RESOLUTION NO. 2025-009
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON
APPOINTING ALICE HUI TO SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF
FINANCE/CITY TREASURER OF THE CITY OF VERNON AND
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A RELATED AT-
WILL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND REPEALING RESOLUTION
NO. 2025-008
SECTION 1. Recitals.
A. The Director of Finance/City Treasurer position has been vacant since February 2024.
B. On September 17, 2024, the City Council of the City of Vernon adopted Resolution No. 2024-020 appointing Gigi Decavalles-Hughes to serve as Interim Director of Finance/City Treasurer effective September 4, 2024, until the City completed its recruitment process and filled the position on a permanent basis.
On or about August 21, 2024, the City retained the services of Bob Murray & Associates (Bob Murray) to conduct a recruitment for the position of Director of Finance/City Treasurer for the City of Vernon.
Bob Murray created an executive recruitment brochure for the position (attached hereto as Exhibit A) and conducted a broad and extensive recruitment that included multiple screenings and interviews of numerous applicants.
E. The top seven candidates were interviewed by the external recruiter, and four candidates were recommended. Two candidates moved forward and were invited to participate in a dual panel interview process consisting of City and external evaluators on March 5, 2025.
F. The City Administrator of the City of Vernon has determined Alice Hui (Hui) to be the most qualified candidate for the position and desires to appoint Hui to serve as the Director of Finance/City Treasurer, effective April 14, 2025.
G. On April 1, 2025, the City Council of the City of Vernon adopted Resolution No. 2025-008 appointing Hui to serve as the Director of Finance/City Treasurer. Resolution No. 2025-008 will be repealed as this resolution is being adopted to reflect the appointment and applicable oral summary requirements.
H. At its regular City Council meeting on April 15, 2025, prior to taking final action to adopt this resolution, the City Council received an oral report summarizing the recommended appointment and compensation, in accordance with Government Code Section 54953(c)(3).
Resolution No. 2025-009
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby finds and determines that the above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby appoints Alice Hui to serve as the Director of Finance/City Treasurer of the City of Vernon, effective April 14, 2025.
SECTION 4. The City Council hereby approves and authorizes the execution of the At-Will Employment Agreement with Alice Hui to serve as Director of Finance/City Treasurer of the City of Vernon, in substantially the same form as attached hereto as Exhibit B.
SECTION 5. The City Clerk, or any authorized officer, shall administer the Oath of Office prescribed in the Constitution of the State of California to Hui and shall have her subscribe to it and file it with the Human Resources Department.
Sity clerks designer to give a fully erected Agreement to see, or the Citv Clerk's desianee
SECTION 7. All resolutions or parts of resolutions, specifically Resolution No. 2025-008, not consistent with or in conflict with this resolution are hereby repealed.
SECTION 8. The City Clerk or Deputy City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED April 15, 2025.
