HomeMy WebLinkAboutLansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority 2020 Audit - Final M a n e r
Maner Cosierisan PC
2425 E.Grand River Ave.
Suite 1
sterisan
Lansing,MI 4891
T.517 323 750 T500
C:ertilicil Public ACCOLI[llit[;Lti F.5173236346
Business&-Technology Advisors www.manercpa.com
December 18,2020
The Honorable Mayor,Members of the City Council of the
City of Lansing,and Members of the Board of Directors
of the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Lansing,Michigan
We have audited the financial statements of the governmental activities and the major fund of the Lansing
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (the Authority), a discretely presented component unit of the City of
Lansing, Michigan, for the year ended June 30, 2020. Professional standards require that we provide you with
information about our responsibilities under generally accepted auditing standards and Government Auditing
Standards, as well as certain information related to the planned scope and timing of our audit. We have
communicated such information in our letter to City Council dated May 5, 2020. Professional standards also
require that we communicate to you the following information related to our audit.
Significant Audit Findings
Qualitative Aspects of Accounting Practices
Management is responsible for the selection and use of appropriate accounting policies. The significant
accounting policies used by Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority are described in Note 1 to the
financial statements. No new accounting policies were adopted,and the application of existing policies was not
changed during the year ended June 30, 2020. We noted no transactions entered into by the Authority during
the year for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus. All significant transactions have been
recognized in the financial statements in the proper period.
Accounting estimates are an integral part of the financial statements prepared by management and are based
on management's knowledge and experience about past and current events and assumptions about future
events. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to the financial
statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting them may differ significantly from those
expected. The most sensitive estimate affecting the financial statements was:
The Authority it party to loan agreements in which the associated loans are expected to be repaid by future
collections of tax increment revenues related to the properties being redeveloped. Because of the
uncertainty of future tax captures, management has estimated the collectability of such receivables to be
zero and,therefore,no balance is reported in either the government-wide or fund financial statements.
We evaluated the key factors and assumptions used to develop this estimate in determining that it is reasonable
in relation to the financial statements as a whole.
The financial statement disclosures are neutral,consistent,and clear.
Difficulties Encountered in Performing the Audit
We encountered no significant difficulties in dealing with management in performing and completing our audit.
Corrected and Uncorrected Misstatements
For purposes of this communication, professional standards require us to accumulate all known and likely
misstatements identified during the audit, other than those that we believe are trivial, and communicate them
to the appropriate level of management. Further, professional standards require us to also communicate the
effect of uncorrected misstatements related to prior periods on the relevant classes of transactions, account
balances or disclosures,and the financial statements as a whole and each applicable opinion unit. In addition,
professional standards require us to communicate to you all material, corrected misstatements that were
brought to the attention of management as a result of our audit procedures. The material misstatements
detected as a result of audit procedures and corrected by management are described in connection with our
report on internal control over financial reporting.
Disagreements with Management
For purposes of this letter, a disagreement with management is a financial accounting, reporting, or auditing
matter,whether or not resolved to our satisfaction,that could be significant to the financial statements or the
auditor's report. We are pleased to report that no such disagreements arose during the course of our audit.
Management Representations
We have requested certain representations from management that are included in the management
representation letter dated December 18,2020.
Management Consultations with Other Independent Accountants
In some cases, management may decide to consult with other accountants about auditing and accounting
matters, similar to obtaining a "second opinion" on certain situations. If a consultation involves application of
an accounting principle to the Authority's financial statements or a determination of the type of auditor's opinion
that may be expressed on those statements, our professional standards require the consulting accountant to
check with us to determine that the consultant has all the relevant facts. To our knowledge,there were no such
consultations with other accountants.
OtherAudit Findings or Issues
We generally discuss a variety of matters, including the application of accounting principles and auditing
standards, with management each year prior to retention as the Authority's auditors. However, these
discussions occurred in the normal course of our professional relationship and our responses were not a
condition to our retention.
Other Matters
We applied certain limited procedures to the required supplementary information(RSI)which are required and
supplement the basic financial statements. Our procedures consisted of inquiries of management regarding the
methods of preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency with management's
responses to our inquiries,the basic financial statements,and other knowledge we obtained during our audit of
the basic financial statements. We did not audit the RSI and do not express an opinion or provide any assurance
on the RSI.
2
Restriction on Use
This information is intended solely for the use of City Council,the Board of Directors, and management of the
City and the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and is not intended to be,and should not be,used by
anyone other than these specified parties.
Very truly yours,
3
LANSING BROWNFIELD
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(with required supplementary information)
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2020
Manor
CosterisanrtifiedkiNic u
Zusiness F Technology Advisors
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT.........................................................................................................................................1-2
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS....................................................................................................................3-5
BASICFINANCIAL STATEMENTS...................................................................................................................................................6
Government-wide Financial Statements
Statementof Net Position..........................................................................................................................................................7
Statementof Activities................................................................................................................................................................8
Governmental Fund Financial Statements
BalanceSheet..................................................................................................................................................................................9
Reconciliation of the Governmental Fund Balance Sheet to the Statement of Net Position.......................10
Statement of Revenues,Expenditures,and Changes in Fund Balance.................................................................11
Reconciliation of the Statement of Revenues,Expenditures,and Changes in Fund Balance
of the Governmental Fund to the Statement of Activities......................................................................................12
Notesto Financial Statements................................................................................................................................................13-22
REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION......................................................................................................................23
BudgetaryComparison Schedule.............................................................................................................................................24
Note to Required Supplementary Information..................................................................................................................25
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL
REPORTING AND ON COMPLIANCE AND OTHER MATTERS BASED ON AN
AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH GOVERNMENTAUDITING STANDARDS.....................................................................................................................26-29
M a n e r
Maner Cosierisan PC
2425 E.Grand River Ave.
Suite 1
sterisan
Lansing,MI 4891
T.517 323 750 T5OO
C:ertilicil Public AC.COLI[llit[;Lti F.5173236346
Business&-Technology Advisors www.manercpa.com
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
The Honorable Mayor,Members of the City Council,
and Members of the Board of Directors of the
Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Lansing,Michigan
Report on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities and the major fund of
the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (the "Authority"), a discretely presented component unit of
the City of Lansing,Michigan, as of and for the year ended June 30, 2020,and the related notes to the financial
statements, which collectively comprise the Authority's basic financial statements as listed in the table of
contents.
Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design,
implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of
financial statements that are free from material misstatement,whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor's Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our
audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the
standards applicable to financial audits contained in GovernmentAuditing Standards,issued by the Comptroller
General of the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors' judgment, including the assessment of
the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements,whether due to fraud or error. In making those
risk assessments,the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation
of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances,but
not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. Accordingly,
we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used
and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall presentation of the financial statements.
1
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit
opinions.
Opinions
In our opinion,the financial statements referred to above present fairly,in all material respects,the respective
financial position of the governmental activities and the major fund of the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment
Authority as of June 30, 2020, and the respective changes in financial position for the year then ended in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Other Matters
Required Supplementary Information
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that the management's
discussion and analysis and other required supplementary information,as identified in the table of contents,be
presented to supplement the basic financial statements. Such information, although not a part of the basic
financial statements, is required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, who considers it to be an
essential part of financial reporting for placing the basic financial statements in an appropriate operational,
economic, or historical context. We have applied certain limited procedures to the required supplementary
information in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which
consisted of inquiries of management about the methods of preparing the information and comparing the
information for consistency with management's responses to our inquiries,the basic financial statements,and
other knowledge we obtained during our audit of the basic financial statements. We do not express an opinion
or provide any assurance on the information because the limited procedures do not provide us with sufficient
evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance.
Other Reporting Required by Government Auditing Standards
In accordance with GovernmentAuditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated December 18,2020,on
our consideration of the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority's internal control over financial
reporting and on our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, grant
agreements, and other matters. The purpose of that report is to describe the scope of our testing of internal
control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing,and not to provide an opinion on
internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed
in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the Authority's internal control over financial
reporting andcompliance.
December 18,2020
2
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority(the"Authority")was established by the City of Lansing(the
"City") on August 17, 1997, pursuant to Public Act 381 of 1996. The Authority presents this management
discussion and analysis of its financial performance as an overview of financial activities for the fiscal year ended
June 30,2020.
Using this Annual Report
The discussion and analysis is intended to serve as an introduction to the Authority's basic financial statements.
The basic financial statements are comprised of the following:
➢ The statement of net position presents information on all of the Authority's assets and liabilities,with the
difference between the two reported as net position. Over time, increases or decreases in net position
may serve as a useful indicator of whether the financial position of the Authority is improving or
deteriorating.
➢ The statement of activities presents information showing how the Authority's net position changed
during the most recent fiscal year.
➢ The governmental fund balance sheet presents information on the Authority's assets, liabilities and
deferred inflows of resources,with the residual reported as fund balance.
➢ The statement of revenues,expenditures,and change in fund balance-general fund presents information
showing the Authority's actual revenues and expenditures for the most recent fiscal year on the fund
level perspective.
➢ The notes to financial statements provide additional information that is essential to a full understanding
of the data provided in the basic financial statements.
Government-wide Financial Statements. The net position of the Authority is summarized for the purpose of
determining the overall fiscal position. As shown in the table below, the Authority's liabilities exceeded
assets by$8.1 million at the end of the fiscal year.
Governmental
Activities
2020 2019
Assets
Current and other assets $ 13,973,268 $ 4,118,267
Liabilities
Other liabilities 2,280,303 1,345,618
Noncurrent liabilities 19,760,000 500,000
Total liabilities 22,040,303 1,845,618
Net Position(deficit)
Restricted 8,465,017 -
Unrestricted(deficit) (16,532,052) 2,272,649
Total net position(deficit) $ (8,067,035) $ 2,272,649
3
Governmental
Activities
2020 2019
Revenues
Program revenue
Operating grants and contributions $ 1,174,048 $ 778,932
General revenues
Property taxes 3,763,175 3,036,500
Investment earnings 31,976 18,311
Total revenues 4,969,199 3,833,743
Expenses
Community and economic development 13,834,549 4,250,976
Interest and fees on long-term debt 1,474,334 -
Total expenses 15,308,883 4,250,976
Change in net position (10,339,684) (417,233)
Net position,beginning of year 2,272,649 2,689,882
Net position (deficit),end of year $ (8,067,035) $ 2,272,649
When comparing the current fiscal year to the previous fiscal year,net position has decreased by approximately
$10.3 million,as compared to a decrease of approximately$417,000 in the prior year. The primary reason for
this decrease is disbursements related to the Red Cedar project that was funded by bond proceeds that
commenced in the current year. Since the bond proceeds are reported in the statement of net position as a
liability, there is not a revenue reported to offset the expenses related to redevelopment projects that are not
capitalizable by the Authority. The Authority hopes to recoup these costs in the future in the form of increased
tax captures related to this property.
Property tax revenues as well as redevelopment expenses increased for the year ended June 30,2020 due to an
increase in amounts captured related to project plans that were initiated during the year,as well as continued
capture on previously existing plans. In addition,operating grants and contribution revenue increased this year
due to an increase in project draws as compared to previous years.
General Fund Financial Analysis
At the end of the current fiscal year,the Authority's governmental fund (the general fund) reported an ending
fund balance of approximately$11.6 million,an increase of approximately$9 million in comparison to the prior
year. The reasons for changes in activity for the general fund are substantially the same as discussed for the
government-wide financial statements above as the bond issuance shows as an other financing source at the
fund level.
