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ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31.2005

of state law, this report is a public

^^^^^s^oie entity and other appropriate P^ »c o*cws. Thereport is available for public inspechon attt ,e B*on

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E R I C K S E N K R E N T E L &LAPORTEL.LRC E R T I F I E D P U B L I C A C C O U N T A N T S ~& C 0 N S U L T A N T S

4227 CANAL STREETNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70119-5996TELEPHONE (504) 486-7275 • PAX (504} 482-2516WWW.ERICKSENKRENTEL.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXHIBIT PAGE

FINANCIAL SECTION

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ; 1-2

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Managements Discussion and Analysis (Unaudited) 3-5

BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

GOVERNMENTAL-WIDE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (GWFS)

Statement of Net Assets A 6

Statement of Activities B 7

FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (FFS)

Governmental Funds:

Balance Sheet C 8

Reconciliation of the Governmental Funds Balance Sheet to theStatement of Net Assets D 9

Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes inFund Balances E 10

Reconciliation of the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, andChanges in Fund Balances of Governmental Funds to theStatement of Activities F 11

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 12-18

Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and on Complianceand Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial Statements Performedin Accordance with Government Auditing Standards 19 - 20

Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs.... 21 - 22

Schedule of Prior Year Findings 23

-»-, T f -Y ^ JAMES E.

E RICKS ENKRENTEL & LAPORTEt L r. .N, Jff.

CERTIFIED PUBLIC A C C O U N T A N T S & CONSULTANTS

KENNETH J.

4227 CANAL STREET W. ERIC POWERS

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70119-5996 ITOFESSIONAL CORPORATIONTELEPHONE (504) 486-7275 - FAX (504) 482-2516 BENJAMIN J. BUCKSEN - RETIRED

WWW.ERtCKSENKRENTEL.COM J-v- ^ERE KREMTEI. - RE

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.P.O. Box 321Norco, Louisiana 70079

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities and eachmajor fund of the Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (the Fire Department) as of andfor the year ended December 31,2005, which collectively comprise the Fire Department's basicfinancial statements as listed in the table of contents. These financial statements are theresponsibility of the Fire Department's management. Our responsibility is to express opinions onthese financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the UnitedStates of America, the Louisiana Governmental Audit Guide and the standards applicable tofinancial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards^ issued by the Comptroller Generalof the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtainreasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatementAn audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures inthe financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used andsignificant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statementpresentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,the respective financial position of the governmental activities and each major fund of the NorcoArea Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. as of December 31,2005, and the respective changes infinancial position, thereof for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principlesgenerally accepted in the United States of America.

In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated June 2,2006, on our consideration of the Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.'s internal controlover 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 todescribe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance andthe results of that testing and not to provide an opinion on the internal control over financialreporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordancewith Government Auditing Standards and should be considered in conjunction with this report inconsidering the results of our audit.

E RICKS EN KRENTEL& LAPORTEI.L.P.CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS & CONSULTANTS

Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.June 2,2006Page 2

The management's discussion and analysis information on pages 3 through 5 are not a requiredpart of the basic financial statements but are supplementary information required by accountingprinciples generally accepted in the United States of America. We have applied certain limitedprocedures, which consisted principally of inquiries of management regarding the methods ofmeasurement and presentation of the required supplementary information. However, we did notaudit the information and express no opinion on it.

June 2,2006

Certified Public Accountants

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.NORCO, LOUISIANA

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISAS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31. 2005

This section of the Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department (the Fire Department) annualfinancial report presents management's analysis of the Fire Department's financial performancefor the year ended December 31,2005. This analysis should be read in conjunction with theaudited financial statements, which follow this section.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

1. The Fire Department's net assets increased by $81,080.2. The general revenues of the Fire Department were $321,747.3. The total expenses of the Fire Department were $240,668.

OVERVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

This report consists of two sections: Management's Discussion and Analysis and auditedfinancial statements. The financial statements also include notes that provide additional detail ofthe information included in the financial statements.

BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements of the Fire Department report information about the Fire Departmentusing accounting methods similar to those used by private companies. These financialstatements provide financial information about the activities of the Fire Department.

The Statement of Net Assets presents the current and long-term portions of assets and liabilitiesseparately,

The Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance and the Statement ofActivities presents information on how the Fire Department's net assets changed as a result ofcurrent period operations.

The following presents condensed financial information of the Fire Department.

SUMMARY OF NET ASSETSFOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31. 2005 AND 2004

ASSETS

Current assetsCapital assets, net of accumulateddepreciation

December 31, December 31,2005 2004

$ 315,451 $ 251,484

794,405 797,317

Total assets S _LJQ<L85fi $ 1,048,801,


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31.2005

LIABILITIESDecember 31, December 31,

2005 2004

Current liabilities S 20,195 $ 5,220Long-term liabilities 160,000 195,000

Total liabilities S 180.195 S 200.220

NET ASSETS

Invested in capital assets, net ofrelated debt $ 643,172 $ 602,317

Unrestricted 286.489 246.264

Total net assets S 929.661 $ 848.581

Total assets increased by $61,055 (5,8%). This increase was caused primarily by the FEMAgrant receivable of approximately $20,000 and an increase in cash from operations.

Total liabilities decreased by $20,025 (10%) primarily because of principal payments on long-term debt.

Total net assets increased by $81,080 (9.5%) as a result of operations.

SUMMARY OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES/EXPENSESAND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31. 2005 AND 2004


General revenues $ 321,748 $ 335,000Expenditures/ expenses (240,668) (290,024)

Change in net assets S 81.080 S 44.976

The change in net assets increased by $36,104 (80%). A decrease in grant income caused anoverall decline in general revenues. This decline was offset by a decrease in operating expenses.


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31.2005

CAPITAL ASSETS

Following is a schedule of capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation:


Land $ 52,533 $ 41,644Buildings and improvements 484,587 525,656Equipment 112,422 138,669Computers 2,840 2,296Vehicles 142.023 89.052

Total capital assets, net ofaccumulated depreciation $ 794.405 S 797.317

The major additions to capital assets during 2005 consisted of land, vehicles and various fireequipment.

LONG-TERM DEBT

At December 31, 2005, the Fire Department had $160,000 in long-term debt which consisted ofbonds payable. During the year, the Fire Department's long-term debt decreased by $35,000.

This report is designed to provide a general overview of the Fire Department and to demonstratethe Fire Department's accountability for its finances. If you have any questions about this reportor need additional information, please contact Kenny Wenning, Norco Area Volunteer FireDepartment, P.O. Box 321, Norco, Louisiana 70079.

BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Exhibit "A"

NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

DECEMBER 31. 2005

ASSETS:Cash $ 255,457Grant receivable 20,880Due from Parish 11,587Prepaid expenses 27,527Capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation 794,405

Total assets 1,109,856

LIABILITIES:Accounts payable 12,862Accrued interest payable 7,333Bonds payable:

Due within one year 60,000Due after one year 100,000

Total liabilities 180,195

NET ASSETS:Invested in capital assets, net of related debt 643,172Unrestricted 286,489

Total net assets $ 929,661

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement6

Exhibit "B'

NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31. 2005

GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES:Public safety - fire protection

Total expenses

Net (expense) from governmental activities

GENERAL REVENUES:Sales tax-1/8 centAd valorem taxFire insurance rebateOther revenues

Total general revenues

Change in net assets

Net assets - beginning

Net assets - ending

240,668

240,668

(240,668)

142,400123,42816,57639,344

321,748

81,080

848,581

$ 929,661


Exhibit "C"

NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FERE DEPARTMENT, INC.BALANCE SHEET

