TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview 5
Guiding Financial Principles, Summary of Policies, Review & Approval 6 Financial Reporting & Budgeting Policies 7
Purpose of Fin. Reporting and Budgeting Policies 8
Description of Funds and Accounting Methods 9
Financial Reporting Policies 11
Budgetary Policies 13
Fiscal Resilience Policies 15
Policy, Objectives & Scope 16
Regular Evaluation 17
Steps to Address Shortfalls 19
Review and Approval - Fiscal Resilience Policies 22
Revenues Controls and Management Policies 23
Policy & Purpose 24
Revenues Management 25
Revenues Controls 26
Expenditure Planning and Purchasing Policies 27
Purpose, Scope & Definitions 28
Provisions / Procedures, and Purchasing Limits 29
Purchases Generally 30
Annual and Multi-Year Agreements 32
Exemptions for Bid Requirements 33
Federal Procurement Policy 34
Cooperative Purchasing, Local Vendor Preference, and Environmentally Preferable Purc 35 Public Project Contracts 36
Insurance and Bonds 37
Credit Card Management Policies 38
Purpose, Policy and Responsibilities 39
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policies 41
Purpose and Definitions 42
Strategies For Implementation 47
Recordkeeping Responsibilities 54
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Responsibilities 55 Implementation, Program Evaluation, and Exceptions 56
Effective Dates 57
Capital Assets Policies 58
General Information and Definitions 59
Capital Asset Overview 60
Useful Life Ranges and Budgetary Control 61
Definitions of Capital Asset Classes and Acquisition Procedures 62 Additional Capital Asset Issues 68
Grant Management Policy 70
Grant Management Overview and Purpose 71
Defining A Grant and General Information 72
Pre-Application Evaluation 73
Grant Cycle 74
Recordkeeping and Reporting 75
Pass-Through Grants 76
Roles and Responsibilities 77
Investment Management Policies 78
Policy, Scope, and Glossary of Terms 79
Prudence 84
Objectives 85
Delegation of Authority and Ethics & Conflicts of Interest 86 Authorized Dealers and Institutions 87
Authorized and Suitable Investments 88
Review of Investment Portfolio 91
Investment Pools / Money Market Funds 92
Collateralization 93
Safekeeping and Custody, Diversification, and Maximum Maturities 94 Internal Controls 95
Performance Standards 96
Reporting 97
Investment Policy Adoption 98
Debt Management Policy 99
Policy Purpose 100
Purposes for Which Debt May Be Issued 101
Types of Debt 102
Relationship of Debt to Capital Improvement Program and Budget 103 Policy Goals Related to Planning Goals and Objectives 104 Internal Control Procedures 105
Unfunded Pension Liability Policies 106
Purpose and Policy Goals & Objectives 107
Background and Discussion 108
Funding Level Objective 110
Establishment and Operation of a Pension Rate Stabilization Fund. 113 Operation of the Pension Rate Stabilization Fund 115
Fiscal Hardship, Fiscal Transparency& Reporting, and Annual Budgeting 116 Review of Policy 117
Cybersecurity and Data Protection Policy 118
Purpose and Scope, Roles and Responsibilities 119
Acceptable Use of Technology, and Use of AI and Emerging Technologies 120 Data Protection and Security Requirements, and Public Records Compliance 121 Incident Response and Reporting 122
Training and Awareness, and Enforcement 123
Enforcement 124
Discontinuation of Residential Water Service for Nonpayment Policy 125 Purpose, Policy, and General Provision 126
Delinquent Accounts 127
Additional Notifications 129
Reconnection of Water Service 130
Returned Checks 131
Disputed Bills 132
Translation 133
Overview Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 5 1 Summary of Comments on ClearGov | Documents
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:00 PM Guiding Financial Principles, Summary of Policies, Review & Approval Table of Contents
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:14 PM Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:20 PM Number: 3 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:24 PM Number: 4 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:28 PM Number: 5 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:34 PM Number: 6 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:39 PM Number: 7 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:43 PM Number: 8 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:48 PM Number: 9 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:51 PM Number: 10 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:56 PM Number: 11 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:39:59 PM Number: 12 Author: ACourter Subject: Underline Date: 6/17/2026 3:40:08 PM Financial Reporting & Budgeting Policies Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 7 Purpose of Fin. Reporting and Budgeting Policies Table of Contents
Description of Funds and Accounting Methods Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 9 Description of Funds and Accounting Methods Table of Contents
Financial Reporting Policies Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 11 Financial Reporting Policies Table of Contents
Budgetary Policies Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 13 Budgetary Policies Table of Contents
Fiscal Resilience Policies Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 15 Policy, Objectives & Scope Table of Contents
Regular Evaluation Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 17 Regular Evaluation Table of Contents
Steps to Address Shortfalls Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 19 Steps to Address Shortfalls Table of Contents
Steps to Address Shortfalls Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 21 Review and Approval - Fiscal Resilience Policies Table of Contents
Remove as included for all
policies in Outlook Section.
