HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014Southold Fire District
Financial Statements (Regulatory Basis)
with Independent Auditor's Report
December 31, 2014
I
SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Table of Contents
December 31, 2014
Independent Auditor's Report
Basic Financial Statements (Regulatory Basis)
Balance Sheet - General Fund and Account Groups
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance - General Fund
Statement of Fiduciary Net Position - Fiduciary Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
Other Supplementary Information
Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance
- Budget and Actual - General Fund - Operating
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 Government Auditing Standards
Page
1
3
4
5
6
19
CULLEN(`&"DAfNQWSKI, LLP
CERTIFIED US -fl CCOUNTANTS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
To the Board of Fire Commissioners
Southold Fire District
Southold, New York
VINCENT D. CULLEN, CPA
C1 950 - 2013)
JAMES E. DANOWSKI, CPA
PETER F. RODRIGUEZ, CPA
JILL S. SANDERS, CPA
DONALD J. HOFFMANN, CPA
CHRISTOPHER V. REINO, CPA
ALAN YU, CPA
1 We have audited the accompanying financial statements (regulatory basis) of the Southold Fire District, as of
and for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the related notes to the 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 the financial reporting provisions of the New York State Office of the State Comptroller, as
described in Note 1, to meet the reporting requirements of New York State. Management is also responsible
for 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 Government Auditing 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 auditor's judgment, including the assessment of
i 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.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our
audit opinions.
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1650 ROUTE 112, PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NEW YORK 11776-3060
PHONE: 631-473-3400 • FAX: 631-473-4863 • WWW.CDLLP.NET
Opinions
-' In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the assets,
liabilities and fund balances of each fund and account group of the Southold Fire District, as of December 31,
2014, and their respective revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balance for the year then ended, in
{ accordance with the financial reporting provisions of the New York State Office of the State Comptroller as
described in Note 1.
Basis of Accounting
We draw attention to Note 1 of the financial statements, which describes the basis of accounting. The
4 financial statements are prepared on the basis of the financial reporting provisions of the New York State
Office of the State Comptroller, which is a basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally
- accepted in the United States of America, to comply with the reporting requirements of the New York State
L I Office of the State Comptroller. Our opinion is not modified with respect to that matter.
Other Supplementary Information
Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively
-- comprise the Southold Fire District's basic financial statements. The other supplementary information on
page 18 is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial
statements. The other supplementary information is the responsibility of management and was derived from
and relates directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the basic financial
statements. Such information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic
financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such
information directly to. the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the basic financial
statements or to the basic financial statements themselves, and other additional procedures in accordance
with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. In our opinion, the other
supplementary information is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the basic financial
statements as a whole.
Other Reporting Required by Government Auditing Standards
In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated May 11, 2015, on
our consideration of the Southold Fire District's internal control over financial reporting and our tests of its
compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and 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 the 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 Southold Fire District's internal control over financial
reporting and compliance.
Restriction of Use
This report is intended solely for the use and information of the Board of Fire Commissioners and
management of the Southold Fire District and the New York State Office of the State Comptroller and is not
intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties.
