HomeMy Public PortalAbout2018 Audited Financials
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS
SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017
Contents
Page
Independent Auditors’ Report........................................................................ 1 - 2
Management’s Discussion And Analysis ....................................................... 3 - 7
Financial Statements
Statements Of Fiduciary Net Position................................................................8
Statements Of Changes In Fiduciary Net Position ............................................9
Notes To Financial Statements ................................................................ 10 - 19
Supplemental Information
Historical Trend Information ...........................................................................20
Fund Values And Expense Ratios....................................................................21
Page 1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
Board of Trustees
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
St. Louis, Missouri
Report on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
Defined Contribution Plan (the Plan), which comprise the statements of fiduciary net position as of
December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related statements of changes in fiduciary net position for the
years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.
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.
Auditors’ 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. 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 auditors’ 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.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for
our audit opinion.
Board of Trustees
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
Page 2
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
fiduciary net position of the Plan as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the changes in fiduciary net
position for the years 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 through 7 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 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. However, we did not audit
the information and express no opinion on it.
Other information
Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the Plan’s financial statements. The
schedules included in the supplemental information on pages 20 through 21, are presented for
purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the financial statements. The schedules
included in supplemental information are the responsibility of management and were derived from and
relate directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements.
The supplemental information has not been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of
the basic financial statements and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or provide any assurance
on it.
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
June 27, 2019
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Page 3
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
For The Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
This report consists of a series of financial statements related to The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer
District (“District”) Defined Contribution Plan (“Plan”). The Statements of Fiduciary Net Position and
the Statements of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position (on pages 8 and 9) provide information about this
Plan’s net position and changes in its net position during the year. These statements are prepared using
the accrual basis of accounting.
The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the Plan’s financial performance provides an overview
of the Plan’s financial activities for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Please read it in
conjunction with the Plan’s financial statements.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2018
At December 31, the Plan consisted of 459 participants with account balances of $8,569,455 in
net position (page 8).
Total increase to the Plan’s net position (page 9) amounted to $1,125,330 consisting of Plan
contributions and other additions of $1,958,418 offset by net investment loss of $630,768 and
deductions of $202,320.
Administrative expenses (part of the deductions to the Plan’s net position) totaled $59,639.
This consisted of Vanguard record-keeping and compliance testing, consultant and accounting
fees.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2017
At December 31, the Plan consisted of 408 participants with account balances of $7,444,125 in
net position (page 8).
Total increase to the Plan’s net position (page 9) amounted to $2,505,235 consisting of Plan
contributions and other additions of $1,644,620 and net investment gain of $1,094,223, offset
by deductions of $233,608.
Administrative expenses (part of the deductions to the Plan’s net position) totaled $55,838.
This consisted of Vanguard record-keeping and compliance testing, consultant and accounting
fees.
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Management’s Discussion And Analysis (Continued)
Page 4
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
The Plan showed a negative net change of $918,272 when compared to original costs. The Target
Retirement 2045 Fund had the greatest loss in value for any one individual fund at $195,128.
Value at
December 31, Net % of Current
Fund Name Cost 2018 Change Value
Vanguard Group, Inc.
Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral 134,852$ 135,519$ 667$ 1.59 %
Prime Money Market Fund 92,659 92,659 — 1.08
Retirement Savings Trust III 87,981 87,981 — 1.03
Institutional Target Retirement 2015 5,665 5,329 (336) 0.06
Institutional Target Retirement 2065 8,323 7,516 (807) 0.09
Institutional Target Retirement Income 39,901 38,478 (1,423) 0.45
Institutional Target Retirement 2020 135,140 126,335 (8,805) 1.47
Balanced Index Fund Institutional 177,569 168,098 (9,471) 1.96
Institutional Target Retirement 2060 225,216 202,856 (22,360) 2.37
Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral 177,322 150,631 (26,691) 1.76
Windsor II Fund Admiral 192,860 161,135 (31,725) 1.88
Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral 273,809 239,919 (33,890) 2.80
U.S. Growth Fund Admiral 223,203 187,672 (35,531) 2.19
Institutional Index Fund 490,342 449,437 (40,905) 5.24
Institutional Target Retirement 2025 578,239 535,941 (42,298) 6.25
Institutional Target Retirement 2030 571,634 524,299 (47,335) 6.12
International Growth Fund Admiral 262,419 212,386 (50,033) 2.48
Institutional Target Retirement 2055 629,740 566,779 (62,961) 6.61
Institutional Target Retirement 2035 1,032,063 940,278 (91,785) 10.97
Institutional Target Retirement 2040 1,123,843 1,017,316 (106,527) 11.87
Institutional Target Retirement 2050 1,101,707 990,779 (110,928) 11.56
Institutional Target Retirement 2045 1,923,240 1,728,112 (195,128) 20.17
Totals 9,487,727$ 8,569,455$ (918,272)$ 100.00 %
Change in Fund Asset Values - 2018
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Management’s Discussion And Analysis (Continued)
Page 5
Value at
December 31, Net % of Current
Fund Name Cost 2017 Change Value
Vanguard Group, Inc.
Target Retirement 2045 Fund 1,288,744$ 1,568,783$ 280,039$ 21.07 %
Target Retirement 2050 Fund 739,113 892,179 153,066 11.99
Target Retirement 2040 Fund 737,442 890,425 152,983 11.96
Target Retirement 2035 Fund 724,222 844,806 120,584 11.35
500 Index Fund 303,345 386,588 83,243 5.19
Target Retirement 2055 Fund 423,757 499,884 76,127 6.72
Target Retirement 2025 Fund 445,761 510,553 64,792 6.86
Mid-Cap Index Fund 166,274 215,936 49,662 2.90
Target Retirement 2030 Fund 355,100 404,474 49,374 5.43
International Growth Fund 129,466 169,172 39,706 2.27
Small-Cap Index Fund 112,633 145,743 33,110 1.96
U.S. Growth Fund 131,423 157,854 26,431 2.12
Balanced Index Fund 121,775 143,183 21,408 1.92
Target Retirement 2060 Fund 111,476 127,501 16,025 1.71
Target Retirement 2020 Fund 93,771 105,897 12,126 1.42
Windsor II Fund 110,020 116,699 6,679 1.57
Target Retirement Income Fund 23,103 23,967 864 0.32
Target Retirement 2015 Fund 4,326 4,397 71 0.06
Target Retirement 2065 Fund 122 122 — 0.00
Retirement Savings Trust 70,413 70,413 — 0.95
Prime Money Market Fund 34,204 34,204 — 0.46
Total Bond Market Index Fund 132,406 131,345 (1,061) 1.77
Totals 6,258,896$ 7,444,125$ 1,185,229$ 100.00 %
Change in Fund Asset Values - 2017
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Management’s Discussion And Analysis (Continued)
Page 6
INVESTMENT ASSET ALLOCATION
Investment decisions are participant directed. The participants are offered a diversified
portfolio of investment options from which to select. These investment options represent a
series of mutual funds sponsored and managed by the Vanguard Group. A breakdown of the
participant directed asset allocation as of December 31, 2018 follows:
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Management’s Discussion And Analysis (Continued)
Page 7
FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Trustees and senior management are fiduciaries of the Plan and Trust. Fiduciaries are
charged with the responsibility of assuring that the assets of the Plan are used exclusively for the benefit
of plan participants and their beneficiaries.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
This financial report is designed to provide the Board of Trustees, participants, investment managers,
and other interested parties with an overview of the Plan’s finances and accountability for the money
received. Questions concerning any of the information provided in this report or requests for additional
information should be addressed to:
Tim Snoke, Secretary-Treasurer
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
2350 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103-2555
E-mail: tsnoke@stlmsd.com
Change
Contributions and Other Additions 1,958,418$ 1,644,620$ $ 313,798
Net Investment Income (Loss)(630,768) 1,094,223 (1,724,991)
Total Additions 1,327,650$ 2,738,843$ $ (1,411,193)
Change
Distributions to Participants 138,856$ 177,620$ $ (38,764)
Administrative Expenses and Legal Fees 63,464 55,988 7,476
Total Deductions 202,320$ 233,608$ $ (31,288)
Change
