CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting: April 13, 2023
Subject
Consider the Monthly Treasurer's Investment Report for February 2023 Recommended Action
Receive the Monthly Treasurer's Investment Report for February 2023 Reasons for Recommendation
Background
On May 19, 2022, the City Council approved the City's Investment Policy. Per the City's Investment Policy, the Treasurer shall submit monthly transaction reports to the City Council within 30 days of the end of the reporting period per California Government Code Section 53607. In addition to the monthly transaction reports, quarterly investment reports are submitted to the City Council approximately 45 days following the end of the quarter. The quarterly investment report offers a more extensive discussion of the City's economy, cash flow, and investments.
The City's Municipal Code Section 2.24.050 Investment Authority states that the Treasurer shall make a monthly report of all investment transactions to the City Council. Lastly, the City's Municipal Code Section 2.88.100 Duties–Powers–Responsibilities lists one of the powers and functions of the Audit Committee is "to review the monthly Treasurer's report." Per the referenced code provisions, a Treasurer's Investment Report shall be submitted to the Audit Committee and City Council every month.
Treasurer's Investment Report
The report provides an update on the City's investment portfolio for the month ending February 28, 2023. The report is as of March 22, 2023.
The attached statements include balances and transactions of the City's investments with the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) and Chandler Asset Management. While not governed by the City's Investment Policy, statements for the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) Section 115 Trusts are also attached per a request from the Monthly Treasurer's Report Subcommittee.
The City's General Ledger cash and investments balance was $227.0 million, a $3.0 million decrease from the prior month due to receipts of $3.0 million, disbursements of $(6.7) million, and journal adjustments of $0.6 million.
Cash and Investments – General Ledger Balance
Fund Type
Month Ending January 31, 2023
Receipts
Disbursements
Journal Adjustments*
Month Ending February 28, 2023
General Fund
124,245,311
2,257,903
(5,088,916)
50,848
121,465,145
Special Revenue
43,941,431
153,325
(468,563)
-
43,626,194
Debt Service
2,322,250
-
-
-
2,322,250
Capital Projects
38,731,638
462,480
(288,309)
-
38,905,809
Enterprise
11,728,653
158,713
(344,838)
601,620
12,144,148
Internal Service
9,051,351
-
(510,244)
(8,417)
8,532,690
Total
$230,020,633
$3,032,422
$(6,700,870)
$644,050
$226,996,235
*Journal adjustments include transactions recorded in other systems and imported into the financial system, Council-approved budget adjustments, quarterly Cost Allocation Plan (CAP) charges, and quarterly interest earnings.
The $227.0 million in cash and investments includes $38.8 million in cash, $21.2 million in cash equivalents, $149.7 million in investments, and $17.2 million restricted for funding pension costs.
The City pools cash for all funds except restricted funds. However, the City accounts for interest earnings, revenues, and expenditures separately for each fund to adequately meet the purpose and restrictions of each funding source. Pooling funds is a common and appropriate practice used in public agencies. By pooling funds, the City can benefit from economies of scale, diversification, liquidity, and ease of administration.
Cash and Investments – General Ledger Balance
Month Ending January 31, 2023
Month Ending February 28, 2023
% of Portfolio
Cash in banks and on hand
Operating Checking (Wells Fargo)
41,789,796
38,744,116
17%
Workers' Compensation Checking (Wells Fargo)
20,262
41,845
0%
Payroll Checking (Wells Fargo)
-
-
0%
Restricted for Bond Repayments1 (BNY Mellon)
-
-
0%
Petty Cash and Change
5,000
4,700
0%
Cash Equivalents
Local Agency Investment Fund
21,242,141
21,242,141
9%
Investments
Investments (Chandler)
149,723,383
149,723,383
66%
Restricted for Pension2 (PARS)
17,240,051
17,240,051
8%
Total Cash and Investments3
$230,020,633
$226,996,235
100%
1 Cash held by fiscal agent for bond repayments
2 In accordance with GASB 67/68, the assets in the Section 115 Pension Trust are reported as restricted cash and investments in the General Fund. The assets can only be used to fund CalPERS costs. 3 Assets in the Section 115 OPEB Trust are excluded as the City cannot use these assets to fund its own operations. The assets are held in trust for retirees' post-employment health benefits.
The table below shows the bank balances for the City's cash and investments. Bank and General Ledger balances differ due to timing. Bank balances do not include outstanding checks and deposits in transit. The General Ledger is updated quarterly with interest earnings and annually with the year-end investment market values.
