PSPP091118PUBLIC SAFETY, PERSONNEL & PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
September 11, 2018
Elected Officials Present Staff Present
Councilmember Tom Mesaros (Chair) Scott James, Finance Director
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas Phil Williams, Public Works Director
Mayor Dave Earling Mary Ann Hardie, HR Director
The meeting was called to order at 7:13 p.m. in the Police Training Room.
1. Finance Manaaer & Senior Accountant Job Descriations
Mr. James reviewed annual compensation and benefit costs for the Public Works Finance Manager
and the Finance Department Senior Accountant positions and investment earnings that will offset the
positions. He described the rationale for the Senior Accountant position including eliminating
capital/grant related audit issues, improving the timeliness of grant billings and reporting, overseeing
and assisting other departments with project accounting, and working with risk management to reduce
claims and disseminate claim information to department directors. The Senior Accountant position will
also assist with implementing pronouncements, preparing financial statements, creating an
Emergency Management Preparedness and Response program for Finance and IT, long range
financial planning development, finding ways to improve monthly and quarterly reporting of financial
results and communicating long-term financial needs to the City's stakeholders, position the City to
receive the GFOA Budget Award, and position the City to receive a AAA bond rating.
Mr. James responded to questions and discussion followed regarding who currently does long range
financial planning and communicates long term financial needs to the City's stakeholders, how the
additional employee would help position the City to receive a AAA bond rating, benefits of a AAA bond
rating, rationale for a Senior Accountant instead of an Accountant, and the increasing complexity of
finance. Committee requested Mr. James provide the Finance Department FTEs 1984 to 2016 and
clarify in the presentation why a Senior Accountant position is needed.
Mr. Williams referenced the tasks the Public Works Finance Manager will perform, advising the job
description had been revised slightly since the previous presentation to the Council. He summarized
Public Works has 86 employees and a budget of $43 million, yet no one on his staff has financial
education, background or experience.
Mr. Williams responded to questions and discussion followed regarding rationale for a Finance
Manager in Public Works instead of an Accountant, previous Council concern with an Accountant in
Public Works, rationale for two positions — one in Finance and one in Public Works, and these
positions generating savings and reducing risk.
Action: Schedule for full Council next week
The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.