DECEMBER 31.2005

CashGrant receivableDue from ParishPrepaid expenses

Total assets

ASSETS

LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE

LIABILITIES;Accounts payable

Total liabilities

FUND BALANCE;Reserved for prepaid expensesUnreserved

Total fund balance

Total liabilities and fund balance

$

$

$

255,45720,88011,58727,527

315,451

12,862

12,862

27,527275,062

302,589

$ 315,451

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement

Exhibit "D"

NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.RECONCILIATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS BALANCE SHEET

TO THE STATEMENT OF NET ASSETSFOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31. 2005

Fund balance - total governmental funds $ 302,589

Amounts reported for governmental activities in the Statement of Net Assetsare different because:

Net capital assets used in governmental activities are not financial resourcesand, therefore, are not reported in the governmental funds. 794,405

Long-term liabilities, including bonds payable, are not due and payable inthe current period and, therefore, are not reported in the governmentalfunds. Interest on long-term debt is not accrued in governmental funds,but rather is recognized as an expenditure when due. All liabilities (bothcurrent and long term) are reported in the Statement of Net Assets.

Accrued interest payable (7,333)Bonds payable (160,000)

Net assets of governmental activities $ 929,661


Exhibit "E"

NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND

CHANGES IN FUND BALANCEFOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2QQ5

REVENUES:Sales tax -1/8 centAd valorem taxFire insurance rebateOther revenues

Total revenues

EXPENDITURES:Utilities:

ElectricityGasInternetTelephoneWater

Equipment:MaintenanceFuelInsurance

Buildings:Maintenance

Personnel:Training

Firefighting expenditures:Fire supplies

Miscellaneous:Accounting and auditingDues and subscriptionsOffice expenseMeetings and other

Capital outlay:Equipment purchases and building additions

Debt repayment:Debt retirementInterest expense

Total expenditures

Excess of revenues over expenditures

FUND BALANCE, BEGINNING OF YEAR

FUND BALANCE, END OF YEAR

142,400123,42816,57639,344

321,748

9,8261,937

8483,0231,309

22,7623,969

30,748

7,801

1,797

3,711

3,700633

2,06313,340

114,689

35,00010,949

268,105

53,643

248,946

302,589


Exhibit "F"

NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.RECONCILIATION OF THE STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES AND

CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES OF GOVERNMENTAL FUNDSTO THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES


Net change in fund balance - governmental fund $ 53,643

Amounts reported for governmental activities in the Statement of Activitiesare different because:

Governmental funds report capital outlays as expenditures. However inthe Statement of Activities the cost of those assets is allocated overtheir estimated useful lives and reported as depreciation expense. This isthe amount by which capital outlays of $114,689 was exceeded bydepreciation expense of $117,601 in the current period. (2,912)

Repayments of bond and note principal are reported as financing uses ingovernmental funds and thus contribute to the reduction in fund balance.In the statement of net assets, however, repayment of debt decreases thelong-term liabilities and does not affect the statement of activities. 35,000

Under the modified accrual basis of accounting used in the governmentalfunds, interest on long-term debt is not recognized until due, ratherthan as it accrues. (4,651)

Change in net assets of governmental activities $ 81,080


NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31.2005

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Reporting Entity

The Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (Fire Department) receives fundingfrom local and state government sources and must comply with the concomitantrequirements of these funding source entities. However, the Fire Department is a"primary government" and is not included as a component unit of any other St. CharlesParish governmental "reporting entity" as defined in GASB pronouncements, since theentity is a non-profit corporation, and the board members have decision making authority,the power to designate management, the ability to significantly influence operations andprimary accountability for fiscal matters. The Fire Department includes all activities thatare controlled by it as a quasi-public non-profit corporation organized to provide fireprotection to the Parish of St. Charles. The Fire Department has no component units.

The accounting and reporting policies of the Fire Department conform to generallyaccepted accounting principles as applicable to governmental units.

Basis of Presentation

The Fire Department's financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S.generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Governmental AccountingStandards Board (GASB) is responsible for establishing GAAP for state and localgovernments through pronouncements (Statements and Interpretations). Governments arealso required to follow the pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board(FASB) issued through November 30,1989 (when applicable) that do not conflict with orcontradict GASB pronouncements. The more significant accounting policies establishedin GAAP and used by the Fire Department are discussed below.

