments <br />Cash and temporary investments from all funds are combined and invested to the extent available in <br />various securities as authorized by state law. Earnings from the pooled investments are allocated to the <br />respective funds on the basis of applicable cash balance participation by each fund. <br />Short-term, highly liquid debt instruments (including commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, and U.S. <br />Treasury and agency obligations) purchased with a remaining maturity of one year or less are reported at <br />amortized cost. Other investments are reported at fair value. Securities traded on national exchanges are <br />valued at the last reported sales price. Investments that do not have an established market are reported at <br />estimated fair value. <br />G. Held by Trustee <br />Cash and investments held by trustee include balances held in segregated accounts that are established for <br />specific purposes, such as bond proceeds held in escrow. Earnings from investments held by trustee are <br />allocated directly to the fund for which they are held. <br />H. Property Taxes <br />Property tax levies are set by the City Council in December of each year, and certified to the County <br />Auditor for collection in the following year. In Minnesota, counties act as collection agents for all <br />property taxes. <br />A portion of the property taxes levied is paid by the State of Minnesota through Homestead and <br />Agricultural Credit Aid (HACA), which is included in intergovernmental revenue in the financial <br />statements. <br />-14- <br />