CITY OF ARCATA
TO: Mayor and Arcata City Council
FROM: Finance Department
DATE: March 28, 2025
SUBJECT: 2025-26 Department Goals
FINANCE:
ACCOUNTING FUNCTIONALITY:
1. Document currentexisting and implement additional control policies/procedures across material areas. Ongoing
2. Focus on developing accounting skills and knowledge base of existing staff through internal and external educational opportunities. Ongoing
3. Develop five-year forecast and planning tool which incorporates City Council goals, department projects and Capital Improvement Program (CIP)Complete
4. Complete implementation of OpenGov Budget and Planning System. Complete
5. Update Finance Department Webpages so that they are current, provide relevant information and are easily used by the public. Ongoing
6. Research and implement processes and improvements to add efficiency to regular tasks and duties of the department staff and all City staff performing financial duties, such as developing the annual budget. Focus on providing additional opportunities for City customers to complete payments, applications and other tasks on-line without the need to visit City Hall. Ongoing
7. Implement electronic timesheets and the Project Management Module in Springbrook for better tracking of projects, grants and other programs. Planned for FY 2025-26
8. Implement a regular review and audit of City Revenues to ensure that sources are properly accounted for and all amounts owed to the City are tracked and collected. Consider outside third-party audits where appropriate. Ongoing
9. Update the City’s Investment policy, cash flow projections and investment strategy.
Complete
10. Develop a Maintenance of Effort Strategy to maximize Road Funding. New
11. Create Measure H accountability and reporting systems. New
12. Implement an improved tracking system for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and Utility Users Tax (UUT). New
13. Complete water, wastewater, and capacity fee studies, and indirect cost allocation plan.
Develop 10-year financial plans and models and create a 5-year rate schedule to meet the needs of the community and the utilities. New
REVENUE:
1. Develop ballot measure for a dedicated tax revenue source to further City Council’s Goals and the Community’s stated priorities. Include ongoing fiscal accountability requirementsComplete