4
General Fund Budgetary Highlights
In accordance with State statute,the Authority adopts a budget annually prior to the commencement of the fiscal
year. The budget may be amended during the year by formal resolution of the Board of Directors. Accordingly,
the budget was amended during the year for Brownfield plan amendments and additional intergovernmental
grants received,as well as unexpended multi-year grants not included in the original budget. The Authority did
not amend their budget for the above noted Red Cedar project because it occurred in early June and there was
not enough time to procedurally amend the budget. This was the reason for the overages.
The primary variance between the final budget and the actual costs was the result of multi-year grants budgeted
costs that were carried forward and spent in the current fiscal year.
Capital Assets. The Authority has no capital assets at this time.
Long-term Obligation Administration
At the end of the current fiscal year,the Authority had total long-term obligations outstanding of$19,760,000.
Proceeds from Limited Obligation Tax Increment Revenue Bonds (2 series') were received in fiscal year 2019-
20 for use on the Red Cedar project.
Principal Principal
Balance Debt Principal Balance
June 30, 2019 Proceeds Payments June 30,2020
Revenue bonds $ - $ 19,260,000 $ - $ 19,260,000
Loan payable 500,000 - - 500,000
$ 500,000 $ 19,260,000 $ - $ 19,760,000
Additional information on the Authority's long-term obligations can be found in Note 5 of the financial
statements.
Economic Factors
Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority expenses are governed by the laws of the State of Michigan and
bond indenture covenants. These laws and covenants determine how bond proceeds are spent and how and
when debt retirement payments are made.
Requests for Information
This financial report is designed to provide a general overview of the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment
Authority finances and to show accountability for the money it receives and expends. Additional information on
the Authority can be found on the City of Lansing's website at www.lansingmi.gov. Questions concerning any of
the information provided in this report or requests for additional financial information should be addressed to:
1000 S.Washington Avenue,Suite 201,Lansing,Michigan 48910-3201.
5
BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
6
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
STATEMENT OF NET POSITION
JUNE 30,2020
Governmental
Activities
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,347,756
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted 8,465,017
Loans receivable (due in more than one year) 160,495
TOTAL ASSETS 13,973,268
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable 2,223,324
Accrued interest payable 56,979
Long-term obligations (due in more than one year) 19,760,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES 22,040,303
NET POSITION
Restricted for Red Cedar Project 8,465,017
Unrestricted (deficit) (16,532,052)
TOTAL NET POSITION (DEFICIT) $ (8,067,035)
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,2020
Program
Revenues Net(Expense)
Operating Revenues and
Grants and Change in
Functions/Programs Expenses Contributions Net Position
Governmental activities
Community and economic development $ 13,834,549 $ 1,174,048 $ (12,660,501)
Interest and fees on long-term debt 1,474,334 - (1,474,334)
15,308,883 $ 1,174,048 (14,134,835)
General revenues
Property taxes 3,763,175
Investment earnings 31,976
Total general revenues 3,795,151
Change in net position (10,339,684)
Net position,beginning of the year 2,272,649
Net position (deficit),end of the year $ (8,067,035)
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
GOVERNMENTALFUND
BALANCESHEET
JUNE 30,2020
General
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,347,756
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted 8,465,017
Loans receivable 160,495
TOTAL ASSETS $ 13,973,268
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $ 2,223,324
DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES
Unavailable revenue-loans receivable 160,495
FUND BALANCE
Committed-revolving fund B 966,095
Restricted for Red Cedar Project 8,465,017
Unassigned 2,158,337
TOTAL FUND BALANCE 11,589,449
TOTAL LIABILITIES,DEFERRED
INFLOWS OF RESOURCES,
AND FUND BALANCE $ 13,973,268
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
RECONCILIATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUND BALANCE SHEET
TO THE STATEMENT OF NET POSITION
JUNE 30,2020
Total fund balance-governmental fund $ 11,589,449
Amounts reported for the governmental activities in the statement of net position are
different because:
Long-term loans receivables are not available to pay for current period expenditures
and are therefore unavailable in the funds. 160,495
Long-term obligations and related liabilities are not due and payable in the current
period and therefore are not reported in the governmental funds balance sheet. Long-
term obligations and related liabilities at year-end consist of:
Accrued interest payable $ (56,979)
Bonds and loans payable (19,760,000)
(19,816,979)
Net position of governmental activities $ (8,067,035)
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
GOVERNMENTALFUND
STATEMENT OF REVENUES,EXPENDITURES,AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCE
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,2020
General
REVENUES
Property taxes $ 3,763,175
Intergovernmental- Federal/State 1,180,951
Investment earnings 31,976
Other 21,778
TOTAL REVENUES 4,997,880
EXPENDITURES
Current
Community and economic development
Administrative 161,039
Community development projects 13,673,510
Debt service 1,037,163
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 14,871,712
EXCESS OF REVENUES OVER
(UNDER) EXPENDITURES (9,873,832)
OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES)
Issuance of long-term debt 19,260,000
Bond discount (380,192)
TOTAL OTHER FINANCING
SOURCES (USES) 18,879,808
NET CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE 9,005,976
Fund balance,beginning of year 2,583,473
Fund balance,end of year $ 11,589,449
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
RECONCILIATION OF THE STATEMENT OF REVENUES,EXPENDITURES,AND CHANGES IN
FUND BALANCE OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUND TO THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,2020
Net change in fund balance-governmental fund $ 9,005,976
Amounts reported for governmental activities in the statement of activities are
different because:
Revenues in the statement of activities that do not provide current financial
resources are not reported as revenues in the funds.
Change in loans receivable (28,681)
Repayment of long-term debt and borrowings of long-term debt are reported as
expenditures and other financing sources in governmental funds, but the
repayment reduces long-term liabilities and the borrowings increase long-term
liabilities in the statement of net position. In the current year, these amounts
consist of:
Issuance of long-term debt (19,260,000)
Some items 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. These activities consist of:
Change in accrued interest payable (56,979)
Change in net position of governmental activities $ (10,339,684)
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1-SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
These financial statements present the activities of the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (the
"Authority"). The Authority was established August 17, 1997,pursuant to Public Act 381 of 1996. The primary
purpose of the Authority is to revitalize environmentally distressed areas in the City of Lansing. The Authority's
activities are primarily funded through tax increment financing.
