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      City of  Musk egon, 
      Mic higan 


      Compr ehensiv e Annual 
      Financial R epor t 

      For The Year Ended December 31, 2004 













                              WWW.SHORELINECITY.COM 



 



                                                       CITY OF MUSKEGON,
                                                                 MICHIGAN








                                                          COMPREHENSIVE
                                                ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
                                                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                        DECEMBER 31, 2004







                                                               Prepared By

                                              FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION

                                                               Timothy Paul
                                                          Director of Finance


          Elizabeth Lewis                                                                        Derrick Smith
          Assistant Finance Director                                                             City Treasurer

          Kenneth Grant                                                                          James Maurer
          Income Tax Administrator                                                               Information Systems Director
                                                                                                            
                                                             Candace Baker
                                                             Kathy Coleman



 



                            COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
                                                       City of Muskegon
                                                     December 31, 2004

                                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                 
I.  INTRODUCTORY SECTION

Letter of Transmittal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. . . . . . . . .  12
Organization Chart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
List of Principal Officials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

II.  FINANCIAL SECTION

Independent Auditors' Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
Management's Discussion and Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Financial Statements
   Government-Wide Financial Statements
      Statement of Net Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
    Statement of Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
   Fund Financial Statements                                                                                         
      Balance Sheet ­ Governmental Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
      Reconciliation of Total Governmental Fund Balances to Net
         Assets of Governmental Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
     Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund
         Balances ­ Governmental Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
     Reconciliation of the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and
       Changes in Fund Balances of Governmental Funds to the 
        Statement of Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
      Statement of Fund Net Assets ­ Proprietary Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
      Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Fund Net
         Assets ­ Proprietary Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
      Statement of Cash Flows ­ Proprietary Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
     Statement of Fiduciary Net Assets ­ Fiduciary Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
      Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Assets ­ Fiduciary Funds. . . . 42
     Statement of Net Assets ­ Discretely Presented Component Units. . . . 43
     Statement of Activities ­ Discretely Presented Component Units. . . . . . 44

 Notes to Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Required Supplementary Information
    Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund
     Balances ­ Budget and Actual
      General Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
       Major Special Revenue Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
   Schedule of Funding Progress and Employer Contributions ­ 
     Pension Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

                                                                     1



                               COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
                                                    City of Muskegon
                                                  December 31, 2004

                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS ­ CONTINUED

Supplemental Financial Information 
   Non-Major Governmental Funds
       Description of Non-Major Governmental Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
      Combining Balance Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
      Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes
        in Fund Balances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
      Combining Balance Sheet ­ Non-Major Special Revenue Funds. . . . . .  88
      Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes
        in Fund Balances ­ Non-Major Special Revenue Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . .89
     Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund
        Balances ­ Budget and Actual - Non-Major
         Special Revenue Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
      Combining Balance Sheet - Non-Major Capital Projects Funds . . . . . . .  92
      Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes
        in Fund Balances ­ Non-Major Capital Projects Funds. . . . . . . . . . . .  93

   Internal Service Funds
      Description of Internal Service Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
      Combining Statement of Fund Net Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
      Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes
        in Fund Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
      Combining Statement of Cash Flows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

   Fiduciary Funds
      Description of Fiduciary Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
      Pension Trust Funds
         Combining Statement of Plan Net Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
         Combining Statement of Changes in Plan Net Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
      Agency Funds
         Combining Balance Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
         Statement of Changes in Assets and Liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

  Discretely Presented Component Units
      Description of Discretely Presented Component Units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
    Balance Sheet  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
      Reconciliation of Total Discretely Presented Component Unit Fund
        Balances to Net Assets of Discretely Presented Component Unit
        Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107



                         COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
                                                  City of Muskegon
                                                 December 31, 2004

                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS ­ CONTINUED

     Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund
       Balances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
     Reconciliation of the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and
        Changes in Fund Balances of Discretely Presented Component
        Units to the Statement of Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  109

   Schedule of Indebtness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111


III. STATISTICAL SECTION

General Fund Revenues and Other Financing Sources by Source. . . . . . .  116
General Fund Expenditures and Other Uses by Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  117
Assessed and Estimated Actual Value of Taxable Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Ten Largest Property Assessments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Ten Largest Taxpayers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Tax Rates per $1,000 Taxable Value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Property Tax Levies and Collections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Special Assessment Levies and Collections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Statement of Bonded Indebtedness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Statement of Legal Debt Margin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Statement of Direct and Overlapping Debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Ratio of Debt Service for General Bonded Debt to
 Total General Fund Expenditures and Other Uses. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 127
Revenue Bond Coverage
   Sewage Disposal System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  128
   Water Supply System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  129
Ratio of Net Bonded Debt to Assessed Value and
   Net Bonded Debt Per Capita. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  130
Property Values, Construction Activity and Bank Deposits. . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Demographic Statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Labor Agreements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Schedule of Insurance in Force. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  136
Salaries of Principal Officials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  137


IV.  SINGLE AUDIT OF FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Independent Auditors' 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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

                                                               3



                        COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
                                               City of Muskegon
                                              December 31, 2004

                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS ­ CONTINUED

Independent Auditors' Report on Compliance with Requirements
 Applicable to Each Major Program and Internal Control over Compliance
 In Accordance with OMB Circular A-133. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Supplemental Information
   Independent Auditors' Report on Supplement Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
   Schedule of Reconciliation of Revenues from Federal Sources
    Per Financial Statements and Expenditures per Single Audit Report
    Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Client Documents
   Summary Schedule of Prior Audit Findings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
   Corrective Action Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156























  


                                                            4



Affirmative 
Action 
(231)724-6703 
FAX (231)722-
1214 
 Assessor 
(231)724-6708 
FAX (231)726-
5181 
 Cemetery 
(231)724-6783                                                                      
FAX (231)726-
5617 
                      
City Manager 
(231)724-6724        March 7, 2005 
FAX (231)722-         
1214 
                      
Civil Service        Honorable Mayor and Members of the 
(231)724-6716 
FAX (231)724-        City Commission 
4405 
                     City of Muskegon 
Clerk                Muskegon, Michigan 49443 
(231)724-6705 
FAX (231)724-         
4178                  
 Comm. &             Ladies and Gentlemen: 
Neigh. Services       
(231)724-6717 
FAX (231)726-        We are pleased to present to you the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for 
2501 
                     the City of Muskegon, Michigan, for the year ended December 31, 2004, in accordance 
Engineering          with the requirements of state law. The financial statements are presented in conformity 
(231)724-6707 
FAX (231)727-        with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), 
6904                 and audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a firm of 
 Finance             licensed certified public accountants. This annual report is formatted to comply with the 
(231)724-6713        financial reporting model developed by the Government Accounting Standards Board 
FAX (231)724-
6768                 (GASB) Statement 34.  
 Fire Department      
(231)724-6792        GAAP requires that management provide a narrative introduction, overview, and analysis 
FAX (231)724-
6985                 to accompany the basic financial statements in the form of Management's Discussion and 
                     Analysis (MD&A). This letter of transmittal is designed to complement MD&A and should 
Income Tax 
(231)724-6770        be read in conjunction with the financial statements. The City of Muskegon's MD&A can 
FAX (231)724-
6768                 be found immediately following the independent auditor's report. 
                      
