2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

“Measurable” means the amount of the transaction can be determined and “available” means collectible within the current period or soon enough thereafter to pay liabilities of the current period. The City considers sales taxes and state-shared revenues and reimbursements to be available if they are collected within 90 days after year-end and ad valorem taxes and profit distributions from the ABC Board to be available if collected within 60 days after year-end. Certain intergovernmental revenues, licenses and permits, fines and forfeitures, and charges for current services are recognized when cash is received, unless they are subject to deferral to a future period. Expenditures are generally recognized under the modified accrual basis of accounting when the related fund liability is incurred. Exceptions to this general rule include accumulated unpaid sick pay which is not accrued and debt service on general long-term debt and claims and judgments which are recognized when the liability is normally expected to be liquidated with available financial resources. Only current assets and current liabilities are generally included on the balance sheets of the governmental funds. Operating statements present increases (revenues and other financing sources) and decreases (expenditures and other financing uses) in net current position. Accordingly, the reported fund balance presents a summary of sources and uses of “available spendable resources” during a period. Since the governmental fund statements are presented on a different measurement focus and basis of accounting than the governmental activities column in the government-wide statements, a reconciliation is presented on the page following each statement, which briefly explains the adjustments necessary to transform the fund-based financial statements into the governmental activities column of the government-wide presentation. Proprietary funds distinguish operating revenues and expenses from non-operating items. It is the City’s policy that operating revenues and expenses generally result from providing services and producing and delivering goods in connection with a proprietary fund’s principal ongoing operations. The principal operating revenues of the Enterprise Funds and of the government’s Internal Service Funds are charges to customers for sales and services. Operating expenses for Enterprise Funds and Internal Service Funds include the cost of sales and services, administrative expenses, claims payments, and depreciation on capital assets. All revenues and expenses not meeting this definition are reported as non-operating revenues and expenses. The government reports the following major governmental funds: General Fund - The General Fund is the primary operating fund of the City. It is used to account for all financial resources of the general government, except those required to be accounted for in another fund. Debt Service Fund - The Debt Service Fund is used to account for and report financial resources that are restricted, committed or assigned to the accumulation of resources for, and the payment of, general long-term debt principal, interest and related costs. The government reports the following major proprietary funds: Enterprise Funds - Enterprise Funds account for operations that are financed and operated in a manner similar to private business enterprises where the intent of the governing body is that the costs of providing goods or services to the general public on a continuing basis be financed or recovered primarily through user charges; or where the governing body has decided that periodic determination of revenues earned, expenses incurred, and net income is appropriate for capital maintenance, public policy, management control, accountability or other purposes. The Water Resources Fund provides water and sewer services to more than 105,000 customers and is designed to be self- supporting. This fund also provides for principal and interest on all water and sewer debt. Outstanding Combined Enterprise System revenue bonds are recorded in this fund. The Stormwater Management Fund was established to account for the federally mandated program of stormwater system management, which is supported by a City-wide stormwater fee. The Coliseum Fund administers operations of a complex that brings top artists in entertainment, education, and sports to the City. The Coliseum Fund operation supports debt service on the financing agreements for energy improvements at the facility as well as the bonds issued for the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. The Performing Arts Operating Fund as well as the Performing Arts Center Capital Project Fund are included in the Coliseum Fund. The Solid Waste Management Fund accounts for waste disposal and recycling operations of the City, as well as solid waste landfill improvements. Outstanding special obligation bonds are recorded and supported in this fund.

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