Public Services

Enterprise Fund
An Enterprise Fund is a government-owned organization that provides goods or services to the public for a fee, making the organization self-supporting.
Government Enterprise
A Government Enterprise is a governmentally sponsored business activity, which operates like a corporate business entity. Despite generating its revenue from services rather than through taxation, this enterprise is often publicly managed and oriented towards public welfare.
Impact Fee
An expense charged against private developers by the county or city as a condition for granting permission to develop a specific project. The purpose of the fee is to defray the cost to the city of expanding and extending public services to the development.
In-Kind Income
In-kind income refers to benefits or goods and services one receives without monetary exchange, such as public services, food stamps, and housing assistance.
Municipal Utility District (MUD)
A Municipal Utility District (MUD) is a political subdivision that offers utility-related services like water, sewage, and sometimes electricity to its residents. They have the authority to issue Special Assessment bonds to finance their projects and infrastructure.
Public Utility
Public utilities are for-profit companies characterized by natural monopolies due to the nature of their business, leading to government regulation to ensure fair pricing and distribution.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
An extensive guide on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), focused on their utilization in the UK, benefits, drawbacks, and examples such as the private-finance initiative (PFI).
Quasi-Public Corporations
Organizations such as utilities or cable television companies with exclusive public charters to operate within a given service area. Quasi-public corporations have essentially been granted by a governmental entity a monopoly to provide a service.
User Fee
A user fee is a charge typically imposed by a municipality or governing body for the specific use of a service. Rather than being funded through broad-based taxes, the cost of municipal services such as parks, swimming pools, and toll roads is covered by those who directly use and benefit from them.

Accounting Terms Lexicon

Discover comprehensive accounting definitions and practical insights. Empowering students and professionals with clear and concise explanations for a better understanding of financial terms.