Info. 
Technology           The City has elected not to report historic infrastructure or related depreciation costs prior 
(231)724-4126        to January 1, 2002 in this report as allowed by GASB 34.  GASB 34 requires that this 
FAX (231)722-
4301                 information be included in the City's CAFR by the year ending December 31, 2007; the 
                     City, intends to report this information in its 2005 CAFR. 
Inspection 
Services 
(231)724-6715        The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is prepared by the City's Finance 
FAX (231)728-        Department and responsibility for both the accuracy of the data presented and the 
4371 
                     completeness and fairness of the presentation, including all disclosures, rests with the 
Leisure Services     City.  We believe the data as presented is accurate in all material respects; that it is 
(231)724-6704 
FAX (231)724-        presented in a manner designed to set forth fairly the financial position and results of 
1196 
                     operation of the City as measured by the financial activity of its various funds and 
Mayor's Office       component units; and that all disclosures necessary to enable the reader to gain the 
(231)724-6701 
FAX (231)722-        maximum understanding of the City's finances have been included.  Brickley DeLong, 
1214                 P.C., Certified Public Accountants, performed the independent audit of all accounts of the 
 Planning/Zoning     City as required by state law and their report and unqualified opinion is presented as the 
(231)724-6702        first component of the financial section of this report. 
FAX (231)724-
6790                                                              5
                             City of Muske gon, 933 Terr ace Street,  P.O. Box 536, Muskegon, MI 49443-0536 
Police                                               http: //www.shorelinecit y.com 



                                                                            
THE CITY AND THE REGION 
The City of Muskegon is located in Western Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan.  The City covers 
eighteen square miles and, with a population of 40,105, is the largest city on the Eastern Shore of Lake 
Michigan.  The City is located within the County of Muskegon and is part of the Grand Rapids-
Muskegon-Holland metropolitan statistical area (MSA): 
         With 
             West 
                    Michigan's 
                                diverse 
                                          industrial sector and excellent intergovernmental cooperation, the 
     area has ranked in the top 30 out of 315 metropolitan communities in Industry Week's World Class 
     Community annual survey for five consecutive years. 
          The Muskegon-Grand Rapids-Holland area finished 13th in a national ranking of the 50 best 
     large metropolitan areas for starting and growing a business. The survey produced annually by 
     Cognetics Inc., a Waltham, Massachusetts-based economics research firm, compares the business 
     climates in communities by analyzing significant new business starts and looking at the growth rate 
     of young businesses. 
          West Michigan is a fun place to be! Places Rated Almanac ranked the area No. 3 in the fun and 
     recreation category. 
          Muskegon's Pere Marquette beach has been nationally recognized as one of the best beaches 
     in the nation by USA Today and was the only beach in the state to receive and maintain the Blue 
     Wave Certification by the Clean Beaches Council. The Blue Wave certification identifies the nation's 
     cleanest, safest and most environmentally well-managed beaches. In April 2003, The Detroit News 
     voted Muskegon's Beaches #1 as the "Best Place to Run Sand Between Your Toes". 
          Muskegon has become a cultural hub for West Michigan with many museums and live 
     performances. The Muskegon Museum of Art has the third best art collection in the Midwest, and 
     the Muskegon County Museum provides insight into the area's history. The former residences of 
     Muskegon's lumber barons, Charles H. Hackley and Thomas Hume, proudly display the glory of the 
     Victorian ages. The Fire Barn Museum takes visitors back to a 1890s Muskegon Fire Station. The 
     West Shore Symphony and Muskegon Civic Theater bring the stage of The Frauenthal Center for 
     the Performing Arts to life throughout the year. The Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum 
     allows visitors to step back in time and tour the USS Silversides, a surviving World War II 
     submarine. 
The City operates under a Commission-Manager form of government and provides the full range of 
traditional municipal services.  These include police and fire protection, parks and recreation activities, 
public works operations, water and sewer services, parking facilities, solid waste collection, community 
development and general administrative support services.  The City also provides treated water to a 
number of surrounding communities on a wholesale basis. 
 
 
 
                                                           6
                      City of Muske gon, 933 Terr ace Street,  P.O. Box 536, Muskegon, MI 49443-0536 
                                              http: //www.shorelinecit y.com 



                                                                             
COMPONENT UNITS 
The City has three discretely presented component unit types.  These entities are discretely presented 
in the financial statements as the governing boards of the component units are substantially the same 
as the City's governing board: 
          The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) which exists primarily for the purpose of financing 
     redevelopment activities in the City's downtown area.  The DDA has issued bonds that are repaid 
     through tax increment revenues generated by development within the Authority's boundaries. 
          The Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA), which exists primarily for the purpose of financing 
     redevelopment activities in a sub-section of the City's downtown area.  The TIFA generates tax 
     increment revenues through development within the Authority's boundaries. 
          The Local Development Finance Authority issues bonds for development activities in the City's 
     industrial park and high-tech park areas.  Bonds are repaid through tax increment revenues 
     generated by development within the Authority's boundaries. The City has created three separate 
     local development finance authority districts under the aegis of the Local Development Finance 
     Authority (LDFA). 
 
LOCAL ECONOMIC CONDITION AND OUT LOOK 
Muskegon is fortunate to have a diverse local economy.  The manufacturing sector is strong in the 
areas of aerospace, chemicals, plastics, metals and castings, office furniture and automotive parts.  The 
City of Muskegon also benefits from being home to large government, corrections, healthcare, and 
educational employers.  Local income tax withholdings remitted by these otherwise tax-exempt 
employers help provide stability to City finances. According to the W.E. Upjohn Institute, employment 
growth for Muskegon County in 2004 was 0.1%.  The employment growth rate is projected to be 0.7% 
in 2005 rebounding to 0.9% in 2006. 
 
MAJOR INITIATIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS 
Among the City's major initiatives and accomplishments in 2004 were the following: 
          A new $18 million high-speed cross-lake ferry service linking Muskegon with Milwaukee, 
     Wisconsin began operating in June.  First year results exceeded expectations with more than 
     110,000 passengers taking the ferry ­ including 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry.  The City 
     and County assisted in this project by providing site improvements costing $1.85 million.  Ferry 
     operations will restart in May 2005. 
       Work was completed on phase one of the renovation of a former office equipment manufacturing 
     plant into loft-style condominium units.  The obsolete plant comprises nearly one million square feet 
     of space and is well suited for residential living being located directly across from the downtown 
     municipal marina and waterfront.  The first phase of this project included construction of 53 one to 
                                                            7
                       City of Muske gon, 933 Terr ace Street,  P.O. Box 536, Muskegon, MI 49443-0536 
                                               http: //www.shorelinecit y.com 



                                                                             
     three bedroom condominium units.  Construction of the second phase is scheduled to begin in June 
     2005 and will include 12,000 square feet of commercial retail space. 
       Work was completed on construction of the $11 million extension of Shoreline Drive.  The new 
     road is scheduled to be designated as Business US-31 and will route 23,000 vehicles along the 
     city's downtown waterfront. 
      The former Downtown Mall property was substantially demolished and cleared for 
     redevelopment.  The 21-acre site will be redeveloped as mixed-use residential and commercial site.  
     The Downtown Muskegon Development Corporation is spearheading this effort and the City and 
     County have assisted through the granting of a tax-free "renaissance zone" status and through 
     financial participation, primarily in the form of state and federal grants.  At this time grants have been 
     secured to finance a large portion of construction of the public infrastructure and work will 
     commence in June 2005. 
 
OTHER INFORMATION 
INTERNAL ACCOUNTING CONTROLS 
The City's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an internal control structure that 
is designed to ensure adequate protection of the City's assets from loss, theft, or misuse, and adequate 
accounting data to allow for preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted 
accounting principles. The internal control structure is designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute 
assurance that these objectives are met. The concept of reasonable assurance recognizes that (1) the 
costs of a control should not exceed the benefits likely to be derived; and (2) the valuation of costs and 
benefits requires estimates and judgments by management. 
All internal control evaluations occur within the above framework.  We believe that the City's internal 
accounting controls adequately safeguard assets and provide reasonable assurances of proper 
recording of financial transactions.   
 