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 3:42:13 PM Remove as included for all policies in Outlook Section.
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:41:39 PM Revenues Controls and Management Policies Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 23 Policy & Purpose Table of Contents
Revenues Management Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 25 Revenues Controls Table of Contents
Expenditure Planning and Purchasing Policies Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 27 Purpose, Scope & Definitions Table of Contents
Provisions / Procedures, and Purchasing Limits Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 29 1 2
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Page: 29
Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 3:52:42 PM Credit Card Management Policies
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 3:52:51 PM $2,000
Number: 3 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 3:53:03 PM $8,000
Number: 4 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:53:17 PM Purchases Generally Table of Contents
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 3:56:31 PM ten thousand ($10,000)
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 3:57:03 PM ten thousand ($10,000.01)
Number: 3 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 3:57:22 PM fifty thousand ($50,000.00)
Number: 4 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 3:57:40 PM fifty thousand ($50,000.01)
Number: 5 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:57:55 PM Number: 6 Author: ACourter Subject: Highlight Date: 6/17/2026 3:57:47 PM Number: 7 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 3:58:35 PM the City's IT services provider
Purchases Generally Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 31 Annual and Multi-Year Agreements Table of Contents
Exemptions for Bid Requirements Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 33 Federal Procurement Policy Table of Contents
Cooperative Purchasing, Local Vendor Preference, and Environmentally Preferable Table of Contents Purchasing
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 35 Public Project Contracts Table of Contents
Table of Contents Insurance and Bonds
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 37 Credit Card Management Policies Table of Contents
Purpose, Policy and Responsibilities Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 39 Purpose, Policy and Responsibilities Table of Contents
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policies Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 41 Purpose and Definitions Table of Contents
Purpose and Definitions Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 43 Purpose and Definitions Table of Contents
Purpose and Definitions Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 45 Purpose and Definitions Table of Contents
Strategies For Implementation Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 47 Strategies For Implementation Table of Contents
Strategies For Implementation Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 49 Strategies For Implementation Table of Contents
Strategies For Implementation Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 51 Strategies For Implementation Table of Contents
Strategies For Implementation Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 53 Recordkeeping Responsibilities Table of Contents
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Responsibilities Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 55 Table of Contents Implementation, Program Evaluation, and Exceptions
Effective Dates Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 57 Remove as included for all
policies in Outlook Section.
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 3:59:58 PM Remove as included for all policies in Outlook Section.
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 3:59:30 PM Capital Assets Policies Table of Contents
General Information and Definitions Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 59 1 2
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:01:51 PM $10,000
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:01:23 PM Add the following additional criteria: - Establish minimum cost and useful-life based thresholds to avoid the cost of capitalizing immaterial items;
- Governments should perform a periodic review of their capitalization thresholds; City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati
Capital Asset Overview
1 Page: 60
Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:05:52 PM below
Useful Life Ranges and Budgetary Control Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 61 Definitions of Capital Asset Classes and Acquisition Procedures Table of Contents
Definitions of Capital Asset Classes and Acquisition Procedures Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 63 Definitions of Capital Asset Classes and Acquisition Procedures Table of Contents
Definitions of Capital Asset Classes and Acquisition Procedures Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 65 Definitions of Capital Asset Classes and Acquisition Procedures Table of Contents
Definitions of Capital Asset Classes and Acquisition Procedures Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 67 Additional Capital Asset Issues Table of Contents
Additional Capital Asset Issues Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 69 Grant Management Policy Table of Contents
Grant Management Overview and Purpose Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 71 Defining A Grant and General Information Table of Contents
Pre-Application Evaluation Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 73 Grant Cycle Table of Contents
Recordkeeping and Reporting Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 75 Pass-Through Grants Table of Contents
To add claritypropose moving
this section to page
72 under General
Information.
