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Resolution 1556RESOLUTION NO. 1556 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING EDMONDS FINANCIAL POLICY AS ATTACHED HERETO AND REPEALING RESOLUTION 1433 WHICH ADOPTED A FUND BALANCE RESERVE POLICY. WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds is committed to the highest standards of responsible financial management; and WHEREAS, the city council finance committee reviewed the attached financial policies at the June 11, 2024 and at the July 16, 2024 finance committee meetings; and WHEREAS, the city council reviewed the attached financial policies at the August 6, 2024 regular business meeting; and WHEREAS, best practice shows that finance related policies should be formally adopted by resolution; and WHEREAS, the attached financial policies contain a fund balance reserve policy; and WHEREAS, the city's previous fund balance reserve policy will no longer be needed with the adoption of the attached policies; now therefore, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. ADOPT THE CITY OF EDMONDS FINANCIAL POLICY. The city council hereby adopts the City of Edmonds Financial Policy to read as set forth in Attachment A, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference as if set forth in full. Section 2. REPEAL OF RESOLUTION 1433. The city council hereby repeals Resolution 1433, which had adopted the city's previous fund balance reserve policy. RESOLVED this 101h day of September, 2024. CITY OF EDMONDS MAY IKE ROSEN ATTEST: CLERK, S� PASSEY FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: RESOLUTION NO. September 6, 2024 September 10, 2024 1556 City of Edmonds Washington - Financial Policy Framework Contents Financial Renortine Policv.............................................................................................................................4 AnnualFinancial Reports...........................................................................................................................4 InterimFinancial Reports..........................................................................................................................4 Mid -year Financial Review........................................................................................................................5 FundBalance Reserve Policy.........................................................................................................................5 Introduction...............................................................................................................................................5 Goals of the Fund Balance Reserve Policy.................................................................................................6 FundBalance Reserve Policy.....................................................................................................................6 Objectives.................................................................................................................................................6 Factors that Influence the Appropriate Size of Reserves..........................................................................6 Reserve Levels for City Major Operating Funds........................................................................................7 Utilization of Fund Balances or Reserves..................................................................................................7 Fund Balance and Reserve Replenishment...............................................................................................8 InterfundLoan Policy....................................................................................................................................8 LongTerm Interfund Loans.......................................................................................................................8 Short -Term Debt Policies...........................................................................................................................9 BudgetPolicy.................................................................................................................................................9 Purpose.....................................................................................................................................................9 References................................................................................................................................................. 9 OperatingBudget Policy............................................................................................................................9 LongRange Financial Strategy.................................................................................................................11 RevenuePolicy........................................................................................................................................11 ExpenditurePolicy...................................................................................................................................12 Glossary.......................................................................................................................................................12 3 Financial Reporting Policy Annual Financial Reports The City shall use the Washington State Auditor's Office (SAO) guidance to publish an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and the SAO's current Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting Systems (BARS) manual. Such report shall be prepared and submitted to the SAO within the timelines prescribed by the BARS manual (currently May 30 of each year). The City shall schedule an audit of the report on a timely basis (no later than mid -year, depending on the SAO's availability to complete the audit). The report shall be published on the City's web page once submitted to the SAO and marked "unaudited" until such time as the annual audit is complete. Once the audit is complete an "exit conference" shall be conducted with City leadership and City Council shall be invited to attend the exit conference with SAO personnel. Once the exit conference occurs, the final, audited ACFR shall be posted on the City's website and marked "audited". Interim Financial Reports Interim financial reports of all funds of the City shall be presented to the Council Finance Committee (Committee) each month on a timely basis (preferably in the month following the month subject to the report). Such reports shall: 1. Identify any issues or items of note on the cover page 2. Provide the beginning fund balance, revenues, expenditures and ending fund balance on a modified accrual basis for all funds of the City. a. For purposes of the proprietary funds, fund balance shall be the working capital (current assets minus current liabilities). b. For purposes of the governmental funds, fund balance shall begin with the published ending fund balance from the prior fiscal year (including accruals but not reversal entries (aka: period zero) so as to approximate modified accrual). 3. Provide the unreserved and reserved cash balances for all City funds. 4. Indicate any interfund borrowing necessary to maintain positive cash balances in a manner consistent with the City's interfund loan policy. 5. Year-to-date status of all major fund revenue and expenditures of the City (major funds are those where expenditures represent at least 10 percent of the City's total expenditures). a. Such information shall be presented in both numeric and graphic form and illustrate a comparison with monthly forecast expectations. b. All departments of the City's General Fund and Enterprise Funds shall be presented in like manner. 6. A cash -flow report for the General Fund illustrating anticipated receipts and disbursements for each future month and the actual receipts and disbursements for past months. 7. Project reports shall be presented on major projects (both operating and capital projects) previously identified by the Committee. 8. Investment balances along with year-to-date interest earnings. Mid -year Financial Review A review of City financial highlights shall occur approximately in the middle of the City's fiscal year. Such a review shall be provided to the full City Council and shall include: 1. A review of the prior year's audit including: a. Any findings or management letters presented to the City by the SAO, b. The Audit Opinions provided to the City by the SAO, c. Any changes or adjustments made to the published, unaudited financial reports made due to audit. 2. A review of the current biennial budget to date including: a. Any updates to beginning fund balances as a result of audit, b. Biennium -to -date budgetary performance of major revenues and expenditures compared to expectations including any resulting budget amendment recommendations. (For example, if revenues are below expectations a recommendation could be made to adjust budget authority). c. The status of any interfund loans consistent with the City's Interfund Loan Policy. 3. A preview of the future budgetary expectations. a. In an odd -numbered year, the preview will focus on the upcoming mid -biennium review. b. In an even -numbered year, the preview will focus on the upcoming biennial budget process. c. The preview will include: i. Expectations for revenue trends and the underlying issues that influence the expectations. If changes to rates or fees are anticipated, they shall be part of this discussion. ii. Expectations for expenditures in the coming fiscal period and the underlying issues influencing these expectations. iii. A draft calendar for the upcoming process (either mid -biennium review or biennial budget process). iv. An update to the long-range financial plan as appropriate along with relevant assumptions. Fund Balance Reserve Policy Introduction The overall objective of Fund Balance Reserve Policy is to define that portion of fund balance that is unavailable to support the current budget. In many ways, fund balance represents working capital, which can either be used as a liquidity reserve or for spending in future years. A comprehensive fund balance reserve policy provides guidelines for the major funds of the City of Edmonds and provides a structured approach in setting reserve levels in specifically designated funds. It is financially prudent for Edmonds to retain a modest level of unrestricted/uncommitted working capital in addition to explicitly defined reserve levels identified in this policy to address unforeseen expenditure needs each budget cycle. This Fund Balance/Reserve Management Policy is intended to guide prudent use of resources to provide for services to taxpayers and to maintain sound management policies. It is essential 5 that governments maintain adequate levels of fund balance reserves to mitigate risks and provide a back-up for unanticipated revenue shortfalls or