JUDITH MERLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
YONNIE PARKER, Deputy City Clerk
(seal)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ZAYNAH N. MOUSSA, City Attorney
Resolution No. 2025-009
Exhibit A
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BOB MURRAY
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Resolution No. 2025-009
THE COMMUNITY of four cities in California with a local activities Health Department. Vernon Public in compli
The City of Vernon is a dynamic full-service Utilities is a three-time National policies, city of 5.2 square miles located about American Public Power Association accounti five miles to the southeast of downtown Diamond level RP3 Award-winning • Serve as
Los Angeles. Founded in 1905 as the first utility and provides reliable and low- cial advi
exclusively industrial city in the Southwestern cost Electricity, Fiber Optic Internet Council a
United States, Vernon is home to 250 residents Service, Natural Gas (transmission trator, pro
and has embarked on ambitious plans to increase its & distribution), and Water. Uniquely direction
residential population and establish itself as an ideal place to live service-oriented, Vernon is the only to achiev
and work. The City currently houses more than 1,800 businesses California city that operates its own of fiscal
that employ approximately 50,000 people, serving as a vital local Health Department, and Public economic engine for the Southern California region. Vernon offers an integrity; Utility providing electric, natural define de
environment uniquely friendly to business and has a diverse industry gas, water, and fiber optic internet solutions
makeup comprising many Fortune 500 companies in industries that services. of finan
include food and agriculture, apparel, steel, plastics, logistics and THE POSITION explain i
home furnishings. Through the City's implementation of more than 150 assure t
good governance reforms, Vernon - the City that has characterized The Director of Finance/City Treasurer financial
itself as "Exclusively Industrial" for almost 120 years - has firmly established serves as the City's Chief Financial • Monitor F
itself as a model city for good governance. Vernon maintains strong Officer and is responsible for performing assure t
philanthropic ties with the neighboring communities where much of its complex management and technical products
workforce lives, providing significant support for public services through duties. This includes responsibility and finar
the City's CommUNITY Fund grants for programs in areas such as health for maintaining fiscal stability and care and education. The City has embarked on aggressive plans for its • Develop safeguarding the assets of the City,
future as it moves towards increasing its residential population, more adjustme providing financial advice to the
balanced land uses, and mitigating industrial impacts in the region. With • Direct, le City Administrator and City Council,
Vernon's proximity to downtown Los Angeles and major regional and tasks al and assuring that financial activities
worldwide economic markets and industries, unique opportunities exist in performo are in compliance with state and
the community to address regional housing shortages while establishing projects, federal regulations, and City policies.
itself as an ideal place to both live and work. review w The Director of Finance/City Treasurer
actions,
THE ORGANIZATION provides leadership and direction
over the activities of staff members • Analyze 1
The five members of the Vernon City Council are elected at large, on a of the Finance/Treasury Department departmi non-partisan basis, for five-year staggered terms and no person may and is considered a critical member cial resol serve more than two full terms of office. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem of the Executive Team. The executive recomme positions are rotated annually among Council Members in order of team has been assembled to position financial election. The City's total projected budget for FY 2024-2025 is just Vernon for success as it evolves as a • Analyze 1 over $401 million (including Utility Enterprise Funds). The General Fund city through growing its residential plans to budget is approximately $84 million. The City employs a little over 225 population, diversifying its land uses, goals; cr employees to staff the following departments: City Administration, mitigating local environmental impacts, monitor k the Office of the City Attorney, Office of the City and transitioning its business base • Direct fin Clerk, Human Resources Department, from heavy industrial/manufacturing statemer
Police Department, Finance to dean, green commerce. The Director prehensi
Department, Public Works of Finance/City Treasurer will: City's bo Department, Public Utilities
• Manage the Finance Department rating, a
Department and Health
through effective planning and regulatio
and Environmental Con-
fiscal management; provide lead- • Monitor:
trol Department. Estab-
ership, direction and guidance in service
lished by city ordinance
financial strategies and priorities; evaluate
in 1907, Vernon is one
evaluate and analyze financial data reporting
and recommend and implement identify
solutions; assure the financial recomme
Resolution No. 2025-009
a local activities and procedures are • Coordinate and resolve financial Public in compliance with all laws, and technical issues with elected ational policies, regulations, and officials and outside agencies ciation accounting standards.
inning THE IDEAL
• Serve as principal finan-
d low- cial advisor to the City CANDIDATE
ternet Council and City Adminis-
hission The City of Vernon is seeking a
trator, provide leadership,
iquely candidate who is well versed in all
direction, and guidance
e only aspects of the field of municipal
to achieve the City goals
S oWn finance. The ideal candidate will
of fiscal well-being and
Public have broad municipal or similar
integrity; interpret concerns,
atural define desired results, develop public agency experience in bud- ternet solutions, communicate status geting, accounting, municipal bonds, of financial issues, interpret and debt management, and other public agency financing initiatives. Candi-
explain policies and regulations, and
dates with experience working in
assure the efficient delivery of high-quality
easurer financial services. municipal agencies that include ancial public utility services and/or enterprise
• Monitor Finance Department operations and internal financial controls; forming funds are of particular interest to the
assure the quality of the financial activities, services, and work chnical City. A transparent, collaborative, and
products; prepare and review statistical analyses to evaluate trends sibility experienced candidate is desired
and financial status.
