Question: The MD&A for the 2007 City
The MD&A for the 2007 City and County of Denver CAFR is included as Appendix B in this chapter. On the following pages are selected tables from the statistical section of the 2007 CAFR. Use the MD&A and the provided statistical tables to complete this case.
Required
a. What are the two primary governmental activity revenue sources? What percentage of the governmental activities revenue is from each of these sources?
b. Property taxes tend to be a large part of local government tax revenue. Using information from the MD&A and the trend information provided by the statistical tables, discuss whether you believe property tax revenue will be a stable revenue source for Denver in the next two to three years. Your discussion should include any strengths and weaknesses you have found.
c. Denver also appears to rely heavily on sales taxes. Using the information from the MD&A and the trend information from the statistical tables provided, discuss whether you believe sales taxes will be a stable revenue source for Denver in the next two to three years. Your discussion should include any strengths and weaknesses you have found.
1 Public service taxes were reclassed in 2007 from charges for services.
Note: 2005, 2006, and 2007 property taxes include taxes of $28,439,000, $28,725,000, and $28,990,000 for Fire and Police Pension Association. This was previously disclosed in the agency funds.
*The requirement for statistical data is ten years; only six years are available at this time.
Beginning in 2003 data were tracked by NAICS code rather than SIC code and the number of categories was expanded in order to provide more detail when tracking revenues. This change was not done retroactively, so data in 2003 and prior have no corresponding NAICS information for these categories.
The TABOR amendment, which was approved by Colorado voters in 1992, requires all assessors to use only the market approach in valuing residential property. For commercial real property, the income approach is generally the appropriate method to use in estimating value. Under Colorado law, all assessors must reappraise real property every two years; this occurs in every odd-numbered year (2003, 2005, 2007, etc). If home sales have been very active, and home prices have been increasing, then the property value and assessment for many types and styles of homes typically will increase during these reappraisals. Property tax is determined by the mill levy, which is set in December of each year by the taxing authorities in Denver (the school district, city council, special districts, etc.).
1 Net of adjustments based upon the appeals process.
2 Taxes are determined to be uncollectable after six (6) years from the date of becoming delinquent and are cancelled as authorized by C.R.S. 39-10-114(2)(b).
Note: The property tax is certified by the City’s Assessor on or before December 15 of each year, unless there is a special election. Property taxes are due and considered earned on January 1 following the year levied.
The first and second halves become delinquent on March 1 and June 16, respectively.
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Governmental Activities Tax Revenues by Source Last Six Fiscal Years (dollars in thousands-modified accrual basis of accounting) Тахes Facilities development admission tax 2005 $ 9,174 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 $ 7,729 27,340 14,894 41,026 $ 8,181 27,333 15,476 41,191 148,410 14,766 385,361 $ 9,761 S 10,092 $ 7,637 28,036 16,655 Lodgers tax Motor vehicle ownership tax Occupational privilege tax Property tax Public service Sales tax Specific ownership tax Taxicab operators tax Telephone tax Total primary government taxes 32,725 16,815 41,500 212,778 18,666 412,288 43,258 15,884 41,502 217,119 49,651 16,963 139,400 12,526 394,160 40,138 179,826 42,751 227,188 20,578 16,196 381,891 18,890 420,693 455,436 57 58 59 62 60 64 71 31 35 11,074 $778,241 9,376 9,075 $649,88 7,422 $677.895 9,175 $753,183 9,918 5646.579 $832,641 Sales Tax by Category Last Ten Calendar Years (dollars in thousands) 2001 $ 8,819 $ 9,964 $ 10,375 $ 10,682 S 10,699 $ 10,676 18,500 9,641 1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 $ 14,380 $ 15,207 $ 15,179 $ 16,474 16,356 15,845 56,824 20,255 Apparel stores General merchandise 16,433 9,115 17,581 9,917 56,665 17,970 10,234 17,755 9,649 18,077 9,441 16,583 15,420 16,892 16,729 16,209 16,210 Food stores Eating and drinking establishments Home furnishings, electronics and appliances 60,149 Building materials and farm tools Auto dealers and supplies 51,340 58,424 75,208 38,984 75,824 60,022 76,908 40,847 77,657 61,427 65,422 45,944 70,827 62,948 71,162 42,225 71,332 53,763 17,727 35.058 40,394 14,597 21,928 31,124 60,252 21,268 39,353 38,093 13,702 60,097 67,335 36,795 21,543 33,917 35,826 38,350 11,942 24,503 34,033 36,164 44,383 64,332 $381,891 $417,079 $420,693 $420,066 39,322 38,860 13,390 24,598 33,720 37,376 57,267 68,289 Service stations Public utilities Manufacturing Information producers and distributors 25,068 35,808 Other retail stores All other outlets 34,329 28,409 58,179 39,768 25,506 73,075 134,166 128,956 176,840 146,777 112,437 99,500 27,543 77,783 Total $371,206 $395,502 $463,796 $441,097 $394,160 S385,361 City direct sales tax rate 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3,5% 3.5% Assessed Value and Estimated Actual Value of Taxable Property Last Ten Fiscal Years (dollars in thousands) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Vacant property Residential property Commercial property Industrial property Agricultural property oil and gas property Personal property State assessed property $ 84,025 $ 104,289 $ 95,301 $ 107,816 $ 98,117 $ 157,090 $ 141,131 $ 185,080 $ 172,889 $ 198,284 3,583,839 3,107,218 121,464 2,075,084 2,575,404 2,645,155 3,359,931 3,432,857 3,669,393 3,840,654 3.933,051 4,394,658 1,746,816 2,252,828 2,284,608 2,830,244 2,868,476 3,134,198 3,304,533 3,340,741 4,372,532 89,939 102,992 102,015 110,394 109,900 116,022 122,717 120,660 130,130 71 325 332 39 35 77 40 288 49 113 21 1,828 760,173 935 898 761 929 1,043 1,279 650,090 703,529 743,538 705,114 726,988 728,422 728,843 715.287 779,600 403,686 559,155 620,867 715,041 785,876 734,170 743,202 760,124 750,830 784,031 Total taxable assessed value $ 5,049,711 $ 6,298,522 $ 6,491,837 $7,885,466 $ 8,001,310 $ 8,431,744 $ 8,533,169 $ 8,943,168 $ 9,034,550 $10,660,627 Total direct tax rate 80.814 67.299 67.321 58.745 59.855 64.162 64.402 66.202 66.948 66.897 Estimated actual taxable value Assessed value as a $31,562,099 $39,279,855 $40,422,071 $52,321,631 $53,268,701 $61,738,950 $62,867,794 $65,842,159 $66,999,158 $76,813,114 percentage of estimated actual value 16.0% 16.0% 16.1% 15.1% 15.0% 13.7% 13.6% 13.6% 13.5% 13.9% Property Tax Levies and Collections Last Ten Fiscal Years (dollars in thousands) General Fund Total Collections to Date Percentage of Levy Prepaid and Collected In Year Due Prepaid Amounts Collected within the Fiscal Year of the Levy Amount Collected in Collections in Subsequent Years Percentage of Levy Тахes Levied Year Due Amount Cancellations? $57,309 61,167 $58,231 $711 99.64% $91 $120 (178) 1998 $58,140 99,84% 61,472 63,311 1999 61,938 483 99.54 99.25 78 63,456 67,297 69,763 72,151 2000 445 62,549 99.27 317 99.77 66,739 69,204 71,166 2001 574 66,033 67,394 98.97 132 99.17 2002 563 97.41 1,247 (163) (31) (63) 99.20 2003 529 98.63 70,800 72,317 74,192 78,698 n/a 98.86 72,748 74,690 79,268 2004 73,536 462 98.97 98.93 2005 75,646 561 98.82 98.74 79,818 63,216 571 99.31 2006 2007 99.31 437 0.69 Demographic and Economic Statistics Last Ten Calender Years 2000 554,636 2001 564,606 $23,535 $41,684 1998 1999 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Population Personal income (expressed in millions) $17,852 Per capita personal income 501,700 507,500 $19,247 572,526 579,744 562,657 567,431 582,474 592,052 $28,902 $50,193 $21,746 $23,729 $24.239 $25,551 $26.622 n/a $39.208 70,956 3.00% $42,717 72,489 $35,583 $37,925 $42,173 $44.629 $45,920 n/a 72,901 5.60% School enrollment 69,776 72,617 68,893 4.10% 72,437 3.50% 73,018 5.00% 73,873 3.90% 73,399 Unemployment rate 3.10% 5.90% 6.00% 4.30%
> Write T if the corresponding statement is true. If the statement is false, write F and state what changes should be made to make it a true statement. 1. Activities of a general purpose government that provide the basis for GASB’s financial accounting and