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Page: 76
Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Rectangle Date: 6/17/2026 4:07:12 PM Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 4:08:24 PM To add clarity- propose moving this section to page 72 under General Information.
Roles and Responsibilities Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 77 Table of Contents Investment Management Policies
Policy, Scope, and Glossary of Terms Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 79 Policy, Scope, and Glossary of Terms Table of Contents
Policy, Scope, and Glossary of Terms Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 81 Policy, Scope, and Glossary of Terms Table of Contents
Policy, Scope, and Glossary of Terms Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 83 Prudence Table of Contents
Objectives Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 85 Delegation of Authority and Ethics & Confl Table of Contents icts of Interest
Authorized Dealers and Institutions Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 87 Authorized and Suitable Investments Table of Contents
Authorized and Suitable Investments Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 89 Add two additional investment types to be consistent with state law and expand availability of investments with same risk but potentially slightly higher returns at times.
Medium-Term Corporate Notes
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The City may invest in medium-term corporate notes issued by corporations organized and operating within the United States or by depository institutions licensed by the United States or any state and operating within the United States, as authorized by California Government Code Section 53601(k).
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Eligible securities shall be rated in a rating category of "A" or its equivalent or better by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO).
Investments in medium-term corporate notes shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the City's investment portfolio, and no more than five percent (5%) of the portfolio may be invested in the securities of any one issuer. The maximum remaining maturity of any medium-term corporate note shall not exceed five (5) years.
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Municipal Bonds
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The City may invest in bonds, notes, warrants, or other evidences of indebtedness issued by a local agency within the State of California, including bonds payable solely out of revenues from a revenue-producing property owned, controlled, or operated by the local agency or by a department, board, agency, or authority of the local agency, as authorized by California Government Code Section 53601(a).
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Eligible securities shall be rated in a rating category of "A" or its equivalent or better by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). Investments in municipal bonds shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the City's investment portfolio, and no more than five percent (5%) of the portfolio may be invested in securities issued by any one issuer, excluding obligations of the City. The maximum remaining maturity of any municipal bond investment shall not exceed five (5) years.
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 4:11:40 PM Add two additional investment types to be consistent with state law and expand availability of investments with same risk but potentially slightly higher returns at times.
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 4:11:22 PM Medium-Term Corporate Notes
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The City may invest in medium-term corporate notes issued by corporations organized and operating within the United States or by depository institutions licensed by the United States or any state and operating within the United States, as authorized by California Government Code Section 53601(k). .
Eligible securities shall be rated in a rating category of "A" or its equivalent or better by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO).
Investments in medium-term corporate notes shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the City's investment portfolio, and no more than five percent (5%) of the portfolio may be invested in the securities of any one issuer. The maximum remaining maturity of any medium-term corporate note shall not exceed five (5) years. .
Municipal Bonds
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The City may invest in bonds, notes, warrants, or other evidences of indebtedness issued by a local agency within the State of California, including bonds payable solely out of revenues from a revenue-producing property owned, controlled, or operated by the local agency or by a department, board, agency, or authority of the local agency, as authorized by California Government Code Section 53601(a).
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Eligible securities shall be rated in a rating category of "A" or its equivalent or better by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). Investments in municipal bonds shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the City's investment portfolio, and no more than five percent (5%) of the portfolio may be invested in securities issued by any one issuer, excluding obligations of the City. The maximum remaining maturity of any municipal bond investment shall not exceed five (5) years.
Authorized and Suitable Investments Table of Contents
Add new investments at page 89 to table. 1
Page: 90
Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 4:12:14 PM Add new investments at page 89 to table.
Review of Investment Portfolio Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 91 Table of Contents Investment Pools / Money Market Funds
Collateralization Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 93 Safekeeping and Custody, Diversifi Table of Contents cation, and Maximum Maturities
Table of Contents Internal Controls
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 95 Performance Standards Table of Contents
Reporting Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 97 Table of Contents Investment Policy Adoption
Remove as included for all
policies in Outlook Section.
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Page: 98
Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 4:13:16 PM Remove as included for all policies in Outlook Section.