y and The City's next Director of Finance/
• Develop revenue and expenditure forecasts and recommend budget le City, City Treasurer will also have a record
adjustments
o the of proven success in advancing the
• Direct, lead, and motivate the Finance staff; plan, prioritize, and assign use of technology in providing ouncil,
tasks and projects; monitor work, develop skills, and evaluate tivities municipal services and implement-
performance; meet with team to discuss and resolve workload, special e and ing pension debt strategies. The
projects, quality standards, customer services, and technical issues; olicies. City seeks an individual who brings
review work, verify the accuracy of financial records, identify corrective asurer a collaborative and creative per-
actions, and assure required deadlines are met.
ection spective to the role and who is
mbers • Analyze financial information on City operations, evaluate committed to a philosophy of tment departments' needs and goals, and recommend finan- ethical and customer-cen- ember cial resources; review and monitor status reports, and tered service delivery. cutive recommend appropriate actions; prepare and present He/She should be a osition financial forecasts and status reports to City Council. team player who is es as a • Analyze the City's financial condition and develop open and approach- dential plans to assure financial performance meets able. Furthermore, the d uses, goals; coordinate development of City budget; new Director should be pacts, monitor budget, revenue, and expenditure trends. responsive, in a timely base • Direct financial reporting, preparation of financial manner, to requests cturing statements, and development of the Annual Com- from the City Council, Director prehensive Financial Report (ACR); oversee the City Administrator, Depart- City's banking, cash and debt management, bond ment Heads and the public. tment rating, and investment activities; interpret laws, rules, The ideal candidate is a team g and regulations, and guidelines for financial procedures. player who empowers and motivates lead- • Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of staff, and understands the needs nce in service delivery methods and procedures; monitor and of a growing city. Candidates who orities; evaluate workload, technical support systems, internal are well versed in all aspects of al data reporting relationships, and interagency issues; municipal finance and who have ement identify opportunities for improvement, and develop knowledge of budgeting, account- ancial recommendations. ing, municipal bonds, and debt
Resolution No. 2025-009
management are encouraged to apply. The successful TO APPLY candidate will be responsive, timely, and accurate.
Qualified candidates typically possess a Bachelor's If you are interested in this outstand- Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration ing opportunity, please apply online at along with seven (7) years of experience managing public www.bobmurrayassoc.com sector financial operations. A Master's Degree in Finance or Business Administration as well as a Certified Public Accountant ling Deadline bruary 9, 202
(CPA) or Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) designation is desirable. Following the closing date, resumes
THE COMPENSATION will be screened according to the
qualifications outlined above. The
The annual salary range for the Director of Finance/City Treasurer most qualified candidates will be position is $219,467 - $266,764. Placement within this range depends invited to personal interviews with upon qualifications and experience. The City also offers an excellent Bob Murray & Associates. A select benefits package including vacation, holiday, sick, and administrative group of candidates will be asked leave; life insurance; and medical, dental, and vision insurance. 2025 to provide references once it is aggregate allowance of up to $2,194.03 per month for family coverage anticipated that they may be This position also receives a $400 per month auto allowance. Pre-tax recommended as finalists. References supplemental insurance plans are offered through AFLAC, Colonial Life, will be contacted only following and Mutual of Omaha; there is an option to participate in a Section 125 candidate approval Finalist interviews IRS Plan for reimbursement of dependent care and medical costs; will be held with the City of Vernon. retirement benefits are offered through the California Public Employees Candidates will be advised of the Retirement System (CaPERS), with a 27% at 55 formula for classic status of the recruitment following members (classic employees currently pay an 8% employee contribution selection of the Director of Finance/ and a 3% share of the employer contribution) and a 2% at 62 retirement City Treasurer. formula for new members (currently new employees pay a 7% contribution); If you have any questions, please 457 deferred compensation plan available at employee cost; the City do not hesitate to call Ms. Valerie does not participate in Social Security; credit union membership also Phillips at:
(916) 784-9080
The City has a 4/10 work schedule and there is an option for participation in a Hybrid Work Program that provides both onsite and remote work opportunities.
