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OVERVIEW OF THE BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The MD&A serves as an introduction to the City’s basic financial statements. The City’s basic financial statements comprise of three components: 1) government-wide financial statements, 2) fund financial statements, and 3) notes to the financial statements. The report also contains other supplementary information Government-Wide Financial Statements The government-wide financial statements provide readers a broad overview of the City’s finances in a manner similar to statements of a private-sector business. The Statements are comprised of the Statement of Net Position and Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Position. The Statement of Net Position presents information on the City’s assets and liabilities, with the difference between the two reported as net position. Over time, increases or decreases in net position may serve as a useful indicator of changes in the City’s financial reporting. The Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Position presents information showing how the government’s net position changed during the fiscal year. All changes in net position are reported as soon as the underlying event giving rise to the change occurs, regardless of the timing of the related cash flows. Revenues and expenses are reported in this statement for some items that will only result in cash flows in future fiscal periods (e.g. uncollected taxes, earned but unused vacation leave, and other compensated absences). The government-wide financial statements distinguish functions of the City that are principally supported by taxes and intergovernmental revenue (governmental activities) from other functions intended to recover all or a significant portion of their costs through user fees and charges (business-type activities). Both of the above financial statements have separate sections for two different types of programs or activities. These two types of activities are: Governmental Activities – The activities in this section are mostly supported by taxes and charges for services. The governmental activities of the City include General Government (City Council, City Manager, City Clerk, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Finance), Public Safety (Police and Fire), Engineering & Transportation (including Public Works), Recreation and Culture (including the Library), and Community Development. Business-Type Activities – These functions normally recover all or a significant portion of their costs through user fees and charges to external users of goods and services. The business-type activities of the City include the Water Pollution Control Plant, Environmental Services, Shoreline Enterprise, and Storm Water. Fund Financial Statements A fund is a grouping of related accounts maintaining control over resources segregated for specific activities or objectives. The City, like other state and local governments, uses fund accounting to ensure and demonstrate compliance with finance-related legal requirements. All the funds of the City can be divided into three categories: governmental funds, proprietary funds, and fiduciary funds. 6267