FY 2014 2015

PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT June 30, 2015 PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY JUNE 30, 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS FINANCIAL SECTION Independent Auditor’s Report .................................................................................... 1 Management’s Discussion and Analysis .................................................................... 3 Basic Financial Statements: Statement of Net Position .................................................................................... 5 Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position ....................... 6 Statement of Cash Flows..................................................................................... 7 Notes to Financial Statements ............................................................................. 8 PARTNERS COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES GOVERNMENTAL AUDIT SERVICES RONALD A LEVY, CPA 433 N. CAMDEN DRIVE, SUITE 730 5800 HANNUM AVE., SUITE E CRAIG A HARTZHEIM, CPA BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210 CULVER CITY, CA 90230 HADLEY Y HUI, CPA TEL: 310.273.2745 TEL: 310.670.2745 ALEXANDER C HOM, CPA FAX: 310.670.1689 FAX: 310.670.1689 ADAM V GUISE, CPA www.mlhcpas.com www.mlhcpas.com TRAVIS J HOLE, CPA Independent Auditor’s Report To the Honorable Board of Directors Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Whittier, California Report on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority (the “Authority”) as of and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the Authority’s basic financial statements as listed in the table of contents. Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Auditor’s Responsibility Our responsibility is to express 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 from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. 1 OFFICES: BEVERLY HILLS ∙ CULVER CITY ∙ SANTA MARIA MEMBER AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF C.P.A.’S ∙ CALIFORNIA SOCIETY OF MUNICIPAL FINANCE OFFICERS ∙ CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the Authority, as of June 30, 2015, and the respective changes in financial position and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Other Matters Required Supplementary Information Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that the management’s discussion and analysis on pages 3 and 4 be presented to supplement the basic financial statements. Such information, although not a part of the basic financial statements, is required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, who considers it to be an essential part of financial reporting for placing the basic financial statements in an appropriate operational, economic, or historical context. We have applied certain limited procedures to the required supplementary information in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which consisted of inquiries of management about the methods of preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency with management’s responses to our inquiries, the basic financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during our audit of the basic financial statements. We do not express an opinion or provide any assurance on the information because the limited procedures do not provide us with sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance. Other Reporting Required by Government Auditing Standards In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated December 28, 2015 on our consideration of the Authority’s internal control over financial reporting and our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report is to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the Authority’s internal control over financial reporting and compliance. Moss, Levy & Hartzheim, LLP Culver City, California December 28, 2015 2 PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY Management’s Discussion and Analysis For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015 Management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) of the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority (the Authority) provides a narrative overview of the Authority's financial activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015. Please read it in conjunction with the accompanying financial statements and footnotes. Financial Highlights • During the current fiscal year, the Authority's net position decreased by $0.17 million to $68.24 million. • The Authority has investments of $30.50 million in various government securities that have interest rates ranging from 2.50% to 3.40%. • Operating revenues decreased by $1.16 million to $83,000 while operating expenses decreased by $83,000 to $1.17 million. Overview of Financial Statements This MD&A serves as an introduction to the Authority’s basic financial statements. The basic financial statements include four components: 1) Statement of Net Position; 2) Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Position; 3) Statement of Cash Flows; and 4) Notes to the