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CITY OF LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA NOTES TO BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2015 (37) NOTE 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES A. Organization The City of Little Canada, Minnesota (the City) operates under the "Optional Plan A" form of government as defined in Minnesota Statutes. Under this plan, the City Council, composed of an elected mayor and four elected trustees or council members, exercises legislative authority and determines all matters of policy. The City Council appoints personnel responsible for the proper administration of all the affairs relating to the City. The financial statements and the accounting policies of the City conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as applicable to governmental units. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the accepted standard setting body for establishing governmental accounting and financial reporting principles. B. Reporting Entity As required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, these financial statements include the City (the primary government) and any component units. A component unit is a legally separate entity for which the primary government is financially accountable, or for which the exclusion of the component unit would render the financial statements of the primary government misleading. The criteria used to determine if the primary government is financially accountable for a component unit includes whether or not the primary government appoints the voting majority of the potential component unit's board, is able to impose its will on the potential component unit, is in a relationship of financial benefit or burden with the potential component unit, or is fiscally depended upon by the potential component unit. The Little Canada Economic Development Authority (EDA) is a legally separate entity created to provide financing for economic development within the City of Little Canada. The governing board of the EDA is appointed by the City council and is substantially the same as the City Council. There is also a financially beneficial relationship between the EDA and the City. For these reasons the EDA has been included in the financial statements as a blended component unit, with its funds reports as though they are funds of the City. The EDA does not prepare separate financial statements. There are no other organizations that, when considered, would be included in the financial statements as a component unit.