The Authority is a component unit of the City of Lansing, Michigan (the "City") because the City appoints the
Authority's Board of Directors, it has the ability to significantly influence the Authority's operations, and it is
financially accountable for the Authority as defined under GASB Statement No. 61, The Financial Reporting
Entity.Omnibus-An Amendment of GASB Statements No. 14 and No.34. Accordingly,the Authority is presented
as a discrete component unit in the City's financial statements and is an integral part of that reporting entity.
Government-wide and Fund Financial Statements
The government-wide financial statements (i.e., the statement of net position and the statement of activities)
report information on all of the non-fiduciary activities of the Authority.
The statement of activities demonstrates the degree to which the direct expenses of a given function or
identifiable activity are offset by program revenues. Direct expenses are those that are clearly identifiable
activities with a specific function or identifiable activity. Program revenues include 1) charges to customers or
applicants who purchase, use, or directly benefit from goods, services, or privileges provided by a function or
identifiable activity and 2)grants and contributions that are restricted to meeting the operational requirement
of a particular function or identifiable activity. Property taxes not properly included among program revenues
are reportable instead as general revenues.
Measurement Focus.Basis of Accounting.and Financial Statement Presentation
The government-wide financial information is reported using the economic resources measurement focus and
the accrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recorded when earned and expenses are recorded when a liability
is incurred,regardless of the timing of related cash flows. Property taxes are recognized as revenues in the year
for which they are levied.
Governmental fund financial information is reported using the current financial resources measurement focus
and the modified accrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recognized as soon as they are both measurable and
available. Revenues are considered to be available when they are collectible within the current period or soon
enough thereafter to pay liabilities of the current period. For this purpose,the Authority considers revenues to
be available if they are collected within three months of the end of the current fiscal period or one-year for
expenditure-driven grants. Expenditures generally are recorded when a liability is incurred, as under accrual
accounting. However,debt service expenditures are recorded only when payment is due.
Property taxes, intergovernmental revenue, and interest associated with the current fiscal period are all
considered to be susceptible to accrual and so have been recognized as revenues of the current fiscal period. All
other revenue items are considered to be measurable and available only when cash is received by the
government.
The Authority reports a single major governmental fund-the general fund. The general fund is the Authority's
primary operating fund. It accounts for all financial resources of the Authority,except those accounted for and
reported in another fund,if any.
13
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 -SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Assets.Liabilities,Deferred Inflows of Resources.and Equity
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Authority's cash and cash equivalents are considered to be demand deposits and amounts held by the City
of Lansing,Michigan for the benefit of the Authority.
Restricted cash consists of amounts required to be maintained separately in accordance with bond covenants.
Brownfield Loans
The Authority is party to loan agreements which amount to funds advanced to local corporations 1) under the
Brownfield Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and 2) under
the Brownfield Local Sight Remediation Revolving Loan Fund (LSRLF). The LSRLF consists of certain local tax
captures.
Accounts Payable
The Authority's accounts payable primarily relate to tax captures due to developers.
Deferred Inflows of Resources
In addition to liabilities,the fund level balance sheet will sometimes report a separate section for deferred inflows
of resources. This separate financial statement element,deferred inflows of resources,represents an acquisition
of fund balance that applies to one or more future periods and so will not be recognized as an inflow of resources
(revenue)until that time. The governmental funds report unavailable revenues,which arise only under a modified
accrual basis of accounting, from loans receivable. These amounts are deferred and recognized as an inflow of
resources in the period that the amounts become available.
Fund Balances
Governmental funds report nonspendable fund balance for amounts that cannot be spent because they are either
(a) not in spendable form or (b) legally or contractually required to be maintained intact. Restricted fund
balance is reported when externally imposed constraints are placed on the use of resources by grantors,
contributors, or laws or regulations of other governments. Committed fund balance, if any, is reported for
amounts that can only be used for specific purposes pursuant to constraints imposed by formal action of the
government's highest level of decision-making authority, the Board of Directors. A formal resolution of the
Board of Directors is required to establish,modify,or rescind a fund balance commitment. The Authority reports
assigned fund balance for amounts that are constrained by the government's intent to be used for specific
purposes,but are neither restricted nor committed. The Authority currently has no assigned fund balance, as
the Board of Directors has not yet given the authority for the making of such assignments. Unassigned fund
balance is the residual classification for the general fund.
When the government incurs an expenditure for purposes for which various fund balance classifications can be
used, it is the government's policy to use restricted fund balance first, then committed, assigned, and finally
unassigned fund balance.
14
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 -SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts
reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
NOTE 2 -BUDGETARY INFORMATION
The Authority has established the following procedures for determining the budgetary data presented in the
accompanying required supplementary information to the financial statements:
a. The secretary of the Authority's Board of Directors submits to the City Council of the City of Lansing a
proposed operating budget for the fiscal year commencing the following July 1. The budget includes
proposed expenditures and the means of financing them.
b. A public hearing is conducted to obtain taxpayer comments.
c. Prior to July 1, the budget is legally adopted by City Council resolution, pursuant to the Uniform
Budgeting and Accounting Act(P.A.621). This act requires that the budget be amended prior to the end
of the fiscal year when necessary to adjust appropriations if it appears that revenues and other financing
sources will be less than anticipated or to allow expenditures in excess of original estimates.
Expenditures shall not be made or incurred unless authorized in the budget and shall not exceed the
amount appropriated.
d. Formal budgetary integration is employed as a management control device during the year for the funds.
e. Budgets are adopted on a basis consistent with generally accepted accounting principles.
f. Expenditures may not exceed budget at the activity level.