Net Increase 1,125,330$ 2,505,235$ $ (1,379,905)
Net Position Restricted for Benefits, January 1 7,444,125 4,938,890 2,505,235
Net Position Restricted for Benefits, December 31 8,569,455$ 7,444,125$ $ 1,125,330
2018 2017
Plan Additions, Deductions, and Net Position are as follows:
Plan Additions
Plan Deductions
Net Position
20172018
2018 2017
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
See the accompanying Notes To Financial Statements. Page 8
STATEMENTS OF FIDUCIARY NET POSITION
2018 2017
ASSETS
Investments at Fair Value:
Mutual Funds 8,481,474$ 7,373,712$
Investments at Contract Value:
Common/Collective Trust 87,981 70,413
Total Investments 8,569,455 7,444,125
NET POSITION RESTRICTED FOR PLAN BENEFITS 8,569,455$ 7,444,125$
December 31,
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
See the accompanying Notes To Financial Statements. Page 9
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FIDUCIARY NET POSITION
2018 2017
ADDITIONS TO NET POSITION ATTRIBUTED TO:
Investment Income:
Interest and Dividends on Investments 228,336$ 153,491$
Net Appreciation (Depreciation) in Fair Value of Investments (850,476) 953,766
Total Investment Income (Loss) (622,140) 1,107,257
Less - Investment Managers' and Advisors' Fees 8,628 13,034
Net Investment Income (Loss) (630,768) 1,094,223
Contributions and Other Additions:
Employer Contributions 1,895,233 1,593,632
Employee Contributions-Rollovers 4,721 —
Plan Expenses Paid by Employer 58,464 50,988
Total Contributions and Other Additions 1,958,418 1,644,620
Total Additions 1,327,650 2,738,843
DEDUCTIONS FROM NET POSITION ATTRIBUTED TO:
Distributions to Participants and Beneficiaries 138,856 177,620
Administrative Expenses 59,639 55,838
Legal Fees 3,825 150
Total Deductions 202,320 233,608
NET INCREASE 1,125,330 2,505,235
NET POSITION RESTRICTED FOR PLAN BENEFITS, January 1 7,444,125 4,938,890
NET POSITION RESTRICTED FOR PLAN BENEFITS, December 31 8,569,455$ 7,444,125$
For The Years
Ended December 31,
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Page 10
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2018 And 2017
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The following significant accounting policies, which conform to generally accepted accounting
principles, have been used consistently in the preparation of The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer
District Defined Contribution Plan’s (“Plan”) financial statements.
Basis of Accounting
The financial statements of the Plan are prepared under the accrual basis of accounting.
Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles requires the Plan Administrator to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
The Plan’s investments in mutual funds are stated at fair value. Shares of registered investment
companies are valued at quoted market prices which represent the net asset value of shares held
by the Plan at year-end. Units of the Retirement Savings Trust III common/collective trust are
valued at contract value which approximates fair value.
Purchases and sales of investments are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is
accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain
distributions are included in dividend income. Realized gains of $1,239,397 and $63,186 were
recorded in the periods ending December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Payment of Benefits
Benefits are recorded when paid.
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events through June 27, 2019, the date through which
the financial statements were available for issue.
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)
Page 11
2. Description of the Plan
The following description of the Plan provides only general information. Participants should
refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.
General
The Plan is a defined contribution plan established by the District’s Board of Trustees through
Ordinance 13180 and became effective January 1, 2011 and is a qualified plan under Section
401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The following regular, full-time permanent employees
are eligible to participate in the Plan: (i) employees first hired on or after January 1, 2011, and
(ii) employees hired prior to January 1, 2011 who elected to terminate participation in The
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Employees’ Pension Plan, effective as of April 1, 2011,
in accordance with the provisions of such Pension Plan, and (iii) employees rehired on or after
January 1, 2011 who are not eligible to accrue benefits under The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer
District Employees’ Pension Plan. An employee shall become a participant in the Plan on the
first day on which he performs an hour of service for the District.