The accompanying basic financial statements have been prepared in conformity withGASB Statement No. 34, Basic Financial Statements-and Management 's Discussion andAnalysis-far State and Local Governments, issued in June 1999.

Basic Financial Statements - Government-Wide Financial Statements (GWFS)

The Fire Department's basic financial statements include both government-wide(reporting the Fire Department as a whole) and fund financial statements (reporting theFire Department's major funds). Both the government-wide and fund financialstatements categorize primary activities as either governmental or business type. The FireDepartment's fire protection activities and related general administrative services areclassified as governmental activities. The Fire Department does not have any business-type activities.

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NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

DECEMBER 31.2005

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Basic Financial Statements - Government-Wide Financial Statements (GWFS)(continued)

In the government-wide Statement of Net Assets (Exhibit A), the governmental activitiescolumn is presented on a consolidated basis and is reported on a full accrual, economicresource basis, which recognizes all long-term assets and receivables, as well as long-term debt and obligations. The Fire Department's net assets are reported in two parts -invested capital assets and unrestricted net assets.

The government-wide Statement of Activities (Exhibit B) reports both gross and net costof the Fire Department's function. The function is supported by general governmentrevenues (1/8 cent sales tax and ad valorem tax). The Fire Department does not receiverelated program revenues and operating grants which would reduce gross expenses in theStatement of Activities.

This government-wide focus is on the sustainability of the Fire Department as an entityand the change in the Fire Department's net assets resulting from current year's activities.

Basic FSnancial Statements - Fund Financial Statements (FFS)

The financial transactions of the Fire Department are reported in individual funds in thefund financial statements. Each fund is accounted for by providing a separate set of self-balancing accounts that comprises its assets, liabilities, reserves, fund equity, revenuesand expenditures. The Fire Department's current operations require the use of only thefollowing fund type:

Governmental Fund:

The focus of the governmental fund's measurement (in the fund statement) is upondetermination of financial position and changes in financial position (sources, uses, andbalances of financial resources) rather than upon net income. In general, fund balancerepresents the accumulated expendable resources, which may be used to finance futureoperations of the Fire Department.

General Fund

The General Fund is the principal fund of the Fire Department and is used to account forthe operations of the Fire Department. General revenues are accounted for in this fund.General operating expenditures are paid from this fund.

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DECEMBER 31.2005


Basis of Accounting

Basis of accounting refers to when revenues and expenditures are recognized and reportedin the financial statements. Basis of accounting relates to the timing of the measurementsmade, regardless of the measurement focus applied.

Accrual

The governmental activities in the government-wide financial are presented on theaccrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recognized when earned and expenses arerecognized when incurred.

Modified Accrual

The governmental fund financial statements are presented on the modified accrual basisof accounting. Under the modified accrual basis of accounting, revenues are recordedwhen susceptible to accrual; i.e., both measurable and available. "Available" meanscollectible within the current period or within 60 days after year end. Expenditures aregenerally recognized under the modified accrual basis of accounting when the relatedliability is incurred. The exception to this general rule is that principal and interest ongeneral obligation long-term debt, if any, is recognized when due.

The Fire Department records are maintained on the cash basis of accounting. However,the General Fund reported in the accompanying financial statements has been convertedto a modified accrual basis of accounting utilizing the following practices in recordingrevenues and expenditures:

Revenues

Sales taxes are recorded in the month the taxes are collected by the St. Charles ParishSchool Board. Sales taxes become payable to the St. Charles Parish School Board on thefirst day of the month and become delinquent on the 20th day of the month followingincurrence of the taxes by businesses.

An ad valorem issue is dedicated to the operations of the nine volunteer fire departmentsin St. Charles Parish. The tax millage expires in 2010. Each department is to receive oneninth of annual collections. Taxes levied in November each year are available forexpenditures in the subsequent year.