NOTE 3 -DEPOSITS
Following is a reconciliation of deposit balances as of June 30, 2020:
Statement of Net Position
Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,347,756
Cash and cash equivalents-restricted 8,465,017
$ 13,812,773
Deposits
Cash and cash equivalents in checking/savings and in uncategorized pooled
investment accounts and pooled cash at the City of Lansing. $ 13,812,773
15
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 3 -DEPOSITS (continued)
Custodial Credit Risk-Deposits
Custodial credit risk is the risk that in the event of a bank failure,the Authority's deposits may not be returned.
State law does not require,and the Authority does not have a policy for deposit custodial credit risk. As of year-
end,$14,624,522 of the Authority's bank balance of$15,124,522 was exposed to custodial credit risk because it
was uninsured and uncollateralized for the accounts that were specifically held in the Authority's name. The
carrying amount of total cash and cash equivalents as of June 30,2020 was$13,812,773.
A portion of the above deposits are held by the City of Lansing, Michigan. Those specific deposit accounts are
not held in the name of the Authority. The amount of federal depositary insurance and custodial credit risk of
investments is determined for the City of Lansing,Michigan as a whole,and cannot be separately identified for
the Authority related to these accounts.
The Authority's investment policy does not specifically address this risk, although the Authority believes that
due to the dollar amounts of cash deposits and the limits of FDIC insurance, it is impractical to insure all bank
deposits. As a result,the Authority evaluates each financial institution with which it deposits Authority funds
and assesses the level of risk of each institution; only those institutions with an acceptable estimated risk level
are used as depositories.
Credit Risk
State law limits investments to specific government securities, certificates of deposit and bank accounts with
qualified financial institutions, commercial paper with specific maximum maturities and ratings when
purchased,bankers acceptances of specific financial institutions, qualified mutual funds and qualified external
investment pools as identified in the list of authorized investments in the summary of significant accounting
policies. The Authority's investment policy does not have specific limits in excess of state law on investment
credit risk. The Authority's amounts in the uncategorized pooled investment of$8,415,942 had a S&P rating of
AAAm and a weighted average maturity of 43 days.
Interest Rate Risk
State law limits the allowable investments and the maturities of some of the allowable investments as identified
in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Authority's investment policy does not have specific limits
in excess of state law on investment maturities as a means of managing its exposure to fair value losses arising
from increasing interest rates.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of credit risk is the risk of loss attributed to the magnitude of the Authority's investment in a
single issuer. State law limits allowable investments but does not limit concentration of credit risk as identified
in the list of authorized investments in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Authority's
investment policy does not have specific limits in excess of state law on concentration of credit risk. All
investments held at year-end are reported above.
16
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 3 -DEPOSITS (continued)
Fair Value Measurements
The Authority 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;level 3 inputs are significant unobservable inputs. As of June 30,2020,the Authority's
uncategorized pooled investment was classified as level 2 fair value.
State statutes authorize the Authority to invest in:
a. Bonds, securities, other obligations and repurchase agreements of the United States, or an agency or
instrumentality of the United States.
b. Certificates of deposit,savings accounts, deposit accounts or depository receipts of a qualified financial
institution.
c. Commercial paper rated at the time of purchase within the two highest classifications established by not
less than two standard rating services and that matures not more than 270 days after the date of purchase.
d. Bankers'acceptances of United States banks.
e. Obligations of the State of Michigan and its political subdivisions,that,at the time of purchase are rated
as investment grade by at least one standard rating service.
f. Mutual funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 with the authority to purchase only
investment vehicles that are legal for direct investment by a public corporation.
g. External investment pools as authorized by Public Act 20 as amended through December 31, 1997.
The Authority follows the investment policy of the City of Lansing.
NOTE 4-RECEIVABLES
Receivables of governmental activities are comprised of loans receivable which consist of amounts funded by the
U.S.Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)revolving loan funds,consisted of the following at June 30,2020:
EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund loan receivable from Sam Eyde
Management, Inc. for cleanup related to the property located at 4000 N. Grand
River Avenue in the City. Interest is accreted at 3.0% per annum. All unpaid
principal and accreted interest is due in full on March 12,2026. $ 151,495
EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund loan receivable from the City of Lansing
Economic Development Corporation. Interest is stated at 0%. Repayment is
due in annual installments of$4,500 through January 1,2022. 9,000
$ 160,495
Of the above loans,$133,474 is not expected to be collected within one year.
17
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 4-RECEIVABLES (continued)
The Authority is also party to loan agreements,some funded by EPA revolving loan funds and others funded by
local tax captures,in which the associated loans are expected to be repaid by future collections of tax increment
revenues related to the properties being cleaned up. The liability of the local corporations is limited to any
shortfalls in future collection of tax increment revenues. Because the balances that may eventually be collected
from outside parties is not reasonably estimable due to the uncertainty of future tax captures, no balance is
reported in either the government-wide or fund financial statements. The outstanding balance of such loans at
June 30, 2020,consisted of the following:
EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund loan to Brownfield Development
Specialists,LLC for cleanup related to the"Dard Building"in the City. Interest is
stated at 0%. $ 235,094
EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund loan to Y Site, LLC for cleanup related to 677,934
the former YMCA building. Interest is accreted at 3.0%per annum.