LJ --P
May 11, 2015
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SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Balance Sheet - General Fund and Account Groups
December 31, 2014
See Notes to Financial Statements - 3 -
Account Groups
General
General
General
Fixed
Long -Term
Fund
Assets
Debt
Total
ASSETS
Cash
Unrestricted
$
386,563
$
$
$
386,563
Restricted
1,908,856
1,908,856
Prepaids
74,860
74,860
Land
258,752
258,752
Buildings and improvements
3,456,189
3,456,189
Equipment
3,392,246
3,392,246
Amount to be provided for
retirement of long-term debt
450,000
450,000
Total Assets
$
2,370,279
$
7,107,187
$ 450,000
$
9,927,466
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable
$
58,998
$
$
$
58,998
Accrued liabilities
1,223
1,223
Bonds payable
450,000
450,000
Total Liabilities
60,221
-
450,000
510,221
FUND BALANCE
Investment in general fixed assets
7,107,187
7,107,187
Nonspendable
74,860
74,860
Restricted:
Capital, equipment
1,877,533
1,877,533
Capital, building
31,323
31,323
Assigned: Unappropriated
74,585
74,585
Unassigned
251,757
251,757
Total Fund Balance
2,310,058
7,107,187
-
9,417,245
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance
$
2,370,279
$
7,107,187
$ 450,000
$
9,927,466
See Notes to Financial Statements - 3 -
SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance - General Fund
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
See Notes to Financial Statements - 4 -
Capital
Operating
Reserve
Total
REVENUES
Real property taxes
$ 1,838,209
$
$ 1,838,209
Interest and earnings
960
1,903
2,863
Rentals
23,201
23,201
Sale of equipment
3,000
3,000
Insurance recoveries
368
368
Total Revenues
1,865,738
1,903
1,867,641
EXPENDITURES
Personal services
242,103
242,103
Equipment and capital outlay
253,537
253,537
Fire protection
511,690
511,690
State retirement system
29,228
29,228
Service award program
358,983
358,983
Social security
18,474
18,474
Workers' compensation
48,901
48,901
Medical and accident insurance
35,127
35,127
Debt service - principal
150,000
150,000
Debt service - interest
24,450
24,450
Total Expenditures
1,672,493
-
1,672,493
Excess of Revenues Over Expenditures
193,245
1,903
195,148
OTHER SOURCES AND USES
Operating transfers in
400,000
400,000
Operating transfers out
(400,000)
(400,000)
Total Other Sources and Uses
(400,000)
400,000
-
Net Change in Fund Balances
(206,755)
401,903
195,148
Fund Balance - Beginning of Year
607,957
1,506,953
2,114,910
Fund Balance - End of Year
$ 401,202
$ 1,908,856
$ 2,310,058
See Notes to Financial Statements - 4 -
SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Statement of Fiduciary Net Position - Fiduciary Fund
December 31, 2014
ASSETS
Service award program assets
Total Assets
LIABILITIES
Service awards
Total Liabilities
Trust and Agency
$ 3,458,972
$ 3,458,972
$ 3,458,972
$ 3,458,972
See Notes to Financial Statements - 5 -
1
-' SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements of the Southold Fire District (District) as of and for the year ended December 31,
2014, have been prepared in accordance with the financial reporting provisions of the New York State
Office of the State Comptroller, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for governmental units. The
Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the standard-setting body for establishing GAAP for
governmental units. The financial statements of the District have been prepared using only the modified
accrual basis of accounting. This method differs from GAAP, which requires the preparation of additional
financial statements using the accrual basis of accounting. The accrual basis financial statements require
~ i the capitalization and depreciation of property and equipment and the recording of long-term liabilities.
Under the modified accrual basis of accounting, property and equipment are recorded as an expenditure
when purchased, the proceeds of long-term debt are reported as other financing sources and the payments
1^' of long-term debt and other long-term liabilities are recognized as expenditures to the extent that the
! liabilities mature during the year. In addition, GAAP requires the financial statements to be prepared in
accordance with GASB Statement No. 34, Basic Financial Statements - and Management's Discussion and
f Analysis - for State and Local Governments. GASB 34 financial statements require the presentation of
_I government -wide financial statements and management's discussion and analysis. The accounting
practices used to prepare these financial statements do not require compliance with GASB 34.
The significant accounting policies of the District are described below:
A. Financial Reporting Entity
The District is a district corporation and political subdivision of the state of New York, distinct from the
- municipalities in which it is located. In general, the District is governed by an elected board of
J commissioners (Board) and is required to have a treasurer and a secretary. The District has the legal
authority to levy taxes on real property and to borrow in its own name. The District is governed by
General Municipal Law and other laws of the state of New York and its subdivisions. The scope of
activities included in the accompanying financial statements is the transactions which comprise the
District's operations.
The primary function of the District is to provide fire -protection, rescue and emergency services to the
community. Services such as firefighting, fire prevention and public education support the primary
function.