expenditures. Goals of the Fund Balance Reserve Policy The goals of this Fund Reserve Policy are to provide clear guidance for the appropriate level of Fund Balance Reserve for our city; set reporting and monitoring requirements, define the appropriate triggering warning mechanism when approaching reserve usage, set Council approval before the Restricted Reserve can be used, define replenishment timeline and requirements, and that uncommitted fund balances should not be spent down to the ceiling of the General Fund reserve level. Fund Balance Reserve Policy It is the policy of the City of Edmonds to provide for the continuity of City government by planning ahead for economic uncertainties and unforeseen or unplanned major expenditures. This policy establishes reserve fund balance accounts that will provide funding for emergencies, economic uncertainties and for unanticipated operating expenses or revenue shortfalls. In addition, this policy incorporates the provisions of Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement (GASB) no. 54, Fund Balance Reporting and Governmental Fund Type Definitions. Objectives The purpose of this Fund Balance Reserve Policy is to assist the City in the pursuit of the following equally important objectives: 1. Build adequate reserves which will provide the City the resources necessary for financial stabilization, particularly during times of unforeseen emergencies and economic downturns. 2. Establish sound fiscal reserve policies that will serve as the foundation for ensuring that strong fiscal management policies guide future City decisions. 3. Provide prudent guidelines regarding the establishment, use and replenishment of City committed or assigned fund balances reserves. 4. Establish a process for periodic reporting and review of the City's various fund balances (reserves); and 5. Enhance the City's credit ratings received from rating institutions through the establishment of clearly delineated Fund/Reserve policies that promote strong fiscal management. 6. Establish reserve policies that are in full compliance with GASB 54 financial reporting requirements. that prioritize the City's core services. Factors that Influence the Appropriate Size of Reserves Volatility - The predictability and/or the volatility of its revenues or its expenditures (i.e., higher levels of fund balance reserves may be needed if significant revenue sources are subject to unpredictable fluctuations or if operating expenditures are highly volatile). Operating Fund Size - The overall size of the fund's budgetary events should be taken into consideration in setting the required fund balance reserve level and type for a particular fund. Reserves as a Risk Management Tool — Reserve levels can vary if there are significant or perceived exposure to one-time outlays (e.g., disasters, immediate capital needs, or are there potential drains upon fund resources from other funds, or conversely, are there potential reductions in funding transfers from other funds)? Bond Ratings - The potential impact on the entity's bond ratings and the corresponding increased cost of borrowed funds. Reserve Levels for City Major Operating Funds General Fund —The General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance is set at 16% of annual operating expenditures as portrayed by the City's adopted budget. Contingent Reserve Fund (consistent with RCW 35A.33.145) —The Contingent Reserve Fund's purpose is to serve solely as an unassigned fund balance which shall be equal to 4% of the annual General Fund operating budget expenditures. Water Utility Fund —The budgeted Working Capital Balance is set at 20% of annual operating budget expenditures. Sewer / Wastewater Treatment Plan Fund - The budgeted Working Capital Balance is set at 20% of annual operating budget expenditures. Stormwater Utility Fund —The budgeted Working Capital Balance is set at 20% of annual operating budget expenditures. Utilization of Fund Balances or Reserves The Mayor has the power to declare a fiscal emergency based upon one of the following: 1) A natural catastrophe. 2) An immediate threat to health and public safety; or 3) A significant decline in General Fund revenues. Or 4) Unexpected expenditures that outpaced General Fund revenue. Council shall be notified of any fiscal emergency declared by the Mayor within 30 days of such declaration. The fiscal emergency declared by the Mayor must be approved by a simple majority of the City Council in a timely fashion. Note: if the mayor is unable to act or refuses to act to declare a fiscal emergency when any one of these conditions are present, City Council may declare a fiscal emergency by a simple majority vote. Uses of Fund Balances or Reserves stipulated as minimum balances by this policy shall have occurred when expenditures are authorized via an appropriation of the council. Incidental use of available fund balances (Governmental Funds) or reserves (Enterprise Funds) for incidental cash - flow shall not constitute a "utilization of Fund Balances or Reserves' under this. Incidental use shall not exceed $5 million or be for more than 60 days without prior council approval. Limitations of Fund Balance or Reserve Fund Use Any use of the fund balances or reserves below the stipulated policy levels shall be only in cases of fiscal emergency and shall not be used to augment ongoing budgetary/operating spending increases. Fund Balances or Reserves above the stipulated policy levels may also be used for