City Council meetings and Commission meetings are held during the day.
BOB MURRAY
ASSOCIATES
EXPERTS IN EXECUTIVE SEARCH
Resolution No. 2025-009
Exhibit B Page 7 of 18
AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (NON-SAFETY)
BETWEEN THE CITY OF VERNON AND ALICE HUI
This At-Will Employment Agreement (Agreement) is between the City of Vernon (City) and Alice Hui (Employee).
Recitals
City desires to employ Employee as an at-will employee in the position of Director of Finance/City Treasurer. Employee desires to be the Director of Finance/City Treasurer and acknowledges that such employment is at-will.
The City Administrator, pursuant to the authority granted by the City of Vernon Charter and City Council, agrees to hire Employee, as an at-will employee, subject to the terms and conditions identified below.
AGREEMENT
Section 1: TERM
The effective date of this Agreement shall be Monday, April 14, 2025. Either party may terminate this Agreement pursuant to the provisions set forth below.
Employee is an at-will employee and may be terminated, with or without cause, upon thirty (30) days written notice. Employee may resign with thirty (30) days advance notice as set forth in Section 8 below.
Section 2: DUTIES
A. City engages Employee as the Director of Finance/City Treasurer to pertorm the functions and duties specified in the job description for the position (Attachment "A", incorporated herein by this reference), as the same may be modifiec by the City Administrator, from time to time, and to perform such other legally permissible and proper duties and functions as the City Administrator shall, from time to time, assign.
Employee agrees that to the best of her ability and experience that she will at all times conscientiously perform the duties and obligations required, either express or implied, by the terms of this Agreement, the ordinances, resolutions and adopted policies of the City of Vernon and the laws and regulations of the State of California and the United States.
C. As a public employee, Employee is required to work a full and complete work week pursuant to the established work schedule as determined by the City Administrator, and devote whatever time is necessary to fulfill the employment responsibilities and duties as identified in this Agreement.
Resolution No. 2025-009
During the term of this Agreement, Employee is required to have and maintain a valid California Driver's license.
Employee acknowledges that in connection with the performance of her duties, she will obtain information from City employees and third parties that is of a confidential nature. Employee agrees that she will not disclose such confidential information other than to officers and employees of the City who have been authorized to have access to such information. Employee further agrees that if she has a question as to the confidentiality of information obtained in the course of her employment, she will contact the City Attorney for advice.
Section 3: EXCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT
Employee agrees to focus her professional time, ability and attention to City business during the term of this Agreement. Consequently, Employee agrees not to engage in any other business pursuits, whatsoever, directly or indirectly, render any services of a business, commercial, or professional nature to any other person or organization, for compensation, without the prior written consent of the City Administrator. This does not preclude Employee from volunteering her services to other entities or individuals as long as such volunteer services are not in conflict with the services to be provided by Employee under this Agreement.
Section 4: COMPENSATION
As compensation for the services to be rendered by Employee, City agrees to pay Employee a base starting salary of no less than $254,061, per year, payable in twenty-six (26) biweekly installments at the same time as other employees of the City are paid and subject to customary withholding. Salary adjustments (merit increases), if any, in Employee's salary during the term of this Agreement shall be at the sole discretion of the City Administrator based upon the City Administrator's evaluation of Employee's job performance and within the base salary range established by the City Council or as otherwise approved by the City Council. Employee shall receive cost of living adjustments (COLAs) that are received by City executive staff, if any. Any and all adjustments shall be in accordance with City personnel policies and procedures.
Employee's salary shall be reflected in the City's publicly available salary schedule.