The District’s Board of Trustees, primarily to improve benefits to members, amends the Plan
in all its respects. A pension committee consisting of two members of the District’s Board of
Trustees, two elected employee members and four members of the District’s management staff
administer the Plan. A committee of the District’s Board of Trustees, with the aid of an
investment advisor, reviews and evaluates the Plan’s investments and the related rates of return
on a periodic basis.
The Plan is intended to provide a means whereby the District may provide retirement benefits
to eligible employees and encourage such employees to establish a regular method of savings,
thereby providing a measure of financial security for such employees and their beneficiaries
upon retirement or in the event of death or disability.
All assets of the Plan are the sole property of the Plan and are not subject to the claims of
creditors of the District. The Plan Administrator issues a publicly available Summary Plan
Description. That information may be obtained by writing to The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer
District, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103-2555.
Contributions
Employer Basic Contributions For each payroll period, the District contributes an amount
equal to 7% of the covered compensation earned during such period by each participant entitled
to an allocation of such contribution.
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)
Page 12
Employer Matching Contributions For each payroll period, the District contributes an
amount equal to 50% of the covered compensation of such participant withholding as an annual
deferral (as defined in The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Deferred Compensation Plan
and Trust) pursuant to The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Deferred Compensation Plan
and Trust; provided that, before-tax contributions in excess of 4% of the covered compensation
of the participant for the payroll period shall not be considered for purposes of Employer
Matching Contributions. Employer Matching Contributions shall be up to the maximum
amount of compensation that may be taken into account for the Plan year.
In no event shall the sum of the employer contributions and employee contributions allocated
to the account of a participant for the Plan year exceed the lesser of:
(a) The amount specified in the applicable Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), as adjusted
annually for any applicable increases in the cost of living.
(b) 100% of the participant’s compensation for such year.
The compensation limit referred to in (b) shall not apply to any contribution from medical
benefits after separation from service.
Employee Contributions The Plan will accept a rollover of an eligible rollover distribution
from an eligible retirement plan if the Plan Administrator approves the transaction as meeting
the Plan’s rules. This is called a “Rollover Contribution” and for the years ended December 31,
2018 and 2017, $4,721 and $0 were eligible rollover distributions into the Plan, respectively.
Participant Accounts
The Plan Administrator shall establish and maintain a separate individual account for each
participant (which may consist of various sub-accounts established by the Plan Administrator)
to reflect the participant’s share of contributions made and the income, loss, appreciation and
depreciation attributable to the account. The Plan Administrator shall keep accurate records of
all contributions, receipts, investment distributions and all other transactions. The amount
credited to the individual account of a participant from time to time as of the most recent
valuation date shall constitute the entire interest of the participant in the Plan.
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)
Page 13
Vesting
As of any time before the normal retirement age of a participant (other than upon death or
permanent disability), the vested percentage of the amounts credited to the Participant’s
Employer Basic Contributions Account shall be determined in accordance with the following
schedule:
Months of Service Vested Percentages
Less than 12 0%
12 but less than 24 20%
24 but less than 36 40%
36 but less than 48 60%
48 but less than 60 80%
60 100%
Normal Retirement Age is defined as the first day of the month coinciding with or next
following a person’s 65th birthday and completion of 60 months of continuous service. The
amount credited to the Participant’s Employer Matching Contributions Account shall be fully
vested at all times.
Investment Options
Upon enrollment in the Plan, a participant directs employer contributions in any of the
investment options available. The investment options consist of mutual funds and a
common/collective trust fund. Employer contributions may be allocated to the Vanguard
accounts, in 1% increments, as the participant directs.
Vanguard offers participants in the Plan the following investment options:
Equity option (Large Cap): Vanguard Windsor II Fund, Vanguard Institutional Index
Fund, and Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund - Investment objective is long-term capital
appreciation.
Equity Diversification option (Small/Mid Cap and International): Vanguard Small-Cap
Index Fund, Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund, and Vanguard International Growth Fund
- Investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.
