Reso 2000-638..r
RESOLUTION NO. 2000 -638
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT ADOPTING FINANCIAL
. POLICIES FOR THE 2000 -2001 FISCAL YEAR
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has adopted numerous ordinances,
resolutions and policies that apply to the operations of the District, and
WHEREAS, the Board has held budget study sessions and discussions regarding
financial policies covering the Districts financial operations, and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that, to ensure proper operation of the
District, it desires to adopt financial policies as guidelines for its financial operations, and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to adopt the financial policies attached hereto as
its financial policies of the District, and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to have these new policies on financial operations
incorporated into. its codified Operations Code;
NOW THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Costa Mesa Sanitary
District does hereby resolve:
1. That the financial policies attached hereto are hereby adopted as financial policies
of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District.
2. That the financial policies shall be incorporated into the Costa Mesa Sanitary
District's Operations Code.
PASSED and ADOPTED on this 13`h day of July 2000.
L` .Costa Me' sa,'Sanitary District President, Costa Mesa Sanitary Nsiir -
Board of 1j rectors Board of Directors
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF ORANGE) SS
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, Joan Revak, Clerk of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District, hereby certify that the
above and foregoing Resolution No. 2000 -638, was duly and regularly passed and
adopted by said Board of Directors at a regular meeting thereof held on the 13th day of
July 2000.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of
the Costa Mesa Sanitary District, this (day of 2000.
Clerk of t `;C: sta Mesa= .S4riitary District
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
Financial Policies
FY 2000 -2001
Summary
1. Operating Reserves: The District will maintain a minimum designated Reserve for
Working Capital equal to 25% of its operating budget within its' Operating Funds (Trash and
Sewer Funds).
2. Fairness and Equit. All customers of the District will pay their fair, equitable, and
proportionate cost of the services provided by the District.
3. Recurring Revenue Growth: Recurring expenditure increases should not be approved
which exceed recurring revenue growth. Any new or expanded programs will be required to
identify new funding sources and/or off - setting reductions in expenditures.
4. Risk Management/ Retention: The District will maintain appropriate reserves for general
liability claims and other programs or self insured risk retention levels to meet statutory
requirements and actuarially projected needs.
5. Long Range Fiscal Perspective (,Capital Expenditure Policy): The District will maintain
a long -range fiscal perspective through the use of an Annual Operating Budget, Long Range
Capital Improvement Program, and multi -year revenue and expenditure forecasting.
6. Capital Improvements: Major capital improvement projects will be funded using the most
financially prudent method available. Such methods include: 1) Traditional long -term
financing (bond issues); 2) "Pay As You Go" financing (using recurring revenues only); 3)
Combination of debt financing and "Pay As You Go" financing; and, 4) Using accumulated
cash reserves in excess of policy requirements.
7. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: District staff shall comply with all generally
accepted accounting principles promulgated by the state and federal government, regulatory
agencies such as the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and relevant
professional associations such as the Government Finance Officers' Association (GFOA).
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
Financial Policies
FY 2000 -2001
Detailed Discussion
1. Operating Reserves
L Purpose: To establish a minimum level of Reserves for Working Capital within
Operating Funds of the District.
II. Policy: The District will maintain a minimum designated Reserve for Working Capital
equal to 25% of its operating budget within its' Operating Funds (Trash and Sewer Funds).
III. Background. The Reserves for Working Capital for Operating Funds will be maintained
at a level equal to 25% of its operating budget for the fiscal year. This level of operating
reserves represents three months of operating expenditures. Under optimum conditions, the
Reserves for Working Capital should be maintained at 25% of the current year's operating
budget. This reserve amount represents the ideal level of reserves that oversightory bodies,
professional organizations, bond rating agencies and bond insurance companies recommend
governmental entities maintain to deal with local disasters, emergencies, and/or unexpected
appropriation needs. Such unforeseen expenditures can, and do, occur at any time. Examples of
such expenditures incurred by the District or which may be incurred by the District are as
follows:
a) Federal /State budget cuts resulting in loss of grant funding;
b) Local revenue shortfalls due to a downturn in the local economy (i.e. the recession of
the early 1990s and its impact on local units);
c) Increase in demand for specific services;
d) Legislative or judicial mandates to provide new or expanded services or programs
without new or fully off - setting revenues;
e) One -time Board approved expenditures;
f) Unexpected increases in inflation (Consumer Price Index); and,
Natural disasters (earthquakes, fires, or other general infrastructure failures).
