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City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 14 BUDGET OVERVIEW ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 15 HOW TO READ AN OPERATING BUDGET What is the FY 2013 – 2014 Biennium Budget? This document is the City of Laramie’s spending plan for the period beginning July 1st, 2012, and ending June 30th, 2014. Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 lasts from July 1st, 2012 until June 30th, 2013. Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 last from July 1st, 2013 until June 30th, 2014. Why have a Budget? The City of Laramie is required to prepare a budget by Wyoming State Statute 16-4-103. Aside from statutory requirements, a budget is an excellent method to craft a strategic, multi-year plan for the City, while at the same time balancing revenues and expenditures. How do I read this Budget? The main purpose of this budget document is to present the reader with the answers to two simple questions: 1) “Where does the City of Laramie get its money?” (Revenue) 2) “How is this money spent?” (Expenditures) How are revenues and expenditures presented in this Budget? The City’s fund structure provides the framework for the presentation of revenues and expenditures in this budget. Revenues and expenditures are provided for each fund, allowing the reader to track how much money is going into the fund, as well as how much money is coming out. How is this fund system used? Each fund is used to account for specific services, activities, and programs that are provided by the City of Laramie. For example, the money that is collected from the City’s water customers goes into the Water Fund, where it is used to provide water services. As explained above, City departments all receive operating dollars from specific funds. In this document, each department presents its spending plan for the biennium (FY 2013-14), as well as historical spending information for the previous two years (FY 2011-12). The FY 2011-12 data includes both the budgeted expenditures and the actual expenditures for that time period. Which funds were not adopted for a biennium in this budget? In total, eight funds were adopted for only FY 2013. These funds are: the Solid Waste Fund, the E911 Fund, the Self-Insurance Fund, the Specific Purpose Tax Fund – 2002, the Specific Purpose Tax Fund – 2010, the Cemetery Fund, the Downtown Development Fund, and the Economic Development Fund. What is the Basis of Budgeting for these funds? The basis of budgeting for these funds is Modified Accrual. This basis for budgeting is the same as the fund basis of accounting used in the City’s audited financial statements. There are a few slight differences resulting from accounting entries such as capital gains, unrealized gain/loss, and capital proceeds, but overall the basis of budgeting and the basis of accounting are more or less the same. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 16 BUDGET PROCESS Budgeting Process: The City of Laramie’s budget process is structured to comply with statutory requirements set forth in W.S. 16-4-101 through 16-4-125. Per W.S. 16-4-109, hearings for city and town budgets must be held not prior to the second Tuesday in June, nor shall they be heard after the third Tuesday in June. Per W.S. 16-4-111, the budget must be adopted within twenty-four hours of the conclusion of the public hearing. In order to ensure that these deadlines were met, staff began work on the budget at the beginning of December. From December through March, capital, equipment, operations and maintenance personnel, and supplemental requests were prepared by the departments cooperating with administration. Also during this time, revenue projections were made and revised by the Finance Director. February 7th, the Council held a work session to discuss major capital projects pertaining to water and wastewater. Updates and revisions continued through the month of February. On March 6th, the book was given to the Finance Committee for review, and revisions were made. By the end of April, the City Council received the budget books for their review and held two work sessions to review the budget. The first, on April 24th, dealt with Enterprise Capital Plans and Specific Purpose Tax fund projects. The second meeting, which took place on May 5th, dealt with operating budgets for the General Fund, the Recreation Center Fund, and the Enterprise Funds. The Council held one last meeting, a Special Meeting in regard to the budget, on May 14th. The final budget resolution was completed and submitted for publication on the 30th of May, published on the 5th of June (a statutory deadline) and adopted by resolution after public hearing on June 12th, 2012. Amendments to the Budget: There are a number of cases in which a budget amendment must be brought before Council. First, whenever there are any new unexpected revenues that allow a new project to be undertaken, an amendment must be brought before Council. Second, any time that a project over $35,000 goes over its budget, an amendment must be taken to the City Council for approval. Generally, the department that is overseeing the project brings the amendment before Council to explain why an amendment is needed. The Council makes the determination on the project, and the budget is adjusted or not adjusted accordingly. Lastly, monies that have been appropriated for a specific purpose (i.e. capital projects), cannot be reallocated in any way without Council approval. At mid-year and year-end, formal resolutions for all of the budget amendments previously approved by Council will be brought forward. For the City of Laramie’s detailed budget calendar for FY 2013-2014, see next five pages. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 17 City of Laramie Budget Calendar FY 2013-2014 DECEMBER 2011 General Fund/Enterprise Fund 6th Work began on routine capital and O&M for the General Fund Administration 8th - 30th Administration met with departments on all routine capital/equipment for the GF & Rec Center Administration/Dept Heads JANUARY 2012 General Fund/Enterprise Fund 4th Fleet and equipment costs reviewed and updated D. Derragon 9th Outside agency notifications mailed D. Derragon 10th Formatted H.T.E. budget worksheets, finalized budget calendar and biennial budget request forms Administration 10th - 31st Updated all enterprise sheets (Water/WW) in the Biennium Format (Multi-year, Routine Equipment, Capital) Administration 30th “Gas/Lube/Oil” (Acct. 62-10) projections due D. Derragon/Street Mgr. 16th Major Capital Projects (300/310/340 Funds) "new project" request forms send to Departments Department Requests 16th - 20th Administration continued to meet with departments on GF/Rec Center routine, equipment, and capital sheets. Updated these sheets for departments. Sent out all sheets to update routine equipment/capital. Administration/Departments 20th Obligated increases, personnel forms and supplementary budget requests sent to departments (ALL FUNDS) Administration 20th - 30th HR reviews position control; determines Workers Compensation, Tax, and other rates. Human Resources/Admin. 20th - 30th Fleet & Equipment completed with Fleet Committee David Derragon 20th - 24th Analysis of internally budget accounts initiated David Derragon 23rd Departments completed New Requests for Major Capital Projects Fund (300/310/340) Departments to Budget Team 25th - 30th Preliminary revenue projections - General Fund & Rec. Center. Send out requests to Departments. Administration 25th Finance Staff updated the Capital Projects Fund Administration 27th Met on Capital Projects Fund (300/310/340) with department heads Budget Team, Department Heads, D. Derragon ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 18 JANUARY 2012 continued General Fund/Enterprise Fund 27th Police and fire grants sent to departments David Derragon/Departments 28-31st Preliminary enterprise revenues (draft) Administration 30th Human Resources completes initial review of position control; forwards to Administration changes in Workers Compensation, taxes, etc. Human Resources/Admin FEBRUARY 2012 General Fund/Enterprise Fund 1st Payroll Coordinator begins to update payroll projections for FY 2013 and FY 2014 Payroll 3rd - 10th Complete the set up in the budget module - SunGard Budget Team 3rd Departments complete all capital requests, routine and major, including Capital Projects 100/130 Fund (including grant funded) Departments to Admin. 1st -6th Internally budgeted items due (forms) to budget team David Derragon/Admin. 1st Internal transfer draft due Administration/Parks 1st - 6th Forms completed for Fleet/Equipment and sent to budget team David Derragon 10th Obligated increases, personnel forms, O&M routine, and supplementary budget requests due from departments Departments 10th Obligated increases, personnel forms, supplementary budget requests due from departments- WATER & WW ONLY (Note: WT & WW O&M Routine due 2/27) Utilities to Administration 10th Police and fire grants due back to budget team David Derragon/Departments 1st - 10th Administration updated Capital project funds (300/310/340) and sent final versions to departments Budget Team, Department Heads, D. Derragon 1st - 10th Developed Medical Rate assumption. Provided rates to payroll. HR reviewed payroll projection reports for accuracy. Human Resource/Admin. 16th Reviewed capital projects with the City Manager Budget Team/City Manager 13th - 17th Department acknowledged Capital funds (300/310/340), signed off on them. Budget Team, Department Heads 10th - 29th Human Resources reviewed all new personnel requests Budget Team/HR 15th -16th Completed payroll forecast; all final changes done Payroll 22th Sent payroll reports for department review Payroll/Administration ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 19 FEBRUARY 2012 continued General Fund/Enterprise Fund 21th Grants Reconciliation GF/Rec Center complete D. Derragon/Grants Writer 20th - 22nd Updated payroll into SunGard budget module and made changes Administration 23rd Sent out biennium budget sheets to department s Budget Team 23rd Sent out re-budget (O&M) forms, line items requests, and divisional changes (net changes) (ALL FUNDS) Budget Team 20th - 24th Major capital books (GF, RC) completed (100 Fund, 130 Fund), routine capital & equipment GF & RC, Fleet GF& RC - FINAL BOOK DUE Budget Team, Departments 20th - 24th Major capital books (Capital Fund 300, 310 Fund) FINAL BOOK DUE Budget Team, Departments 24th Outside Agencies due back David Derragon 29th. Departments acknowledged payroll reports an recommended any final changes (if necessary). Admin Staff made changes in SunGard (ALL FUNDS) Departments to Administration 28th Council Budget Work Session (Capital Plan GF & RC) (Other funds Capital Plan: Major (300), (310)) Budget Team, Departments 30th Updated revenues - General Fund & Recreation Center Administration 6th Summary of grants for enterprise funds D. Derragon/J. Guerin 7th Work Session for major capital (Water & WW) Departments/Administration 13th - 20th Met on routine capital, routine equipment & O&M (WT/WW) Utilities/Administration 13th - 29th Set up Additional meetings with Water/Wastewater Meet with Group: Utilities/Public Works/Engineering/Admin. 