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Board of Trustees Policy & Procedure Manual

FISCAL AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS
Updated July 12, 2007

SECTION C - TABLE OF CONTENTS

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300.01 The College Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the College is from July 1 through June 30.

Reviewed: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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300.02 Establishment of Monies

The following categories of monies shall be established: College monies (consisting of the Operating Fund, Working Cash Fund, Bond and Interest Fund, and Auxiliary Enterprise Fund), restricted purpose monies, and student agency monies

Reviewed: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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300.04 Deferred Tuition Payment Plan

The Board recognizes the need to provide financial assistance to students enrolled at the College. The College will provide a Deferred Tuition Payment Plan to defer part of the student’s tuition and fees to academically and financially qualified students.

Adopted: July 10, 1986
Reviewed: April 8, 1999
Revised: March 11, 2004
Revised: July 12, 2007

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301.01 The Annual Budget

The Office of the President shall prepare or cause to be prepared the annual budget in accordance with goals and instructions of the Board. The President shall submit a tentative budget to the Board for review, evaluation, and recommendations annually prior to the first day of June. The document will include current year revenues and expenses, if available, and projected revenues and expenses for the budgeted year.

Upon approval of the tentative budget by the Board at a duly called or special meeting, the Secretary of the Board shall cause a notice of the availability of the tentative budget for public inspection, and a public hearing by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the College district at least thirty (30) days prior to the time of such hearing. During this period, the budget shall be conveniently available for public inspection, in accordance with Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 110, Section 805/3-20.1. The public shall also be given an opportunity to comment on the tentative budget at the public hearing.

Revised: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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301.02 Transfer of Funds

From time to time, transfers of appropriate amounts of monies from one budget account to another may be made, subject to the recommendations of the Vice President of Administration and approval of the College President. When the total amount of such funds in the aggregate exceeds 5% of the annual operating budget, the transfers shall receive prior approval of the Board.

The approved budget may not be exceeded in the aggregate by more than 10% without following procedures set forth in Section 805/3-20.1 of the Illinois Public Community College Act.

Reviewed: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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301.04 Annual Financial Statement

The President will cause the staff of the Business and Accounting Office to prepare the annual financial statement. It will be presented to the Board of Trustees at a regular or special Board meeting.

The annual financial statement will be published in one newspaper generally circulated in the district in accordance with state law. The annual financial statement must be published prior to November 15 annually.

Adopted: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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302.01 Audit

The President shall recommend for the Board’s approval an independent certified public accountant experienced in municipal accounting to audit the accounts and student records of the College district annually. The Controller shall be responsible for filing copies of the audit with proper authorities as prescribed by law. Additionally, the auditor shall:

1. make such examination quarterly and a final statement at the close of the fiscal year, of the balance sheets of the district and the related statements of transactions in the various funds, including records relative to all activity and other accounts;

2. conduct such examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and include such tests of the accounting records, and utilize such other auditing procedures as are necessary;

3. render an opinion on the financial statements prepared as of the close of the fiscal year;

4. make such recommendations to the Board concerning its accounting records, procedures, and related activities as may appear necessary or desirable; and

5. perform other related services as may be requested by the Board.

Adopted: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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302.02 Fixed Asset and Capitalization Policy

The Fixed Asset and Capitalization Policy satisfies the mandates of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 34 to ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This policy is designed to provide a guideline for the financial management of South Suburban College’s capital assets.

Definition of Capital Assets

Capital assets include infrastructure, land, land improvements, site improvements, buildings and improvements, vehicles, machinery, equipment and other tangible and intangible assets that have a useful life beyond a single reporting period. Capital assets will be reported at historical costs, which includes the amount paid for the asset as well as all costs associated with placing the asset in service. This may include engineering fees, architectural fees, site preparation, freight, etc. When the value paid for the asset cannot be determined, the asset’s fair market value at the time of acquisition will determine the cost.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure assets will include such assets as roads, sidewalks, drainage systems, water systems and sewer systems. Included in this category will also be subsystems and networks of these systems. For example, streetlights would be a subsystem of a street network. Capitalization of infrastructure shall include costs that are above the capitalization threshold and extend the useful life, increase the capacity and / or the efficiency or adapt to a new use of the infrastructure. General maintenance and repair projects shall not be capitalized. Capital infrastructure costs would include all labor, material, professional services, insurance and other indirect costs to construct the asset and put it into service.

