Arcata Municipal Code Art. 1 Accounting and Budgetary Practices

The City’s accounting system should make it possible to:

(a) Show that all applicable provisions have been complied with; and

(b) Determine fairly and with full disclosure the financial position and results of financial operations of each of the constituent funds and self-balancing account groups.

If there is a conflict between legal provisions and generally accepted accounting principles applicable to governmental units, legal provisions must take precedence. Insofar as possible, however, the City’s accounting system should make possible the full disclosure and fair presentation of financial position and operating results in accordance with generally accepted principles of accounting. (Ord. 1185, eff. 3/21/1992; Ord. 1553, eff. 1/14/2022; Ord. 1576, eff. 3/7/2025)

A current operating budget must be adopted by the City, on or before the first day of July of each year, and the accounting system must provide budgetary control over all City revenues and expenditures. Recurring expenditures should not substantially exceed recurring revenues for any fiscal year. (Ord. 1553, eff. 1/14/2022; Ord. 1576, eff. 3/7/2025)

The City’s accounting system should be maintained and operated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as established from time to time by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. (Ord. 1553, eff. 1/14/2022; Ord. 1576, eff. 3/7/2025)

As a charge for the processing and checking of maps or plans by the Engineering Department for any firm or individual, the firm or individual shall pay to the City the current fees as determined by resolution of the City Council. This Section shall not apply to the processing and checking of maps or plans for subdivisions within the City. (Ord. 1516, eff. 8/16/2019; Ord. 1553, eff. 1/14/2022. Formerly 7975; Ord. 1576, eff. 3/7/2025)