The financial reporting entity includes all funds, functions and organizations over which the District's
Board exercises oversight responsibility. Oversight responsibility is determined on the basis of
financial interdependency, selection of governing authority, designation of management, ability to
significantly influence operations and accountability for fiscal matters.
B. Basis of Presentation
Fund Financial Statements
The District uses funds to report on its financial position and the results of its operations. Fund
accounting is designed to demonstrate legal compliance and to assist management by segregating
transactions related to certain government functions or activities. A fund is a separate accounting
entity with a self -balancing set of accounts.
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I
SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
L-
{--I The District records its transactions in the fund types described below:
Governmental Funds
L Governmental funds are those through which most governmental functions are financed. The
acquisition, use and balances of expendable financial resources and the related liabilities are
— accounted for through governmental funds. The measurement focus of the governmental funds is
based upon determination of financial position and changes in financial position. The District
utilizes the following governmental fund:
General Fund - the general fund is the principal operating fund of the District. It is used to
1-J account for all financial resources except those required to be accounted for in another fund.
Fiduciary Funds
Fiduciary funds are used to account for assets held by the District in a trustee or custodial capacity.
Trust and Agency Fund - the trust and agency fund is used to account for money (and/or
property) received and held in the capacity of trustee, custodian, or agent.
IIre
U
Account Groups
Account groups are used to establish accounting control and accountability for the District's general
fixed assets and general long-term obligations. Account groups are not "funds". They are
concerned only with the measurement of financial position, and not with the results of operations.
—� The District utilizes the following account groups:
General Fixed Assets Account Group - the general fixed assets account group is used to
account for land, buildings, improvements and equipment owned by the District.
General Long -Term Debt Account Group - the general long-term debt account group is used to
account for all long-term debt and other obligations of the District.
C. Measurement Focus and Basis of Accounting
The fund statements are reported using the current financial resources measurement focus and the
modified accrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recognized when measurable and available. The
District considers all revenues reported in the governmental funds to be available if the revenues are
collected within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year. Expenditures are recorded when the related
fund liability is incurred, except for principal and interest on general long-term debt and claims and
judgments, which are recognized as expenditures to the extent they have matured. General capital asset
acquisitions are reported as expenditures in governmental funds. Proceeds of general long-term debt
and acquisitions under capital leases are reported as other financing sources.
s - D. Real Property Taxes
Real property taxes are levied annually by the District no later than November 1St and become a lien on
December 1St. The District's tax levy is collected by the Town of Southold and then remitted to the
District from January to June. The County of Suffolk is responsible for all uncollected taxes.
SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
E. Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with a comprehensive basis of accounting other
than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure
-{ of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and
expenditures during the reporting period. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
F. Cash
Cash consists of cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments with original maturities of
three months or less from date of acquisition.
G. Prepaids
Prepaids represent payments made by the District for which benefits extend beyond year end. These
payments to vendors reflect costs applicable to future accounting periods and are recorded as prepaid
expenditures in the financial statements. A current asset for the prepaid amounts is recorded at the
time of purchase and an expenditure is reported in the year the goods or services are consumed.
JA portion of fund balance has been classified as nonspendable to indicate that prepaids do not
constitute available spendable resources.
LJ H. Restricted Assets
Certain cash balances are restricted by various legal and contractual obligations, such as legal reserves.
1 11 I. General Fixed Assets
,i l Capital assets are reported in the general fixed asset account group at original cost, when the
L information is available, or estimated historical cost based on professional third -party information.
The capital threshold, the dollar value above which asset acquisitions are added to the capital assets
accounts, is $1,000 for all assets.
J. Employee Benefits - Pension Plans
i Eligible District employees participate in the New York State Employees' Retirement System.
Eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance volunteers participate in the District sponsored Length of
i Service Award Program.
R. Fund Balance
The fund statements report fund balance classifications according to the relative strength of spending
constraints placed on the purpose for which resources can be used, as follows:
Nonspendable - Consists of amounts that are inherently nonspendable in the current period either
because of their form or because they must be maintained intact. Nonspendable fund balance
consists of prepaids.