20th - 29th Solid Waste - Met on financial plan and capital plan Public Works/Administration 21th Water and Wastewater completed all major capital. Public Works/Administration 27th Water and Wastewater completed all capital routine and equipment routine sheets Departments to Administration 27th -29th Updated revenue for the enterprise funds Administration/Public Works 19th - 28th Updated Utilities Financial Plan; Scheduled Review Public Works/Administration MARCH 2012 General Fund/Enterprise Fund 2nd Solid Waste obligated increases, O&M routine, and supplementary forms due Solid Waste to Administration ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 20 MARCH 2012 continued General Fund/Enterprise Fund 1st - 2nd Internal transfer complete Administration/Parks 6th Finance Committee review Budget Team/Council 1st - 16th Red Oak reviewed plan; updated capital books Water/Wastewater Budget Team/Public Works 1st - 16th Bell & Associates reviewed Solid Waste capital plan Budget Team/Public Works 2nd Department requests due (line item/rebudgets) Departments to Admin. 1st - 30th Converted capital plans into final book format (GF & Rec Center) D. Derragon 1st-30th Converted capital plans into final book format (Other Major Capital) D. Derragon 6th ALL revenue updated Finance 19th Outside Agency presentations: City/County Council/David Derragon 19-31st Other funds completed- (Cemetery, Major Capital Construction, Parks and Recreation Development, West Laramie Capital Projects, Specific Purpose Tax, E-911, and Recreation Center Funds) Budget Team 19-31st Bell & Associates reviewed updated financial plan Budget Team/Public Works 19th - 31st Completed final capital plans: Enterprise Funds Budget Team/Consultants/Public Works 22-31st Budget team completed budget changes; updated actuals for capital GF/RC/300 FUND/310 FUND Budget Team APRIL 2012 General Fund/Enterprise Fund 2nd - 10th Met with department heads on budget with City Manager Budget Team/Departments 5th MCC and capital plan books get printed (GF, RC, 300, 310) David Derragon/Budget Team 9th - 15th Final books prepared for submission to Council (Enterprise & General) Budget Team/Public Works 16th - 19th Final books formatted (Enterprise & GF): Page numbers and final details reviewed with Manager Budget Team/City Manager/Public Works 20th City Council received budget books David Derragon/Budget Team April 24th Work session on Enterprise capital plans & SPT (340 & 350 funds) Budget Team/Departments ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 21 MAY 2012 General Fund/Enterprise Fund 5th Council work session on Operating (General, Recreation center, Enterprise) Budget Team/Departments 14th Council Special Meeting: Budget Budget Team/Departments 30th Final resolution completed & submitted for publication David Derragon JUNE 2012 General Fund/Enterprise Fund 5th Publish date of budget notice - statutory deadline David Derragon 12th Public Hearing & Adoption of Budget by Resolution Council/Staff ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 22 FUND OVERVIEW Governmental Funds: The City of Laramie complies with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). In addition, the City adheres to the principles set forth by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and the Accounting Principles Board (APB). The accounts of the City are organized on the basis of funds, with each fund being considered a separate accounting entity. The operations of each fund are accounted for with a separate set of self-balancing accounts that comprise its assets, liabilities, fund equity, revenues and expenditures, or expenses as appropriate. Government resources are allocated and accounted for in these individual funds based upon the purposes for which they are to be expended, as well as the means by which spending activities are controlled. The various funds are grouped into fund types and broad fund categories. General Fund: The “General Fund” of the City of Laramie is used to account for financial resources that are not restricted to specific purposes. This fund accounts for “basic” City services such as public safety, public works, community services, and general governmental services. Examples of City Services that are accounted for in the General Fund Include: Police Patrol Ice and Events Center City Council Police Investigations Animal Control/ Shelter Police Special Operations Cemetery Maintenance Parks Maintenance Engineering Code Administration Planning Financial Administration