Interest income on investments is recorded when the investments have matured andincome is available.

14


DECEMBER 31.2005


Basis of Accounting (continued)

Revenues (continued)

All other revenues are recorded when received.

The majority of the Fire Department's revenues are derived from the one-eighth of onepercent sales tax and the ad valorem tax for operations.

Expenditures

Expenditures are generally recognized under the modified accrual basis of accountingwhen the related fund liability is incurred.

Cash

The Fire Department is authorized under state law to deposit funds within a fiscal agentbank organized under the laws of the State of Louisiana, the laws of any other state in theUnion, and the laws of the United States. The Fire Department may also invest in timecertificates of deposit with state banks organized under Louisiana law and national bankshaving their principal offices in Louisiana. Under state law, these deposits must besecured by the fiscal agent bank. The market value of such pledged securities and federaldeposit insurance must equal or exceed the amount on deposit with the fiscal agent.

Custodial credit risk is the risk that in the event of a bank failure, the Fire Department'sdeposits may not be returned to it. As of December 31,2005, $ 109,316 of the FireDepartment's bank balance of $260,398 was exposed to custodial credit risk as follows:

Uninsured and collateralized by FHLMCletters of credit held by pledging bank notin Fire Department's name S 109.316

Budgets and Budgetary Accounting

The Fire Department was not required to prepare a budget for the year ended December31,2005.

15


DECEMBER 31.2005


Capital Assets

Capital assets are capitalized at historical cost or estimated cost if historical cost is notavailable. Donated assets are recorded as capital assets at their estimated fair marketvalue at the date of donation. The Fire Department maintains a threshold level of $300 ormore for capitalizing capital assets. Additions, improvement and other capital outlaysthat significantly extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Other costs incurredfor repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Capital assets are recorded in the Statement of Net Assets and depreciation is recorded inthe Statement of Activities. Since surplus assets are sold for an immaterial amount orscrapped when declared as no longer needed for public purposes, no salvage value istaken into consideration for depreciation purposes. All capital assets are depreciatedusing the straight-line method over the following useful lives:

EstimatedDescription Lives

Computer and communications equipment 5 yearsEquipment 5 yearsOther vehicles 5 yearsFire trucks 10 yearsFire stations and other buildings 20 years

In the fund financial statements, fixed assets are accounted for as capital outlayexpenditures of the fund upon acquisition.

(2) SALES TAX REVENUE

Effective March 1,1980, sales tax in the amount of one-eighth of one percent is collectedby the St. Charles Parish School Board and administered by the Parish President. Thesales tax is to be used for fire protection of the Parish of St. Charles. The funds aredistributed monthly by the Parish President to the individual fire departments of the St.Charles Parish Firemen's Association, hie. Effective January, 2000, the sales tax isdistributed on the following basis:

Percent ofMonthly Remaining

Basis FundsBayou Gauche Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc. $ 2,500 3.69%Des Allemands Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc. $ 2,500 4,68%East Side St. Charles Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc. $ 2,500 23.07%Hahnville Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc. $ 2,500 5.88%KJllona Volunteer Fire Dept, Inc. $ 2,500 1.47%

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(2)


DECEMBER 31.2005

SALES TAX REVENUE (CONTINUED)

Luling Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc.Norco Area Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc.Paradis Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc.St. Rose Volunteer Fire Dept., Inc.

DUE FROM PARISH

$$SS

2,5002,5002,5002,500

29.52%10.19%4.79%

16.71%

(3)

Revenue receivable at December 31, 2005 consists of the Fire Department's share of thel/8th cent sales tax for the month of November 2005, collected on or beforeDecember 20, 2005 by the St. Charles Parish School Board and remitted by St. CharlesParish in January 2006.

An allowance for uncollectible receivables is not recorded by the Fire Departmentbecause it considers all receivables collectible at December 31, 2005.