1
SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
Restricted - Consists of amounts that are subject to externally enforceable legal purpose restrictions
imposed by creditors, grantors, contributors, or laws and regulations of other governments; or
through constitutional provisions or enabling legislation. The District has established the following
restricted fund balances:
Capital Reserve
A Capital Reserve (General Municipal Law Section 6-g) is used to finance all or part of the costs of
construction, reconstruction, or acquisition of "specific" or "type" capital improvements or
equipment. The establishment of any capital reserve is subject to mandatory referendum (voter
approval). Expenditures from a "specific" reserve require a resolution by the Board of
' Commissioners. Expenditures from a "type" reserve require a resolution by the Board of
Commissioners, subject to permissive referendum.
Assigned - Consists of amounts that are subject to a purpose constraint that represents an intended
use established by the District's Board of Fire Commissioners. The purpose of the assignment must
be narrower than the purpose of the general fund, and in funds other than the general fund,
assigned fund balance represents the residual amount of fund balance. Assigned fund balance
-t includes encumbrances not classified as restricted at the end of the fiscal year.
Unassigned - represents the residual classification for the District's general fund and could report a
surplus or deficit. In funds other than the general fund, the unassigned classification should be used
only to report a deficit fund balance resulting from overspending for specific purposes for which
amounts had been restricted or assigned.
Fund Balance Classification
Any portion of fund balance may be applied or transferred for a specific purpose either by voter
approval if required by law or by formal action of the Board of Fire Commissioners if voter approval is
not required. Amendments or modification to the applied or transferred fund balance must also be
approved by formal action of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
The Board of Fire Commissioners shall retain the authority to assign fund balance.
In circumstances where an expenditure is incurred for a purpose for which amounts are available in
multiple fund balance classifications (e.g., expenditures related to reserves) the expenditure is to be
' spent first from the restricted fund balance to the extent that an approved permissive referendum is
in place or the reserve has been appropriated by the Board of Fire Commissioners, and then from the
unrestricted fund balance. Expenditures incurred in the unrestricted fund balances shall be applied
first to the assigned fund balance to the extent that there is an assignment and then to the unassigned
z fund balance.
2. STEWARDSHIP. COMPLIANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
A. Budgets
;r
The District administration prepares a proposed budget for approval by the Board for the general fund,
the only fund with a legally adopted budget. Budgets are adopted annually on the basis of the financial
reporting provisions of the New York State Office of the State Comptroller to comply with the filing
I requirements of the District's Annual Financial Update Document.
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SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
Appropriations are adopted at the program line item level.
Appropriations established by the adoption of the budget constitute a limitation on expenditures (and
encumbrances) that may be incurred. Appropriations authorized for the year are increased by the
amount of encumbrances carried forward from the prior year. Appropriations lapse at the end of the
fiscal year unless expended or encumbered. . Encumbrances will lapse if not expended in the
subsequent year. Appropriations authorized for the current year can be funded by the planned use of
specific reserves, and can be increased by budget amendments approved by the Board as a result of
selected new revenue sources not included in the original budget (when permitted by law) and
appropriation of fund balance. These supplemental appropriations may occur subject to legal
restrictions, if the Board approves them because of a need that exists which was not determined at the
time the budget was adopted. A summary of the general fund budget is as follows:
Budget approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners $ 1,861,001
Encumbrances from prior year 18,700
Budget revision - concrete apron funded by prior years' surplus 138,600
Final Budget $ 2,018,301
B. Encumbrances
Encumbrance accounting is used for budget control and monitoring purposes and is reported as a part
of the governmental funds. Under this method, purchase orders, contracts and other commitments for
the expenditure of monies are recorded to reserve applicable appropriations. Outstanding
encumbrances as of year-end are presented as part of assigned unappropriated fund balance, unless
classified as restricted or committed, and do not represent expenditures or liabilities. These
- commitments will be honored in the subsequent period. Related expenditures are recognized at that
time, as the liability is incurred or the commitment is paid.