BUDGETARY CONTROL 
Budgetary control is maintained through an annual budget resolution passed by the City Commission.  
Budgetary control at the functional level is maintained by review of estimated expenditures prior to 
making purchases.  Purchases that result in over expenditure of budget levels are not made until 
additional appropriations or budget changes are processed to make funds available.  
Encumbrances are not recorded in the City's funds.  The City does, however, utilize an informal 
monitoring system to facilitate budgetary control over proposed purchases.  Essentially, this system 
entails the use of on-line budgetary information that details year-to-date "actual versus budgeted" 
expenditure comparisons by budget category.  This information is accessible to appropriate personnel 
to enable them to ascertain the budget status of an expenditure category prior to authorizing additional 
purchases.                                                  8
                       City of Muske gon, 933 Terr ace Street,  P.O. Box 536, Muskegon, MI 49443-0536 
                                               http: //www.shorelinecit y.com 



                                                                            
 
DEBT ADMINISTRATION 
At December 31, 2004, the total of City bonds and contractual debt outstanding (including discretely 
presented component unit debt) was $37,220,322 as compared to $31,778,823 at December 31, 2003.  
During the year, the City drew down $8,483,766 through the state's low-interest Drinking Water 
Revolving Fund to finance water filtration plant improvements.  A total of $13.9 million will be borrowed 
through this program to complete the filtration plant project.  Standard & Poor's has affirmed the City's 
general obligation debt rating of A. 
 
CASH MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENTS 
Temporarily idle cash from the City's various funds is invested through management of a common 
pooled cash and investments system.  Maturity of investments are timed to meet the City's cash needs.  
Investment instruments generally consisted of U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes, government agency 
securities, high quality commercial paper and liquid money-market funds.  Daily liquidity needs are 
managed by investments in money-market funds of all cash not needed in the common checking 
account to cover checks and other debits presented to the bank for payment that day.  The City has 
contracted with MBIA Municipal Investors Service Corporation to provide full-time, non-discretionary 
management of the City's operating funds portfolio.  
 
PENSIONS AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS 
The City of Muskegon sponsors two locally-administered defined benefit pension programs: the Police 
and Fire Retirement System for uniformed police and fire personnel and the General Employees' 
Retirement System for all other full-time employees.  Each year an independent actuary engaged by 
the respective pension boards calculates the annual contributions that the city must make to ensure the 
retirement systems are able to meet current and future obligations.  Both of the City's retirement 
systems are over fifty years old and the City has a longstanding policy of fully funding each year's 
contribution requirements as determined by the actuary.   
The City also provides post-retirement health benefits for retirees and their dependents. Since 1987, 
the City has also had an actuarial valuation of its post employment healthcare obligation performed 
each year and has followed a program of prefunding the obligation in the same manner as the pension 
obligations.  GAAP does not currently require governments to report a liability in the financial 
statements in connection with an employer's obligation to provide these benefits. 
 
 
 
 
                                                           9
                      City of Muske gon, 933 Terr ace Street,  P.O. Box 536, Muskegon, MI 49443-0536 
                                              http: //www.shorelinecit y.com 



                                                                            
RISK MANAGEMENT 
During 2004, the City continued participation in the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority 
(MMRMA), an intergovernmental cooperative self-insurance program.  The MMRMA offers secure 
liability and property insurance coverage with premium stability and broad coverage at a competitive 
price.  The City is insured up to $15 million with a $100,000 deductible per occurrence for general, auto, 
public official and law enforcement liability.  Since the City began participating in the MMRMA program 
in March 1986, total incurred losses and expenses (exclusive of reinsurance recoveries) have been 
$7,416,923. 
 
SINGLE AUDIT 
The City is required to have an annual single audit in conformity with the provisions of the Single Audit 
Act Amendments of 1996 and U.S. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133, "Audits of State, 
Local Governments and Non-Profit Organizations".  Information related to the single audit, including the 
schedule of federal awards, findings and questioned costs, and auditors' reports on internal control over 
financial reporting and compliance with certain laws, regulations and grants are included herein.  The 
financial activities related to the single audit requirements, such as the Community Development Block 
Grant Program, are also included in this financial report. 
 
AWARDS 
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded a 
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Muskegon for its 
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.  This was the 
nineteenth consecutive year that the City has received this prestigious award.  In order to be awarded a 
Certificate of Achievement, a governmental unit must publish an easily readable and efficiently 
organized Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, whose contents conform to program standards.  
Such reports must satisfy both generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal 
requirements.  
A Certificate of Achievement is valid for a period of one year only.  We believe our current report 
continues to conform to the Certificate of Achievement Program requirements, and we are submitting it 
to the GFOA to determine its eligibility for another certificate.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                          10
                      City of Muske gon, 933 Terr ace Street,  P.O. Box 536, Muskegon, MI 49443-0536 
                                              http: //www.shorelinecit y.com 



                                                                                           
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
The preparation of this report could not be accomplished without the dedicated and efficient services of 
the staff of the Financial Services Division and the Muskegon County Print Shop.  We would also like to 
thank the members of the City Commission for their continued interest and support in conducting the 
financial affairs of the City in a responsible and progressive manner and for their efforts in working for 
the betterment of the Muskegon community.  
 
  
Respectfully submitted, 



                                                                                                                         
Bryon L. Mazade                                                                Timothy J. Paul 
City Manager                                                                   Director of Finance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                 
 












                                                                         11
                                     City of Muske gon, 933 Terr ace Street,  P.O. Box 536, Muskegon, MI 49443-0536 
                                                             http: //www.shorelinecit y.com 



12



                                            Citizens of Muskegon
           The 7-member 
           Commission                                               The Citizens of                       The 7-member 
           appoints various                                         Muskegon elect                        Commission 
           Boards and                                               this Commission                       appoints the City 
           Commissions                                                                                    Attorney


Various Boards &                               7-Member City                                   City Attorney
 Commissions                                    Commission

                                                                    The 7-member 
                                                                    Commission 
                                                                    appoints the City 
                                                                    Manager

                                               City Manager







                Administrative Services                                Financial Services 
                        Division                                             Division





                 Public Safety Division                                 Leisure Services 
                                                                             Division






                Community & Economic 
                Development Division                                  Public Works Division






                                                      13



                                    CITY OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN
                                     LIST OF PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS

                                               December 31, 2004



                                             ELECTED OFFICIALS


Mayor-Commissioner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Warmington
At Large

Vice Mayor-Commissioner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Larson
At Large
 Commissioner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chris Carter
Ward 1

Commissioner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clara Shepherd
Ward 2

Commissioner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lawrence O. Spataro
Ward 3

Commissioner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Davis
Ward 4

Commissioner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen J. Gawron
At Large



                                           APPOINTED OFFICIALS


City Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bryon L. Mazade

City Attorney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John C. Schrier

Director of Finance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Timothy J. Paul




                                                           14



              FINANCIAL SECTION


15



 










































     16



                                    BRICKLEY DELONG 
                                           CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 
                                                                
 
                                     INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT 
 March 7, 2005 
  City Commission 
City of Muskegon 
Muskegon, Michigan 
  We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities, 
the business-type activities, the aggregate discretely presented component units, each 
major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the City of Muskegon, 
Michigan (the "City"), as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004, which 
collectively comprise the City's basic financial statements as listed in the table of 
contents. These financial statements are the responsibility of the management of the 
City of Muskegon, Michigan.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion 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 of material 
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the 
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing 
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well 
as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit 
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. 
 In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material 
respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business-
type activities, the aggregate discretely presented component units, each major fund, 
and the aggregate remaining fund information of the City of Muskegon, Michigan, as of 
December 31, 2004, and the respective changes in financial position and cash flows, 
where applicable, thereof for the year then ended in conformity with accounting 
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 
 In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report 
dated March 7, 2005, on our consideration of the City of Muskegon, Michigan's internal 
control over financial reporting and on 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 controls 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  
and should be considered in assessing the results of our audit.