Locally funded Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund loan to the High Grade
Material Company for demolition and cleanup related to a single parcel of
property in the City. Interest is accreted at 5.0%per annum. 44,587
EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund loan to the City of Lansing Economic
Development Corporation related to property formerly owned by the City of
Lansing Board of Water and Light. Interest is stated at 0%. 409,096
Locally funded Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund loan receivable to the City for
cleanup related to a redevelopment of the former Potter Mill property. Interest
is stated at 0%. 194,075
Locally funded Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund loan receivable to the City for
cleanup related to redevelopment of the south side of the 2000 block of East
Michigan Avenue. Interest is stated at 3%. 64,936
Locally funded Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund loan receivable to Motion
Properties, Inc. for cleanup related to redevelopment of the Company's
property. Interest is stated at 3%. 28,509
Locally funded Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund loan receivable to 515 Ionia,
LLC for cleanup related to redevelopment of the Company's property. Interest
is stated at 3%. 229,867
MDEQ Revitalization Revolving Loan to 2200 Block, LLC for development of the
Provident Place property. Interest is stated at 1.5% and does not begin
accruing until five years from the loan effective date. 487,580
Locally funded project by debt issuance, secured solely by tax increments from
the development of the Red Cedar project. Initial interest rate at 3.59%. 9,377,628
$ 11,749,306
18
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 5 -LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
The following is a summary of long-term obligation transactions of the Authority for the year ended June 30,2020:
Amounts
Balance Balance Due Within
July 1,2019 Additions Deletions June 30,2020 One Year
Revenue bonds $ - $ 19,260,000 $ - $ 19,260,000 $ -
Direct borrowings and
direct placements
Loan payable 500,000 - - 500,000 -
$ 500,000 $ 19,260,000 $ - $ 19,760,000 $ -
Revenue Bonds
$9,660,000 Limited Obligation Tax Increment Revenue Bonds Series 2020-1A,
due in annual installments of$210,000 to $530,000 beginning in June 2023 and
through June 2050, with interest ranging from 3.590% to $4.800%, payable
annually. $ 9,660,000
$9,600,000 Limited Obligation Tax Increment Revenue Bonds Series 2020-113,
due in annual installments of$205,000 to $525,000 beginning in June 2023 and
through June 2050, with interest ranging from 3.590% to $4.800%, payable
annually. 9,600,000
Total revenue bonds $ 19,260,000
Direct Borrowings and Direct Placements
$500,000 Revitalization Revolving Loan, due in annual installments of$42,147
to 48,913 beginning in December 2022 and through December 2032, with
interest of 1.50%, payable annually. No interest accrues before the date of the
first payment. $ 500,000
19
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 5-LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS(continued)
Annual debt service requirements to maturity for the Authority's bonds payable and direct borrowing and direct
placements are as follows:
Direct Borrowings
Year Ending Revenue Bonds and Direct Placements
June 30, Principal Interest Principal Interest
2021 $ - $ 683,752 $ - $ -
2022 - 691,434 - -
2023 415,000 691,434 48,913 -
2024 440,000 676,535 42,147 6,766
2025 470,000 660,740 42,779 6,134
2026-2030 2,625,000 3,278,001 223,715 20,850
2031-2035 3,165,000 3,068,707 142,446 4,295
2036-2040 4,105,000 2,343,510 - -
2041-2045 4,290,000 1,469,520 - -
2046-2050 3,750,000 556,800 - -
$ 19,260,000 $ 14,120,433 $ 500,000 $ 38,045
NOTE 6-NONCANCELABLE LEASE AND SUBLEASE
The Authority is party to an operating lease with the City for an open air parking lot,which is owned by the City.
The initial lease term is for 70 years with early termination and renewal options connected to an associated
sublease. Annual rent per the lease agreement is to be $1, or any amounts actually received by the Authority
pursuant to the sublease executed and agreed upon in connection with the lease agreement.
In addition,the Authority is party to a related sublease with Outfield Partners, LLC,a Michigan limited liability
company (the "Subtenant"), for the same open air parking lot. The initial lease term is for 20 years with 7
renewal options for a period of 10 years each. Annual rent per the lease agreement is$15,000 and continues for
the remainder of the initial lease term.
Because the rents to be received under the sublease and paid under the lease are substantially identical, the
Authority has determined that the substance of the transaction is that the City is leasing its parking lot to the
Subtenant. The Authority will not record rental revenue or expense related to this arrangement. The minimum
payments due under the initial lease term and to be collected under the sublease are as follows at June 30,2020:
Year Ending
June 30, Amount
2021 $ 15,000
2022 15,000
2023 15,000
2024 15,000
2025 15,000
2026-2030 75,000
2031-2035 75,000
$ 225,000
20
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 7-PROPERTY TAXES
Property tax revenue is derived pursuant to a tax increment financing agreement between the Authority and
various applicable taxing districts. Real and personal property taxes are levied and attach as an enforceable lien
on properties located within the boundaries of the tax increment financing district. The City of Lansing bills and
collects the taxes on behalf of the Authority. Delinquent taxes on ad valorem real property are purchased by
Ingham County. Property tax revenue is recognized when levied in the government-wide financial statements
and in the fund financial statements to the extent that it results in current receivables.
NOTE 8-RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Economic Development Corporation of the City of Lansing (the "Corporation") provides administrative
services to the Authority. Administrative services, consisting of operating costs and reimbursement of project
expenses,charged to the Authority by the Corporation totaled$161,039 for the year ended June 30,2020.
NOTE 9-TAX ABATEMENTS
The Authority provides tax abatements under the following program:
The Authority encourages environmental cleanup and economic development through its Brownfield
Redevelopment Plan under Public Act 318. A developer performs redevelopment and cleanup activities at a
site that is obsolete or blighted. The increased tax revenues resulting from the increase in taxable value are
captured by the City and used to repay the developer for qualifying expenses. There is no provision for
recovery of abated taxes because the developer is only paid for eligible expenses on a reimbursement-basis.
Property taxes abated by the Authority under this program for fiscal year 2020, through direct
reimbursement to developers from current tax captures amounted to$2,005,477.
In addition,there are reserve liabilities reported in the financial statements as a component of accounts payable
that represent tax captures set aside for future developer reimbursements. Property taxes abated by the
Authority under this program for fiscal year 2020,amounted to$806,575.
NOTE 10-RISK MANAGEMENT
The Authority,as a discretely presented component unit of the City of Lansing,is exposed to various risks of loss
that are covered by the City's policies, including losses related to issues of cyber security, liability, errors and
omissions,flood,boiler and machinery,property, employee bonding,crime,and workers'compensation which
is covered through the Authority's insurance policies. The Authority carries commercial insurance to cover
these risks. Settled claims relating to the commercial insurance have not exceeded the amount of insurance
coverage during the past three years.