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> Amber City borrowed $1,000,000 secured by a 5-year mortgage note. The cash from the note was used to purchase a building for vehicle and equipment maintenance. Show how these two transactions should be recorded in the General Fund and governmental activi
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> What are the three categories of funds prescribed by GASB standards and which fund types are included in each? Do the three fund categories correspond precisely with the three activity categories described in Chapter 2? If not, how do they differ?
> “Governmental and not-for-profit organizations do not differ significantly from for-profit organizations and therefore should follow for-profit accounting and reporting standards.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not?
> The government-wide financial statements for the City of Arborland for a three-year period are presented on the following pages. Additional information follows: Population: Year 2011: 30,420, Year 2010: 28,291, Year 2009: 26,374. Debt limit remained
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> Choose the best answer. 1. Which of the following groups or parties generally has taken the most initiative to evaluate the financial condition of a city? a. Citizens. b. Managers. c. Credit market analysts. d. Legislative and oversight bodies. 2. Which
> The City of Edmond, Oklahoma, uses the Crawford Performeter® as a financial analysis tool and presents the results of this analysis in its Managements’s Discussion and Analysis in the annual audited financial statements. For
> You are a new city council person for the City of Scottsdale, Arizona. You are aware that several cities have been in the news recently for financial crises for which the council or board is being held accountable. The governing bodies have been criticiz
> For the fiscal year 2007, the City and County of Denver, Colorado, had approximately $4.9 billion in bonded debt. You are a senior accountant in the controller’s office of the City and County of Denver and have been asked to make a presentation at the ne
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> What organizations does the governmental reporting entity include? Define primary government. How does a component unit differ from the primary government?
> “Credit or bond analysts are interested only in the financial condition of the government when determining bond ratings.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain.
> Identify some financial indicators or ratios that are designed to measure the short-term financial position of a governmental entity. Why are these measures not as useful in assessing long-term financial or economic condition?
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> Explain how organizational factors, such as management practices and legislative policies, affect a government’s financial condition.
> Explain what assessment can be made from the ratio unrestricted net assets as a percentage of total revenue that cannot be made from the ratio unreserved fund balances as a percentage of total revenues.
> Describe how a taxpayer might assess the financial solvency and viability of a government using government-wide financial statements prepared according to generally accepted accounting principles.
> Describe how citizens can use the financial trend monitoring system (FTMS) of the ICMA to assess the financial condition of their local government.
> The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) describes four types of solvency within the concept of financial condition. Identify each type and explain why each is important to the long-term financial health of a government.
> Which of the following terms best represents a broad concept of financial health encompassing the government’s ability and willingness to meet its financial obligations and commitments to provide services: financial position, financial condition, or econ
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> Describe the fiduciary activities of a state or local government and explain how accounting and financial reporting for fiduciary activities differ from those for governmental and business-type activities.
