NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

M. Fund Equity

Fund equity at the governmental fund financial reporting level is classified as “fund balance” Fund equity for all other reporting is classified as “net position”

Fund Balance – Generally, fund balance represents the difference between the assets and liabilities under the current financial resources measurement focus of accounting. In the fund financial statements, governmental funds report fund balance classifications that comprise a hierarchy based primarily on the extent to which the City is bound to honor constraints on the specific purposes for which amounts in those funds can be spent. Fund balances are classified as follows:

• Nonspendable – Fund balances are reported as nonspendable when amounts cannot be spent because they are either: a) not in spendable form (i.e., items that are not expected to be converted to cash), or b) legally or contractually required to be maintained intact.

• Restricted – Fund balances are reported as restricted when there are limitations imposed on their use either through the enabling legislation adopted by the City or through external restrictions imposed by creditors, grantors or laws or regulations of other governments.

• Committed – Fund balances are reported as committed when they can be used only for specific purposes pursuant to constraints imposed by formal action of the City Council through the adoption of a resolution. Only the City Council may modify or rescind the commitment.

• Assigned – Fund balances are reported as assigned when amounts are constrained by the City’s intent to be used for specific purposes, but are neither restricted nor committed. Through resolution, the City Council has authorized the City Manager or the City’s Finance Director to assign fund balances.

• Unassigned – Fund balances are reported as unassigned when the balances do not meet any of the above criterion. The City reports positive unassigned fund balance only in the General Fund. Negative unassigned fund balances may be reported in all funds.

Flow Assumptions – When both restricted and unrestricted amounts of fund balance are available for use for expenditures incurred, it is the City’s policy to use restricted amounts first and then unrestricted amounts as they are needed. For unrestricted amounts of fund balance, it is the City’s policy to use fund balance in the following order:

• Committed

• Assigned

• Unassigned

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

M. Fund Equity (Continued)

Net Position – Net position represents the difference between assets and liabilities in reporting which utilizes the economic resources measurement focus. The net investment in capital assets consists of capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation, reduced by the outstanding balances of any borrowing used (i.e., the amount that the City has spent) for the acquisition, construction or improvem ent of those assets. Net position is reported as restricted using the same definition as used for restricted fund balance as described in the section above. All other net position is reported as unrestricted.

The City applies restricted resources first when an expense is incurred for purposes for which both restricted and unrestricted net position are available.

N. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

O. Pension

For purposes of measuring the net pension liability, deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources related to pensions, and pension expense, information about the fiduciary net position of the City of Fayetteville Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) and additions to/deductions from the Plan's fiduciary net position have been determined on the same basis as they are reported by the Plan. For this purpose, benefit payments (including refunds of employee contributions) are recognized when due and payable in accordance with the benefit terms. Investments are reported at fair value.

P. Tax Abatement Agreements

During the year ended July 31, 2017, the City implemented GASB Statement No. 77, Tax Abatement Disclosures. This statement requires the City to disclose information for any tax abatement agreements either entered into by the City, or agreements entered into by other governments that reduce the City’s tax revenues.

NOTE 2. RECONCILIATION OF GOVERNMENT-WIDE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A. Explanation of Certain Differences between the Governmental Fund Balance Sheet and the Government-wide Statement of Net Position

The governmental fund balance sheet includes a reconciliation between fund balance – total governmental funds and net position – governmental activities as reported in the government-wide statement of net position. One element of that reconciliation explains that “Long-term liabilities are not due and payable in the current period and, therefore, are not reported in the funds.” The details of this difference are as follows:

B. Explanation of Certain Differences between the Governmental Fund Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances and the Government-wide Statement of Activities

The governmental fund statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balances includes a reconciliation between net changes in fund balances – total governmental funds and changes in net position of governmental activities as reported in the government-wide statement of activities. One element of that reconciliation explains that “Governmental funds report capital outlays as expenditures. However, in the statement of activities, the cost of those assets is allocated over their useful lives and reported as depreciation expense.” The details of this difference are as follows:

NOTE 2. RECONCILIATION OF GOVERNMENT-WIDE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

B. Explanation of Certain Differences between the Governmental Fund Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances and the Government-wide Statement of Activities (Continued)