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 4:12:53 PM Debt Management Policy Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 99 Policy Purpose Table of Contents
Purposes for Which Debt May Be Issued Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 101 Table of Contents Types of Debt
Relationship of Debt to Capital Improvement Program and Budget Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 103 Policy Goals Related to Planning Goals and Objectives Table of Contents
Table of Contents Internal Control Procedures
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 105 Unfunded Pension Liability Policies Table of Contents
Purpose and Policy Goals & Objectives Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 107 Background and Discussion Table of Contents
Background and Discussion Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 109 Funding Level Objective Table of Contents
Funding Level Objective Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 111 Funding Level Objective Table of Contents
Establishment and Operation of a Pension Rate Stabilization Fund. Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 113 Establishment and Operation of a Pension Rate Stabilization Fund. Table of Contents
Operation of the Pension Rate Stabilization Fund Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 115 Fiscal Hardship, Fiscal Transparency& Reporting, and Annual Budgeting Table of Contents
Review of Policy Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 117 Remove as included for all
policies in Outlook Section.
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 4:14:09 PM Remove as included for all policies in Outlook Section.
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 4:14:04 PM Cybersecurity and Data Protection Policy Table of Contents
Purpose and Scope, Roles and Responsibilities Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 119 Acceptable Use of Technology, and Use of AI and Emerging Technologies Table of Contents
Data Protection and Security Requirements, and Public Records Compliance Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 121 Table of Contents Incident Response and Reporting
Table of Contents Training and Awareness, and Enforcement City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 123 Enforcement Table of Contents
Discontinuation of Residential Water Service for Nonpayment Policy Table of Contents City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 125 Purpose, Policy, and General Provision Table of Contents
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Page: 126
Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:16:16 PM This policy describes the process when a City water utility bill is not paid on time (becomes delinquent).
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:16:47 PM outlines
Number: 3 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:17:39 PM Discontinuation of water service for nonpayment is the final step in the collection process and will only occur after the account holder has been properly notified and all other reasonable options have been exhausted.
Number: 4 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:18:25 PM A late fee will be assessed on any bill that remains unpaid after 30 days. Late fee amounts are listed in the Master Fee Schedule, available on the City's website at cotaticity.gov. This fee will not apply if the account holder of record has already been granted an extension or payment arrangement.
Number: 5 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:18:56 PM The City will make a reasonable effort to contact the occupant at the service address to provide notice of a delinquent balance and pending disconnection, as described in this Policy.
Number: 6 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:19:33 PM Account holders of record whose water service has been disconnected may contact the City by phone or in person to arrange reconnection.
Reconnection requires payment of all delinquent charges, administrative fees, and any other applicable charges.
Delinquent Accounts Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 127 1 2
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:20:51 PM If a water utility bill is not paid by the close of business on the 30th day after it is issued, a late fee will be assessed as listed in the Master Fee Schedule.
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:21:49 PM The past due notice will include a deadline by which the account holder of record must pay in full or set up a payment arrangement to avoid additional fees and possible disconnection.
Number: 3 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:22:13 PM The City will waive one late fee per twelve (12) month period upon request from the account holder of record.
Number: 4 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:22:32 PM account holder of record
Number: 5 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:23:12 PM account holder
Number: 6 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:24:53 PM account holder of record
Number: 7 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:25:12 PM account holder of record
Number: 8 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:26:14 PM Financial Hardship
Delinquent Accounts Table of Contents
Revise to add clarity.
Amortization Plans
An amortization plan is a written payment arrangement that allows an account holder with a delinquent utility balance to pay the outstanding amount over time while maintaining water service. Amortization plans are intended to provide customers with a reasonable opportunity to resolve past-due charges while remaining current on ongoing utility service charges.
1. Any payment arrangement that extends repayment of delinquent charges beyond the current billing period shall be considered an amortization plan. All amortization plans must be documented in writing and signed by the account holder of record.
2. The amortization plan shall establish a repayment schedule that amortizes the delinquent balance over a period requested by the account holder of record and approved by the City. The repayment period shall not exceed twelve (12) months from the effective date of the approved amortization plan.
3. Unless otherwise approved by the City, the amortized installment amount shall be included as a separate line item on the account holder's regular utility bill. Installment payments shall be due on the same date as the regular utility bill and shall be paid in addition to all current utility charges.
4. The account holder of record must remain current on all charges that accrue after the amortization plan is established and must make all required installment payments in accordance with the approved repayment schedule.
5. If the account holder of record is not the property owner, written approval from the property owner shall be required before an amortization plan may be approved. Additionally, the term of the amortization plan shall not extend beyond the expiration date of the applicable lease or rental agreement.