(4) CAPITAL ASSETS

Fire protection vehicles $EquipmentComputersBuildingsLandVehicles

Less: accumulateddepreciation

Total capital assets, net $

Balance1/1/05

897,496823,198

4,050821,38441,644

2,587,772

1,790,455

797r3l7

Additions2005

$20,128

1,625

10,88982,047

114.689

117.601

S /"> 01 o^L^iXJjfel

Retirements Balance2005 12/31/05

$ - $ 897,496843,326

5,675821,38452,53382,047

2,702,461

1,908.056

$ - $ 794T405

Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31,2005 was $ 117,601.

17


DECEMBER 31.2005

(5) LONG-TERM DEBT

Balance1/1/05 Additions

Balance at Due WithinReductions 12/31/05 One Year

Bonds payable - Certificateof Indebtedness Series 2001,bearing an interest rate of5.5% with principal dueannually and interest in semi-annual installments.Matures on March 1, 2008. S 195.000 35.000 $ 160.000 $_ 60.000

(6)

Following is a summary of future principal and interest requirements:

YearEnding

200620072008

Principal Interest Total

60,000 $50,00050.000

6,738 $4,1251.375

66,73854,12551.375

S 160.000 S 12.238 S 172.238

Interest incurred and expensed for the year ended December 31,2005 was $18,282.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Fire Department is exposed to various risks of losses related to torts; theft of, damageto, and destruction of assets; injuries to firemen; and natural disasters. The FireDepartment carries commercial insurance in amounts sufficient to insure itself againstclaims resulting from any of those risks.

18

t-, --,- T « JAMES E. UPORTE*ERICKSENKRENTEL & LAPORTEL i p. *»»o ••»*».-„.....--. ,...,,„....„.,,,,,...... ^'_'!rj:"'--.:L:••"•-"••"•' —•—;••-•— •-• • • • • •-.•••;.-.._.............. -•—•— RwtfU3 H. OAWSOM, JR.

.. Nefl̂ fCERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS & CONSULTANTS

KENNETH J. ABfflEY*

4227 CANAL STREET W, Ewe POWERSNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 7C119-5996 TROFEarctwL CORPORATETELEPHONE (504) 486-7275 • FAX (504) 482-2516 BEKJAMW J. ERCKSEN - RETIREDWWW.ERICKSENKRENTEL.COM J.V. LECLERE KRENTCI - RETIRED

REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ONCOMPLIANCE AND OTHER MATTERS BASED ON AN AUDIT OF FINANCIAL

STATEMENTS PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITHGOVERNMENT AUDITING STANDARDS

Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.P.O. Box 321Norco, Louisiana 70079

We have audited the financial statements of the governmental activities and each major fund ofthe Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (the Fire Department), as of and for the yearended December 31,2005, which collectively comprise the Fire Department's basic financialstatements, and have issued our report thereon dated June 2, 2006. We conducted our audit inaccordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and thestandards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued bythe Comptroller General of the United States.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In planning and performing our audit, we considered Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department,Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting in order to determine our auditing procedures forthe purpose of expressing our opinion on the financial statements and not to provide assurance onthe internal control over financial reporting. However, we noted a certain matter involving theinternal control over financial reporting and its operation that we consider to be a reportablecondition.

Reportable conditions involve matters coming to our attention relating to significant deficienciesin the design or operation of the internal control over financial reporting that, in our judgment,could adversely affect Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.'s ability to record, process,summarize and report financial data consistent with the assertions of management in the financialstatements. The reportable condition is described in the accompanying schedule of findings andquestioned costs as item 2005-1.

A material weakness is a condition in which the design or operation of one or more of theinternal control components does not reduce to a relatively low level the risk that misstatementsin amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements being audited may occurand not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing theirassigned functions. Our consideration of the internal control over financial reporting would notnecessarily disclose all matters in the internal control that might be reportable conditions and,accordingly, would not necessarily disclose all reportable conditions that are also considered tobe material weaknesses. However, we consider the reportable condition described above to be amaterial weakness.