500 Terrace Plaza * P.O. Box 999 * Muskegon, MI 49443          17    907 S. State St. * P.O. Box 331 * Hart, MI 49420 
PHONE (231) 726-3147 * FAX (231) 722-0260                            PHONE (231) 873-1040 * FAX (231) 873-0602 



BRICKLEY DELONG 
        

       City Commission 
       March 7, 2005 
       Page 2 
         The management's discussion and analysis and the required supplementary information 
       on pages 19 through 29 and 77 through 82 are not a required part of the basic financial 
       statements but are supplementary information required by accounting principles 
       generally accepted in the United States of America. We have applied certain limited 
       procedures, which consisted principally of inquiries of management regarding the 
       methods of measurement and presentation of the required supplementary information.  
       However, we did not audit the information and express no opinion on it. 
        Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements 
       that collectively comprise the City of Muskegon, Michigan's basic financial statements. 
       The introductory section, supplemental financial information, and statistical section are 
       presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic 
       financial statements.   The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards is 
       presented for the purposes of additional analysis as required by U.S. Office of 
       Management and Budget Circular A-133 Audits of States, Local Governments, and 
       Non-Profit Organizations, and is also not a required part of the basic financial 
       statements of the City of Muskegon, Michigan. The supplemental financial information 
       and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards have been subjected to the auditing 
       procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are 
       fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements as a 
       whole.  The introductory section and statistical tables have not been subjected to the 
       auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, 
       accordingly, we express no opinion on them.  




             

                                                  18
        



                                                   




                        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 
 This section of the City of Muskegon's annual financial report presents our discussion 
and analysis of the City's financial performance during the fiscal year ended December 
31, 2004.  Please read it in conjunction with the City's financial statements, which follow 
this section.   
 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
          The City's total combined net assets were $94,360,144 at December 31, 2004, an 
        increase of $8,160,148 (9.5%) over the prior year.  Most of this increase is 
        attributable to tight cost controls and an increase in water user fees implemented 
        during the year.  Of the total net assets, $16,055,071 was unrestricted and may be 
        used to meet the City's ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors. 
          During the year, the City's total expenses for both governmental and business-
        type activities were $37,958,125, a decrease of $531,514 (-1.4%) from 2003.  Of 
        the total 2004 expenses: 
 
             $14,370,405 (38%) was paid through direct charges (such as water fees) to 
           benefiting parties.  In 2003, 35% of total expenses were paid from direct 
           charges; 
 
             $12,452,103 (33%) was paid by grants and contributions, primarily from the 
           state and federal governments.  In 2003 the share of expenses paid from this 
           source was 43%; and 
 
             The remaining portion was paid from state shared revenues, local income and 
           property taxes, and other locally generated revenues. 
       The City's general fund reported a fund balance of $2,445,191, a slight increase of 
        $13,773 from the prior year.  The City also maintained a budget stabilization (or 
        "rainy day") fund that reported a fund balance of           Figure A-1, Required Components of the 
        $1.25 million at December 31, 2004, a decrease                  City's Annual Financial Report
        of $250,000 from 2003. 
       During 2004, the City issued $13.9 million in 
        Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) 
        debt. These funds are being used to finance 
        improvements at the City's water filtration facility.   
  OVERVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 This annual report consists of three parts-
management's discussion and analysis (this section), 
the  basic financial statements,  and required 


                                                                                                           
                                                 19



                                                                            




supplementary information.  The basic financial statements include two kinds of 
statements that present different views of the City: 
       The first two statements are government-wide financial statements that provide 
          both long-term and short-term information about the City's overall financial status. 
            The remaining statements are fund financial statements that focus on individual 
          parts of the government, reporting individual City operations in greater detail than 
          the government-wide statements. 
 
               The governmental funds statements tell how general government services 
             were financed in the short-term as well as what remains available for future 
             spending. 
 
               Proprietary fund statements offer short- and long-term financial information 
             about activities the City operates like private businesses. 
 
               Fiduciary fund statements provide information about the financial relationships 
             in which the City acts solely as a trustee or agent for the benefit of others, to 
             whom the resources in question belong. 
 The financial statements also include detailed notes that explain some of the 
information in the  Figure A-2. Major Features of the City's Government-Wide and Fund Financial Statements
financial statements                                                                                                            Fund State ments
and provide additional  Type of Statements                      Government-Wide             Governmenta l Funds                 Proprietary Funds            Fiduciar y Funds
                                                        Entire City government           The activities of the City     Activities the City            Instances in which the
data. The statements                                    (except fiduciary funds)         that are not proprietary or    operates similar to private    City is the trustee or
are followed by a Scope                                 and the City's component         fiduciary                      businesses.                    agent for someone else's
                                                        units                                                                                          resources
section of required 
supplementary                                              Statement of net assets          Balance sheet                  Statement of net assets        Statement of fiduciary
                                                                                                                                                       net assets
information that further                                  
                                  Required financial          Statement of activities       Statement of revenues,         Statement of revenues,         Statement of changes
explains and supports  statements                                                        expenditures & changes         expenses and changes in        in fiduciary net assets
                                                                                         in fund balances               fund net assets
the information in the                                                                                                     Statement of cash flows
                                  Accounting basis      Accrual accounting and           Modified accrual               Accrual accounting and         Accrual accounting and
financial statements. 
                                 
                                  and measurement       economic resources focus         accounting and current         economic resources focus       economic resources focus
Figure A-1 shows how  focus                                                              financial resources focus
                                                        All assets and liabilities,      Only assets expected to        All assets and liabilities,    All assets and liabilities,
the required parts of                                   both financial and capital,      be used up and liabilities     both financial and capital,    both short-term and long-
                                  Type of               short-term and long-term         that come due during the       and short-term and long-       term; the City's funds do
this annual report are  asset/liability
                                  information                                            year or soon thereafter;       term                           not currently contain
                                                                                         no capital assets included                                    capital assets, although
arranged and related to                                                                                                                                they can
one another.                                            All revenues and                 Revenues for which cash        All revenues and expenses      All revenues and
                                                        expenses during year,            is received during or soon     during year, regardless of     expenses during year,
                                                        regardless of when cash          after the end of the year;     when cash is received or       regardless of when cash
                                  Type of               is received or paid              expenditures when goods        paid                           is received or paid
Figure A-2 summarizes  inflow/outflow                                                    or services have been
                                  information                                            received and payment is
the major features of                                                                    due during the year or
the City's financial                                                                     soon thereafter
statements, including the portion of the City government they cover and the types of 
information they contain.  The remainder of this overview section of management's 
discussion and analysis explains the structure and contents of each of the statements. 
   