Financial Statements. • The Statement of Net Position presents all of the Authority's assets and liabilities, with the difference reported as net position. Over time, increases or decreases in net position may serve as a useful indicator to determine whether the financial position of the Authority is improving or deteriorating. • The Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position presents information showing how the Authority's net position changed during the fiscal year. All changes in net position (revenues and expenses) are reported when the underlying event giving rise to the change occurs, regardless of the timing of the related cash flows. Accordingly, revenues and expenses are reported in this statement for items that will result in cash flows in future fiscal periods (e.g. accrued but unpaid contract and professional service fees). • The Statement of Cash Flows presents information regarding the Authority’s use of cash during the fiscal year and is an indicator of whether or not sufficient cash flow is being generated during the fiscal year to meet the operating needs of the Authority. • The notes provide additional information that is essential for a full understanding of the data provided in the financial statements. 3 Financial Statement Analysis Since its formation, Net Position of the Authority has gradually grown from $1.8 million to over $68.24 million, although it has decreased slightly in the past two fiscal years. Most of the growth in Net Position has been attributable to the Authority’s acquisition of land and related capital assets. Operating revenues decreased significantly due to the closing of the Puente Hills Landfill. The landfill used to provide contributions to the Authority in the amount of $1 per ton of waste disposed at the Landfill. Operating expenses consist primarily of contract and professional service fees, salaries and benefits, administrative expenses, supplies, and depreciation on capital assets. As of June 30, 2015, the Authority’s Net Position was $68.24 million compared to $68.41 million as of June 30, 2014, a decrease of 0.24%. Investments in Capital Assets accounted for $34.70 million of the total Net Position. Liabilities as of June 30, 2015 were $0.25 million compared to $0.30 million as of June 30, 2014. Capital Assets As of June 30, 2015, the Authority’s capital assets consisted of $34.63 million in land, $428,000 in buildings, and accumulated depreciation of $360,000. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 the Authority did not acquire any capital assets. Debt Administration As of June 30, 2015, the Authority had no outstanding debt. Economic Factors On October 31, 2013, the Puente Hills landfill ceased operations. While the landfill tipping fees were a major funding source of the Authority, the Authority does not believe that the closure of the landfill will have an immediate effect on the Authority’s operations. The economic downturn has also reduced investment earnings on the Authority’s deposits with the County of Los Angeles Treasury Pool. To compensate for the constrained revenues, the Habitat Authority is actively reducing expenditures and has continued alternative investment strategies with the County. It still actively seeks additional revenue streams from other sources such as environmental mitigation fees from regional projects, as well as grants. With the anticipated close out of the Orange County Waste Recycling mitigation project, the Authority invested $500,000 into its long term endowment. Also, the Authority received approval for a grant from the Regional Park and Open Space District in the amount of $600,000 for trail improvements. Reimbursements should begin in fiscal year 2015- 2016. Contacting the District's Financial Management This financial report is designed to provide our citizens and other interested parties with a general overview of the Authority's finances and to demonstrate the Authority's accountability for the money it receives. If you have any questions about this report or need additional financial information, contact the County of Los Angeles, Department of Auditor-Controller, 500 West Temple Street Room 525, Los Angeles, CA 90012. 4 Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Statement of Net Position June 30, 2015 Assets Cash on deposit with County Treasurer (Note 3) $ 2,928,536 Restricted cash on deposit with County Treasurer (Note 3) 263,179 Investments (Note 3) 30,504,249 Receivables: Accrued interest 10,156 Accounts receivable 44,648 Prepaid expense 43,175 Capital Assets: (Note 5) Land - nondepreciable 34,629,281 Buildings and improvements 428,480 Accumulated depreciation (359,920) Total Assets 68,491,784 Liabilities Accrued expenses 248,009 Total Liabilities 248,009 Net Position Net investment in capital assets 34,697,841 Restricted 263,179 Unrestricted 33,282,755 Total Net Position $ 68,243,775 See accompanying notes to financial statements 5 Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015 Operating Revenues: Other Governmental Agencies $ 40,403 Miscellaneous 42,916 Total Operating Revenues 83,319 Operating Expenses: Contract and