21
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 11-NET POSITION/FUND BALANCE
The statement of net position shows an unrestricted deficit of $16,532,052 which is due to the full accrual
accounting of all long-term debt,without reflecting a corresponding receivable for tax captures to be received
in future periods(which cannot be accrued in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles). Total
fund balance amounts to a positive balance of$11,589,449. Fund balance at year end was$8,465,017 restricted
for unspent bond proceeds,committed for revolving fund B of$966,095,and unassigned fund balance amounts
$2,158,337.
NOTE 12-UPCOMING ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In January 2017,the GASB issued Statement No.84,Fiduciary Activities. This Statement establishes criteria for
identifying fiduciary activities for all state and local governments, focusing on (1) whether a government is
controlling the assets of the fiduciary activity and (2)the beneficiaries for whom a fiduciary relationship exists.
Separate criteria are included to identify fiduciary component units and postemployment benefit arrangements
that are fiduciary activities. The Authority is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the
financial statements when adopted during the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
In June 2017,the GASB issued Statement No.87,Leases. This Statement increases the usefulness of governments'
financial statements by requiring recognition of certain lease assets and liabilities for leases that previously were
classified as operating leases and recognized as inflows of resources or outflows of resources based on the
payment provisions of the contract. The Authority is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on
the financial statements when adopted during the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
In May 2019,the GASB issued Statement No.91,Conduit Debt Obligations. This Statement will improve financial
reporting by eliminating the existing option for issuers to report conduit debt obligations as their own liabilities,
thereby ending significant diversity in practice. The clarified definition will resolve stakeholders'uncertainty as
to whether a given financing is, in fact, a conduit debt obligation. Requiring issuers to recognize liabilities
associated with additional commitments extended by issuers and to recognize assets and deferred inflows of
resources related to certain arrangements associated with conduit debt obligations also will eliminate diversity,
thereby improving comparability in reporting by issuers. Revised disclosure requirements will provide financial
statement users with better information regarding the commitments issuers extend and the likelihood that they
will fulfill those commitments. That information will inform users of the potential impact of such commitments
on the financial resources of issuers and help users assess issuers' roles in conduit debt obligations. The
Authority is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the financial statements when adopted
during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
In May 2020,the GASB issued Statement No.96,Subscription-based Information Technology Arrangements. This
Statement provides guidance on the accounting and financial reporting for subscription-based information
technology arrangements (SBITAs) for government end users (governments). This Statement (1) defines a
SBITA; (2) establishes that a SBITA results in a right-to-use subscription asset - an intangible asset - and a
corresponding subscription liability; (3) provides the capitalization criteria for outlays other than subscription
payments,including implementation costs of a SBITA; and (4) requires note disclosures regarding a SBITA. To
the extent relevant,the standards for SBITAs are based on the standards established in Statement No.87,Leases,
as amended. The Authority is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the financial statements
when adopted during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
22
REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
23
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
GENERAL FUND
BUDGETARY COMPARISON SCHEDULE
Variance with
Final Final Budget
Original Amended Positive
Budget Budget Actual (Negative)
REVENUES
Property taxes $ 3,607,375 $ 3,964,423 $ 3,763,175 $ (201,248)
Intergovernmental-Federal/State - 675,000 1,180,951 505,951
Investment earnings - - 31,976 31,976
Other - - 21,778 21,778
TOTAL REVENUES 3,607,375 4,639,423 4,997,880 358,457
EXPENDITURES
Current
Community and economic development
Administrative 153,118 161,039 161,039
Community development projects 3,454,257 4,478,384 13,673,510 (9,195,126)
Debt service - - 1,037,163 (1,037,163)
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 3,607,375 4,639,423 14,871,712 (10,232,289)
EXCESS OF REVENUES
(UNDER) EXPENDITURES - - (9,873,832) (9,873,832)
OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES)
Issuance of long-term debt - - 19,260,000 19,260,000
Bond discount - - (380,192) (380,192)
TOTAL OTHER FINANCING
SOURCES (USES) - - 18,879,808 18,879,808
NET CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE - - 9,005,976 9,005,976
Fund balance,beginning of year 2,583,473 2,583,473 2,583,473 -
Fund balance,end of year $ 2,583,473 $ 2,583,473 $ 11,589,449 $ 9,005,976
24
LANSING BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NOTE TO REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,2020
NOTE 1 -EXCESS OF EXPENDITURES OVER APPROPRIATIONS
The approved budget of the Authority has been adopted at the activity level for the General Fund.
During the year ended June 30,2020,the Authority incurred expenditures in excess of the amounts appropriated
as follows:
Amounts Amounts
Appropriated Expended Variance
General Fund
Current
Community and Economic Development $ 4,639,423 $ 13,834,549 $ 9,195,126
Debt Service - 1,037,163 1,037,163
25
Maner Maner Costerisan PC
2425 E.Grand River Ave.
Suite 1
sterisan Lansing,M1 489 1
T.517 323 750 7500
Certified Public Accountants F.517 323 6346
Business&Technology Advisors www manercpa.com
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING AND
ON COMPLIANCE AND OTHER MATTERS BASED ON AN AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENTA UDITING STANDARDS
The Honorable Mayor,Members of the City Council,and
Members of the Board of Directors of the
Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Lansing,Michigan
We have audited,in accordance with the auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America
and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the
Comptroller General of the United States,the financial statements of the governmental activities and the major
fund of the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority(the Authority),a discretely presented component unit
of the City of Lansing,Michigan,as of and for the year ended June 30,2020,and the related notes to the financial
statements,which collectively comprise the Authority's basic financial statements and have issued our report
thereon dated December18,2020.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements,we considered the Authority's internal control
over financial reporting(internal control) as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances for the purpose of expressing our opinion on the financial statements,but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Authority's internal control. Accordingly,we do not express
an opinion on the effectiveness of the Authority's internal control.