Bond option (Fixed Income): Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund - Investment
objective is income stability and conservation of principal.
Balanced option (Balanced): Vanguard Balanced Index Fund - Investment objective is
income, conservation of principal and long-term growth.
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)
Page 14
Stable Value option (Capital Preservation): Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust III -
Investment objective is income stability and conservation of principal.
Money Market option (Capital Preservation): Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund -
Investment objective is income while maintaining safety of principal.
Target Retirement option (Target Date): Vanguard Target Retirement 2015-2065 Funds
and Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund - Investment objective is capital
appreciation and current income consistent with its current asset allocation.
Distributions
Upon a participant’s severance from service, the amount credited to his/her individual account
shall be payable to the extent such that it is vested. The value of a participant’s vested individual
account balance shall be distributed as soon as administratively feasible. The amount payable
to a participant shall be the vested amount credited to his/her individual account as of the
valuation date immediately preceding such distribution. This amount shall be distributed in any
one or a combination of the following forms as the participant may elect:
(a) In one lump sum payment; or
(b) In annual, quarterly or monthly installments.
Forfeited Accounts
Upon a participant’s severance from service, the unvested amount credited to his/her individual
account shall be forfeited and credited to the Employer Basic Contributions account and shall
be used to reduce future Employer Basic Contributions. If a participant is rehired before
incurring two consecutive years break in service, the amount previously forfeited will be
restored. If rehired after two consecutive years of break in service, the amounts previously
forfeited will not be restored. Forfeitures amounted to $59,365 and $59,429 for 2018 and 2017,
respectively. The balances in the account as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $2,093 and
$134, respectively.
Administrative Expenses
The general administrative expenses of the Plan are paid by the District. These expenses consist
of legal, consultant and accounting expenses as well as the administration of the Plan. Expenses
attributable to a participant’s choice of optional investments or optional forms of benefit
payments are charged to the respective participant’s account balance.
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)
Page 15
Change in Funds
On June 29, 2018, each fund in the Plan other than the Prime Money Market Fund were replaced
by a lower fee version of the fund. While the share class and expense ratio changed, the
underlying investment portfolio for each investment remained essentially the same.
3. Investments
Investment Balances
Investments held by custodians in the Plan’s name are as follows:
Mutual Funds:2018 2017
Vanguard Group, Inc.
Institutional Target Retirement 2045 1,728,112$ * —$
Institutional Target Retirement 2040 1,017,316 * —
Institutional Target Retirement 2050 990,779 * —
Institutional Target Retirement 2035 940,278 * —
Institutional Target Retirement 2055 566,779 * —
Institutional Target Retirement 2025 535,941 * —
Institutional Target Retirement 2030 524,299 * —
Institutional Index Fund 449,437 * —
Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral 239,919 —
International Growth Fund Admiral 212,386 —
Institutional Target Retirement 2060 202,856 —
U.S. Growth Fund Admiral 187,672 —
Balanced Index Fund Institutional 168,098 —
Windsor II Fund Admiral 161,135 —
Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral 150,631 —
Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral 135,519 —
Institutional Target Retirement 2020 126,335 —
Prime Money Market Fund 92,659 34,204
Institutional Target Retirement Income 38,478 —
Institutional Target Retirement 2065 7,516 —
Institutional Target Retirement 2015 5,329 —
Target Retirement 2045 Fund — 1,568,783 *
Target Retirement 2050 Fund — 892,179 *
December 31,
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)
Page 16
* Represents 5% or more of the Plan’s net position as of December 31, 2018 or 2017, respectively.
