HomeMy WebLinkAbout101-Finance Commission Discussion.pdf
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: September 2, 2009 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: Finance & Administrative Services CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Mary Furey DIRECTOR: Mary Furey
SUBJECT: Finance Commission Discussion
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Review report and direct staff accordingly
REPORT SUMMARY:
In 1981, the City formed the Finance Advisory Commission to advise the City Council on financial matters
pertaining to the governance of the City, as well as on the use of fiscal resources and the development of
technology for the City. As originally structured, the Finance Advisory Commission consisted of seven
members who served four year overlapping terms of office.
At its May 18, 2005 meeting, the City Council adopted Resolution 05-032 pertaining to the structure and
operations of City Commissions. In recognition of significant budget cuts and reductions in City staff, and
the corresponding staffing requirements incurred to facilitate City Commissions, the Council made
numerous changes regarding commissions. For the Finance Commission, the Council reduced the number
of members from seven to five; meetings were reduced to once a year/as deemed necessary; and the mission
was more narrowly defined to respond to specific requests for advice. Although the Finance Advisory
Commission was not officially suspended in the Council resolution, the commission’s last meeting was held
on November 15, 2004.
On February 2, 2007 and March 2, 2007, the City Council considered the reinstatement of suspended
commissions in conjunction with the addition of an Administrative Analyst position to assist with workload
attributable to City Commissions. During subsequent discussions between Council and staff, the proposal
to reinstate the Finance Commission was revised to establish a Council Finance Standing Committee
consisting of two Council Members. The Council’s direction was for the committee to conduct initial
review and oversight of financial matters pertaining to the governance of the City, provide Council
perspective and guidance to staff, and to review the proposed annual budget and CIP prior to their
submittal to the full Council. The Council Finance Standing Committee, as established by Council on
September 5, 2007, meets on an as-needed basis, typically once a month.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
To be determined upon direction
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED ACTION:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
Some alternative actions for Council to consider include:
1. Maintain status-quo
2. Expand Finance Committee’s purpose/role to educate citizens on city finances
3. Evaluate reinstatement of a citizen staffed Finance Commission
4. Create Council Finance sub-committees for specific projects/fiscal issues
5. Establish a hybrid committee of Council Members and citizens
6. Eliminate Finance Committee
7. Identify organizational and/or procedural parameters for the committee (i.e. financial reporting,
Council communication, etc.)
8. Increase meeting frequency and rotate Council members to increase exposure to financial matters
9. Shorten/lengthen the committee members term of office
10. Establish annual budget study session/workshops in March/April each year to provide for increased
Council input during budget development process
FOLLOW UP ACTION:
To be determined upon direction
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A