A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or
employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct,
misstatements on a timely basis. A material weakness is a deficiency,or a combination of deficiencies,in internal
control such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the entity's financial
statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a
deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a material weakness,yet
important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance.
Our consideration of internal control was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph of this section
and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control that might be material weaknesses or
significant deficiencies and therefore, material weaknesses or significant deficiencies may exist that were not
identified. However,as described below,we identified certain deficiencies in internal control that we consider
to be material weaknesses:
26
2020-001 MATERIAL JOURNAL ENTRIES PROPOSED BY AUDITORS
Condition: Material journal entries for the proper recognition of various financial statement amounts within
the City's accounting records were proposed by the auditors. In addition,we received several revisions to
the City's trial balance(the final version coming in early December 2020),each of which contained material
corrections to previous trial balances.
Criteria: Management is responsible for establishing,maintaining,and monitoring internal controls,and for
the fair presentation in the financial statements of financial position, results of operations,and cash flows,
including the recording of all appropriate journal entries to assure the trial balance from which the financial
statements are prepared, reflect amounts that are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
Cause: Over the past several years,the City's Finance Department,who prepares the reconciliations of all
accounts, has reduced in size due to budget reductions, staffing reductions and staffing turnover. These
changes have placed a significant burden on the month and year end close processes,and have contributed
to journal entries not being completed or reviewed timely.
Effect: The Authority's accounting records were initially misstated by amounts material to the financial
statements. Necessary adjustments were brought to the attention of management and were subsequently
recorded in the Authority's general ledger.
Recommendation:We recommend that the Authority take steps to assure that material journal entries are
not necessary at the time future audit analysis is performed.
Corrective Action Response: Management of the Authority will continue to review auditor
recommendations/corrections and internal procedures related to the identification and correction of
potential errors in the financial statements prior to the beginning of future audits. The Finance team will
meet to review adjustments made to this year's financial statements and will develop a plan to address the
most significant issues in a timelier manner going forward. Within budget constraints,Management will look
to increase staffing levels and/or obtain temporary assistance earlier in the fiscal year, in order to perform
more timely analyses of the various account balances.
2020-02 BANK RECONCILIATIONS
Condition: Throughout the year,the City failed to complete bank reconciliations on a timely basis for most
of its cash accounts, including the pooled account which the Authority is part of. Several individual bank
account reconciliations were not completed for the entire fiscal year until approximately four months after
fiscal year end while audit fieldwork was ongoing.
Criteria: Completion of timely bank account reconciliations and review thereof, represent an important
control used to detect and prevent misstatements and errors. Such reconciliations should be completed and
reviewed monthly for all accounts.
Cause: Over the past several years,the City's Finance Department,who prepares the reconciliations of all
entity accounts, has reduced in size due to staffing reductions and staffing turnover. These changes have
placed a significant burden on the month and year end close processes, and have contributed to
reconciliations not being completed or reviewed timely.
Effect: As a result of this condition, all activities that have cash transactions have an increased risk that
misstatements in the accounting records, whether caused by error or fraud, would not be detected and
corrected on a timely basis.
27
2020-02 BANK RECONCILIATIONS (continued)
Recommendation: We recommend the City take steps to assure all bank reconciliations are completed and
tied to the general ledger in a timely fashion and all differences be resolved in a timely manner.
Correction Action Response: Management of the City will work on several areas of improvement to alleviate
this issue.
a. We will continue to review the need for the various bank accounts that have been established over
the years with the view toward more consolidation.
b. We will assign the responsibility for each of the bank accounts to various Finance staff members,
including using City Treasury staff, who will be responsible for reconciling those statements in a
timely manner.
c. We will review the old outstanding reconciling items with the view toward clearing them up before
the end of the next fiscal year.
d. We will look to increase staffing levels in Finance and/or obtain temporary assistance earlier in the
fiscal year,in order to perform more timely analyses of the various bank statements.
Compliance and Other Matters
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the Authority's financial statements are free from
material misstatement,we performed tests of its compliance with certain provision of laws,regulations,contracts,
and grant agreements, noncompliance with which could have a direct and material effect on the financial
statements. However,providing an opinion on compliance with those provisions was not an objective of our audit,
and accordingly,we do not express such an opinion. The results of our tests disclosed the following instance of
noncompliance or other matters that is required to be reported under Governmental Auditing Standards.
2020-003 UNFAVORABLE BUDGET VARIANCES
Condition: During our review of the Authority's compliance with the budgeting act, we noted that
expenditures had exceeded the amounts appropriated for various areas.
Criteria: The Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act requires the Authority to amend the original adopted
budget "as soon as it becomes apparent that a deviation from the original general appropriations act is
necessary and the amount of the deviation can be determined." The Act also states that"an administrative
officer of the local unit shall not incur expenditures against an appropriation account in excess of the amount
appropriated by the legislative body."
Cause: The City did not adequately monitor expenditures in relation to budgeted amounts in the areas
where the overages occurred.
Effect: Having unfavorable budget variances as described above, the Authority is not in compliance with
Public act 621 of 1978,as amended.
Recommendation: We recommend the City monitor expenditures against adopted budgets in all applicable
funds and make appropriate budget amendments as needed.
Correction Action Response: The City always wants to have a tighter reign over revenue and expenditures.
We budget conservatively in order so stay solvent,though we will monitor finances closer in the next year to
be certain we are close to actual as we feel comfortable projecting. For example,following last year's audit the
City implemented a mid-year budget amendment rather than strictly waiting until the end of the fiscal year.
28
Authority's Responses to Findings
The Authority's responses to the findings identified in our audit are described above. The Authority's responses
were not subject to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the financial statements and,accordingly,we
express no opinion on them.
Purpose of this Report
The purpose of this report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control and compliance and
the results of that testing,and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control or
on compliance. This report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing
Standards in considering the entity's internal control and compliance. Accordingly,this communication is not
suitable for any other purpose.
December 18,2020
29