> The Village of Rodale keeps its governmental fund accounting records on a modified accrual basis. At the end of the fiscal year, the village accountant must convert the modified accrual information to accrual information to allow for preparation of the g
> Following is the governmental activities pre-closing trial balance for the Town of Freaz. Freaz is a relatively small town and, as a result, it has only governmental funds (i. e., it uses no proprietary funds). There are no component units. To complete t
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> Following are descriptions of several relationships between primary governments and other organizations.* Required Using just the information provided, indicate whether you believe the primary government should include the organization as a component un
> What is OCBOA and why would a government choose to use OCBOA rather than GAAP?
> Assuming that a government has governmental, proprietary, and fiduciary funds, identify the nine financial statements that must be prepared for the CAFR.
> Explain the difference between a CAFR and general purpose external financial reports.
> The controller is considering whether a component unit should be presented in the financial statements as a discrete or a blended component unit. What should be considered in making the decision?
> Explain the difference between a primary government and a component unit.
> What is a financial reporting entity and what organizations generally make up a financial reporting entity?
> A city manager was overheard saying, “Since we don’t release them to the public, I don’t see any value in taking the time to prepare interim reports.” Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement.
> What is the difference between a note to the financial statements and required supplementary information?
> What is a special district and why might a government create one or more special districts?
> Describe the governmental activities of a state or local government and identify the measurement focus and basis of accounting used in accounting and financial reporting for these activities.
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> GASB standards require that governments report other postemployment benefits offered to employees. A typical example of such benefits is health care provided to retirees. It is estimated that the unrecorded and unfunded liability related to OPEB is huge.
> Following is a list of fund names and descriptions of funds from comprehensive annual financial reports (CAFRs). Required For each fund, indicate which type of fund should be used to account for the activities and explain why that fund is most appropria
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> If you were trying to assess the financial health of a government administered pension plan, which financial statements or schedules would you review and why?
> Explain the difference between a private-purpose trust and a public-purpose trust. How does the reporting for the two types of trusts differ?
> GASB standards require that investments be reported at fair value. Explain the GASB reporting requirements related to fair value. How do these requirements differ from reporting requirements for corporate entities?
> How does the accounting for an internal investment pool differ from the accounting for an external investment pool?
> What is a “pass-through” agency fund and under what conditions is it appropriate to use such a fund?
> Why do agency funds have no fund equity?
> Must an agency fund be used to account for withholding taxes, retirement contributions, and (if applicable) social security taxes of General Fund employees? Explain.
> Identify the different types of trust funds and explain the purpose of each type.
> Explain the distinction(s) between agency funds and trust funds.
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> What is meant by “segment information for enterprise funds”? When is the disclosure of segment information required?
> Explain the difference between operating revenues/expenses and non-operating revenues/expenses. Why does the GASB require that operating revenues/expenses be reported separately on proprietary statements of revenues, expenses, and changes in fund net ass
> What are regulatory accounting principles and how do they relate to enterprise fund accounting?
> How does the statement of cash flows under GASB standards differ from the statement of cash flows under FASB standards?
> Explain how capitalization of interest costs differs for enterprise funds as opposed to governmental funds.
> What is the purpose of the Restricted Assets section of an enterprise fund statement of fund net assets? Provide examples of items that might be reported in the Restricted Assets section.
> How does GASB reporting of uncollectible accounts for governmental funds and proprietary funds differ from the reporting of uncollectible accounts under FASB standards?
> A member of the city commission insists that the city’s internal service fund prepare and submit a budget for commission approval. The commissioner argues that it is only through the budget that the commissioners will be able to ensure control over the i
> When would a city establish an internal service fund? An enterprise fund?
> Examine the Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s Web site (www.gasb.org) and prepare a brief report about its mission and structure and the representative organizations on its advisory council. Can you get a copy of the full text of a GASB statement
> Explain the reporting requirements for internal service funds and enterprise funds.
> Transaction data related to the City of Chambers’s issuance of serial bonds to finance street and park improvements follow. Utilizing worksheets formatted as shown at the end of the problem, prepare all necessary journal entries for the
> Following are transaction data for a term bonds issue for the City of Nevin. Prepare all necessary entries for these transactions in the city’s funds, and governmental activities journal at the government-wide level. a. On July 1, 2010, the first day of