Professional Service Fees 675,659 Salaries and Benefits 353,535 Insurance 18,699 Rent (Note 6) 5,296 Depreciation (Note 5) 21,424 Treasurer Tax Collector - Management Fees 15,181 Auditor-Controller Services 26,000 Utilities, Supplies, and Other Charges 57,881 Total Operating Expenses 1,173,675 Operating Loss (1,090,356) Non-Operating Revenues: Interest on Deposited Funds 23,978 Investment Income 899,363 Change in Net Position (167,015) Net Position, beginning of the fiscal year 68,410,790 Net Position, end of the fiscal year $ 68,243,775 See accompanying notes to financial statements 6 Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Statement of Cash Flows For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Cash received from other agencies $ 5 0,913 Cash paid to employees for services (327,814) Cash paid to suppliers for goods and services (914,739) Net Cash Used by Operating Activities (1,191,640) Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Investment purchases (Note 3) 3,888 Investment income 8 99,362 Interest received 2 5,356 Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities 9 28,606 Net Decrease in Cash (263,034) Cash Deposited with County Treasurer, Beginning of Fiscal Year 3 ,454,749 Cash Deposited with County Treasurer, End of Fiscal Year $ 3,191,715 Reconciliation of Cash Deposited with County Treasurer to amounts reported on the statement of net position Cash on deposit with County Treasurer $ 2,928,536 Restricted cash on deposit with County Treasurer (Note 3) 2 63,179 Cash Deposited with County Treasurer, End of Fiscal Year $ 3,191,715 Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) to Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities: Operating Loss $ (1,090,356) Adjustments to reconcile change in operating income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities: Depreciation 2 1,424 Change in assets and liabilities Increase in accounts receivable (32,404) Increase in prepaid expense (43,175) Decrease in accrued expenses (47,129) Net Cash Used by Operating Activities $ (1,191,640) See accompanying notes to financial statements 7 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 8 PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS June 30, 2015 NOTE 1 ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES A. Organization The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority (Authority) was formed on February 15, 1994, as a joint powers authority by the County of Los Angeles, certain County Sanitation Districts, and the City of Whittier. The Authority was established for the purpose of acquiring, restoring, and/or maintaining additional open space lands in the La Puente/Whittier Hills area in order to create or preserve native habitat areas. In addition, it serves to mitigate impact on oak tree resources and natural open space resulting from the operation of the Puente Hills Landfill and to provide for the eventual transfer or dedication of such native habitat areas and maintenance of funds to an appropriate agency. The term of the Authority will continue indefinitely unless cancelled by the County of Los Angeles, certain County Sanitation Districts, and the City of Whittier. The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors composed of four appointed directors: one by the Board of Directors of the Sanitation Districts, one by the County of Los Angeles, one by the supervisor representing the Fourth Supervisorial District which geographically includes the Puente Hills Landfill, and one by the City of Whittier. The Authority is legally separate and fiscally independent from each of the member entities. This means it can incur debt, set and modify its own budget and fees, enter into contracts, and sue and be sued in its own name. The accompanying financial statements reflect the financial activities of the Authority. The Authority has no component units. B. Significant Accounting Policies The Authority’s financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as applied to governmental agencies. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the accepted standard-setting body for establishing governmental accounting and financial reporting principles. Basis of Accounting and Measurement Focus The Authority is accounted for as an enterprise fund (proprietary fund type). A fund is an accounting entity with a self-balancing set of accounts established to record the financial position and results of operations of a specific governmental activity. The activities of enterprise funds closely resemble those of ongoing businesses in which the purpose is to conserve and add to basic resources while meeting operating expenses from current revenues. Enterprise funds account for operations that provide services on a continuous basis and are substantially financed by revenues derived from user charges. The Authority utilizes the accrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recognized when earned and expenses are recognized when the liability is incurred. 