                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                          20



                                                 




Government-Wide Statements  
 The government-wide statements report information about the City as a whole using 
accounting methods similar to those used by private-sector companies.  The statement 
of net assets includes all of the government's assets and liabilities.  All of the current 
year's revenues and expenses are accounted for in the statement of activities 
regardless of when cash is received or paid. 
 The two government-wide statements report the City's net assets and how they have 
changed. Net assets-the difference between the City's assets and liabilities-is one 
way to measure the City's overall financial health or position.  Over time, increases or 
decreases in the City's net assets are an indicator of whether its financial health is 
improving or deteriorating, respectively.  However, to assess the overall health of the 
City, one needs to consider additional nonfinancial factors such as changes in the City's 
tax base. 
 The government-wide financial statements include not only the City of Muskegon itself 
(known as the primary government), but also legally separate component units for which 
the City is financially accountable.  Financial information for these component units is 
reported separately from the financial information presented for the primary government 
itself. 
 The government-wide financial statements of the City include the governmental 
activities.  Most of the City's basic services are included here, such as general 
government, public safety, highways and streets, sanitation, economic development, 
parks and recreation, and interest on long-term debt.  Income taxes, property taxes and 
revenues from the State of Michigan finance most of these activities.  The government-
wide financial statements can be found beginning on page 32 of this report. 
 Fund Financial State ments 
 The fund financial statements beginning on page 34 provide more detailed information 
about the City's major funds-not the City as a whole.  Funds are accounting devices 
that the City uses to keep track of specific sources of funding and spending for 
particular purposes. 
       Some funds are required by State law or other legal requirements. 
          The City Commission establishes other funds to control and manage money for 
        particular purposes or to show that it is properly using certain taxes and grants.  
 The City has the following kinds of funds: 
       Governmental funds-Most of the City's basic services are included in 
        governmental funds, which focus on (1) how cash and other financial assets that 
        can readily be converted to cash flow in and out and (2) the balances left at year-
        end that are available for spending.  Consequently, the governmental fund 
        statements provide a detailed short-term view that helps the user determine 

                                                                                                 
                                                21



                                                             




                    whether there are more or fewer financial resources that can be spent in the near 
                    future to finance the City's programs.  Because this information does not 
                    encompass the additional long-term focus of the government-wide statements, we 
                    provide additional information on the subsequent page of the governmental funds 
                    statements that explain the relationship (or differences) between them. 
                      Proprietary funds-Services for which the City charges customers a fee are 
                    generally reported in proprietary funds.  Proprietary funds, like the government-
                    wide statements, provide both long-term and short-term financial information. 
                      We use internal service funds to report activities that provide supplies and services 
                    for the City's other programs and activities. 
       Fiduciary funds-The City is the trustee, or fiduciary, for certain funds.  It is also 
                    responsible for other assets that-because of a trust arrangement-can be used 
                    only for the trust beneficiaries.  The City is responsible for ensuring that the assets 
                    reported in these funds are used for their intended purposes.  All of the City's 
                    fiduciary activities are reported in a separate statement of fiduciary net assets and 
                    a statement of changes in fiduciary net assets.  We exclude these activities from 
                    the City's government-wide financial statements because the City cannot use 
                    these assets to finance its operations. 
       Component units ­ Finally, the City of Muskegon's Comprehensive Annual 
                    Financial report includes three component units: the Downtown Development 
                    Authority (DDA), the Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) and, the Local 
                    Development Finance Authority (LDFA), which contains three sub-districts.  
                    Component units are separate legal entities for which the City of Muskegon has 
                    some level of financial accountability.  The component units of the City exist 
                    primarily for the issuance and repayment of debt to finance projects in specific 
                    areas of the City.  Accordingly, they are discussed below under the Capital Assets 
                    and Debt Administration heading. 
  FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF THE CITY AS A WHOLE 
 Net assets.   The Statement of Net Assets provides an overview of the City's assets, 
liabilities and net assets.  Over time this can provide a good indicator of the City's fiscal 
health. A summary of the City's net assets follows: 
             
                                                                                                            
                                                           22



                                                                                      




 
                                                                     City's Net Assets 
                                                                   (In thousands of dollars) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                        Total 
 Governmental 
                                                                       
                                                                                          Business-Type 
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                Percentage 
 Activities 
                                                                       
                                                                                            Activities 
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                     Total 
                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                  Change 
                                        2004               2003                             2004                  2003                             2004               2003                      2004-2003
                                                                                                                                                                                            
Current and other assets              $28,758  $32,654                                    $13,645  $13,539                                   $42,403  $46,193                                           -8.2% 
Capital 
        assets                         46,420 39,203 
                                                                                           52,488 41,352 
                                                                                                                                               98,908 80,555 
                                                                                                                                                                                                   22.8% 
Total  Assets                          75,178  71,857                                      66,133  54,891                                    141,311 126,748                                       11.5% 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Long-term 
            liabilities                 7,389  8,615                                       22,283  15,328                                      29,672  23,943                                      23.9% 
Other 
       liabilities                     14,508  16,161                                       2,772                      444                     17,280  16,605                                           4.1% 
Total  Liabilities                     21,897 24,776 
                                                                                           25,055 15,772 
                                                                                                                                               46,952 40,548 
                                                                                                                                                                                                   15.8% 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Net 
     Assets                                       
                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Invested in capital assets,                                                                                                                                                      
   net of related debt                 40,664             32,120                           31,609               27,809                         72,273                59,929                        20.6% 
Restricted                              5,210  5,674                                         822                       822                         6,032  6,496                                         -7.1% 
Unrestricted                            7,407  9,287                                        8,648  10,488                                      16,055  19,775                                      -18.8% 
Total  Net Assets                     $53,281 $47,081                                     $41,079 $39,119                                    $94,360 $86,200                                            9.5% 
                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 The total net assets of the City were $94,360,144 as of December 31, 2004.  This 
represents an increase of $8,160,148 over the prior year.  This change is explained 
more fully below. 
 Changes in net assets . The City's total revenues were $46,118,273.  A significant portion 
(31%) of the City's revenue stream 
                                                                                                                                             Figur e A-3
came from charges to users of specific                                                                                                City of Muske gon
services such as water or sewer (See                                                                              Sour ces of  Revenue f or Fiscal Year 2004
Figure A-3).  Another twenty-seven 
percent came from various grants from                                                                                       Operating & 
the state and federal governments and                                                                                      Capital Grants
                                                                                                                                      27%
thirty-one percent was from local                                                                                                                                            Property Taxes 
                                                                                                                                                                                  15%
property and income taxes.  The 
remainder was comprised of state-
                                                                                                         Charges for 
shared revenues (10%) and various                                                                         Services                                                          Income Taxes
                                                                                                                31%                                                             16%
other sources such as interest income.                                                                                                      Other State Shared 
                                                                                                                                             1%      Revenue
                                                                                                                                                           10%
The total cost of all City programs and 
services during 2004 was $37,958,125, 
representing a decrease of $531,514 
from 2003.  Seventy-eight percent of these costs were for governmental activities such 
as police and fire protection, streets, parks, and general administration.  The remaining 
twenty-two percent represents business-type activities operated by the City, specifically, 
for water, sewer and marina operations. 
 The difference between the City's total revenues and expenses ($8,160,148) represents 
the increase in total net assets for 2004.  The increase is primarily attributable to a 
combination of tight cost controls, an increase in water user charges, and receipt of 
grants to finance infrastructure improvements.  The following table (Changes in City's 
Net Assets) further breaks down the change in total net assets into year-to-year 
changes in individual revenue and expense categories: 

                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                     23



                                                                         




 
 
                                                          Changes in  City's Net Assets 
                                                              (In thousands of dollars) 
                                                                                                                                                     Total
 Governmental                                                                 Business-Type                                                  Percentage
 Activities                                                                      Activities                     Total 
                                                                                                                                                   Change
                                                2004          2003             2004            2003          2004                2003        2004-2003
                                                                                                                           