2018 2017
Target Retirement 2040 Fund —$ 890,425$ *
Target Retirement 2035 Fund — 844,806 *
Target Retirement 2025 Fund — 510,553 *
Target Retirement 2055 Fund — 499,884 *
Target Retirement 2030 Fund — 404,474 *
500 Index Fund — 386,588 *
Mid-Cap Index Fund — 215,936
International Growth Fund — 169,172
U.S. Growth Fund — 157,854
Small-Cap Index Fund — 145,743
Balanced Index Fund — 143,183
Total Bond Market Index Fund — 131,345
Target Retirement 2060 Fund — 127,501
Windsor II Fund — 116,699
Target Retirement 2020 Fund — 105,897
Target Retirement Income Fund — 23,967
Target Retirement 2015 Fund — 4,397
Target Retirement 2065 Fund — 122
Total Mutual Funds 8,481,474 7,373,712
Common/Collective Trust:
Vanguard Group, Inc.
Retirement Savings Trust — 70,413
Retirement Savings Trust III 87,981 —
Total Investments 8,569,455$ 7,444,125$
December 31,
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)
Page 17
Categories of Asset Risk - Debt Securities Interest Rate and Credit Risk
The Plan will minimize the risk that the market value of securities in the portfolio will fall due
to changes in general interest rates by selecting mutual funds for the investment portfolio that
manage credit quality and duration of fixed income investments.
The Plan will minimize credit risk, the risk of loss due to failure of the security issuer or backer,
by selecting mutual funds for the investment portfolio that manage their respective fund under
a predetermined average credit risk investment management policy.
The following tables provide information on the duration and credit ratings associated with the
Plan’s investments with debt securities, including obligations of the U.S. Government or
obligations explicitly guaranteed by the U.S. Government within these funds at December 31,
2018 and 2017:
Average Percentage
Effective of Debt
Plan Investments Fair Percentage Duratio n Not
With Debt Securities Value of Debt in Years Rate d
December 31, 2018:
Vanguard Group, Inc.
Institutional Target Retirement 2045 1,728,112$ 10% 6.52 0.66%
Institutional Target Retirement 2040 1,017,316 15% 6.52 0.69%
Institutional Target Retirement 2050 990,779 10% 6.52 0.78%
Institutional Target Retirement 2035 940,278 23% 6.52 0.65%
Institutional Target Retirement 2055 566,779 10% 6.52 0.54%
Institutional Target Retirement 2025 535,941 38% 6.52 0.77%
Institutional Target Retirement 2030 524,299 30% 6.52 0.77%
Institutional Target Retirement 2060 202,856 10% 6.52 0.83%
Balanced Index Fund Institutiona l 168,098 39% 5.94 7.91%
Total Bond Market Index Fund Admira l 135,519 99% 5.94 0.50%
Institutional Target Retirement 2020 126,335 47% 6.03 0.87%
Prime Money Market Fund 92,659 11% * 0.00%
Retirement Savings Trust III 87,981 87% 2.90 0.00%
Institutional Target Retirement Income 38,478 69% 5.62 0.69%
Institutional Target Retirement 2065 7,516 10% 6.63 0.14%
Institutional Target Retirement 2015 5,329 60% 5.69 1.20%
* Information is unavailable for this security.
The average effective duration only applies to the debt portion of the investment.
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)
Page 18
4. Fair Value Measurement and Application
The Plan has the following fair value measurements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
Mutual fund investments of $8,481,474 and $7,373,712, respectively, are valued using
quoted market prices (Level 1 inputs).
5. Risks and Uncertainties
The Plan invests in various investment securities as directed by the Plan’s participants.
Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, and credit risk.
Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably
possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that
such change could materially affect the participants’ account balances and amounts reported in
the Plan’s Statements of Fiduciary Net Position.
AveragePercentage
Effective of Debt
Plan Investments Fair PercentageDuration Not
With Debt Securities Value of Debt in Years Rate d
December 31, 2017:
Vanguard Group, Inc.