9 PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS JUNE 30, 2015 NOTE 1 ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) Proprietary funds distinguish operating revenues and expenses from nonoperating items. The principal operating revenue of the Authority is the annual dues received from the members. Operating expenses include the cost of executive services and administrative expenses. All revenues and expenses not meeting this definition are reported as nonoperating revenues and expenses. When both restricted and unrestricted resources are available for use, it is the Authority’s policy to use restricted resources first, then unrestricted resources as they are needed. The Authority’s financial statements are presented in accordance with the provisions of Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement (GASB) No. 34, Basic Financial Statements – and Management’s Discussion and Analysis – for State and Local Governments and GASB Statement No. 63 – Financial Reporting of Deferred Outflows of Resources, Deferred Inflows of Resources, and Net Position. Statement No. 34 established standards for external financial reporting for all state and local governmental entities and Statement No. 63 establishes standards for reporting deferred outflows of resources, deferred inflow of resources, and net position in a statement of financial position. The net position is required to classify into three components – net investment in capital assets; restricted; and unrestricted. These classifications are defined as follows: Net investment in capital assets – This component of net position consists of capital assets, including restricted capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation and is reduced by the outstanding balances of any bonds, mortgages, notes, or other borrowings that are attributable to the acquisition, construction, or improvement of those assets. If there are significant unspent related debt proceeds at year-end, the portion of the debt attributable to the unspent proceeds is not included in the calculation of invested in capital assets, net of related debt. Rather, that portion of the debt is included in the same net position component as the unspent proceeds. Restricted net position – This component of net position represents restricted assets net of liabilities that relate to those specific restricted assets. A restricted asset is an asset for which constraints have been placed on the asset’s use by creditors, contributors, laws, or regulations of other governments, or as a governing body at the time a particular fee, charge, levy, or assessment was approved. These restrictions must be narrower than the general purposes for which the reporting government can use its resources. 10 PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS JUNE 30, 2015 NOTE 1 ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued) Unrestricted net position – This component of net position consists of net position that do not meet the definition of “restricted” or “net investment in capital assets.” C. Revenue Recognition The Authority’s major source of revenue are donations. Revenue from donations is recognized on the accrual basis according to the conditions of the promise. D. Land Acquisition of land and buildings and improvements are recorded at cost or, if donated, at fair value at date of donation. Land basically consists of open space acquired in accordance with the joint powers agreement that created the Authority. Buildings and improvements consist of houses and improvements that were located on the land at the time of purchase or donation. When land and buildings and improvements are sold or otherwise disposed of, related costs are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reported in the statement of revenues, expenses, and changes in net position. E. Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. F. Cash and Cash Equivalents For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash represents balances that can be readily withdrawn without substantial notice or penalty. Cash equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash or so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates, and have an original maturity date of three months or less. 11 PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS JUNE 30, 2015 NOTE 2 CASH ON DEPOSIT WITH COUNTY TREASURER In accordance with the Joint Powers Authority agreement and Government Code, cash balances of the Authority are deposited with and pooled and invested by the Los Angeles County Treasurer for the purpose of increasing interest earnings through investment activities. Interest earned on pooled investments is deposited to participating funds based upon each fund’s average daily balance during the allocation period. Statutes authorize the County of Los Angeles to invest pooled investments in obligations of the United States Treasury, federal agencies, municipalities, commercial paper rated A-1 by Standard and Poor’s Corporation and P-1 by Moody’s Commercial Paper Record, bankers’ acceptances, negotiable certificates of deposits, floating rate notes, repurchase agreements, and reverse repurchase agreements. See the County of Los Angeles’ Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for