2002 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

Home Browse Search

CITY OF SOUTH BEND NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) The park and recreation fund is used to account for the operation of the City park system. Financing is provided by a specific annual property tax levy to the extent that user fees and mis- cellaneous revenues are insufficient to provide such financing. The government reports the following major proprietary funds: The water utility fund accounts for the operation of the government's water distribution system. The wastewater utility fund accounts for the operation of the government's wastewater treatment plant, pumping stations and collection systems. The Century Center accounts for the operation and maintenance of the City's convention center. Financing is received from various rental agreements and a subsidy from the St. Joseph County's Special Funds Board of Managers. Additionally, the government reports the following fund types: The internal service funds account for liability coverage, employee medical coverage, and central services such as fuel, vehicle repairs and various supplies provided to other departments on a cost-reimbursement basis. The pension trust funds account for the activities of the 1925 police and 1937 fire pension funds which accumulate resources for pension benefit payments. The private-purpose trust fund reports a trust arrangement under which income benefits cemetery maintenance. Agency funds account for assets held by the government as an agent for employee payroll, pen- sion, and payroll deductions. Private-sector standards of accounting and financial reporting issued prior to December 1, 1989, generally are followed in both the government-wide and proprietary fund financial statements to the extent that those standards do not conflict with or contradict guidance of the Governmental Account- ing Standards Board. Governments also have the option of following subsequent private-sector guidance for their business-type activities and enterprise funds, subject to this same limitation. The government has elected not to follow subsequent private-sector guidance. As a general rule, the effect of interfund activity has been eliminated from the government-wide financial statements. Exceptions to this general rule are payments-in-lieu of taxes and payments of administrative costs. Elimination of these charges would distort the direct costs and program reve- nues reported for the various functions concerned. Amounts reported as program revenues include (1) charges to customers or applicants for goods, services or privileges provided, (2) operating grants and contributions, and (3) capital grants and contributions. Internally dedicated resources are reported as general revenues rather than as pro- gram revenues. Likewise, general revenues include all taxes. 30