TO: Chair and Members of the Audit Advisory Committee
FROM: Trang Nguyen, Finance Director
1. SUBJECT
title
Review of the Proposed Financial Management Policies
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2. SUMMARY
Proposed Financial Management Policies to provide a framework for the annual budget and planning process.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Provide input regarding the proposed Financial Management Policies.
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4. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
On March 11, 2025, staff presented the draft Financial Management Policies (FMPs) to the City Council. While the City has generally practiced many of the guidelines specified in the policies, it had not been formally outlined through a comprehensive document. In an effort to ensure transparency, consistency, and sustainability of the City's finances moving forward, staff compiled the draft Financial Management Policies (FMPs). These policies provide a framework for the annual budget and planning process, which include guardrails to ensure the financial decisions being proposed will support and maintain fiscal responsibility, accountability, and sustainability into the future. The purpose of the controls outlined in the policy is to establish consistent and sound financial decision-making that will carry forward year to year. These policies will also provide the public a comprehensive document that will serve as the roadmap for the annual budgetary process and a guideline for meeting fund balance reserves. The FMPs cover key elements of the City's finances, including the following:
* Budget Development
o General Fund Budget
o Capital Projects Fund Budget
* Fund Balance
* Reserves
* Budgetary Controls and Accounting Methodology
* Pension, Investment, and Debt
Also included in the FMPs are important definitions, principles, and changes that include:
* Structurally balanced budget
o Recuring expenditure should not be more than recurring revenue
o One-time revenue is not used for recurring expenditure
* Definition of reserves, compon...
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