3. DEPOSITS WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INVESTMENTS
The District's investment policies are governed by state statutes and District policy. Resources must be
deposited in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured commercial banks or trust companies
located within the state. Permissible investments include obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S.
-i Agencies, repurchase agreements and obligations of New York State or its localities. Collateral is required
for demand and time deposits and certificates of deposit not covered by FDIC insurance. Obligations that
may be pledged as collateral are obligations of the United State and its Agencies and obligations of New
York State and its municipalities. Investments are stated at fair value.
4� Custodial credit risk is the risk that in the event of a bank failure, the District's deposits may not be
returned to it. GASB directs that deposits be disclosed as exposed to custodial credit risk if they are not
covered by depository insurance and the deposits are as follows:
A. Uncollateralized,
B. Collateralized by securities held by the pledging financial institution, or
C. Collateralized by securities held by the pledging financial institution's trust department or agent
but not in the District's name.
L J, None of the District's aggregate bank balances, not covered by depository insurance, were exposed to
custodial credit risk as described above at year end.
1 -10-
SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued) "
The District did not have any investments at year end or during the year. Consequently, the District was
not exposed to any material interest rate risk.
Investment pool:
The District participates in the Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System - New York (NYCLASS), a
multi -municipal cooperative investment pool agreement pursuant to New York State General Municipal
Law Article 3-A and 5-G, whereby it holds a portion of the investments in cooperation with other
participants. The investments are highly liquid and are considered to be cash equivalents. All NYCLASS
investment and collateral policies are in accordance with General Municipal Law, Sections 10 and 11.
Total investments of the cooperative at December 31, 2014 are $158,511,091, which consisted of
$8,500,000 in certificate deposits, $4,989,788 in treasury bills, $17,616,695 in repurchase agreements
r� collateralized by a U.S. Government Agency Security, $35,140,231 in U.S. Treasury Securities, and
$92,264,377 in collateralized bank deposits, with various interest rates and due dates.
The following amounts are included as cash:
Carrying
Fund Amount
r~�
General fund $ 204,406
General fund - Capital reserves 1,402,890
$ 1,607,296
The above amounts represent the cost of the investment pool shares, and are considered to
approximate market value. The Lead Participant of NYCLASS is the Village of Potsdam. Additional
information concerning NYCLASS, including the annual report, can be found on its website at
www.newyorkclass.org.
4. GENERAL FIXED ASSETS
The District obtained an independent appraisal dated December 31, 2011. This appraisal has been
r ! updated for current year additions and deletions.
Capital assets balances and
activity for the year ended
— December 31, 2014, were as follows:
i I Balance
Balance
December 31,
December 31,
2013 Additions Deletions
2014
Land $ 258,752 $
- $ -
$ 258,752
Buildings and improvements 3,279,547
180,234 (3,592)
3,456,189
Equipment 3,328,682
100,971 (37,407)
3,392,246
$ 6,866,981 $
l
281,205 $ (40,999)
$ 7,107,187
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i
SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
5. PENSION PLANS
A. New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System
Plan Description
The District participates in the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System (ERS) and
the Public Employees' Group Life Insurance Plan, collectively known as NYSLRS. These are cost-
sharing, multiple -employer, retirement systems. The NYSLRS provides retirement benefits, as well as
death and disability benefits to plan members and beneficiaries.
Obligations of employers and employees to contribute and benefits to employees are governed by the
New York State Retirement and Social Security Law (NYSRSSL). As set forth in the NYSRSSL, the
Comptroller of the State of New York (Comptroller) serves as sole trustee and administrative head of
i P ( P )
the NYSLRS. The Comptroller shall adopt and may amend rules and regulations for the administration
and transaction of the business of the NYSLRS and for the custody and control of its funds. The
NYSLRS issues a publicly available financial report that includes financial statements and required
supplementary information. That report may be found at www.osc.state.ny.us or may be obtained by
writing to: NYS and Local Retirement System, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12244.
Funding Policy
-, Plan members who joined the system before July 27, 1976, are not required to make contributions.