Section 5: BENEFITS
A. Retirement
As an employee of the City of Vernon, Employee will be enrolled in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan, as such plan may be amended by the City Council. As of the date of this employment agreement, such plan includes the 2.7% at 55 benefit formula for "classic" miscellaneous employees or the
2.0% at 62 benefit formula for "new" miscellaneous employees. The Employee pays for the employee contribution to PERS. Classic CaPERS member employees currently Resolution No. 2025-009
pay an 8% employee contribution and a 3% share of the employer contribution. PEPRA CaPERS member employees currently pay a 7% employee contribution.
B. Other Executive Management Benefits
Employee shall receive all benefits specified by the then current Resolutions of the City Council of Vernon for Executive Management Staff, including, without limitation, those related to Vacation, Executive Leave, Holidays, Sick Leave, Medical and Dental Insurance, Retiree Health benefits, Life Insurance, Flexible Benefits Plans, Vision Care, Other Leaves, Deferred Compensation at employee cost, and other types of leave in accordance with the Citywide Fringe Benefits Policy and Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. The benefits set forth in the City's current Citywide Fringe Benefits Policy, shall be the minimum benefits provided to Employee, subject to any future enhancements or increases as may be approved and adopted by the City Council.
Upon Employee's hire date, Employee shall receive credit for all previous full- time years of service in other CaPERS public agencies for purposes of determining Employee's eligibility for Retiree Health benefits and in determining Employee's accrual rate and eligibility for Sick Leave and Vacation time, as provided in the Citywide Fringe Benefits Policy. In addition, upon the effective date of this Agreement, Employee shall receive an initial balance of 80 hours of Vacation time and 80 hours of Sick leave during her first year of City employment, which cannot be cashed out and shall not carry over to the next calendar year. Employee will accrue Vacation time at the Executive 16 years of service level with 185 annual vacation hours at a bi-weekly accrual rate of 7.12.
Section 6: TERMINATION AND SEVERANCE PAY
A. Employee is an at-will employee and serves at the will and pleasure of the City Administrator and may be terminated at any time, without cause, subject to the conditions of paragraphs B and C of this section.
B. In the event that Employee is terminated by the City Administrator for reasons other than physical or mental incapacity, and other than those reasons noted in paragraph E, below, the City agrees to pay the employee a severance amount equal to six (6) months of base salary.
C. To be eligible for severance pay, as identified in paragraph B, of this section, Employee shall fulfill all of her obligations under this Agreement and shall sign a severance agreement and release of all claims against the City.
D. All severance payments shall be paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the date Employee executes the severance agreement and release of claims against the City.
E. Notwithstanding paragraphs A, B and C, above, if Employee resigns or retires, or is terminated due to insubordination, incapacity, dereliction of duty, violation of the City's Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace Policy III-1, conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude or involving personal gain to her or abuse of her office or position or any felony or for a breach of this Agreement, City shall have no obligation to pay any severance provided in this section.
Resolution No. 2025-009
Furthermore, Employee agrees that any severance provided shall be fully reimbursed to the City if the Employee is convicted of a crime involving an abuse of her office or position.
F. Upon termination, Employee shall be paid for all earned, but unused, vacation time and any sick leave if Employee meets the eligibility criteria for this type of leave payout.
Section 7: ABUSE OF OFFICE OR POSITION
If Employee is paid leave salary during a pending investigation, any salary provided for that purpose shall be fully reimbursed to the City if Employee is convicted of a crime involving an abuse of her office or position.
If Employee is provided funds for any legal criminal defense during her employment with the City, any funds provided for that purpose shall be fully reimbursed to the City if the Employee is convicted of a crime involving an abuse of her office or position.
If this Agreement is terminated, any cash settlement related to the termination that Employee may receive from the City shall be fully reimbursed to the City if Employee is convicted of a crime involving an abuse of her office or position.
