The City of Palm Desert was originally incorporated on November 26, 1973, as a General Law City. In December 1997, Measure LL was enacted following a vote by Palm Desert residents, which adopted a City Charter. The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government and provides the following services: public safety (police and fire), highways and streets, public improvements, community development (planning, building and zoning) and general administrative services.
The City has defined its reporting entity in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which provides guidance for determining which governmental activities, organizations and functions should be included in the reporting entity. The Basic Financial Statements present information on the activities of the reporting entity, which include the City of Palm Desert (the primary government) and its component units, entities for which the government is considered financially accountable.
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that the component units be separated into blended or discretely presented units for reporting purposes. The following criteria were used in determination of blended component units: appointment of the governing board and fiscal dependence. Although legally separate entities, blended component units are, in substance, part of the City's operations. Therefore, they are reported as part of the primary government. Discretely presented component units are reported in a separate column in the basic financial statements to emphasize that they are legally separate from the City.
Following are descriptions of legally separate component units for which the City is financially accountable that are blended with the Primary Government. The governing bodies of these component units are substantially the same with operational responsibility as the City and provides a financial benefit.
The Palm Desert Housing Authority (Housing Authority) was established by the City Council in January 1998, and is responsible for the administration of providing affordable housing in the City. The Housing Authority transactions are reported in the governmental funds balance sheet as a major fund.
The Palm Desert Financing Authority (Financing Authority) was formed on January 26, 1989. The purpose of the Financing Authority is to issue debt and loan the proceeds to the City and Agency. The Financing Authority's capital related transactions are reported in the governmental fund financial statements in the capital projects funds, and the collection of assessments and payments of debt service is recorded in the fiduciary funds.
The City Council of Palm Desert is the governing body for the Housing Authority and Financing Authority. Separate financial statements are not issued for the Housing Authority and Financing Authority.
The Palm Desert Recreational Facilities Corporation (Corporation) was incorporated on February 25, 1997. The purpose of the Corporation is to lease, operate and manage a restaurant and bar in the Desert Willow Golf Course in Palm Desert, California. The Board of Directors of the Corporation appoints an executive director to administer operations.
The Corporation is in a separate column to emphasize that it is legally separate from the City and is financially accountable to the City. The two-member board governing the Corporation is appointed by the City Council, the City has authority to approve the Corporation's budget, and the City must approve any debt issued.
Complete financial statements of the Corporation can be obtained from the City's administrative offices.