Those joining on or after July 27, 1976, and before January 1, 2010, with less than ten years of
J credited services are required to contribute 3% of their salary. Those joining on or after January 1,
2010 and before April 1, 2012, are required to contribute 3% of their salary throughout active
membership. Those joining on or after April 1, 2012, are required to contribute between 3% and 6%
dependent on their salary throughout active membership.
The Comptroller annually certifies the actuarially determined rates expressly used in computing the
- employers' contributions based on salaries paid during the ERS' fiscal year ending March 31. The
resulting contributions paid in the current year and two preceding years were equal to 100 percent of
the contributions required, and were as follows:
2014 2013 2012
F]
-- District contributions paid $ 32,081 $ 30,316 $ 28,948
? The District recognizes 12 months of expenditures for the fiscal year ending December 31 in the
%__j financial statements based on salaries paid and applicable contribution rates. This is a different fiscal
year than the ERS' fiscal year. The resulting expenditures recognized in the financial statements for
the current year and two preceding years were as follows:
2014 2013 2012
District expenditures recognized $ 29,228 $ 22,737 $ 27,154
-12-
SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
B. Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP)
The District established a defined benefit LOSAP for the active volunteer firefighters of the Southold
Fire Department. The program took effect on January 1, 1993. The program was established pursuant
to Article 11-A of the General Municipal Law. The program provides municipally -funded pension -like
benefits to facilitate the recruitment and retention of active volunteer firefighters. The District is the
sponsor of the program. The information contained in this note is based on information for the Length
of Service Award Program for the plan year ending on December 31, 2014.
Program Description
Participation, Vesting and Service Credit
Active volunteer firefighters who have reached the age of 18 and who have completed 1 year of
firefighting service are eligible to participate in the program. Participants acquire a nonforfeitable
right to a service award after being credited with 5 years of firefighting services or upon attaining the
program's entitlement age. The program's entitlement age is age 62 and completion of 1 year of
service. In general, an active firefighter is credited with a year of firefighting service for each calendar
year after the establishment of the program which he or she accumulates fifty points. Points are
granted for the performance of certain activities in accordance with a system established by the
sponsor on the basis of a statutory list of activities and point values. A participant may also receive
credit for 5 years of firefighting service rendered prior to the establishment of the program.
Benefits
A participant's benefit under the program is life annuity with 10 years certain equal to $20 multiplied
by the person's total number of years of firefighting service. The number of years of firefighting
service used to compute the benefit cannot exceed 40, and except in the case of disability or death,
benefits are payable when a participant reaches entitlement age. The program provides statutorily
mandated death and disability benefits.
Fiduciary Investment and Control
Service credit is determined by the governing board of the sponsor, based on information certified to
the governing board by each fire company having members who participate in the program. Each fire
company must maintain all required records on forms prescribed by the governing board.
The governing board of the sponsor has retained and designated Hometown/RSA Consultants to
assist in the administration of the program. The designated program administrator's primary
responsibility is to administer the plan for the exclusive benefit of the participants and their
beneficiaries. Such duties include, but are not limited to, determining eligibility of firefighters to
participate in the plan, compute participant entitlement, authorize disbursements to participants,
compute necessary contribution amounts, maintain all necessary records and consult with the
sponsor and the trustee on long-term investment plans. Disbursements of program assets for the
payment of benefits or administrative expenses must be reviewed by the trustee, the Board of Fire
Commissioners, and signed by at least two board members prior to being disbursed by the
administrator.
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-� SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
Program assets are required to be held in trust by LOSAP legislation, for the exclusive purpose of
providing benefits to participants and their beneficiaries or for the purpose of defraying the
reasonable expenses of the operation and administration of the program. The trust agreement is
dated February 8, 2005, and the trustee is the Board of Fire Commissioners.
Authority to invest program assets is vested in the administrator, with the Board of Fire
Commissioners' prior written approval. Subject to restrictions in the program document, program
assets are invested in accordance with a statutory "prudent person" rule. The program document calls
for all investment decisions to be chosen and approved by the trustee, prior to being invested by the
administrator.