Program revenues                                                                                                      
  Charges for services                         $5,043       $4,917            $9,328         $8,463        $14,371             $13,380               7.4%
  Operating grants and contributions            6,009         5,614                 -              -         6,009               5,614               7.0% 
  Capital grants and  contributions             5,786       10,495               658            256          6,444              10,751             -40.1%
General revenues                                                                                                      
  Property taxes                                6,962         7,029                 -              -         6,962               7,029              -1.0%
  Income taxes                                  7,327         6,645                 -              -         7,327               6,645              10.3%
  State shared revenues                         4,645         4,939                 -              -         4,645               4,939              -6.0%
  All other 167                                                719               194            (17)           361                702              -48.6%
Total  revenues                                35,939       40,358            10,180           8,702        46,119 49,060                           -6.0%
                                                                                                                      
Governmental activities expenses                                                                                      
  Public representation                          867           888                  -              -           867                888               -2.4%
  Administrative services                       1,132         1,228                 -              -         1,132               1,228              -7.8%
  Financial services                            1,809         1,843                 -              -         1,809               1,843              -1.8%
  Public safety 12,164                                      11,583                  -              -        12,164 
                                                                                                                                11,583               5.0%
  Public works                                  2,848         2,947                 -              -         2,848               2,947              -3.4%
  Leisure services                              2,468         3,042                 -              -         2,468               3,042             -18.9%
  Planning and economic development             2,653         3,371                 -              -         2,653               3,371             -21.3%
  Highways, streets and bridges                 3,880         3,483                 -              -         3,880 3,483                            11.4%
  General administration                        1,725         1,601                 -              -         1,725               1,601               7.7%
  Interest on long-term debt                     193           224                  -              -           193                224              -13.8%
Business-type activities expenses                                                                                     
  Water -                                                          -           4,123           4,538         4,123 
                                                                                                                                 4,538              -9.1%
  Sewer -                                                          -           3,745           3,416         3,745 
                                                                                                                                 3,416               9.6%
  Marina                                            -              -             352            326            352                326                8.0%
Total  expenses                                29,739       30,210             8,220           8,280        37,959 38,490                           -1.4%
                                                                                                                      
Change in net assets                            6,200       10,148             1,960            422          8,160 10,570                          -22.8%
                                                                                                                      
Net assets at beginning of year 47,081                      36,933            39,119         38,697         86,200 
                                                                                                                                75,630              14.0%
                                                                                                                      
Net asse ts at end of  year                   $53,281      $47,081           $41,079        $39,119        $94,360 $86,200                           9.5%
  Governmental Activities 
The following table (Net Cost of Selected City Functions) presents the cost of each of 
the City's largest functions as well as each function's net cost (total cost less fees 
generated by the activities and related intergovernmental aid).  The net cost reflects 
what was funded by local tax dollars and other general resources. 
          The operational cost of all governmental activities during 2004 was $29,738,442.  
        This is a slight decrease from 2003 as the City continued to reduce costs in 
        response to economic conditions and falling state-shared revenues. 
          The net cost that City taxpayers paid for these activities through local taxes was 
        $14,289,264, or about 48% of the total. 
          The remaining cost was paid by user charges to those who directly benefit from 
        the programs or by state and federal grants and contributions. 
          Revenues for highways and streets function exceeded program costs because the 
        City's historic infrastructure or related depreciation costs are not yet recorded.  
        GASB 34 requires that this information be reported by the year ending December 
        31, 2007.  The City plans to include this information in the 2005 CAFR. 


                                                                                                                                               
                                                                   24



                                                                            




 
                                                Net Cost of Selected City Functions 
                                                             (in thousands of dollars) 
                                                       Total Cost of                                         Net Cost of                
                                                             Services                   % Change              Services                  % 
                                                                                                                                            Change
                                                     2004                2003                             2004              2003        
Governmental activities                                                                                                                 
  Public safety $12,164                                              $11,583                    5.0%      $10,814 
                                                                                                                       $10,210 
                                                                                                                                              5.9%
  Planning and economic development                    2,652              3,371            -21.3%           (994)            (351) 183.2%
  Leisure services                                     2,468              3,042            -18.9%           1,117            1,717          -34.9%
  Highways and streets                                 3,879              3,483                 11.4%     (4,186)           (9,220) -54.6%
  Public works                                         2,848              2,947                 -3.4%       1,858            2,290          -18.9%
  All other 5,728                                                         5,784                 -1.0%       4,292 
                                                                                                                             4,538 
                                                                                                                                             -5.4%
Total governmental activities                        $29,739         $30,210                    -1.6%     $12,901           $9,184           40.5%
 Business- Type Activities  
 The financial goal of the City's business-type activities (i.e. water, sewer and marina 
operations) is to operate on a more or less "break-even" basis without making 
significant profit or needing general tax subsidies.  For 2004 this goal was achieved with 
the City's total business-type activities realizing an overall increase in net assets of 
$1,959,918.  These funds were used to pay debt principal and invest in capital assets. 
 FINANCIAL ANAL YSIS OF THE CITY'S FUNDS 
 The analysis of the City's major funds begins on page 34 of the CAFR report, following 
the government-wide statements.  The fund financial statements provide detailed 
information about the major City funds, not the City as a whole.  The City's major funds 
for 2004 were the general fund and the major and local street funds.  
 General Fund Budgetar y Highlights 
 The general fund receives the most public attention since it is where local tax revenues 
are accounted for and where the most popular municipal services such as police, fire 
and parks are funded.  The City reforecasts its general fund budget on a quarterly basis 
to take into account changing economic conditions and policy priorities.  The quarterly 
budget reforecasts were particularly relevant in 2004 due to the turbulent state and 
national economies.  A $250,000 transfer from the City's rainy day fund was needed at 
year-end to offset state shared revenue losses and maintain the City's target fund 
balance.  The following table shows the general fund year-end fund balance for the last 
five years: 
 
                                                                                                          Fund Balance as a % of 
                       Year-End Fund                 Year-to-Year %                  Prior Year's         Prior Year Expenditures 
      Year                  Balance                     Change                     Expenditures and        (Policy Target = 10%) 
                                                                                     Other Uses 
      2004 $2,445,191 
                                                         +0.5% 
                                                                                       $ 23,705,334                   10.31% 
      2003 2,431,418 
                                                        -13.4% 23,971,536 
                                                                                                                      10.14% 
      2002 2,807,996 
                                                        -11.2% 23,235,978 
                                                                                                                      12.08% 
      2001                        3,162,368              +7.1%                             22,232,657                 14.22% 
      2000                        2,951,735                    -                           22,011,881                 13.41% 
 



                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                           25



                                              




Actual 2004 general fund expenditures were $430,022 below original budget amount.  
Most of this variance occurred in the areas of salaries, benefits and other operating 
costs as the City continued to manage its way through a difficult economy. 
 General fund revenues in 2004 were $440,724 more than originally budgeted.  The 
positive variance is attributable to higher than anticipated local income tax collections 
resulting from stringent enforcement and the success of an amnesty program for 
delinquent taxpayers.  Under this program, delinquent taxpayers were give a short-term, 
one-time opportunity to bring accounts current without penalty.  The higher than 
expected income tax revenues helped to offset other revenues losses.  Most 
significantly, state shared revenues were $354,652 under original budget due to 
continued faltering state sales tax collections and cutbacks by the state.   
  CAPITAL ASSETS AND DEBT ADMINISTRATION 
 Capital Assets 
 At the end of 2004, the City and its component units had invested $102,920,150 in a 
wide range of capital assets, including land, equipment, buildings, water and sewer 
lines, and vehicles.  In addition the City reports infrastructure assets, including roads, 
bridges, sidewalks, and storm sewers acquired or improved since the start of 2002.  In 
future years, the City will also include historical infrastructure asset investments made 
between 1980 and 2002.  Note C of the notes to the basic financial statements provides 
detailed information on the City's capital asset investment. 
 