Section 8: CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROHIBITION
Employee understands and agrees that because of the duties of Employee within and on behalf of the City of Vernon, Employee shall not, during the term of this Agreement, individually, as a partner, joint venture, officer or shareholder, invest or participate in any project, development, or venture conducting business within the corporate limits of the City of Vernon or within real property owned by the City of Vernon, except for stock ownership in any company whose capital stock is publicly held and regularly traded, without prior written approval of the City Council and compliance with all applicable state and local regulations governing financial conflicts of interest.
Employee further agrees not to invest in any real estate or property improvements within the corporate limits of the City of Vernon or on real property owned by the City of Vernon without prior written consent of the City Council.
Section 9: RESIGNATION / RETIREMENT
Employee may resign at any time. Employee may retire, provided she is eligible for retirement, at any time. Employee agrees to provide thirty (30) calendar days advance written notice of the effective date of her resignation or retirement.
In the event Employee retires or resigns, Employee shall be entitled to payment for earned, but unused, vacation time, and any sick leave if Employee meets the eligibility criteria for this type of leave payout, but not to severance pay as delineated in Section 6, paragraph B, above.
Resolution No. 2025-009
Section 10: DISABILITY
If Employee is permanently disabled or otherwise unable to perform her duties because of sickness, accident, injury, mental incapacity or health for a period of thirty (30) calendar days beyond any earned sick leave, City shall have the option to terminate this Agreement; however, the City's option to terminate under this Section shall be limited by its obligation to engage in the interactive process for reasonable accommodations and to provide reasonable accommodations as required by law.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit or restrict Employee's benefits or rights under workers' compensation or the Public Employees Retirement System ("PERS").
However, as delineated in Section 6 of this Agreement, an employee terminated under this section is not eligible for severance pay.
In cases of disability, Employee shall be compensated for any earned, but unused, vacation leave, and any sick leave if Employee meets the eligibility criteria for this type of leave payout.
Section 11: GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Notice
Any notices required by this Agreement shall be in writing and either delivered in person or by first class, certified, return receipt requested U.S. Mail with postage prepaid. Such notice shall be addressed as follows:
TO CITY: City Administrator
City of Vernon
4305 Santa Fe Avenue
Vernon, CA 90058
TO EMPLOYEE: Alice Hui
[Deliver to last updated address in personnel file]
B Entire Agreement
The text of this Agreement shall constitute the entire and exclusive agreement between the parties. All prior oral or written communications understanding or agreements between the parties, not set forth herein, shall be superseded in total by this Agreement. No Amendment or modification to this Agreement may be made except by a written agreement signed by the Employee and the City Administrator and approved as to form by the City Attorney.
Resolution No. 2025-009
Assignment
This Agreement is not assignable by either the City or Employee.
D Severability
In the event that any provision of this Agreement is finally held or determined to be illegal or void by a court having jurisdiction over the parties, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless the parts found to be void are wholly inseparable from the remaining portions of this Agreement.
E. Effect of Waiver
The failure of either party to insist on strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants, or conditions in this Agreement by the other party shall not be deemed a waiver of that term, covenant or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power at any one time or times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of that right or power for all or any other time or times.
F. Jurisdiction
Any action to interpret or enforce the terms of this Agreement shall be held exclusively in a state court in Los Angeles County, California. Employee expressly waives any right to remove any such action from Los Angeles County.
Effective Date
This Agreement shall take effect on Monday, April 14, 2025. [Signatures Begin on Next Page].
Resolution No. 2025-009
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City of Vernon has caused this Agreement to be signed and executed on its behalf by its City Administrator, and executed by the Employee.
City of Vernon, a California charter City and
California municipal corporation
Dated: By:
Brian Saeki, City Administrator
ATTEST:
Yonnie Parker, Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney
Resolution No. 2025-009
In signing this Agreement, Employee understands and agrees that her employment status is that of an at-will employee and that her rights to employment with the City are governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement rather than the ordinances, resolutions, and policies of the City of Vernon which might otherwise apply to employees of the City. Employee further acknowledges that she was given the opportunity to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement.