19

ERICKSENKRENTEL&CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS & CONSULTANTS

Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.June 2,2006

Compliance

As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department,Inc.'s financial statements are free of material misstatement, we performed tests of itscompliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts and grants, noncompliancewith which could have a direct and material effect on the determination of financial statementamounts. However, providing an opinion on compliance with those provisions was not anobjective of our audit and, accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. The results of ourtests disclosed no instances of noncompliance that are required to be reported under GovernmentAuditing Standards.

This report is intended solely for the information and use of Norco Area Volunteer FireDepartment, Inc., St. Charles Parish and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and is not intended tobe and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties. Under Louisiana RevisedStatute 24:513, this report is distributed by the Legislative Auditor as a public document.

June 2, 2006

/Certified Public Accountants

20

NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31.2005

We have audited the financial statements of Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. as ofand for the year ended December 31,2005, and have issued our report thereon dated June 2,2006. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in theUnited States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained inGovernment Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Ouraudit of the financial statements as of December 31,2005 resulted in an unqualified opinion.

SECTION I SUMMARY OF AUDITORS' REPORTS

a. Report on Internal Control and Compliance Material to the Financial Statements

Internal ControlMaterial Weaknesses X^ Yes NoReportable Conditions _X_Yes No

ComplianceCompliance Material to Financial Statements Yes X No

b. Federal Awards Not Applicable

Internal ControlMaterial Weaknesses Yes NoReportable Conditions Yes No

Type of Opinion on Compliance Unqualified Qualifiedfor Major Programs Disclaimer Adverse

Are their findings required to be reported in accordance with Circular A-133, Section.510(a)? Yes No

c. Identification of Major Programs: Not Applicable

CFDA Number(s) Name of Federal Program (or Cluster)

21

NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (CONTINUED)


Dollar threshold used to distinguish Type A and Type B Programs $_Is the auditee a "low-risk* auditee, as defined by OMB Circular A-133?

Yes No Not Applicable

SECTION II FINANCIAL STATEMENT FINDINGS

2005-1 Segregation of Duties

Criteria: Safeguarding of assets requires adequate segregation of duties in an effectiveinternal control structure. No one person should have access to both physical assets andthe related accounting records or to all phases of a transaction.

Condition: Our evaluation of the internal control structure revealed an absence ofappropriate segregation of duties consistent with appropriate control objectives regardingcash receipts and disbursements.

Effect: Intentional or unintentional errors could be made and not be detected.

Cause: The Department is small and therefore it is not feasible to maintain an adequatesegregation of duties among accounting personnel. All personnel are volunteers.

Recommendation: The Board of Directors should remain involved in the day-to-dayfinancial affairs of the Department to provide oversight and independent reviewfunctions. The bookkeeper should not be an authorized check signer and should not haveaccess to cash receipts. Instead, someone independent of the bookkeeper should preparea list of checks received and should make bank deposits. The list would be given to thebookkeeper for general ledger recording.

Management's Response: Management agrees with the recommendation; however, theyfeel that because of the small number of personnel in the Department it is not possible toremove the bookkeeper from the depositing and check signing responsibilities. TheBoard of Directors, however, thoroughly monitors and reviews all financial transactionsof the Department.

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NORCO AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.SCHEDULE OF PRIOR YEAR FINDINGS


2004-1 Segregation of Duties

Our evaluation of the internal control structure revealed an absence of appropriatesegregation of duties consistent with appropriate control objectives relative to cashreceipts and disbursements.

The Department is small, and it was determined not to be feasible to maintainadequate segregation of duties. This issue remains unresolved.

SECTION II INTERNAL CONTROL AND COMPLIANCE MATERIAL TOFEDERAL AWARDS

Not Applicable

SECTION HI MANAGEMENT LETTER

Not Applicable

23

Download - Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department - Louisianaapp1.lla.la.gov/PublicReports.nsf/8B4BA78A4A... · norco area volunteer fire department, inc. for the year ended december 31.2005 o^^^^^sf

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