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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5D - Building Fund 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 STAFF AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: JUNE 7, 2004 5D RALPH TESCHNER, FINANCE DIRECTOR CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GENERAL FUND TRANSFER TO THE BUILDING FUND DISCUSSION: The General Fund balance for the City increased by $248,781 to $4,088,907 during the past year as indicated in the 2003 City of Prior Lake Financial Report. This fund balance represents a net increase and takes into account the $1 million dollars in transfers authorized by the Council at mid-year in 2003. In accordance with the City's Council's previous direction, we are requesting specific designation of these funds. History The City Council has a standing resolution that supports a working capital designation or General Fund reserve of 30% of the current year's Operating Budget, based upon the availability of sufficient funds. Any remaining portion is to be allocated by the Council as unreserved fund balance. Each year the Council is to review these amounts for the purpose of allocating them on an as needed basis. The existing audited General Fund balance represents a reserve of 47% of the City's 2004 operating budget. Current Circumstances As indicated in the Management Letter the Minnesota Office of the State Auditor has classified cities unreserved fund balance levels into the following four categories: [:::~~~~~~:~y::~:?~:::::::::I:::::::::9?~~i.::~:9:?i.:::::::::] I......!:.?~..........................................L...............~}...=..~.~.~.............1 t~w.~~~!h!i.d::::::::::~j:::~~~=:1 !.....~~~~........................................L...........??....=...~gg.:.:.~.............! I~~~~~&~;:~~:.::J:~~~~~H~~:::::::::I It appears from the classification descriptions that the State Auditor's Office is taking the position that an appropriate fund balance should be in the range of 35 to 50%. In an effort to stay within this guideline and to provide adequate funding for future city police station/city hall construction, a 250,000 dollar transfer from the General Fund to the Building Fund is recommended. Continuing www.cityofpriorlake.com H: \A UDIT\Agendal004transfer. doc Phone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245 ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDA TION: RECOMMENDED MOTION: REVIEWED BY: Attachments: H: \AUDIT\Agenda2004transfer.doc allocations in the future would allow for the issuance of lower lease purchase bonds, thereby minimizing the impact upon property taxes. A synopsis of the proposed utilization of the City's General Fund balance would look like this: General Fund Balance 1/1/04 less Building Fund transfer... Remaining General Fund Balance $4,088,907.00 <$250,000.00> $3,838,907.00 This transfer would leave our General Fund balance at $3.8 million dollars. This amount would still represent a reserve of 44% that is comparable to the auditor's recommendation of 40-50% and favorable to the present City Council minimum annual objective of 30%. The following alternatives are available to the City Council: 1. Approve A Resolution Authorizing General Fund Transfer to the Building Fund. 2. Approve an amount for specific expenditures or fund reserves as identified by the Council. 3. Maintain 100% of the excess reserves within the existing General Fund balance. Staff would recommend Alternative #1. The remaining fund balance would still be above the established minimum 30% threshold. Staff believes the use is consistent with the City's overall strategic plan and does not compromise our financial strength to an extent that our Al credit rating would be jeopardized. Motion and a second to approve A Resolution Authorizing General Fund Transfer to the ~ ilding Fund. q Authorizing General Fund Transfer to the 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 RESOLUTION 04-xx RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GENERAL FUND TRANSFER TO THE BUILDING FUND MOTION BY: SECOND BY: WHEREAS, The City of Prior Lake's General Fund balance on December 31,2003 increased by $248,781.00 to an amount of $4,088,907.00; and WHEREAS, The General Fund balance represents a reserve of 47% of the City of Prior Lake's current 2004 operating budget; and WHEREAS, It is the decision of the City Council to review, on an annual basis, the availability of such reserves and to allocate these funds in a manner that would best serve the community on a long term basis; and WHEREAS, It is recognized by the City Council that it is in the best interest of the City to maintain a strong General Fund reserve as financial protection for unexpected emergencies and expenditures that would require contingency funding. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE that: 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein. 2. The following appropriation transfer from the General Fund balance is hereby authorized as follows: Purpose Fund Transfer Amount Reserve capital for new city hall/police facility Building Fund $250,000.00 Passed and adopted this 7th day of June 2004. YES NO Haugen Blomberg LeMair Petersen Zieska Haugen Blomberg LeMair Petersen Zieska {Seal} City Manager City of Prior Lake www.cityofpriorlake.com H: \AUDIT\Res2004transfer. doc Phone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245