Target Retirement 2045 Fund 1,568,783$ 10% 6.61 0.57%
Target Retirement 2050 Fund 892,179 10% 6.66 0.54%
Target Retirement 2040 Fund 890,425 14% 6.66 0.51%
Target Retirement 2035 Fund 844,806 21% 6.62 0.90%
Target Retirement 2025 Fund 510,553 35% 6.61 1.11%
Target Retirement 2055 Fund 499,884 10% 6.60 0.42%
Target Retirement 2030 Fund 404,474 28% 6.66 0.72%
Balanced Index Fund 143,183 39% 6.15 3.12%
Total Bond Market Index Fund 131,345 97% 6.12 0.49%
Target Retirement 2060 Fund 127,501 10% 6.65 0.49%
Target Retirement 2020 Fund 105,897 43% 6.30 1.10%
Retirement Savings Trust 70,413 93% 3.14 0.00%
Prime Money Market Fund 34,204 27% * 0.00%
Target Retirement Income Fund 23,967 67% 5.67 0.70%
Target Retirement 2015 Fund 4,397 55% 5.85 1.47%
Target Retirement 2065 Fund 122 10% 6.61 0.48%
* Information is unavailable for this security.
The average effective duration only applies to the debt portion of the investment.
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)
Page 19
6. Plan Termination
Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the District has the right under the Plan to
terminate the Plan at any time. In the event of Plan termination, the Trustee shall liquidate the
assets and disburse all funds to participants or their beneficiaries.
7. Related Party Transactions
The Plan invests in shares of mutual funds managed by an affiliate of Vanguard Fiduciary Trust
Company (“VFTC”). VFTC acts as trustee for only those investments as defined by the Plan.
Transactions in such investments qualify as related party transactions which are exempt from
the prohibited transaction rules.
8. Tax Status
The Plan received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”)
on May 21, 2014, in which the IRS stated that the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance
with the applicable requirements of the Code.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
See the accompanying independent auditors’ report. Page 20
HISTORICAL TREND INFORMATION
Employer
Contributions, Distributions To
For The Rollovers, And Participants
Years Ended Expenses Paid Net Investment And Plan Increase
December 31, By Employer Income (Loss) Expenses In Net Position
2018 1,958,418$ (630,768)$ 202,320$ 1,125,330$
2017 1,644,620 1,094,223 233,608 2,505,235
2016 1,298,838 360,826 224,325 1,435,339
2015 1,204,333 (41,012) 106,835 1,056,486
2014 907,020 134,513 98,732 942,801
2013 678,967 204,824 27,154 856,637
2012 420,158 44,390 20,642 443,906
2011 239,482 (5,193) 30,568 203,721
THE METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
See the accompanying independent auditors’ report. Page 21
FUND VALUES AND EXPENSE RATIOS
This asset-based fee is a measure of what it costs an investment company to operate a mutual fund. An
expense ratio is determined through an annual calculation, where a fund’s operating expenses are divided
by the average dollar value of its assets under management. Operating expenses are taken out of a fund’s
assets, lowering the return in the fund. Lower expense ratios reduce fees coming out of a fund, thus
increasing the fund’s rate of return to the participant. The listing below shows all funds and their asset
value with their corresponding expense ratio.
Value at
December 31,
Fund Name 2018
Vanguard Group, Inc.
Institutional Target Retirement 2045 1,728,112$ 0.09 %
Institutional Target Retirement 2040 1,017,316 0.09
Institutional Target Retirement 2050 990,779 0.09
Institutional Target Retirement 2035 940,278 0.09
Institutional Target Retirement 2055 566,779 0.09
Institutional Target Retirement 2025 535,941 0.09
Institutional Target Retirement 2030 524,299 0.09
Institutional Index Fund 449,437 0.04
Mid-Cap Index Fund Admiral 239,919 0.05
International Growth Fund Admiral 212,386 0.32
Institutional Target Retirement 2060 202,856 0.09
U.S. Growth Fund Admiral 187,672 0.30
Balanced Index Fund Institutional 168,098 0.06
Windsor II Fund Admiral 161,135 0.26
Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral 150,631 0.05
Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral 135,519 0.05
Institutional Target Retirement 2020 126,335 0.09
Prime Money Market Fund 92,659 0.16
Retirement Savings Trust III 87,981 0.32
Institutional Target Retirement Income 38,478 0.09
Institutional Target Retirement 2065 7,516 0.09
Institutional Target Retirement 2015 5,329 0.09
Vanguard Total/Average Ratio 8,569,455$ 0.12 %
Expense
Ratio