Landfill costs must be reported as expenses during the periods of use—but only i
ID: 2590444 • Letter: L
Question
Landfill costs must be reported as expenses during the periods of use—but only in enterprise funds.
In 2018, a city opens a municipal landfill, which it will account for in an enterprise fund. It estimates capacity to be 6 million cubic feet and usable life to be 20 years. To close the landfill, the municipality expects to incur labor, material, and equipment costs of $3 million. Thereafter, it expects to incur an addi- tional $7 million of costs to monitor and maintain the site.
1. In 2018, the city uses 300,000 feet of the landfill. Prepare the journal entry to record the expense for closure and postclosure costs.
2. In 2019, it again uses 300,000 feet of the landfill. It revises its estimate of available volume to 5.8 million cubic feet, and reestimates closure and postclosure costs at $10.2 million. Prepare the journal entry to record the expense for closure and postclosure costs.
3. In 2037, the final year of operation, it uses 350,000 feet of the landfill. The actual capacity has proven to be only 5 million cubic feet, and closing costs are now estimated to be $15 million. Through the year 2033, the municipality had used 4,650,000 cubic feet and recorded $14.2 million in closure and postclosure costs. In 2034, it actually incurs $5 million in closure costs, the entire amount of which is paid in cash. a. Prepare the journal entry to record the expense for closure and postclosure cost. b. Prepare the journal entry to record the actual closure costs paid.
4. Suppose instead that the landfill was accounted for in the government’s general fund. Indicate how the entries would differ from those in the enterprise fund.
Explanation / Answer
1. 2018
Total Estimated Cost
$10,000,000
Proportion of landfill used (300000/6000000)
0.05
Required expense
$500,000
Journal Entry
Landfill Expenses
$500,000
Liability for Landfill Cost
$500,000
(To record the expense and liability for landfill)
2. 2019
Total Estimated Cost
$10,200,000
Proportion of landfill used(300000+300000/5800000)
0.103448
Cumulative expense to date
$1,055,172
Amount recognized previously
$500,000
Required expense
$555,172
Journal Entry
Landfill Expenses
$555,172
Liability for Landfill Cost
$555,172
(To record the expense and liability for landfill)
3. 2037
Total Estiamted Cost
$15,000,000
Proportion of landfill used to date
(4650000+350000/5000000)
1
Cumulative expenses to date
$15,000,000
Amount recognized previously
$14,200,000
Required Expense
$800,000
Journal Entry
Landfill Expenses
$800,000
Liability for Landfill Cost
$800,000
(To record the expense and liability for landfill)
2034
Liability for Landfill Cost
$5,000,000
Cash
$5,000,000
(To record the actual closure cost paid)
4. If the Landfill eas accounted for In the government's general fund, then no entries will be posted for
expense and liability. Only actual amount spent in 2034 will be recognized
Landfill cost
$5,000,000
Cash
$5,000,000
(to record the actual closure cost paid)
1. 2018
Total Estimated Cost
$10,000,000
Proportion of landfill used (300000/6000000)
0.05
Required expense
$500,000
Journal Entry
Landfill Expenses
$500,000
Liability for Landfill Cost
$500,000
(To record the expense and liability for landfill)
2. 2019
Total Estimated Cost
$10,200,000
Proportion of landfill used(300000+300000/5800000)
0.103448
Cumulative expense to date
$1,055,172
Amount recognized previously
$500,000
Required expense
$555,172
Journal Entry
Landfill Expenses
$555,172
Liability for Landfill Cost
$555,172
(To record the expense and liability for landfill)
3. 2037
Total Estiamted Cost
$15,000,000
Proportion of landfill used to date
(4650000+350000/5000000)
1
Cumulative expenses to date
$15,000,000
Amount recognized previously
$14,200,000
Required Expense
$800,000
Journal Entry
Landfill Expenses
$800,000
Liability for Landfill Cost
$800,000
(To record the expense and liability for landfill)
2034
Liability for Landfill Cost
$5,000,000
Cash
$5,000,000
(To record the actual closure cost paid)
4. If the Landfill eas accounted for In the government's general fund, then no entries will be posted for
expense and liability. Only actual amount spent in 2034 will be recognized
Landfill cost
$5,000,000
Cash
$5,000,000
(to record the actual closure cost paid)
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