                                                                    Bond Ra tin gs 
The City's fiscal year 2005 capital budget anticipates               
spending $18,454,400 for capital projects principally street        The City's limited full faith 
and water system improvements. These improvements will              and credit bonds (i.e. bonds 
                                                                    guaranteed by the City's 
be funded through grants, loan proceeds, and operating              general taxing powers) 
revenues.                                                           presently carry a Standard & 
                                                                    Poors rating of "A". 
Long-Term Debt 
 At year-end the City had $27,926,199 in bonds and notes 
outstanding as shown below.  This represents an increase of 25.2% over the prior year 
as new water fund debt in the amount of $13.9 million was issued for the purpose of 
financing water filtration plant improvements.  Of the total $13.9 million, $8,483,766 was 
drawn during 2004; the remaining $5,416,214 will be drawn in 2005 to complete the 
project.  Additional information concerning the City's long-term debt is presented in Note 
D to the basic financial statements. 
      
                                                                                                      
                                            26



                                                                               




      
 
                                                                   City's Long Term Debt 
                                                                   (In thousands of dollars) 
                                                                                                                                                                            Total
 Governmental                                                                      Business-Type                                                                   Percentage
 Activities 
                                                                                      Activities                              Total 
                                                                                                                                                                         Change
                                             2004              2003                  2004                2003              2004                 2003               2004-2003
                                                                                                                                                          
Bonds and loans payable $5,821 
                                                             $7,159           $22,105             $15,138                $27,926 
                                                                                                                                              $22,297  25.2%
Long-term absences payable                   1,568             1,456                    178              190               1,746                1,646                       6.1%
    Total bonds & notes payable             $7,389           $8,615           $22,283             $15,328                $29,672              $23,943                      23.9% 
      In addition to the City's debt, component units such as the Downtown Development 
     Authority (DDA) and Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) had outstanding debt 
     totaling $9,206,982 at year-end as shown in the table below.  Debt issued by the 
     component units typically is secured by the limited full faith and credit of the City and so 
     is an important consideration in assessing the City's overall fiscal health. Additional 
     information concerning component units' long-term debt is presented in Note D to the 
     basic financial statements and is summarized as follows: 
      
 
                                                        Component Unit Long Term Debt 
                                                                 (In thousands of dollars) 
                                                                                                                                                    Total
 Downtown 
                                                                          Local 
                                                                                   Development                                                      
                                                                                                                                                              Percentage
 Finance 
                                               Authority Finance 
                                                                                      Authority                           Total  
                                                                                                                                                               Change
                                    2004               2003               2004                 2003              2004               2003                      2004-2003
                                                                                                                                                    
Bonds and loans payable $4,490 
                                                       $4,670              $4,716              $4,716            $9,206             $9,386 
                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                -1.9%
       ECONOMIC FACTORS AND NEXT YEAR'S BUDGETS AND RATES 
      The City depends on five major sources of revenue to fund its operations: local income 
     taxes, local property taxes, state-shared revenues, state street funds, and water and 
     sewer utility fees.  Together, these five income sources account for nearly seventy 
     percent of the City's total 2004 revenues.  Meaningful discussion of the City's finances  
     centers on the outlook for these major income sources. 
      Local Income Tax 
      The City income tax was approved by voters in 1993 and now is the primary source of 
     funding for police, fire, parks and other general operations.  The tax rate is 1% on city 
     residents and ½ of 1% on non-residents who work in the city. The income tax provides 
     key advantages for urban core cities such as Muskegon.  First, it allows the City to 
     regionalize its tax structure by taxing non-residents who work here and use City 
     services and by allowing the City to benefit from development occurring outside the City 
     limits.  A second major advantage is that it generates revenue from employees working 
     at hospitals, churches, government agencies, colleges and other institutions traditionally 
     exempted from paying property taxes. This is particularly important for Muskegon since 
     six of the ten largest income tax sources are such institutions.   Income tax revenues 
     increased from $6,542,355 in 2003 to $7,033,387 for 2004 (+7.5%) due primarily to 
     aggressive compliance efforts including a successful, one-time delinquent taxpayer 


                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                             27



                                                                       




amnesty program.  For 2005, the City is conservatively estimating income tax revenues 
at $6,650,000.  The following table shows the resident and non-resident composition of 
the income tax base: 
 
                                         Number of                    2004             Percent of                Average 
              Category                             Payers      Amount  Paid                  Total              Amount Paid 
                                                                                                                       
              City Resident                          7,985          $ 2,350,485               33%                  $ 294    
              Non-Resident                          14,543           3,868,363                55%                     266 
              Corporate                              1,850                 814,539             12%                    440 
                 Total                              24,378          $7,033,387               100%                  $ 289 
  Local Property Tax 
 The City's 2004 property tax millage consisted of 10 mills: 7.5 mills for general 
operations and 2.5 mills levied for sanitation.  City charter authorizes a general 
operating millage up to 10 mills and state law permits a maximum sanitation millage of 3 
mills.  Millage rates are applied to the taxable value of property in the City to arrive at 
the City's property tax levy.  As shown below, taxable values have been relatively 
stagnant over the last few years. 
 
                                                                                                                              Percent 
             Year                       Real                         Personal                        Total                    Change 
             2004 $661,233,389 
                                                                      $168,106,228            $829,339,617                      -1.2% 
             2003 661,692,712 
                                                                           177,348,400             839,041,112                  +1.6% 
             2002 638,624,250 
                                                                           187,393,600             826,017,850                  +1.6% 
             2001 601,420,300 
                                                                           211,503,600 812,923,900  +12.3% 
  State Shared Revenues 
 State shared sales tax revenues represent 19.9% of total general fund revenue and 
other financing sources.  The City's state shared revenue allocation is made up of two 
approximately equal parts.  The constitutional component is a fixed percentage of total 
state sales tax collections that cannot be reduced by the legislature.  The statutory 
component is determined by a complex formula and is subject to adjustment through 
the State's budget process.  Both constitutional and statutory components depend, of 
course, on overall state sales tax collections.  Over the last several years, state shared 
revenues have fallen sharply due to the faltering economy and to executive order 
budget cuts in the statutory share.  The most recent data available from the state 
indicates that the state shared revenues will remain at current level for 2005.  The City's 
recent state shared revenue history is summarized below: 
 
                                                       State Shared                        Percent 
                                Year                     Revenues                          Change 
                                 2005*                        $4,688,657                   +0.9% 
                                2004                            4,645,348                  -5.9% 
                                2003 4,938,861 
                                                                                           -7.8% 
                                2002 5,353,987 
                                                                                           -6.9% 
                                2001 5,748,523 - 
                            * Budget amount                                                    
 


                                                                                                                                           
                                                                      28



                                                        




Continued erosion of the state shared revenue component constitutes the single biggest 
threat to the stability of City finances at this time.  Due to the local income tax, 
Muskegon is somewhat less dependent on this revenue source than most Michigan 
cities.   
 Street Funds 
 The State also returns to the City a share of gasoline tax revenues to help fund 
maintenance and construction of major and local streets in the City.  These revenues 
have not suffered to the extent that general state sales tax revenues have: 
 
                                        Street Revenues          Percent 
                            Year           from State            Change 
                             2005*          $3,537,574           +2.3% 
                            2004              3,459,503          +9.2% 
                            2003              3,166,406          -1.7% 
                            2002 3,220,625                       +1.9% 
                            2001 3,159,325                          - 
                        * Budgeted amount                    
               
  Water and Sewer Fees 
 From a government-wide entity perspective, combined water and sewer fees represent 
the City's largest income source totaling $9,060,911 in 2004.   Charges to customers 
are based on the amount of metered services used times rates periodically set by the 
City Commission.  For 2005, it is anticipated that water and sewer rates will be adjusted 
upwards to finance major capital improvements at the water filtration plant.    
  CONTACTING THE CITY'S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 
This financial report is designed to provide our citizens, taxpayers, customers, and 
investors and creditors with a general overview of the City's finances and to 
demonstrate the City's accountability for the money it receives.  If you have questions 
about this report, need additional financial information, or wish to obtain separate 
financial statements for the City's component units, contact the City's Finance 
Department at (231) 724-6713 or by e-mail (finance@shorelinecity.com).   
   