Cash and Investments – Bank Balance
Month Ending January 31, 2023
Month Ending February 28, 2023
% of Portfolio
Cash in banks and on hand
Operating Checking (Wells Fargo)
42,673,289
39,316,220
17%
Workers' Compensation Checking (Wells Fargo)
25,873
42,812
0%
Payroll Checking (Wells Fargo)
-
-
0%
Restricted for Bond Repayments1 (BNY Mellon)
-
-
0%
Cash Equivalents
Local Agency Investment Fund
21,281,569
21,281,569
9%
Investments
Investments (Chandler)
148,742,480
147,258,241
65%
Restricted for Pension2 (PARS)
18,507,647
18,035,635
8%
Total Cash and Investments3
$231,230,858
$225,934,478
100%
1 Cash held by fiscal agent for bond repayments
2 In accordance with GASB 67/68, the assets in the Section 115 Pension Trust are reported as restricted cash and investments in the General Fund. The assets can only be used to fund CalPERS costs. 3 Assets in the Section 115 OPEB Trust are excluded as the City cannot use these assets to fund its own operations. The assets are held in trust for retirees' post-employment health benefits.
Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF)
LAIF is an investment pool administered by the State of California Treasurer and governed by California Government Code. The City can withdraw funds from LAIF at any time. As a result, the City uses LAIF for short-term investment, liquidity, and yield.
The City's LAIF account had a balance of $21.3 million. Interest is deposited quarterly. The December interest rate was 2.07%.
Investment Portfolio
In FY 2018-19, the City conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) for investment management services and selected Chandler Asset Management. Under the City's Treasurer's direction, Chandler Asset Management manages the City's investment portfolio in accordance with the City's investment objectives. The City's investment objectives, in order of priority, are to provide:
Safety to ensure the preservation of capital in the overall portfolio Sufficient liquidity for cash needs
A market rate of return consistent with the investment program The performance objective is to earn a total rate of return through a market cycle equal to or above the return on the benchmark index. Chandler Asset Management invests in high-quality fixed-income securities consistent with the City's Investment Policy and California Government Code to achieve the objective.
The portfolio's market value was $147.3 million, compared to $148.7 million at the end of the previous month. The table below includes historical comparisons of the City's portfolio.
December 31, 2022
January 31, 2023
February 28, 2023
Market Value
147,282,846
148,742,480
147,258,241
Par Value
156,155,965
156,310,484
156,479,011
Book Value
155,929,700
156,105,058
156,193,550
Average Maturity
2.62 years
2.66 years
2.71 years
Average Modified Duration
2.28 2.28
2.32 Average Purchase Yield
1.70%
1.73%
1.81%
Average Market Yield
4.63%
4.39%
4.89%
Average Quality1
AA/Aa1
AA/Aa1
AA/Aa1
1 S&P and Moody's respectively
The portfolio's market value fluctuates depending on interest rates. When interest rates decrease after an investment is purchased, the market value of the investment increases. In contrast, when interest rates increase after an investment is purchased, the market value of the investment decreases. At the time of purchase, the City intends to hold all investments until maturity, meaning that changes in market value will not impact the City's investment principal. If the market value decreases, the City will incur an unrealized loss. However, the loss will only be realized if the City sells its investments before their maturity. The market values for the portfolio were provided by Chandler Asset Management.
Section 115 Trust Investment Portfolio
The City established Section 115 Trusts to reduce pension rate volatility and pre-fund Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) costs. These trusts are a tax-exempt investment tool that local governments can use to set aside funds for pension and retiree health costs. Contributions made to the trust can only be used to fund retirement plans.
Investments in the Section 115 Trusts are governed by separate investment policies, which are distinct from the City's Investment Policy. On December 6, 2022, City Council approved the Pension Trust Investment Policy and OPEB Trust Investment Policy. Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) administers the trust, while US Bank manages the investments in accordance with the approved investment policies.
Both Section 115 Trusts are invested in "balanced" portfolios. The investment objective is designed to provide a moderate amount of current income with moderate growth of capital. This type of investment strategy is generally recommended for investors with a long-term time horizon. The strategic asset allocation ranges for this investment objective are:
Asset Class
Range
Target
Equities
50-70%
63%
Fixed Income
20-40%
29%
Real Estate
0-15%
5%
Commodities
0-10%
2%
Cash
0-10%
1%
The Section 115 Pension Trust had a balance of $18.0 million, a decrease of $0.5 million from the prior month due to investment loss. The Section 115 OPEB Trust had a balance of $32.8 million, a decrease of $0.9 million from the prior month due to investment loss. The one-month investment returns were -2.52% for both the Pension Trust and OPEB Trust.
Compliance
All of the City's investments comply with state law and the City's Investment Policy. In compliance with California Government Code 53646 (b)(3), the City maintains the ability to meet its expenditure requirements for the next six months.
Sustainability Impact
No sustainability impact.
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact.
California Environmental Quality Act
Not applicable.
_____________________________________
Prepared by: __________________
Thomas Leung
Budget Manager
Reviewed by: __________________
Kristina Alfaro
Director of Administrative Services
Approved for Submission by: __________________
Pamela Wu
City Manager
Attachments:
A – Chandler Investment Report February 2023
B – Chandler Custodial Statement February 2023
C – PARS Pension and OPEB Account Statement February 2023 D – LAIF Account Statement February 2023
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