LAND AND IMPROVEMENTS

The total asset value for land shall include the acquisition cost and all costs to prepare the land for its intended use, such as excavating, grading, drainage, landscaping, etc. The cost of the land shall include the purchase price as well as all associated costs, such as legal fees, title searches and any other closing costs. Land acquired through eminent domain proceeding will be reported at the settlement amount up to the fair value of the land. Amounts paid in excess of the fair value will be expensed.

Land improvements are the non-depreciable costs and betterments of preparing the land for its intended use. An example of a land improvement is leveling and grading.

Site improvements are the depreciable costs and betterments affixed to land that generally add to its value and functionality. Examples of site improvements include, but are not limited to, temporary structures, access roads, parking lots, fencing, lighting (e.g., lights in parking lots, lights along walkways), tunnels that connect buildings, gas, electricity or steam transmission lines, and campsites.

BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS

The total asset value for buildings shall be the total cost of acquisition or construction. This will include all labor, material, professional services to construct the building as well as insurance and any other indirect costs incurred during construction.

Capitalization of building improvements shall include costs that are above the capitalization threshold and extend the useful life, increase the capacity and / or the efficiency or adapt to a new use of the building. General maintenance and repair projects shall not be capitalized.

EQUIPMENT

The asset value of the equipment will be determined by the acquisition cost of the equipment plus any additional costs such as freight, insurance, prep charges and any other charges associated with placing the asset in service. Equipment assets are typically moveable, non-consumable property. Equipment could include vehicles, furniture and fixtures, office equipment, computers, etc.

SOFTWARE

The cost of software shall include the purchase price as well as the cost associated with the installation and implementation of the software. This may include travel, training, third party development and employee payroll costs directly involved with the installation.

CONTRIBUTED CAPITAL

Contributed capital are capital assets that have been donated or contributed to the College by either private developers, in the case of land or infrastructure for a new subdivision, or
companies, individuals or governments. The value of contributed capital shall be recorded at the fair market value at the time of the contribution.

DISPOSAL OF CAPITAL ASSETS

Disposal of any capital assets by the College must be reported in detail to the Business & Accounting Department immediately or as soon as reasonably possible. Information needed for a disposal includes the asset description, make, model, serial number, date of acquisition, cost and salvage value. An asset disposal form provided by the Business & Accounting Department will be used to request/report disposal of any fixed asset.

CAPITALIZATION THRESHOLD

The following capitalization threshold table will apply when determining the capitalization of an asset.

CAPITAL ASSET CATEGORY CAPITALIZATION THRESHOLD
Land $25,000
Land Improvements $20,000
   
Buildings $50,000
Building Improvements $25,000
Equipment $5,000
Software $25,000
Infrastructure By Individual Network Listed Below
Street Network $50,000
Water Network $75,000
Sanitary Sewer Network $75,000
Storm Sewer Network $50,000

DEPRECIATION

Depreciation is a method of allocating the cost of an asset over its estimated useful life. Depreciation is the process of allocating the cost of tangible property over a period of time, rather than deducting the cost as an expense in the year of acquisition. Generally, at the end of an asset’s life, the sum of the amounts charged for depreciation in each accounting period (accumulated depreciation) will equal the original cost less the salvage
value. Capital assets will be depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The straight-line method of depreciation will be used using a full month convention. Land and land improvements will not be depreciated.

To calculate depreciation, the following factors must be known:
• The date the asset was placed in service
• The cost or acquisition value
• The salvage value (usually $0)
• The estimated useful life
• The depreciation method (straight-line method)

ESTIMATED USEFUL LIVES

The following table will apply for depreciation depending on the capital asset category:

CAPITAL ASSET CATEGORY
ESTIMATED USEFUL LIFE (IN YEARS)
Land Not Depreciated
Land Improvements 10-20
   
Buildings 40-60
Building Improvements 10-20
Equipment 5-10
Software 3-5
Infrastructure 10-75
(See Detailed Information Below)

INFRASTRUCTURE USEFUL LIVES

Streets: 25-30 years with periodic maintenance

Storm Sewers:

Open Channels or ditches: 25-30 years with periodic maintenance every 3-5 years

Sewer Mains: 50-60 years, with periodic maintenance as needed

Retention Ponds: 25-30 years with periodic maintenance every 3-5 years

If a significant capital or infrastructure asset is estimated to be still in use after its established useful life, the College will revise the asset’s useful life to estimate the actual number of years the asset will remain in use. This new revised useful life will be treated as a change in accounting estimate and applied to all on-going calculations of depreciation. With a change in accounting estimate, there is no retroactive effect caused by the change.

