Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 12/31/2002

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CITY OF LINO LAKES, MINNESOTA NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2002 Note 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The City of Lino Lakes is a public corporation formed under Minnesota Statute 410. As such, the City is under home rule charter regulations and applicable statutory guidelines. The financial statements of the City of Lino Lakes have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles as applied to governmental units by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies: A. FINANCIAL REPORTING ENTITY As required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the financial statements of the reporting entity include those of the City of Lino Lakes and its 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 include 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. COMPONENT UNITS In conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the financial statements of component units have been included in the financial reporting entity either as blended component units or as discretely presented component units. Blended Component Units. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) of Lino Lakes is an entity legally separate from the City. However, for financial reporting purposes, the EDA is reported as if it were part of the City's operations because the members of the City Council serve as commission members. The EDA does not issue separate financial statements. The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) of Lino Lakes is an entity legally separate from the City. However, for financial reporting purposes, the HRA is reported as if it were part of the City's operations because the members of the City Council serve as commission members. The HRA has not yet incurred any financial activity. B. FUND ACCOUNTING The accounting system of the City is organized and operated on a fund basis. A fund is defined as a fiscal and accounting entity with a self - balancing set of accounts recording cash and other financial resources, together with all related liabilities and residual equities or balances, and changes therein, which are segregated for the purpose of carrying on specific activities or attaining certain objectives in accordance with special regulations, restrictions or limitations.