Resolution No. 5176 - Laserfiche WebLink

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GAAP requires that management provide a narrative introduction, overview, and analysis to accompany the Basic Financial Statements in the form of Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). This letter of transmittal is designed to complement the MD&A and should be read in conjunction with it. The City’s MD&A can be found immediately following the independent auditor’s report on the basic financial statements. City Overview The City of Eugene was incorporated in 1862, and the citizens adopted the Council/Manager form of government in 1944. The City Council develops legislation and policies to direct the City organization, and hires a professional manager (the City Manager) to oversee City of Eugene personnel and operations. The Mayor is elected at-large to a four-year term and acts as the formal representative of the City and presides over City Council meetings. The City Council has eight members elected by ward to four-year terms, with one-half of the council elected every two years. As of July 1, 2015, 163,400 people resided within Eugene’s municipal boundaries, making it Oregon’s second largest city. City boundaries encompassed 44 square miles in Lane County. The Willamette River runs through the heart of the City and the McKenzie River joins the Willamette to the north of the City. Eugene is the center of government and education including County, State and Federal government agencies, and is home to the University of Oregon. Over the last ten years, Eugene’s population has increased on average by 1.1% annually. The City provides a full range of municipal services. These services include police, fire, emergency medical services, municipal court, community planning and development, parks and open space, library, recreational and cultural activities, airport, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, general public works and administration, along with other functions associated with a full-service municipal government. These services are provided primarily to citizens who live within the corporate limits. However, many of the services and facilities operated by the City are provided for and financed by regional service areas larger than the City. As allowed by state statutes, the City levies a property tax on real and personal property located within its boundaries. For financial reporting purposes, the City includes all funds subject to appropriation by the City Council. In addition, the City includes all governmental organizations and activities for which the City Council is financially accountable. The City Council also serves as the Urban Renewal Agency Board. Therefore, the financial statements of the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene, although legally separate, have been combined with those of the City proper by including them in the appropriate statements and schedules in this report. For financial planning and control, the City prepares and adopts an annual budget in accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes 294.305 through 294.565. Local government budgeting in Oregon is a joint effort between the people affected by the budget and the appointed and elected officials responsible for adopting the budget. Elected and appointed officials determine the allocation of resources among the service areas. The State of Oregon Department of Revenue ensures that the budget is prepared according to the Oregon Local Budget Law. Citizens provide input to advocate for funding for programs they want and need. To give the public ample opportunity to participate in the budgeting process, local budget law requires that a Budget Officer be appointed and a Budget Committee be formed. The Budget Officer draws together necessary information and prepares the first draft of the budget. The City Manager serves as the Budget Officer. The Budget Committee then reviews and revises the proposed budget before making its recommendations to the City Council. Notices are published, budgets are made available for review, and at least two public hearings are held one hearing is held before the Budget Committee, which is composed of the eight City Councilors and eight appointed citizen members, and one hearing is held before the City Council. Additionally, opportunities for public testimony are provided at many Budget Committee meetings. These requirements encourage public participation in the budget-making process and give public exposure to budgeted programs and fiscal policies before the City Council adopts the budget. The legally adopted budget is at the fund and department level for operating expenditures, with separate appropriations established for capital projects, debt service, interfund transfers, and special payments. Budgetary al comparisons are provided in this controls are administered internally at a more restrictive level. Budget-to-actu report for each individual fund for which an appropriated annual budget has been adopted. For the General Fund and the Community Development Fund, this comparison is presented as required supplementary information in this report. For all other funds, this comparison is presented as other supplementary information. 2