Staff will incorporate a plan to maintain the Reserves for Working Capital at 25% of the
respective operating budget in the subsequent year's proposed budgets.
IV. Effective Date: The effective date of this policy is July 1, 2000.
V. Date Adopted. July 13, 2000.
2. Fairness and Equity
I. Purpose: To establish District policy with regard to the calculation of rates and charges
to District customers. It is the intention of this policy to ensure that all classes of users are
equitably charged for the services rendered.
II. Policy: All customers of the District will pay their fair and proportionate cost of the
services provided by the District.
III. Effective Date: The effective date of this policy is July 1, 2000.
IV Date Adopted. July 13, 2000.
3. Recurring Revenue Growth
L Purpose: Recurring revenue growth (inflation) will be used to pay for recurring
expenditures.
II. Policy: Recurring expenditure increases should not be approved which exceed recurring
revenue growth. Any new or expanded programs will be required to identify new funding
sources and/or offsetting reductions in expenditures.
III. Background. Recurring revenue growth may not always increase at a rate equal to or
faster than the recurring expenditures it supports. As a result, the District will avoid using such
growth as start-up revenue for new projects or programs that have ongoing costs. Increases in
service levels should be supported by new or increased revenue sources or reallocation of
existing resources. If normal revenue inflation and/or growth does not keep up with
expenditures inflation, the District will decrease expenditures or seek new revenue sources. If
long -term revenues grow at a rate faster than expenditures inflation, the Board can consider
expanding service levels accordingly or reducing rates, fees, charges, etc.
IV. Effective Date: The effective date of this policy is July 1, 2000.
V. Date Adopted. July 13, 2000.
4. Risk Management/ Retention
L Purpose: To ensure that the District maintains adequate levels of reserves for self -
insured risk retention levels.
II. Policy: The District will maintain appropriate reserves for general liability claims and
other programs or self - insured risk retention levels to meet statutory requirements and actuarially
projected needs.
III. Background. General liability insurance reserves are maintained in a sufficient manner
to fund the District's recorded liabilities for lawsuits and other claims arising out of the ordinary
course of business. These reserves should also be maintained in such a manner to fund estimated
losses for claims and judgments, levels of self - insurance or other retained risks. Losses for
claims incurred but not reported may be pre - funded in the reserves or may be funded when the
probable amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Such reserves will also meet all applicable
statutory requirements. The minimum level of the reserves will be determined on an annual
basis. If the reserves drop below levels prescribed by this policy and cannot be readily
replenished, staff will bring the matter to the Board's attention. In discussing the inadequacy of
the reserves with the Board, staff will make every effort to give the Board viable options in
choosing the best course of corrective action.
IV. Effective Date: The effective date of this policy is July 1, 2000
V. Date Adopted. July 13, 2000.
5. Long Range Fiscal Perspective (Capital Expenditure Policy)
L Purpose: A long range fiscal perspective will be maintained to provide a more
comprehensive overview of the District's needs.
IL Policy: The District will maintain a long -range fiscal perspective through the use of an
Annual Operating Budget, Long Range Capital Improvement Program, and multi -year revenue
and expenditure forecasting.
The General Manager shall develop and annually update a long range projection of capital
expenditures. The first year of the projection will be incorporated into the annual budget of non -
operating funds. The Board of Directors will consider projects based on necessity and
availability of financing and establish project priorities based upon staff recommendations.
