Laserfiche WebLink
OVERVIEW OF THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS <br />The MD&A serves as an introduction to the City's basic financial statements. The City's basic financial <br />statements comprise of three components: 1) government -wide financial statements, 2) fund financial <br />statements, and 3) notes to the financial statements. The report also contains other supplementary <br />information in addition to the basic financial statements. <br />Government -Wide Financial Statements <br />The government -wide financial statements provide readers a broad overview of the City's finances in a <br />manner similar to statements of a private -sector business. The Statements are comprised of the Statement <br />of Net Position and Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Position. <br />The Statement of Net Position presents information on all of the City's assets and liabilities, with the <br />difference between the two reported as net position. Over time, increases or decreases in net position may <br />serve as a useful indicator of changes in the City's financial reporting. <br />The Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Position presents information showing how the <br />government's net position changed during the fiscal year. All changes in net position are reported as soon <br />as the underlying event giving rise to the change occurs, regardless of the timing of the related cash flows. <br />Revenues and expenses are reported in this statement for some items that will only result in cash flows in <br />future fiscal periods (e.g. uncollected taxes, earned but unused vacation leave, and other compensated <br />absences). <br />The government -wide financial statements distinguish functions of the City that are principally supported <br />by taxes and intergovernmental revenue (governmental activities) from other functions that are intended <br />to recover all or a significant portion of their costs through user fees and charges (business -type activities). <br />Both of the above financial statements have separate sections for two different types of programs or <br />activities. These two types of activities are: <br />Governmental Activities — The activities in this section are mostly supported by taxes and charges for <br />services. The governmental activities of the City include General Government (City Council, City <br />Manager, City Clerk, Human Resources, Information Technologies, and Finance), Public Safety (Police <br />and Fire), Engineering & Transportation (including Public Works), Recreation and Culture (including the <br />Library), and Community Development. <br />Business -Type Activities — These functions normally recover all or a significant portion of their costs <br />through user fees and charges to external users of goods and services. The business -type activities of the <br />City include the Water Pollution Control Plant, Environmental Services, Shoreline Enterprise, and Storm <br />Water. <br />Fund Financial Statements <br />A fund is a grouping of related accounts maintaining control over resources segregated for specific <br />activities or objectives. The City, like other state and local governments, uses fund accounting to ensure <br />and demonstrate compliance with finance -related legal requirements. All of the funds of the City can be <br />divided into three categories: governmental funds, proprietary funds, and fiduciary funds. <br />Gel <br />