Signed:
Dated:_3/24/25
Employce
Resolution No. 2025-009
ATTACHMENT A
Job Description
Resolution No. 2025-009
JOB DESCRIPTION
Director of Finance/City Treasurer
Date Prepared: March 2014 Class Code: 1210
Date Revised: October 2023
SUMMARY: Under limited supervision, serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Citywide financial management including financial planning, forecasting, capital project financing, investment oversight, debt issuance, management of financial risks, financial operations, and financial reporting; performs complex management and technical duties as the Finance Director and City Treasurer, with responsibility for maintaining fiscal stability and safeguarding the assets of the City; provides financial advice to the City Administrator and City Council; manages assigned personnel, and assures that financial activities are in compliance with state and federal regulations, and City policies and best practices.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Manages the Finance Department through effective planning and fiscal management; provides leadership, direction and guidance in financial strategies and priorities; evaluates and analyzes financial data and recommends and implements solutions; assures the financial activities and procedures are in compliance with all laws, policies, regulations, and accounting standards.
• Serves as principal financial advisor to the City Council and City Administrator; provides leadership, direction, and guidance to achieve the City goals of fiscal well-being and integrity; interprets concerns, defines desired results, develops solutions, communicates status of financial issues, interprets, and explains policies and regulations, and assures the efficient delivery of high-quality financial services.
• Monitors Finance Department operations and internal financial controls; assures the quality of the financial activities, services, and work products; prepares and reviews statistical analyses to evaluate trends and financial status; develops revenue and expenditure forecasts and recommends budget adjustments.
Directs, leads, and motivates the Finance staff; plans, prioritizes, and assigns tasks and projects; monitors work, develops skills, and evaluates performance; meets with team to discuss and resolve workload, special projects, quality standards, customer services, and Resolution No. 2025-009
technical issues; reviews work, verifies the accuracy of financial records, identifies corrective actions, and assures required deadlines are met.
• Analyzes financial information on City operations, evaluates departments' needs and goals, and recommends financial resources; reviews and monitors status reports, and recommends appropriate actions; prepares and presents financial forecasts and status reports to City • Analyzes the City's financial condition and develops plans to assure financial performance meets goals; coordinates development of City budget; monitors budget, revenue, and expenditure trends.
• Directs financial reporting, preparation of financial statements, and development of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); oversees the City's banking, cash and debt management, bond rating, and investment activities; interprets laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines for financial procedures.
Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; monitors and evaluates workload, technical support systems, internal reporting relationships, and inter-agency issues; identifies opportunities for improvement, and develops recommendations.
• Coordinates and resolves financial and technical issues with elected officials and outside agencies.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Vernon and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration; AND seven years of experience managing public sector financial operations. Master's Degree in Finance or Business Administration is desirable.
Knowledge of:
• City organization, operations, policies, and procedures. • Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) standards, recommended practices, and policies, rules, and regulatory reporting requirements. • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for Public Sector financial management, including payroll, treasury, grant funds, and public debt management. • Federal and state laws and statutes governing municipal operations, public records, and open meetings.
• Legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct for municipal finance officers. • Principles and practices of administrative management, including personnel rules, procurement, contract management, risk management, and employee supervision. • Record keeping and file maintenance principles and procedures. • General ledger and account reconciliation standards.
Resolution No. 2025-009
Skill in:
• Analyzing problems, defining complex issues, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations to support goals and build the organization.
• Effectively managing and leading staff, and delegating tasks and authority. • Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands. • Reading, interpreting, understanding, and applying accounting standards and procedures, applicable federal and state rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures. • Analyzing City needs and prioritizing and promoting financial strategies to meet future needs.
• Monitoring and interpreting financial documents and assuring compliance with all regulatory requirements governing municipal financial activities.
• Analyzing financial issues, evaluating alternatives, and developing recommendations and strategies.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines. • Reviewing interrelated financial and technical records and identifying and reconciling errors. • Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software. • Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers. • Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
A valid California State Driver's License is required. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) designation is preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a standard office environment.