one-time non -reoccurring expenditures and/or capital projects (operations and maintenance shall not be included), consistent with the Budget Policy as submitted by the Mayor and approved by the Council. The amount of funds to be withdrawn from this committed fund balance reserve shall be determined by the Mayor subject to City Council approval. In his/her presentation to the Council, the Mayor or his/her designee shall include a detailed list of how the funds will be applied. A simple majority vote of the Council shall be required to approve the amount and use of funds. Fund Balance and Reserve Replenishment In the event of use of any of the stipulated Fund Balances or Reserves has occurred, the Mayor shall present to the City Council an annual Replenishment Plan within 60 days, as well as an element of each monthly interim financial report until the stipulated balances are restored. The monthly interim financial report shall clearly present the amount that any Fund Balance or Reserve accounts are below the levels stipulated by this policy. The initial Replenishment Report must include the following information: 1) Amount of Reserves used; 2) Whether it is anticipated additional Reserves will be needed in the following budget cycle, and 3)A plan and timeline for replenishing the Reserve to policy mandated levels. Interfund Loan Policy Long Term Interfund Loans The City may issue interfund loans rather than outside debt instruments as a means of financing for any municipal purpose. Interfund loans will be permitted only if an analysis of the affected accounting fund indicates excess funds (e.g. cash and investments) are available and the use of these funds will not impact the fund's anticipated operations. All long-term interfund borrowing will be subject to prior approval by the City Council and will bear interest based upon rates of the Local Government Investment Pool of the Washington State Treasurer's Office (the Pool). Upon consideration of a request to Council to authorize an interfund loan, the request shall include an estimate as to the anticipated length of the loan. The decision to use interfund loans rather than outside debt will be based on which is deemed to be the most cost effective approach to meet municipal needs. Such assessment shall include an assessment as to the ability of the lending fund to provide such resources without an impact on its operations and Er' should be reviewed by the City's municipal advisor who shall provide an objective analysis and recommendation to the City Council prior to their consideration of such a loan. Short -Term Debt Policies Short-term debt is defined as a period of one year or less. The City may use short-term debt to cover temporary cash flow shortages, which may be caused by a delay in receipt of tax revenues or issuing long-term debt. The City will not use short-term debt as a substitute for revenues to finance current operations. All interfund short-term borrowing will be reported in the monthly financial reports of the City in accordance with the Interim Financial Reports Policy and will bear interest based upon prevailing rates of the Pool. Council reserves the right to reverse the use of short-term interfund loans at its discretion. Use of short-term, interfund borrowing for temporary cash flow shortages do not, in and of itself constitute a use of Fund Balances or Reserves under that policy. Budget Policy Purpose The purpose of the budget policy for the City of Edmonds is to establish a robust financial foundation that supports the continuation of essential municipal services while ensuring the social welfare and upkeep of the city's physical infrastructure. This policy aims to fortify the city's resilience against local and regional economic challenges, enabling it to adapt to evolving service demands and other community -related changes. By maintaining a high investment grade credit rating, the city government aims to instill confidence in taxpayers regarding the fiscal health and stability of Edmonds. Furthermore, the budget policy seeks to address the needs of: • Current and future generations within the Edmonds community, • Those in our community who are less able to be proactively involved in shaping government policy while, • emphasizing a forward -looking approach to financial planning and resource allocation. This policy shall apply to all City funds. References • GFOA Best Practices Adopting Financial Policies • SAO Top 12 most important financial policies • MRSC Financial Policies Overview Operating Budget Policy The operating budget serves as the cornerstone of the City of Edmonds' financial strategy, embodying a comprehensive two-year plan that aligns with the city's priorities as approved by the City Council to deliver essential services. Developed biennially, this budget framework encapsulates the municipality's vision and commitment to meeting the needs of its residents. 9 The budget policy helps to ensure transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in fiscal management. 1. The goals of the budget process are to: o Align the budget with adopted priorities of the City Council, o Measure progress towards priorities, o Get the best value for each tax dollar, and o Foster continuous learning in the City. 2. The operating budget should reflect sustainable levels of service. a. The city's operating budget will not use one-time resources for on -going operations without a clear source for future support of the operations. b. "One-time" expenses require specific authority to be carried forward into subsequent budgets (i.e. no automatic "roll-over" of appropriations). 