Annual Reports 2015 | Page 78

District of Lake Country Notes to Financial Statements For the year ended December 31, 2015 2. Significant accounting policies (continued) Liability for contaminated sites Contaminated sites are a result of contamination being introduced into air, soil, water or sediment of a chemical, organic or radioactive material or live organism that exceeds an environmental standard. The liability is recorded net of any expected recoveries. A liability for remediation of contaminated sites is recognized when all of the following criteria are met: • • • • • an environmental standard exists; contamination exceeds the environmental standard; the District is directly responsible and accepts responsibility; it is expected that the future economic benefits will be given up; and a reasonable estimate of the amount can be made. The liability includes all costs directly attributable to remediation activities including post remediation operations, maintenance and monitoring. Municipal Finance Authority debt reserve deposits The District issues its debt instruments through the Municipal Finance Authority. As a condition of these borrowings, a portion of the debenture proceeds is withheld by the Municipal Finance Authority as a debt reserve fund. The District also executes demand notes in connection with each debenture whereby the District may be required to loan certain amounts to the Municipal Finance Authority. These demand notes are contingent in nature, and are detailed as follows: General Fund Water Fund Sewer Fund $ $ Demand Cash Total Total Notes Deposits 2015 2014 224,705 104,385 316,340 645,430 $ $ 100,961 37,376 177,761 316,098 $ $ 325,666 141,761 494,101 961,528 $ $ 241,444 140,827 489,664 871,935 Reserve funds Non-statutory reserves represent an appropriation of surplus for specific purposes. Reserves for future capital expenditures represent funds to finance incomplete capital projects. Statutory reserves are restricted by the Community Charter and the associated municipal bylaws that established the reserves. Budget figures The budget figures are from the 5-Year Financial Plan Bylaw, adopted before May 15th of each year. Subsequent amendments have been made by Council to reflect changes in the budget as required by law. The financial plan is prepared on a cash basis for revenue and expenses. For comparative purposes, the District has prepared a reconciliation of the budget figures to the financial statements in the following table: -7- 2015 Annual Report 78 | Page