disclosures related to cash and investments and the related interest rate risk, credit rate risk, custodial risk, and concentration risk. Funds deposited in the Los Angeles County Treasury Pool amounted to $3,191,715 as of June 30, 2015. This represents approximately 0.01% of the total Treasury Pool. As of June 30, 2015, the Authority had $30,504,249 invested in various government securities, with the Los Angeles County Treasurer, that have various interest rates of 2.50% to 3.40% with maturity dates ranging from November 28, 2025 to June 8, 2028. This investment activity occurs separately from the County’s investment pool and is reported as a Specific Purpose Investment on behalf of the Authority. NOTE 3 NET POSITION Net position at June 30, 2015 consisted of the following: Net Investment in Capital Assets $ 34,697,841 Restricted Net Position 263,179 * Unrestricted Net Position 33,282,755 Total Net Position $ 68,243,775 *Under the purchase agreement for the Brearley/Malkenhorst/Turnbull Property, the Authority agreed to pledge $263,179 of the funds on deposit with the County Treasurer as security for obligations, including street improvements that would need to be made in the event that the property ceases to be used for open space, habitat restoration, or other biological preservation activities consistent with open space management, and passive recreational use. 12 PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS JUNE 30, 2015 NOTE 4 CAPITAL ASSETS For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, there were no disposals or donations of capital assets. Capital asset activity for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 is as follows: Balance at Balance at June 30, 2014 Additions Deletions June 30, 2015 Capital Assets, Non-depreciable: Land (Acquired by the Authority) $ 34,108,887 $ - $ - $ 34,108,887 Land (Donated to the Authority) 520,394 520,394 Total Capital Assets, Non-depreciable 34,629,281 34,629,281 Capital Assets, Depreciable: Buildings and improvements 428,480 428,480 Accumulated depreciation (338,496) (21,424) (359,920) Total Capital Assets, Depreciable 89,984 (21,424) 68,560 Total Capital Assets, net $ 34,719,265 $ (21,424) $ - $ 34,697,841 13 PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS JUNE 30, 2015 NOTE 4 CAPITAL ASSETS (Continued) Capital assets, at cost, or fair value at the time of donation, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, consists of the following: Land Building Property Name Amount Amount Land Acquired by the Authority a. Powder Canyon $ 2,402,197 $ - b. Hacienda Hills Property 790,467 c. Unocal Properties 46,524 d. Davies Property 726,100 e. Weisel/Sanders Property 352,363 300,000 f. Old Coach Property 3,616,020 g. Pellkofer Properties 236,699 h. Lim Property 450,875 i. Roberts/Pellkofer Property 769,550 j. Huang/Chen Property 481,921 k. Newbre II Property 501,868 l. Shuey Property 75,877 m. Canlas Property 396,151 n. Rose Hills Foundation Property 14,219,006 o. Kou Property 650,854 p. Javaid Property 2,204,100 q. Viola Berg Property 355,737 r. Public Works Property - La Habra Heights 342,689 s. Gibson Property 790,440 t. Ranney Property 2,729 u. Brearley/Malkenhorst/Turnbull Property 2,124,500 v. Corona Property 438,175 w. Maico Property 601,200 x. Sycamore Canyon Property 1,505,032 128,480 y. Parcel No. 8239-045-018 in La Habra Heights 3,987 z. Parcel No. 8239-045-016 21,026 aa. Easement on Parcel No. 8126-024-004 2,800 Total Land Acquired by the Authority 34,108,887 428,480 Land Donated to the Authority a. Benson Ford Donation 104,000 b. J. Grimont Donation 100,000 c. Newbre Property 316,394 Total Land Donated to the Authority 520,394 Total Capital Assets as of June 30, 2015 $ 34,629,281 $ 428,480 NOTE 5 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Authority leases its office space from the City of Whittier. In September 2012, the Authority signed a lease renewal for the office space in the City of Whittier. This lease renewal agreement is effective from September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2017. Rent expense for the fiscal year June 30, 2015 amounted to $5,296. Authority personnel are employees of the City of Whittier. Their CalPERS benefits and related pension liabilities are disclosed in the City of Whittier’s financial statements. 14 PUENTE HILLS HABITAT PRESERVATION AUTHORITY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS JUNE 30, 2015 NOTE 6 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Claims and suits have been filed against the Authority in the normal course of business. The outcome of these matters is not presently determinable. However, in the opinion of management, the resolution of these matters is not expected to have a significant impact on the financial condition of the Authority. NOTE 7 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS In preparing the accompanying financial statements, management has reviewed all known events that have occurred after June 30, 2015 and through December 28, 2015, the date when this financial statement was available to be issued, for inclusion in the financial statements and footnotes. 15