3. Revenues and expenditures for the General Fund and all major operating funds shall be projected for the current biennium and the ensuing four years. a. Such projections shall be supported by documentation of assumptions used to develop the forecasts. b. Alternative forecasts may be presented. 4. The biennial operating budget should include any maintenance and operating costs associated with completed capital projects. 5. The city will maintain its assets at a level that protects the City's capital investment and minimizes future maintenance and replacement costs. The city's asset profile shall be consistent with the Capital Facilities Plan element of the Comprehensive Plan. 6. The city will maintain an equipment replacement and maintenance needs analysis for the life cycle of the equipment and will update this projection every two years consistent with budget development. 7. All general government current operating expenditures will be paid from current revenues. a. Any inability to support operations from current revenues shall be specifically identified in the Mayor's proposed budget. 8. The city will avoid budgetary and accounting procedures which balance the current budget at the expense of future budgets. 9. The City of Edmonds defines a balanced budget as current biennium budgeted revenues (including fund balances) being equal to or greater than current biennium budgeted expenditures. 10. The City further defines a structurally balanced budget as recurring budgeted revenues (excluding fund balances) being equal to or greater than recurring budgeted expenditures. 11. All supplemental appropriation requests for programs following the adoption of the original budget will be considered based on need and the availability of a new funding source (e.g., unanticipated grant). All supplemental appropriations will conform to the same rigors as the budget process for the biennium. 12. Budget Calendar a. The Mayor will propose a biennial budget calendar by the first regular City Council business meeting in April in every even year. b. The calendar will be comprehensive in nature and generally provide for a process that resembles the Best Practices for municipal budgets as published by the Government Finance Officers Association. Long Range Financial Strategy The Council shall develop a forward -looking outline of policy preferences for City fiscal resiliency to be known as the "Long -Range Financial Strategy" (the Strategy). Such a strategy shall address policy guidance for revenues, operating expenditures and capital projects to be used by the Mayor in developing budget proposals and related actions to be considered for adoption by the City Council. Initially the strategy should be developed in anticipation of the 2025-26 biennium budget and Capital Improvement Program. The Strategy shall also be the basis for developing financial forecasts and any recommendations regarding significant revenue increases. Revenue Policy In our commitment to financial stability and resilience, the City of Edmonds adopts a proactive approach to revenue management. Central to this approach is the recognition of the inherent volatility associated with individual revenue streams. Thus, our revenue policy emphasizes the importance of maintaining a diversified revenue mix. By spreading risk across various sources of income, the city aims to mitigate the impact of short-term fluctuations in any single revenue stream. This strategic diversification not only safeguards against economic uncertainty but also ensures the sustained funding necessary to support vital municipal services and initiatives. 1. As permitted by state law, the city will strive to maintain a diversified revenue mix, encompassing elastic and inelastic revenues, to help manage the downside risks associated with economically sensitive revenue sources and to keep pace with expenditure growth. To pursue this policy goal, the City Council will consider revenue changes as part of its review of the City's Long Range Financial Strategy each biennium. 2. To minimize the impact of an economic downturn on service levels, conservative revenue estimates will be developed for economically sensitive revenue sources. For this purpose, conservative shall mean that actual revenues are more likely to be greater than the estimate rather than less. 3. The city will estimate its biennial revenues by an objective, analytical process using best practices as defined by the Government Finance Officers Association. Economic assumptions will be influenced by reliable and relevant sources such as the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and the King County Office of Economic and Financial Analysis. 4. The city will project revenues for the next six years and will update this projection biennially. 5. The Finance Department will present to the City Council an analysis of each potential major revenue source as part of the biennial budget process. 6. The City will refrain from making budgetary decisions (specifically allocating resources to be expended) outside of the biennial budget process or the formal budget amendment process. o Budget amendments will provide a description of the overall impact of the proposed amendment on the fund's ability to remain structurally balanced in the future. 