Council approves quarterly financial reporting and forms ad hoc finance committee

Council discussed the frequency of financial reporting and the creation of an ad hoc finance committee as part of the proposed framework and timeline for FY 26‑27 budget development.

City manager Jenny Short laid out two reporting options — quarterly (the 2002 financial-management policy default) or every-other-month — and recommended forming a two-person ad hoc committee to review revenue streams, expenditures, fund balances and debt obligations. Short told the council the city’s finance staffing had been disrupted by a long health leave of the accountant and that a newly hired finance manager would help fill gaps.

Council debated sustainability and staff workload, with one council member saying they preferred the more frequent reporting option but agreeing to quarterly reporting in the short term. Members moved to adopt the proposed framework, appoint Kat Napier and Terry Bayless to the ad hoc finance committee, and choose quarterly statements (option 1) for now; the motion passed by voice vote.

The committee was tasked with meeting in April to review the draft and help prepare a May first draft of the FY 26‑27 budget for council review. The council also asked staff to post slides and supporting documents to the city website when technical issues prevent live sharing during meetings.