The sponsor is required to retain an actuary to determine the amount of the sponsor's contributions
to the plan. The actuary retained by the sponsor for this purpose is Harbridge Consulting Group, LLC.
Portions of the following information are derived from a report prepared by the actuary dated
February 2015 for the plan year ended December 31, 2014.
Program Financial Condition
Assets and Liabilities
Actuarial Present Value of Benefits at December 31, 2014 $ 4,621,210
Less:
Assets Available for Benefits
Trust
Annuities
Insurance contracts
% of total
1.42% $ 49,232
78.51% 2,715,679
20.07% 694,061
Total Net Assets Available for Benefits 3,458,972
Total Unfunded Benefits 1,162,238
Less: Unfunded Liability for Prior Service . (1,162,238
Unfunded Normal Benefits $ -
Prior Service Costs
Prior service costs are being amortized over a range of 12 to 10 years at a discount rate of 5.25%.
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SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
Receipts and Disbursements
Plan Net Assets, Beginning of Year
Changes during the year
+ Plan contributions
+ Insurance premiums
+ Investment income earned
+/- Changes in fair market value of investments
- Plan benefit withdrawals
+ Insurance receipts
Plan Net Assets, End of Year
Contributions
$ 3,291,128
$ 296,000
58,282
73,113
(17,385)
(285,962)
43,796
167,844
$ 3,458,972
Maximum amount of sponsor's contribution recommended by actuary: $ 335,164
Minimum amount of sponsor's contribution recommended by actuary: 303,704
Amount of sponsor's actual contribution: 296,000
Administration Fees
Fee paid to actuary
Normal Costs
$ 4,700
The actuarial valuation methodology used by the actuary to determine the sponsor's contribution is
the unit credit cost method. The assumptions used by the actuary to determine the sponsor's
contribution and the actuarial present value of benefits are:
Assumed rate of return on investment 5.25%
Mortality tables used for
Withdrawal
Disability
Retirement
Death (actives)
Death (inactives)
Other
None
RP 2000 Combined Table -Unisex
None
None
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SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
6. LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-term liability balances and activity for the year are summarized below:
Balance Balance Amounts
December 31, December 31, Due Within
2013 Additions Reductions 2014 One Year
Long-term debt:
Bonds payable $ 600,000 $ - $ 150,000 $ 450,000 $ 150,000
The general fund has typically been used to liquidate long-term liabilities.
Bonds payable are comprised of the following:
Outstanding at
Issue Final Interest December 31,
Description Date Maturity Rate 2014
Serial bond 6/24/2002 7/9/2017 3.7-4.2% $ 450,000
The following is a summary of debt service requirements for bonds payable:
Fiscal Year Ending December 31,
Principal
Interest
Total
2015
$ 150,000
$ 18,450
$ 168,450
2016
150,000
12,450
162,450
2017
150,000
6,300
156,300
Total
$ 450,000
$ 37,200
$ 487,200
Interest on long-term debt for the year was $24,450.
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SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Notes to Financial Statements
(Continued)
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
A. Encumbrances
All encumbrances are classified as either restricted or assigned fund balance. At December 31, 2014,
the District encumbered the following amounts:
Restricted:
General Fund
Capital equipment reserve $ 500,249
Assigned: Fund Balance
General Fund
Equipment $ 43,220
Fire Protection 31,365
$ 74,585
B. Risk Management
The District is exposed to various risks of loss related to torts; theft of, damage to, and destruction of
assets; injuries to employees; errors and omissions; and natural disasters, etc. These risks are covered
by commercial insurance purchased from independent third parties. Settled claims from these risks
have not exceeded commercial insurance coverage for the past three years.
8. SPENDING LIMITATION
The District did not exceed the statutory spending limitation imposed by New York State Law for the year
ended December 31, 2014, and the budget for the year ending December 31, 2015.