7. The City will establish all user charges after considering the full cost of providing the service and within policy parameters with regard to cost recovery goals established by the City Council. 8. In each odd numbered year, the city will review user fees to adjust for the effects of inflation and other factors as appropriate. Expenditure Policy The city's financial policy ensures strict adherence to all relevant regulations governing expenditure transactions while also prioritizing forward -looking forecasting methodologies. By evaluating projected expenditures, we aim to gauge our city's capacity to fulfill performance metrics and effectively address the evolving needs of our community, fostering transparency and fiscal responsibility. 1. The City's operating budget will not use one-time revenues to support ongoing expenditures. 2. The City will maintain expenditure categories according to state statute and administrative regulation. Capital expenditures shall meet the requirements of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). 3. The City will forecast its General Fund expenditures biennially for the next six years. The drivers and assumptions used in the forecast will be described. 4. A cost allocation plan will be maintained and updated as a part of each City budget. The cost allocation plan will be the basis for distribution of general government costs to other funds or capital projects (also known as indirect costs). Such plan will be incorporated into the City's budgeting process and subject to City Council review. Glossary Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)- A set of financial statements for a state, municipality or other governmental entity that comply with the accounting requirements established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). It must be audited by an independent auditor using generally accepted government auditing standards. The ACFR consists of three sections: Introductory, Financial and Statistical. The Introductory section orients and guides the reader through the report. The Financial section presents the entity's basic financial statements as well as notes to the statements and the independent auditors' report. The Statistical section provides additional financial and statistical data, including data about financial trends that may better inform the reader about the government's activities. Balanced Budget - Fund balance plus budgeted revenues is equal to or greater than budgeted expenditures. Budget - A plan of financial operation containing an estimate of proposed expenditures for a given period and a proposed forecast of revenues (receipts) to cover them. A budget is also a plan that outlines an organization's financial and operational goals and strategies in monetary terms. Capital Expenditures are expenditures incurred when monies are spent either to buy fixed assets orto add to the value of an existing fixed asset with a useful life that extends beyond the fiscal year. In accounting, a capital expenditure is added to an asset account ("capitalized"), thus increasing the asset's basis (the cost or value of an asset). The general rule is that if the property acquired has a useful life longer than the time stipulated by policy, the cost must be capitalized. The capital expenditure costs are then amortized or depreciated over the life of the asset in question in full accrual accounting systems. Council - Means the legislative body (the city council) that governs the City of Edmonds. Expenditure - The actual payment of cash or cash equivalent for goods delivered or services rendered, or a charge against available funds in settlement of an obligation as evidenced by an invoice, voucher or other such document during the fiscal year. For governmental reporting purposes, expenditures include expenses or a provision for debt retirement not reported as a liability of the fund from which retired. Fiscal Year - A 12 month period to which the annual or biennial operating budget applies and the end of which a governmental unit determines its financial position and the results of its operations. In Washington State, Citys use a January to December fiscal year. Regardless of whether annual or biennial budget is used, the Fund Balance Reserve and Contingency Fund Reserve are reviewed on an annual basis. Fund - A fund is a self -balancing set of accounts recording cash and other financial resources, together with all related liabilities and "residual" equity or balances, and changes therein, which are segregated for the purpose of carrying on specific activities or attaining certain planned objectives in accordance with special regulations, restrictions or limitations. Fund Balances - The overall objective of fund balance reporting is to isolate that portion of a fund balance that is unavailable to support the following period's budget (see GASB 54 definition below). In general, an unassigned fund balance shall be defined as those amounts that are not restricted, committed, or assigned, of a particular fund at the end of the fiscal year. GASB 54 - Fund Balance Reporting and Governmental Fund Type Definitions - The City of Edmonds's ACFR Financial Statements are required to comply with GASB 54 as stipulated by the Washington State Auditor's Office. GASB 54 identifies fund balance classifications that can be more consistently applied by clarifying existing governmental fund type definitions. Fund balance is the difference between the assets and liabilities reported in a fund. GASB statement No. 54 provides the following five categories for classifying fund balance and related definitions to be used for describing the components of fund balance: 1. Nonspendable Fund Balance Amounts that are not in a spendable form or are required to be maintained intact. Due to the nature or form of the resources, they generally cannot be expected to be converted into cash or a spendable form (e.g. Inventories and prepaid amounts). This also includes long-term loan and notes receivable and property held for resale. Applies as well to amounts that must be retained intact legally or contractually. 