FY 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

New Search

CITY OF EUGENE, OREGON Notes to Basic Financial Statements June 30, 2008 (1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The financial statements of the City of Eugene, Oregon (City) have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as applied to governmental units. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the accepted standard-setting body for establishing governmental accounting and financial reporting standards. The more significant of the City's accounting policies are described below. -~ (A) The Financial Reporting Entity '~ As defined by GAAP, the financial reporting entity consists of the primary government, as well as its component units, which are legally separate organizations for which the elected officials of the primary government are ~ financially accountable. Financial accountability is defined as appointment of a voting majority of the component ~ unit's board, and either a) the ability to impose its will on the component unit, or b) the possibility that the component unit will provide a financial benefit to or impose a financial burden on the primary government. (, .~ The accompanying financial statements present the City of Eugene, Oregon (the primary government) and its component unit. The City of Eugene is a municipal corporation governed by a council comprised of eight members, each elected by and representing the citizens of a different ward of the City, and a Mayor, who is - elected at large. The component unit discussed in the next paragraph is included in the City's reporting entity because of the significance of its operational and financial relationship with the City. Blended Component Unit. The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene (Agency) is a legally separate public body, corporate and politic, created by ordinance of the City, and governed by the City Council, acting in its capacity as the Urban Renewal Agency- Board. Because the Agency's governing body is identical to the '; % . ` City's, and because the services of the Agency are exclusively for the benefit of the City, the funds of the __ . '"! ,- . Agency are blended with those of the City by including them in the appropriate statements and schedules of ~ _- ' this Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Separate financial statements for the Agency can be obtained " , from the Finance Division of the City of Eugene. ~. ~ (B) Organization and Operation The City operates under the Eugene Charter of 1976, a general grant of powers charter. The City Council, ;' composed of the Mayor and eight council members, forms the legislative branch of the City government, while the City Manager acts as the administrative head. „. , ~ The accounts of the City are organized on the basis of funds. Fund accounting is designed to demonstrate legal compliance and aid financial management by segregating government functions and activities. The operations of each fund are accounted for by providing a separate set of self-balancing accounts which comprise its assets, liabilities, fund balances (net assets), revenues, and expenditures (expenses). (C) Government-wide and Fund Financial Statements i ~ The government-wide financial statements (Exhibits 1 and 2) report information on all activities of the primary government and its component unit. As a general rule, the effect of interfund activity has been eliminated from E: ' these statements. Governmental activities, which normally are supported by taxes and intergovernmental ', ~ revenues, are reported separately from business-type activities, which rely to a significant extent on fees, fines, and charges for services. continued 37