05-26-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA NOTES TO BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2020 NOTE 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) H. Property Taxes The City Council annually adopts a tax levy and certifies it to the County in December (levy/assessment date) of each year for collection in the following year. The county spreads levies over all taxable property in the City and is responsible for billing and collecting all property taxes for itself, the City, the local School District and other taxing authorities. Such taxes become a lien on January 1 and are recorded as receivables by the City on that date. Real property taxes may be paid by taxpayers in two equal installments on May 15 and October 15. Personal property taxes are due in full on May 15. The county provides tax settlements to cities and other taxing districts three times a year. Revenues are generally accrued and recognized in the year collectible. Taxes which remain unpaid at December 31 are classified as delinquent taxes receivable. The City has no ability to enforce payment of property taxes by property owners, the County possesses this authority. In the government-wide financial statements the City recognizes property tax revenue in the period for which taxes were levied. Uncollectible property taxes are not material and have not been reported. In the governmental fund financial statements, the City recognizes current and delinquent taxes received by the City in July, December, and January as revenue for the current year. Taxes collected by the County by December 31 (remitted to the City the following January) are classified as taxes due from the County. The portion of taxes not received by the City by January is classified as delinquent and is fully offset by deferred inflows of resources. I. Special Assessments Special assessments are levied against the benefited properties for the cost or a portion of the cost of special assessment improvement projects in accordance with state statutes. These assessments are collectible by the City over a term of years usually consistent with the term of the related bond issue. Collection of annual installments (including interest) is handled by the County auditor in the same manner as property taxes. Property owners are allowed to (and often do) prepay future installments without interest or prepayment penalties. Once a special assessment roll is adopted, the amount attributed to each parcel is a lien upon that property until full payment is made or the amount is determined to be excessive by the City Council or court action. If special assessments are allowed to go delinquent, the property is subject to tax forfeit sale. Proceeds of sales from tax forfeit properties are remitted to the City in payment of delinquent special assessments. Pursuant to State Statutes, a property shall be subject to a tax forfeit sale after three years unless it is homesteaded, agricultural or seasons recreational land in which event the property is subject to such sale after five years. 54