Modesto Municipal Code Art. 4 Finance Department

A Finance Department is hereby established. The functions of the Finance Department shall include:

(a) Prepare and submit to the City Manager a monthly statement indicating the financial condition of the City; a complete financial statement and report at the end of each fiscal year; a proposed preliminary budget prior to the beginning of the next succeeding fiscal year.

(b) Receive or collect all monies or revenues due the City; maintain custody of all public funds and securities belonging to or under the control of the City, depositing and investing funds in accordance with the principles of sound treasury management and the applicable law.

(c) Maintain a general accounting system for the City government, supervising and controlling disbursements and expenditures, including payroll, through a system of budget control to assure that monies are available and appropriated.

(d) On behalf of the City Manager procure materials, supplies and general services for the City and prepare and maintain a current inventory of all materials and supplies and an inventory of general assets belonging to the City.

(e) Provide general office services to other departments of the City as may be determined appropriate.

(f) Estimate, plan and program the City's financial activities, and advise the City Manager and other City officers.

(g) Perform such other duties as the City Manager may direct.

(Added by Ord. 244-C.S., as amended by Ord. 2915-C.S., § 1, effective 8-4-94 and Ord. 3605-C.S., § 1, effective 7-24-14)

There shall be a Director of Finance who shall be appointed by and subject to the administrative direction of the City Manager. The Director of Finance, subject to approval of the City Manager, shall organize and maintain such divisions in the department as in the Director's judgment the operations may require, and shall be responsible for the direction and control of all functions assigned to the department. In addition, the Director of Finance shall have the duties and powers imposed by law on the City Treasurer, City Assessor, and City Tax Collector.

(Added by Ord. 244-C.S., as amended by Ord. 2915-C.S., § 1, effective 8-4-94 and Ord. 3605-C.S., § 1, effective 7-24-14)

In case of the absence or disability of the Director of Finance, the City Manager shall designate a person to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Director of Finance.

(Added by Ord. 244-C.S., as amended by Ord. 2915-C.S., § 1, effective 8-4-94 and Ord. 3605-C.S., § 1, effective 7-24-14)

The Finance Department shall:

(a) Be responsible for the safe deposit of all moneys in the custody of the City.

(b) Deposit and invest City funds for the benefit of the City in legally authorized banks and securities in accordance with California Government Code Sections 53601 and/or 53635 as those sections exist and may be amended from time to time.

(c) Deposit moneys in and enter into contracts with any depository in accordance with California Government Code Section 53682.

(d) Account for the disbursement of all moneys and audit all expenditures to ensure that appropriations are not exceeded.

(e) Have the authority to examine all contracts, orders and other documents by which the City may incur a financial obligation.

(f) Be responsible for the assessment of all taxable properties within the corporate limits of the City unless such function has been delegated to another governmental agency.

(g) Receive all City revenues; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit contractual agreements for the collection of such revenues on behalf of the City.

(h) Prescribe the form of all receipts.

(i) Have the responsibilities and duties assigned by this Code to the treasurer, and such other duties as the Modesto Municipal Code or the City Manager shall specify.

(Added by Ord. 3321-C.S., § 1, effective 11-13-03, as amended by Ord. 3605-C.S., § 1, effective 7-24-14)

It shall be the duty of the Finance Department to diligently properly bill, record and pursue all moneys due the City. Penalty for late payment or adjudication of overdue accounts will be determined by Council action by classification within the ordinance setting fees or charges, but in no event shall such penalties be less than one (1) percent per month.

(Added by Ord. 3321-C.S., § 1, effective 11-13-03, as amended by Ord. 3605-C.S., § 1, effective 7-24-14)

Where a fee or charge in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) is incorrectly levied or found to be uncollectible, such accounts will be referred to the City Manager who will promptly report them to the City Council with his/her recommendation. Where a fee or charge of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) or less is incorrectly levied or found to be uncollectible, the City Manager will establish a policy and process its disposition. A report of disposition shall be filed with the City Clerk.

(Added by Ord. 3321-C.S., § 1, effective 11-13-03, as amended by Ord. 3605-C.S., § 1, effective 7-24-14)