6. While an amortization plan is in effect, the account holder of record may not request an additional amortization plan for subsequently incurred delinquent charges.
7. Failure to comply with the terms of an amortization plan, including failure to make installment payments or failure to remain current on ongoing utility charges, shall constitute a default under the plan.
Upon default, the City shall issue a written notice of disconnection to the service address no fewer than seven (7) business days prior to the discontinuation of water service. 1 2
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 4:28:43 PM Revise to add clarity.
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:28:30 PM Number: 3 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 4:38:04 PM Amortization Plans
An amortization plan is a written payment arrangement that allows an account holder with a delinquent utility balance to pay the outstanding amount over time while maintaining water service. Amortization plans are intended to provide customers with a reasonable opportunity to resolve past-due charges while remaining current on ongoing utility service charges.
1. Any payment arrangement that extends repayment of delinquent charges beyond the current billing period shall be considered an amortization plan. All amortization plans must be documented in writing and signed by the account holder of record.
2. The amortization plan shall establish a repayment schedule that amortizes the delinquent balance over a period requested by the account holder of record and approved by the City. The repayment period shall not exceed twelve (12) months from the effective date of the approved amortization plan.
3. Unless otherwise approved by the City, the amortized installment amount shall be included as a separate line item on the account holder's regular utility bill. Installment payments shall be due on the same date as the regular utility bill and shall be paid in addition to all current utility charges.
4. The account holder of record must remain current on all charges that accrue after the amortization plan is established and must make all required installment payments in accordance with the approved repayment schedule.
5. If the account holder of record is not the property owner, written approval from the property owner shall be required before an amortization plan may be approved. Additionally, the term of the amortization plan shall not extend beyond the expiration date of the applicable lease or rental agreement.
6. While an amortization plan is in effect, the account holder of record may not request an additional amortization plan for subsequently incurred delinquent charges.
7. Failure to comply with the terms of an amortization plan, including failure to make installment payments or failure to remain current on ongoing utility charges, shall constitute a default under the plan. Upon default, the City shall issue a written notice of disconnection to the service address no fewer than seven (7) business days prior to the discontinuation of water service.
Additional Notifi Table of Contents cations
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 129 1 2
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:38:58 PM the account has been delinquent for at least sixty (60) days.
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:39:33 PM If the mailing address differs from the service address, Number: 3 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:40:21 PM Deadline to pay or set up payment arrangement to avoid disconnection.
Number: 4 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:40:41 PM How to apply for an amortization plan.
Number: 5 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:40:58 PM How to dispute or appeal a bill
Number: 6 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:41:17 PM , email address,
Number: 7 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:42:12 PM account holder of record
Number: 8 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:41:45 PM will
Reconnection of Water Service Table of Contents
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Page: 130
Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:42:30 PM To reconnect water service that has been disconnected for nonpayment, the account holder of record must pay all delinquent charges and fees.
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:43:49 PM closed Fridays,
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Returned Checks Table of Contents
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 131 1 2
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Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:44:56 PM account holder of record's
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:45:34 PM account holder of record
Number: 3 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:45:55 PM If the account is less than 60 days delinquent at the time of the returned payment, the notice will state the amount owed and the deadline to pay to avoid additional fees.
Number: 4 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:46:13 PM If the account is more than 60 days delinquent at the time of the returned payment, an additional late fee will be assessed and a seven (7) day notice of possible disconnection will be issued to the account holder of record.
Number: 5 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:46:21 PM account holder of record
Number: 6 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:46:55 PM account holder of record
Disputed Bills Table of Contents
1 Page: 132
Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:47:10 PM check
Table of Contents Translation
City Financial Principles & Policies | City of Cotati Page 133 Including policies in cleargov document allows for automatic translation to over 100 languages.
Will continue to retain printable versions in required
languages of this policy directly on the website.
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3 Page: 133
Number: 1 Author: ACourter Subject: Text Box Date: 6/17/2026 4:50:07 PM Including policies in cleargov document allows for automatic translation to over 100 languages.
Will continue to retain printable versions in required languages of this policy directly on the website.
Number: 2 Author: ACourter Subject: Inserted Text Date: 6/17/2026 4:47:40 PM cotaticity.gov
Number: 3 Author: ACourter Subject: Cross-Out Date: 6/17/2026 4:47:47 PM