2. Restricted Fund Balance- Amounts that can be spent onlyforthe specific purposes stipulated. Constraints are placed on the use of resources by external parties (e.g. by creditors, grant providers, contributors) or by laws or regulations (e.g. constitution or legally enforceable language). Restrictions may be changed or lifted only with the consent of the resource provider. 3. Committed Fund Balance - Amounts can only be used for the specific purposes determined by a formal action of City Council. Constraints on fund balance use are imposed by internal. formal action of the government's highest level of decision - making authority (e.g. City Council) and can only be removed or changed by taking the same type of action it employed to commit those amounts through legislation, resolution, or ordinance (e.g. funds committed to satisfy contractual obligations). Action to constrain resources must occur prior to year-end; however the amount can be determined in the subsequent period. 4. Assigned Fund Balance - Assigned fund balances include amounts that are limited by the Council, Mayor, or his/her designee, for its intended use, but little or no formal action is required to modify or eliminate those limitations. Assigned fund balances comprises amounts intended to be used for a specific purpose. Amounts reported as assigned should not result in a deficit in unassigned fund balance. Also relates to all governmental funds other than the General Fund, with any remaining positive amounts not classified as nonspendable, restricted or committed. 5. Unassigned Fund Balance - Comprises the residual classification for the General Fund and includes all amounts not contained in the other classifications. Unassigned amounts are available for any purpose. This represents the residual amount of the fund balance that has not been restricted, committed, or assigned. General Fund - In public sector accounting, the General Fund is the primary operating fund for all revenues of the City that are not otherwise restricted as to their use, including monies from local property and sales tax, and other revenue sources that are not assigned for a specific purpose. The General Fund provides the resources necessary to pay/sustain the day- to-day activities for City services such as administration, community services, parks and recreation, police, fire, public works, elected officials, Mayor, and City Council. Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) - GASB is the private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to create and improve the rules U.S. state and local governments follow when accounting for their finances and reporting them to the public. While the GASB does not have the power to enforce compliance with the standards it promulgates, the authority for its standards is recognized under the Rules of Conduct of the AICPA. Also, legislation in many states requires compliance with GASB standards, and governments usually are expected to prepare financial statements in accordance with those standards when they issue bonds or notes or otherwise borrow from public credit markets. In Washington, state law delegates this authority to the Washington State Auditor's Office who prescribes accounting and reporting standards for cities. Municipal Advisor— is a person (who is not a municipal entity or an employee of a municipal entity) that provides advice to or on behalf of a municipal entity or obligated person with respect to municipal financial products or the issuance of municipal securities. Operating Budget - A detailed projection of all estimated income and expenses based on forecasted revenue during a given period (usually one year). Revenue - The income of a government from all sources appropriated for the payment of the public expenses. It includes such items as tax payments, fees from specific services, receipts from other governments, fines, forfeitures, grants, shared revenues and interest income. Structurally Balanced Budget - Budgeted recurring revenues are greater than budgeted recurring expenditures in the biennium. Structural Budget Deficit or "Gap" - A budget deficit (Gap) that results from a fundamental imbalance whereby current year governmental expenditures exceed current year revenues without any consideration of carryover or prior year unspent revenue balances if they exist. A structural deficit remains across the operating fiscal cycle because the general level of government spending is too high for the prevailing revenue structure (e.g., taxes, fees and other sources). Afiscal Gap, is a structural budget deficit over an extended period of time and not only includes the structural deficit at a given point in time but also the difference between promised future government commitments, such as health and retirement spending, and future planned or anticipated tax and other revenues.