Information Technology Legal Services City Council Municipal Court Human Resources Employee Safety Community Partners Funding City Clerk Services Ambulance/EMS Services Community Planning City Administration Facilities Maintenance Fire Suppression Street Maintenance Fleet Maintenance Recreation Programs Mosquito Control Special Revenue Funds: Special revenue funds are used to account for proceeds from specific revenue sources. These funds are legally restricted to expenditure for specified purposes. The City of Laramie has three special revenue funds: 1) City of Laramie E911 Fund – used to account for the costs of major construction or capital improvements that are directly related to emergency management 911. Revenues for this fund come from grants, as well as 911 surcharges on telephone bills. 2) City of Laramie Economic Development Fund – used to account for grant revenues which are utilized to administer low-interest loan programs to stimulate economic development. Economic programs have expanded to include recapture agreements with the Wyoming Business Council. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 23 FUND OVERVIEW 3) Recreation Center Fund – used to account for revenues and expenditures for the operation of the City of Laramie Recreation Center. Revenues come from memberships and user fees, grants, merchandise sales, interest from the recreation endowment, donations, and the recreation mill levy. If a revenue shortfall occurs, this fund is subsidized by the General Fund. Enterprise Funds: The “Enterprise Funds” of the City of Laramie are funds through which provided services are financed by charging the costs of these services back to the user, similar to a private business. Revenues in these funds are generated by charging either customers or other units within the City government for the services provided. The City uses this type of fund to account for water, wastewater, and solid waste services. The Two Enterprise Funds Used by the City are: 1) Utility Fund – A fund used to account for the operation of the water and wastewater services provided by the City. City Services accounted for in the Utility Fund: Potable Water Generation Pumps and Wells Water Distribution Lines Water Meters Monolith Ranch Water Rights Waste Collection Lift Station Wastewater Treatment Plant Wastewater & Water Education Industrial Pretreatment 2) Solid Waste Fund – A fund used to account for refuse collection, refuse disposal, and diversion/recycling services provided by the City. City Services accounted for in the Solid Waste Fund: Residential Refuse Collection Commercial Refuse Collection Disposal of Solid Waste Landfill Diversion/Recycling Service Debt Service Funds: Debt service funds account for resources used to pay annual principal and interest payments on general long-term debt. The City of Laramie has one debt service fund: City of Laramie General Debt Service Fund – used to account for the periodic payment of principal and interest on notes or contracts such as the Wyoming Territorial Park loan. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 24 FUND OVERVIEW Internal Service Funds: Internal service funds are used to report any activity which provides goods or services to other funds or departments on a cost-reimbursement basis. The City of Laramie has one internal service fund: City of Laramie Health Self-Insurance Fund – used to account for the cost of providing a defined health and dental insurance plan that covers all regular, full-time employees, as well as some retirees, of the City. Trust and Agency Funds: Trust and agency funds are used to account for assets that are held by a governmental trustee capacity, private organization, or as an agent for other governmental units and/or funds. The City of Laramie has one trust & agency fund: City of Laramie Cemetery Endowment Fund – used to account for all funds granted and bequeathed to the city for the preservation of lots for the Laramie Cemetery. Capital Project Funds: Capital project funds are used to account for financial resources to be used in acquisition or construction of major capital projects, other than those financed by enterprise (proprietary) funds or trust funds. The City of Laramie has four capital project funds: 1) City of Laramie Major Capital Construction Fund – used to account for the costs of major construction or capital improvements. Revenues for this fund come from grants, capital leases, and General Fund operating transfers. 2) City of Laramie Parks and Recreation Fund – used to account for the costs of capital improvements or equipment for the Parks and Recreation department. Revenues for this fund come from grants, the recreational mill levy (1 mill), and donations. 3) City of Laramie West Laramie Fund – used to account for the cost of capital improvements or equipment within the boundaries of West Laramie. Revenues for this fund come from grants and transfers from the General Fund. The use of this fund was completed in FY 2012. 4) City of Laramie Specific Purpose Tax Fund – used to account for the costs of specific capital improvements, as well as repair and maintenance projects. Revenues for this fund come from the additional one cent sales tax (the “6th cent) in which voters approved both bonded and unbonded projects. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 25 GLOSSARY OF BUDGET TERMS Appropriation: Money set aside for a specific use by a formal action of the City Council. Audit: An examination of the City’s accounting records by an independent accounting firm in order to determine the accuracy and validity of records and reports, as well as conformity with established policies. The General Accounting Standards Board (GASB) sets standards for financial reporting for units of government. These standards are referred to as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Balanced Budget: A budget in which available fund balances and revenues are equal to, or greater than, approved expenditures. Budget: A spending plan that balances revenues and expenditures over a fixed time period, usually a year, and includes, at least by implication, a work plan. The budget is also an excellent tool for long range planning and vision. Budget Message: The City Manager’s general discussion of the budget, presented as part of the budget document. Generally, the budget message explains broad budget issues and presents the City Manager’s recommendation to the City Council. Capital Improvement Program (CIP): A planning document that presents the City’s capital infrastructure needs for the next five years. In Laramie, this document is reviewed and revised annually. The first year of the CIP is funded in the current year’s operating budget. Capital Project: The acquisition, expansion, or rehabilitation of the City’s physical structures or infrastructure. Rehabilitation projects extend the useful life of the structure, while expansion or acquisition projects create new components to existing capital assets. Capital projects have a minimum useful life expectancy of five years, as well as a minimum expense of $5,000. Capital Obligations: A category of expenses that includes loan payment and lease payment obligations. Contingency Funds: A category of expenses placed in reserve in the current budget year only to be used with the approval of the City Council, and only if adequate revenue is available. Contractual Services: A category of expenditures that includes items such as association dues, professional services provided by consultants or private companies, and maintenance agreements. Council Construction Fund: See Major Capital Construction Fund. Debt Service: The payment of principal and interest on an obligation, incurred by the issuance of bonds and notes. These payments are made according to a predetermined payment schedule. Departments: A major administrative section of the City of Laramie government. The City of Laramie has nine departments: The City Manager’s Office, the City Attorney’s Office, Administrative Services, Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Community Development, Human Resources, and Public Works. Depreciation: A non-cash expense that reduces the value of an asset due to wear-and-tear, age, or obsolescence. Most assets lose their value over time and must be replaced once the end of their useful life is reached. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 26 GLOSSARY OF BUDGET TERMS Division: An administrative section within a department that performs a particular function. Examples of divisions in the City of Laramie include the Street Division of the Department of Public Works, as well as the Finance Division of the Administrative Services Department. Enterprise Fund: A fund in which the service or services provided to customers/residents are financed and operated similar to a private business. An enterprise fund is operated so that the costs of providing services are financed through user-fees and charges. In Laramie, the City uses enterprise funds to account for water, wastewater, and solid waste services. Equipment: Equipment items must have a useful life of more than one year. Equipment outlays are made for both replacement and new equipment items. Expenditure: The actual outlay of funds from the City treasury. Fiscal Year: The twelve month period that establishes the beginning and ending of the period for recording financial transactions. For the City of Laramie, the fiscal year takes place from July 1st to June 30th. Fleet: Fleet items include vehicles and large motorized equipment that have a useful life of more than one year. Fleet outlays are made for both replacement and new fleet items. Franchise Tax: A tax charged for the use of public rights-of-way and property within the City of Laramie for public or private purposes. The City charges franchise taxes for natural gas, telephone, cable, and electrical services. Fund: A self-balancing set of accounts. Governmental accounting information is organized into funds, each with separate revenues, expenditures, and fund balances. Fund Balances: Non-spendable Fund Balance: This classification reflects the proportion of net resources that is inherently non-spendable because of its form, or because it must be maintained intact. Restricted Fund Balance: The portion of a fund balance that is not available for appropriation or expenditure due to legal requirements. Committed Fund Balance: The portion of net resources for which there are self-imposed limitations enacted by the City Council that require formal action at the Council level to remove, and are set in place prior to the end of the period. Assigned Fund Balance: This classification reflects the portion of fund balance for which there are limitations that result from intended use established by the City Council or the City Manager. Unassigned Fund Balance: The portion of net resources that is residual after non-spendable, restricted, committed, and assigned amounts have been determined. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 27 GLOSSARY OF BUDGET TERMS General Fund: The general operating fund of the City of Laramie. This fund accounts for all financial resources not restricted to any specific purposes. The General Fund accounts for “basic” City services such as public safety, street maintenance and repair, community services, and general governmental activities. In Laramie, and throughout Wyoming, the fifth cent sales tax supports general government services. Infrastructure: The physical assets of the community. Examples include water and sewer systems, public buildings, streets and bridges, and parks. Interfund Transactions: The City transfers amounts between funds to pay for operating expenses. The transfers are budgeted for by the City Council to supplement the operating costs for the respective funds for matching funds required by capital grants. Intergovernmental Revenue: Revenues received by the City of Laramie from other governments in the form of grants, entitlements, loans, and/or shared revenue. Lease-Purchase: A form of financing by which the City leases a piece of equipment or property from a qualified lending institution for a predetermined period of time with an arranged payment schedule. At the end of the lease period, the City typically purchases the equipment for a nominal fee. Line Item Budget: A budget in which expenditures are classified by expense categories such as full time wages, overtime wages, social security payments, supplies, utilities, etc. Major Capital Construction Fund: A special fund established in 1992 to support large, multi-year capital projects, as well as City Council initiatives. Materials and Supplies: A category of expenditures that includes such items as office supplies, books, periodicals, maps, gasoline, and safety equipment. Mill Levy: A percentage that is applied to the assessed value of real property to calculate property tax. One mill is equal to one dollar of tax per one-thousand (1,000) dollars of valuation. For the biennium 2013-2014, the City of Laramie is levying eight mills, the maximum amount allowed by state statute. Operating Budget: The spending plan for the City which consists of anticipated revenues and purposed expenditures for each function of government for a designated fiscal year. Operating Expenses: All expenses that are necessary to maintain existing levels of services. Operating expenses generally include wages, utilities, supplies, etc. Typically, these expenses do not include equipment replacement or capital expenditures. Ordinance: A municipal regulation approved by the City Council. Ordinances have the force of law. Personnel: A category of expenditures that includes salary, benefits, and payroll taxes for City employees. Program: A specific or discrete service performed by the City of Laramie. Rebudgeted Expenses: With approval, capital projects or equipment/fleet purchases that remain incomplete at the end of the fiscal year may be “rebudgeted” into successive years. As actual expenditures are recognized only when the goods or services are received/rendered, these approved expenses are purchased from fund balance. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Laramie Biennial Budget 2013-2014 Page 28 GLOSSARY OF BUDGET TERMS Resolution: A formal expression of opinion, will, or intent, passed by a majority of City Council. A resolution does not have the force of law. Revenue: Funds that the City of Laramie receives as income. Examples of revenues include fees for services, receipts from other governments, grants, tax payments, and fines. Sales and Use Tax: A tax imposed on the sale or use of all tangible personal property. Solid Waste Fund: The specific fund which receives all payments for, and charges against, the collection and disposal of solid waste in Laramie. The Solid Waste Fund operates as an enterprise fund in the City of Laramie. Tax: Compulsory charges levied by a governmental unit for the purpose of raising revenue, which in turn pays for services or improvements provided for the benefit of the general public. User-Fees/Charges: A payment made to the City of Laramie for receipt of services by the user who benefits from the service. The City of Laramie’s primary sources of user fees are the utility services. Other examples include recreational programs, building permits, and inspection fees. Wastewater Fund: The fund that receives all payments for, and charges against, the collection and treatment of wastewater and sewage in Laramie. The Wastewater Fund operates as an enterprise fund in the City of Laramie. Water Fund: The fund that receives all payments for, and charges against, the acquisition and distribution of water in and around Laramie. The Water Fund operates as an enterprise fund in the City of Laramie.