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SOUTHOLD FIRE DISTRICT
Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance -
Budget and Actual - General Fund - Operating
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
REVENUES
Real property taxes
Interest and earnings
Rentals
Sale of equipment
Insurance recoveries
Total Revenues
APPROPRIATED FUND BALANCE
Prior year's surplus
Prior year's encumbrances
Total Revenues and
Appropriated Fund Balance
EXPENDITURES
Personal services
Equipment and capital outlay
Fire protection
State retirement system
Service award program
Social security
Workers' compensation
Medical and accident insurance
Debt service - principal
Debt service - interest
Total Expenditures
Board -
$ 273,500
242,103 $
Final Budget
Approved
Final
253,537
Variance with
Budget
Budget
Actual
Actual
$ 1,838,201
$ 1,838,201
$ 1,838,209
$ 8
360,000
360,000
960
960
22,800
22,800
23,201
401
60,000
49,970
3,000
3,000
35,000
35,500
368
373
1,861,001
1,861,001
1,865,738
$ 4,369
138,600
18,700
$ 1,861,001 $ 2,018,301
Final Budget
Variance with
Year End Actual and
$ 264,804
$ 273,500
242,103 $
$ 31,397
135,000
305,600
253,537
43,220 8,843
582,500
567,004
511,690
31,365 23,949
29,051
32,081
29,228
2,853
360,000
360,000
358,983
1,017
20,196
20,196
18,474
1,722
60,000
49,970
48,901
1,069
35,000
35,500
35,127
373
150,000
150,000
150,000
-
24,450
24,450
24,450
-
1,661,001
1,818,301
1,672,493
OTHER USES
Operating transfers out 200,000 200,000 400,000
Total Other Uses 200,000 200,000 400,000
Total Expenditures and Other Uses $ 1,861,001 $ 2,018,301 2,072,493 $ 74,585 $ 71,223
Net Change in Fund Balance
Fund Balance - Beginning of Year
Fund Balance - End of Year
(206,755)
607,957
$ 401,202
See Paragraph on Other Supplementary Information Included in Auditor's Report -18 -
1 VINCENT D. CULLEN, CPA
~� (1950 - 2013)
CULLENt &-QANOWSKI, LLP
JAMES E. DANOWSKI, CPA
CERTIFIED PU,B-LICLACCOUNTANTS PETER F. RODRIGUEZ, CPA
JILL S. SANDERS, CPA
DONALD J. HOFFMANN, CPA
CHRISTOPHER V. REINO, CPA
ALAN YU, CPA
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 GOVERNMENT AUDITING STANDARDS
To the Board of Fire Commissioners
Southold Fire District
Southold, New York
We have audited, in accordance with 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 Southold Fire District (District), as of
and for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the related notes to financial statements, as listed in the table
of contents, which collectively comprise the District's basic financial statements and have issued our report
thereon dated May 11, 2015. As described more fully in Note 1, the Southold Fire District has prepared these
financial statements in accordance with financial reporting provisions of the New York State Office of the State
Comptroller, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements, we considered the Southold Fire District's
internal control over financial reporting (internal control) to determine the audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances for the purpose of expressing our opinions on the financial statements, but
not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Southold Fire District's internal control.
Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the Southold Fire District'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 District's
financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected on a timely basis. A significant deficiency
is a deficiency, or a 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. Given these limitations, during our audit we did not identify any deficiencies in
internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses. However, material weaknesses may exist that
have not been identified.
1650 ROUTE 112, PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NEW YORK 11776-3060 -19-
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PHONE:
19 -
PHONE: 631-473-3400 • FAX: 631-473-4863 • WWW.CDLLP.NET
Compliance and Other Matters
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the Southold Fire District's financial statements are
free from material misstatement, we performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws,
regulations, contracts and grant agreements, noncompliance with which could have a direct and material effect
on the determination of financial statement amounts. 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 no instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under
GovernmentAuditing Standards.
We noted certain matters that we have reported to the Board of Fire Commissioners and management of the
Southold Fire District in a separate letter dated May 11, 2015.
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 District'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 District's internal control and compliance. Accordingly, this communication is not
suitable for any other purpose.
&V -,(,.J Y, L.d..-P
May 11, 2015
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