FIXED ASSETS vs. INVENTORY CONTROL

Assets that are valued below the capitalization threshold but above $1,000 in value will warrant control and shall be inventoried by the Business and Accounting Department. An appropriate list of these assets will be maintained by the Business and Accounting Department. Information maintained will include asset description, location, make, model, serial number and/or any other information deemed necessary for control. Such inventory items could include computers, printers, copiers, power tools, chain saws, small construction equipment, mowers, fire equipment, etc.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

The Business & Accounting Department shall be responsible for the accounting for capital asset inventories, both initially and periodically in subsequent years. The Business and Accounting Department will ensure that the capital asset ledger will be updated annually to reflect additions, retirements, and transfers to reflect the new annual capital asset balance for financial reporting purposes and the annual depreciation calculations.

Adopted: September 11, 2003
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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303.00 Contracts

Bid Procedure:

The Board will award all contracts for the purchase of supplies, materials or work to the lowest responsible bidder considering conformity with specifications, terms of delivery, quality and serviceability after due advertisement, in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 110, Section 805/3-27.1. Competitive bidding shall not be required for those contracts specifically exempted from competitive bidding by the Statute.

Each bidder must receive at least three (3) days notice of the time and place of such bid opening. For the purposes of this section, due advertisement includes, but is not limited to, at least one public notice, at least ten (10) days before the bid date in a newspaper published in the district, or if no newspaper is published in the district, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the district.

(Source: P.A. 82-295, Eff. Sept. 6, 1990)

The President and the Vice President of Administration are authorized by the Board to sign contracts subject to prior approval of the Board. All contracts should be initialed by the appropriate Vice President before being forwarded to the Vice President of Administration for signature. This policy shall apply, except in cases specified by State law which require the signature of the Chair or Secretary of the Board, or designee, or the President of the College.

Contracts for performances require the submission of an approved contract and completed purchase order prior to the date of the performance.

The Board will assume no obligation for payment for goods or services except upon duly authorized purchase orders.

Revised:
February 18, 1987
June 4, 1992
April 8, 1999
July 12, 2007

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303.01 Purchasing

The President and the Vice President of Administration, or their designee, are the agents of the College authorized to order supplies, materials, and/or equipment and to obligate the College for all auxiliary services. These functions will be performed according to Board policy, purchasing procedures, and Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 110, 805/3-27.1 which sets forth the requirements for the use of competitive bidding by community colleges.

Revised: April 8, 1999
Revised: May 10, 2007

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303.02 Emergency Purchasing

When a bona fide, unanticipated emergency situation occurs which could not have been reasonably anticipated and threatens:

1. the health or safety of staff and/or students,
2. the immediate loss of or damage to College property, or
3. the curtailment or cancellation of any College program or activity, the following procedures will apply:

Expenditures not anticipated to exceed statutory limits:

Expenditures for goods and/or services not anticipated to exceed statutory limits may be made upon the recommendation of the appropriate administrator and approval from any of the following: the President, the appropriate Vice President or Controller.

Expenditures anticipated to exceed statutory limits:

Expenditures for goods and/or services anticipated to exceed statutory limits may be made upon the recommendation of the appropriate administrator and approval from any two of the following: the President, the appropriate Vice President or Controller, and the consent of any six (6) Board members.

Adopted:
May 2, 1985

Revised:
June 4, 1992
April 8, 1999
July 12, 2007

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303.03 Paying for Goods and Services

The Board will authorize payment of all goods and services when:

1. contracted for or ordered within budgetary limits;

2. purchased according to relevant purchasing policies and regulations of the College;

3. certified as having been received in acceptable condition

Adopted: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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304.01 Disposition of Equipment

Equipment certified by an administrator to be obsolete or worn out may be sold by the College upon authorization of the Board. Equipment sold by the College must be disposed of by auctioning to the highest bidder, if feasible.

The results of all such transactions will be reported to the Board.

Adopted: April 8, 1999
Revised: July 12, 2007

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305.02 Record Keeping and Business Records

All business records will be kept secure by the administration.

The records storage areas and all files containing business records will be locked at all times when not in use.

Records will be kept according to state law. Additionally, the Vice President of Administration will receive and maintain a copy of all contracts entered into by any department within the College.

Adopted: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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306.01 Vendors

A vendor is defined as a company or individual (other than College employees) who provides goods or service for the College.

Any and all vendors (except those qualified by the State of Illinois Purchasing Contract) shall comply with this policy.

