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'~ i u u MAJOR INITIATIVES (continued) Public Safetv,~continuedl In November of 1996, the department moved into a new facility on the City Hall campus. The building is sufficient in size to provide for a doubling of the department complement. This is not expected for many years to come, although it is expected that the 14th sworn officer will come on board in September, 1997. The building itself has vastly improved evidence, investigative, and support facilities. Also included were significant computer upgrades which are expected to assist the department in both initial response times and investigative activities. The 25 member Fire Department responded to 296 fire incidents of which 81 were personal injury accidents. This compares to 1995 totals of 248 and 81, respectively, and 233 and 67 for 1994. Both the Police and Fire Departments are dispatched through the Anoka County Communications Center, which saves the community significant expense in operational costs. Police Department jailing is also handled by Anoka County, as is a portion of crime investigation. Both departments are active in community education. In May of each year, the Police and Fire Departments co-host the Becky Weiss Memorial Bike Road-eo. 1996 saw the certification of a second D.A.R.E. officer, who helped assist in the fourth D.A.R.E program at Ramsey Elementary School. The City, in a joint project with Minnesota D.A.R.E., built and sold a new home located in Ramsey. The proceeds from the sale will be used to further both the local and State D.A.R.E. programs. The Fire Department is also active in the schools and hosts demonstrations at the Annual Lions Community Picnic, home day-care centers, and other community events. e~~nrTNTIN SYSTEM, INTERNAL AND BUDGETARY CONTROLS ' The City's accounting system is organized and operated on a fund basis. Each fund or account group is a distinct, self-balancing accounting entity. The various funds and account groups utilized by the City are described in Note 1 One of the financial statements. All funds are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to governmental entities. Accounting and bookkeeping for all City activities are centralized under the Finance Department. The responsibility for financial records, maintaining internal controls, and preparing financial and budgetary reports is delegated to this department. ' The internal control structure is designed to ensure that the assets of the City are protected from loss, theft or misuse, and to ensure that adequate accounting data is compiled to allow for the presentation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. The internal control structure is designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that these objectives are met. The concept of reasonable assurance recognizes that : (1) the cost of a control should not exceed the benefits likely to be derived; and (2) the valuation of costs and benefits requires estimates and judgements by management. The City also maintains budgetary controls of which the objective is to ensure compliance with legal provisions embodied in the annual appropriated budget as approved by the City Council. During the year, the Council may increase the budget, but only to the extent that additional revenues have been realized. The level of budgetary control (that is, the level at which expenditures cannot legally exceed the appropriated amount) is at the department ' level for budgeted funds. The City Council also adopts afive-year Capital Improvement Program as a financial planning document. ' vii