                                                                                          
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     30



                  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

31



                                                                                      City of Muskegon

                                                                  STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

                                                                                      December 31, 2004



                                                                                              Primary Government
                                                         Governmental                            Business-Type                                                    Component                   Total Reporting 
                                                             Activities                              Activities                            Total                       Units                           Entity
ASSETS
   Cash and cash equivalents (note A and B)           $            4,915,403
                                                                                                $         5,042,717
                                                                                                                                              9,958,120
                                                                                                                               $                                                 925,703
                                                                                                                                                               $                             $         10,883,823
                                                                                                                                                                                                            
   Investments (note A and B)                                       7,632,588
                                                                                                                         -                    7,632,588
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                  7,632,588
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
   Receivables (net of allowance for 
    uncollectibles) (note A)
      Accounts and loans                                            1,785,554
                                                                                                           2,297,435
                                                                                                                                              4,082,989
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                  4,082,989
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
      Special assessments
         Current                                                       443,954
                                                                                                                         -                      443,954
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                     443,954
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
         Non-current                                                3,718,728
                                                                                                                         -                    3,718,728
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                  3,718,728
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
      Taxes
         Property                                                   6,444,950
                                                                                                                         -                    6,444,950
                                                                                                                                                                                 709,847
                                                                                                                                                                                                          7,154,797
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
         Income                                                     2,509,611
                                                                                                                         -                    2,509,611
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                  2,509,611
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
   Internal balances                                               (1,298,315)
                                                                                                           1,298,315
                                                                                                                                                         -                             -                                 - 
   Due from other governmental units                                2,259,123
                                                                                                                57,432
                                                                                                                                              2,316,555
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                  2,316,555
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
   Inventories (note A)                                                  18,270
                                                                                                              108,769
                                                                                                                                                127,039
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                     127,039
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
   Prepaid items (note A)                                              263,172
                                                                                                                22,086
                                                                                                                                                285,258
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                     285,258
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
   Restricted cash and cash 
    equivalents (note A and B)                                                           -
                                                                                                              822,559
                                                                                                                                                822,559
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                     822,559
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
   Deferred debt expense (note A)                                        64,892
                                                                                                              130,895
                                                                                                                                                195,787
                                                                                                                                                                                 129,621
                                                                                                                                                                                                             325,408
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
   Contract receivable (note A)                                                          -
                                                                                                           2,770,434
                                                                                                                                              2,770,434
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                  2,770,434
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
   Wastewater facility rights (net of accumlated
    amortization of $2,369,748) (note A)                                                 -
                                                                                                           1,094,345
                                                                                                                                              1,094,345
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                  1,094,345
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                  28,757,930
                                                                                                         13,644,987
                                                                                                                                           42,402,917
                                                                                                                                                                            1,765,171
                                                                                                                                                                                                        44,168,088
                                                                                                                                                                                                            

   Capital assets (note A and C)
      Land, construction in progress and other
       assets not being depreciated                               19,161,190
                                                                                                         18,991,429
                                                                                                                                           38,152,619
                                                                                                                                                                                 400,000
                                                                                                                                                                                                        38,552,619
                                                                                                                                                                                                            
      Other capital assets, net of depreciation                   27,259,255
                                                                                                         33,497,053
                                                                                                                                           60,756,308
                                                                                                                                                                            3,611,223
                                                                                                                                                                                                        64,367,531
                                                                                                                                                                                                            
   Total capital assets                                           46,420,445
                                                                                                         52,488,482
                                                                                                                                           98,908,927
                                                                                                                                                                            4,011,223
                                                                                                                                                                                                      102,920,150
                                                                                                                                                                                                       

TOTAL ASSETS                                          $          75,178,375
                                                                                                $       66,133,469
                                                                                                                                      141,311,844
                                                                                                                               $                                            5,776,394
                                                                                                                                                               $                             $       147,088,238
                                                                                                                                                                                                       

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Liabilities
   Accounts payable                                   $            1,521,137
                                                                                                $         2,392,167
                                                                                                                                              3,913,304
                                                                                                                               $                               $                      -      $           3,913,304
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
   Accrued payroll                                                     427,773
                                                                                                                59,667
                                                                                                                                                487,440
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                     487,440
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
   Accrued interest                                                      20,800
                                                                                                              105,000
                                                                                                                                                125,800
                                                                                                                                                                                  48,400
                                                                                                                                                                                                             174,200
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
   Due to other governmental units                                                       -
                                                                                                              214,825
                                                                                                                                                214,825
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                     214,825
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
   Deferred revenue (note A)                                      12,538,527
                                                                                                                         -                 12,538,527
                                                                                                                                                                                 709,847
                                                                                                                                                                                                        13,248,374
                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                  14,508,237
                                                                                                           2,771,659
                                                                                                                                           17,279,896
                                                                                                                                                                                 758,247
                                                                                                                                                                                                        18,038,143
                                                                                                                                                                                                            

   Long-term liabilities (note A and D)
      Due within one year
         Bonds payable                                              1,115,000
                                                                                                           1,515,974
                                                                                                                                              2,630,974
                                                                                                                                                                                 185,000
                                                                                                                                                                                                          2,815,974
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
         Compensated absences                                          261,299
                                                                                                                30,228
                                                                                                                                                291,527
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                     291,527
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
      Due in more than one year
         Bonds payable                                              4,706,493
                                                                                                         20,588,732
                                                                                                                                           25,295,225
                                                                                                                                                                            9,021,982
                                                                                                                                                                                                        34,317,207
                                                                                                                                                                                                            
         Compensated absences                                       1,306,493
                                                                                                              147,585
                                                                                                                                              1,454,078
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                  1,454,078
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
   Total long-term liabilities                                      7,389,285
                                                                                                         22,282,519
                                                                                                                                           29,671,804
                                                                                                                                                                            9,206,982
                                                                                                                                                                                                        38,878,786
                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Total liabilities                                                 21,897,522
                                                                                                         25,054,178
                                                                                                                                           46,951,700
                                                                                                                                                                            9,965,229
                                                                                                                                                                                                        56,916,929
                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Net assets (note A)
   Invested in capital assets, net of related debt                40,663,844
                                                                                                         31,609,016
                                                                                                                                           72,272,860
                                                                                                                                                                           (576,138)
                                                                                                                                                                                                        71,696,722
                                                                                                                                                                                                            
   Restricted for
      Streets and highways                                          4,016,739
                                                                                                                         -                    4,016,739
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                  4,016,739
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
      Debt service                                                                       -
                                                                                                              822,559
                                                                                                                                                822,559
                                                                                                                                                                                       -                     822,559