Companies or individuals desiring to sell goods and/or services to the College shall, from time-to-time, be required to furnish information and complete forms relative to state and federal law. This information shall be kept on file in the Business and Accounting Office. Information to be furnished shall include, but not be limited to:

1. The type of business (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc.) and identification of owners.

2. Certification of non-violation of Illinois Compiled Statutes, Citation 720 ILCS 5/33E-3 and 5/33E-4, which prohibits colleges from awarding contracts to vendors convicted of bid-rigging or bid-rotating.

3. Certification of non-violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act.

4. Certification of non-violation of the Prevailing Wage Act.

5. Maintenance of policies in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act, and the prohibition of sexual harassment.

6. Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification form. (Internal Revenue Form W-9).

A vendor list will be prepared and reviewed annually.

Adopted: April 8, 1999
Revised: July 12, 2007

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306.02 Communications on Behalf of Vendors

Personnel of the College shall not communicate with vendors of the College on College stationery for the purpose of providing the vendor with a testimonial to be distributed to other persons.

No testimonial or other such representation shall be made with respect to equipment, supplies, or services received by the College without first having been approved by the President or appropriate Vice President.

Adopted: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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307.01 Overnight Retention of Monies

Monies collected or received shall not be held overnight in any department of the College except for the Bookstore, Business & Accounting Department, and the Treasurer’s Office, unless prior authorization is requested and received in writing from the Vice President of Administration.

The Bookstore, Business & Accounting Department and the Treasurer’s Office will be equipped with appropriate security measures.

The Vice President of Administration, or his designee, is responsible for the security of all monies held overnight in the College.

Adopted: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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308.01 Definition of Monies and Funds

1. College monies shall consist of:

A. Operating Fund is the combined Operations and Maintenance Fund.

1. Education Fund provides for financing all cost(s) of the academic service programs.

2. Operations and Maintenance Fund provides for maintaining and improving existing facilities and fixed equipment.

B. Working Cash fund provides for making available sufficient cash to meet the demands of ordinary and necessary expenditures prior to the receipt of tax levies, state support or other revenues.

C. Bond and Interest Fund provides for meeting the obligation of bond principle and interest thereon.

D. Auxiliary Enterprise Fund provides for furnishing a service for which a fee is charged that is directly related to, although not necessarily equal to, the cost of the service. Auxiliary services receiving subsidies from the College would be shown as an expenditure to the fund providing such subsidy. Each enterprise should be accounted for individually.

2. Restricted Purpose Monies shall consist of those funds that are restricted to use that consist, generally, of State and Federal findings for specific purposes and scholarships and memorials.

3. Student Agency Monies shall consist of those funds collected for the general student body and are subject to the control of the Student Government within the guidelines set by the Board.

Adopted:
April 13, 1972

Reviewed:
February 18, 1987
April 8, 1999
July 12, 2007

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308.02 Financial Obligations to the College

The Office of Business and Accounting Services is charged with the responsibility of collecting all financial obligations owed to the College. A student who has an outstanding bill cannot register, be considered for graduation, or receive requested transcripts or grades until the past due obligation(s) are paid in full.

Adopted:
January 10, 1980

Revised:
July 10, 1986
April 8, 1999

Reviewed:
July 12, 2007

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309.01 Banks and Financial Institutions

All banks and financial institutions must be approved by the Board of Trustees before doing business with the College.

Adopted: April 8, 1999
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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310.0 Ethics in Contracting and Purchasing

No employee, officer or agent of the College shall participate in the selection, award or administration of any contract, work or business in which he or she is in any manner financially interested, either directly in his or her own name or indirectly in the name of another person, association, trust or corporation. This includes when the employee, officer or agent of the College, or a member of his or her immediate family, or his or her partner, or an organization in which he or she is involved has a financial or other interest in the selection, award, or administration of the contract. Any contract selected, awarded, administered or otherwise executed in violation of this policy is void. Any employee, officer or agent of the College who violates this policy is subject to discipline, up to and including termination.

Exceptions to this policy will be allowed when the employee, officer or agent of the College’s direct or indirect interest is nominal, which is an amount less than 1% or $250.00, and the direct or indirect interest is disclosed to all relevant College officials and the Board of Trustees prior to the selection, awarding, administration or execution of the contract, and the contract is selected after a bidding process if the value of the contract exceeds $1,500.00. Under no circumstances may an employee, officer or agent of the College solicit for the selection, awarding, administration or execution of a contract in which he or she is directly or indirectly financially interested.

Adopted: February 13, 2003
Reviewed: July 12, 2007

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