65C - FINANCIAL POLICY - Laserfiche WebLink

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Such Operating Reserves shall not be used to fund any form of operating expenditures or to cover any budgetary shortfall other than to preserve ongoing cash flow needs for the City. If at any point in time it is deemed that the City budget is performing at a budgetary structural deficit and a "Fiscal Emergency' is declared, the use of the above -referenced Operating Reserve account is permissible for up to two consecutive fiscal years upon approval by two thirds of the City Council. The utilization of the Operating Reserve in Year Two (2) requires a plan to replenish the funds utilized. Asa matter of prudence and fiscal solvency and in the event of a projected and/or realized structural deficit (budget basis), the City will utilize Economic Uncertainty (see below for account description) account funds prior to accessing the Operating Reserve account. Economic Uncertainty4ie6eFveAccount - It is hereby established that upon fulfillment of achieving a minimum Unassigned Reserve Account of 10%, the City shall consider the establishment of a reserve account for Economic Uncertainty. The reserve for Economic Uncertainty is established to offset any major variations in tax receipts as well as fees and charges or unforeseen cost increases. It is hereby established the City maintain a minimum reserve level of 1 to 10% of recurring General Fund revenues with an objective of attaining a maximum goal of 10%. Upon determination by the Finance Department, that negative variations in projected revenues from the largest revenue sources defined as Sales tax, Property tax, Property tax in Lieu, Utility Users tax, Business Tax, and Hotel Visitors tax exceed 2%with no corresponding General Fund expenditure offset, then the City Council may authorize use of the Economic Uncertainty Reserve by a two-thirds vote to offset the revenue loss priorto the close of the fiscal yearend. A corresponding plan to replenish the reserve account must be adopted by the same vote. Upon determination by the Finance Department and report submission to the City Council that a structural deficit exists in the budgeted forecast of the upcoming fiscal year, the City Council may authorize use of the Economic Uncertainty Reserve to balance the budget by two thirds vote of the Council. However, authorization to utilize the Economic Uncertainty Reserve beyond two consecutive years is strictly prohibited. General Work Plan for Achievina General Fund Reserve Objectives The following work plan is intended to reach the unassigned reserve account of 15% in phases. The initial objective is to attain at least a 5% threshold over the course of the following fiscal year and between 7% and 8% over the subsequent fiscal year. Upon attainment of the phased objectives, a comprehensive review of the general financial condition of the City will be completed and a new reserve work plan will be developed and submitted for approval that outlines the next intermediate steps for meeting the main objective of a reserve target level of 15%. Until such time that the General Fund Unassigned Reserve meets the minimum phased requirements as outlined above, the following budgetary and operational guidelines shall be used as a basis to achieve the various minimum requirements. Budget consideration of new programs, personnel, or capital related expenditures shall only be considered if a source of funding is identified either through a corresponding cost reduction, an identified general increase in general tax revenue, or a one-time revenue infusion. Source of funding should include consideration of ongoing general maintenance and operational costs. - Departments will be encouraged to continually achieve savings through internal organizational efficiencies. Budget & Financial Polices Page 3 65C-7