Another element of the reconciliation states that “The issuance of long-term debt (e.g., bonds, leases) provides current financial resources to governmental funds, while the repayment of the principal of long-term debt consumes the current financial resources of governmental funds. Neither transaction, however, has any effect on net position. Also, governmental funds report the effect of premiums, discounts, and similar items when debt is first issued, whereas these amounts are deferred and amortized in the statement of activities.” The details of this difference are as follows:

Another element of that reconciliation states that “Some expenses reported in the statement of activities do not require the use of current financial resources and, therefore, are not reported as expenditures in governmental funds.” The details of this difference are as follows:

NOTE 3. STEWARDSHIP, COMPLIANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Budgetary Data. Budgets are adopted on a basis consistent with generally accepted accounting principles for the General Fund, special revenue funds and capital projects funds. Enterprise fund budgets are prepared and utilized as a management tool to assess the operations of the enterprise funds. All annual appropriations lapse at fiscal year-end Prior to July 31, the Director of Finance with the City Manager receives budget requests from the various departments and their department chairmen. A budget is then formulated which the City Manager and Mayor present to full Council sixty (60) days prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. After review by full Council, the budget is published for public hearing. A public hearing is held and the budget is legally adopted by the City Council on the second Council meeting in July before the new year begins on August 1. The legal level of budgetary control is the department level.

The appropriated budget is prepared by fund, function, and department. Transfers of appropriations within a department budget or within a non-departmental expenditure category can be authorized by the Director of Finance, except expenditures for additional personnel. Increases in appropriations in a departmental budget or in a non-departmental expenditure category, as well as increases in appropriations for employing additional personnel, require approval of the governing body in the form of amendments to the budget resolution. The Council made several immaterial supplemental budgetary appropriations throughout the year.

Encumbrance accounting is employed in governmental funds. Encumbrances (e.g., purchase orders, contracts) outstanding at year-end are reported as assignments or commitments of fund balances, as appropriate, and do not constitute expenditures or liabilities because the commitments will be reappropriated and honored during the subsequent year. At July 31, 2020, there were no outstanding encumbrances.

NOTE 4. DEPOSITS AND INVESTMENTS

Credit Risk. State statutes authorize the City to invest in obligations of the State of Georgia or other states; obligations issued by the U.S. government; obligations fully insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government or by a government agency of the United States; obligations of any corporation of the U.S. government; prime bankers’ acceptances; the local government investment pool established by state law; repurchase agreements; and obligations of other political subdivisions of the State of Georgia. The City has no formal credit risk policy other than to only invest in obligations authorized by the State of Georgia. As of July 31, 2020, the City’s investment in Georgia Fund 1 was rated AAAf by Standard & Poor’s and is valued at fair market value.

NOTE 4. DEPOSITS AND INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

At July 31, 2020, the City had the following investments:

Interest Rate Risk. The City does not have a formal investment policy that limits investment maturities as a means of managing its exposure to fair value losses arising from increasing interest rates.

Fair Value Measurements. The City categorizes its fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy established by generally accepted accounting principles. The hierarchy is based on the valuation inputs used to measure the fair value of the asset. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets; Level 2 inputs are significant other observable inputs; and Level 3 inputs are significant unobservable inputs.

The Georgia Fund 1 is an investment pool which does not meet the criteria of GASB Statement No. 79, and, is thus valued at fair value in accordance with GASB Statement No. 31. As a result, the City does not disclose investment in the Georgia Fund 1 within the fair value hierarchy.

Custodial Credit Risk – Deposits. Custodial credit risk for deposits is the risk that, in the event of the failure of a depository financial institution, a government will not be able to recover deposits or will not be able to recover collateral securities that are in the possession of an outside party. State statutes require all deposits and investments (other than federal or state government instruments) to be collateralized by depository insurance, obligations of the U.S. government, or bonds of public authorities, counties, or municipalities. As of July 31, 2020, all of the deposits for the City were fully collateralized in accordance with the state statutes.

NOTE 5. RECEIVABLES

Receivables at July 31, 2020 for the City’s individual major funds and nonmajor funds in the aggregate, including the applicable allowances for uncollectible accounts are as follows:

NOTE 6. PROPERTY TAXES

The City receives its property tax revenue from Fayette County, which assesses, levies, and collects the taxes, including real and personal property, mobile homes, and motor vehicles. Tax bills were levied to taxpayers on September 15, 2019, and were due and payable on November 15, 2019. All unpaid taxes became delinquent as of November 16, 2019 Property taxes attached as an enforceable lien on property as of January 15, 2020. Receivables are recorded when taxes are levied.