The Capital Expenditure Program shall be reviewed and updated annually. It is recognized that
with time, certain factors will change and influence specific projects requiring acceleration,
deferment, termination or adjustment in the scope of a project. The annual update will provide a
review to consider such changes.
Prior to commencement of any design or construction work on any project covered in the Capital
Improvement Program, the project shall be submitted to the Board of Directors for authorization
to proceed.
III. Background. A long -range financial perspective is essential to provide a more
comprehensive and thorough overview of the District's long -term financial needs. Components
of this action plan include the use of an Annual Operating Budget and multi -year revenue and
expenditure projections. This approach will be supported by staff's use of historical data and
comparative data as appropriate. In addition, a Long Range Capital Improvement Program will
be maintained and annually updated to help the Board better understand the potential long -term
funding sources and cost impacts on the District's operating budget.
IV. Effective Date: The effective date of this policy is July 1, 2000.
V Date Adopted. July 13, 2000.
6. Capital Improvements
L Purpose: To develop appropriate funding mechanisms for long -term capital improvements.
II. Policy: Major capital improvement projects will be funded using the most financially
prudent method available. Such methods include: 1) Traditional long -term financing (bond issues);
2) "Pay As You Go" financing (using recurring revenues only); 3) Combination of debt financing
and "Pay As You Go" financing; and, 4) Using accumulated cash reserves in excess of policy
requirements.
III. Background. The traditional method to obtain funds for major capital improvement projects
has been to issue long -term debt instruments such as bonds, Certificates of Participation (CoPs), etc.,
which mature 15 to 30 years from the date if issuance. In general, a bond issue's maturity should
approximate the useful life of the asset being financed.
Long -term capital improvement financing needs should be financed, as much as possible, with long-
term debt (bonds). Short-term capital improvement financing needs should be financed with short-
term debt (short-term lease purchase, revenue anticipation notes; etc.). However, it is also
acceptable to use cash which has been accumulated in excess of policy requirements to pay for either
long -term and/or short term capital improvements. The actual use of accumulated cash for such
projects will be determined by the District Board on a case -by -case basis. It is the District's practice
to use whatever financing mechanism(s) that best meets the goals and objectives of the applicable
capital improvement project(s).
Specifically, the following general rules will be used in determining what to finance and how:
a. Capital improvement projects of less than $100,000 should be financed out of operating
revenues (or accumulated cash). Such projects may be included in the Long Range Capital
Improvement Program (CIP).
b. Capital improvement projects in excess of $100,000, or inter - related projects in excess of
$100,000, will be made a part of the Long Range CIP, and all such projects should be
grouped to allow effective use of financing mechanisms or other funding sources.
c. On -going expenses related to Capital Improvement Program projects (e.g. maintenance and
staffing costs) must be identified and the source of on -going revenues to support those costs
must be identified. Debt financing will not be used to support on -going operating costs.
d. Prior to commencement of any design or construction work on any project covered in the
Capital Improvement Program, the project shall be submitted to the Board of Directors for
authorization to proceed.
IV. Effective Date: The effective date of this policy is July 1, 2000.
V Date Adopted. July 13, 2000.
7. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
I. Purpose: To comply with all generally accepted accounting principles promulgated by
the state and federal government, regulatory agencies, and relevant professional associations.
II. Policy: District staff shall comply with all generally accepted accounting principles
promulgated by the state and federal government, regulatory agencies such as the Government
Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and relevant professional associations such as the
Government Finance Officers' Association (GFOA).
III. Background: All books and records shall be maintained in accordance with such
standards, promulgated by the aforementioned agencies. Financial statements shall be prepared
and presented to the Board on a periodic basis as determined by the Board and in such a format
so as to conform to professional reporting standards and in sufficient detail to provide the Board
with information necessary for management decision - making purposes.
In full compliance with California Government Code Section 53646, the Director of Finance/
City Treasurer, will prepare a formal set of Investment Policies for City Council adoption. This
is to be done on an annual basis.
IV.. Effective Date: The effective date of this policy is July 1, 2000.
V. Date Adopted: July 13, 2000.