City Code, ExplainedBetaPardon our dust while we build this out — expect some changes along the way.

This chapter establishes the city's Department of Accounts and Finance and sets out how city money is tracked, reported, and paid out — including the Director's oversight duties, purchasing authority, and the process for approving and signing bills, claims, payrolls, and warrants.

Who this affects

It mainly governs internal city operations: the Director of Accounts and Finance, City Controller, City Clerk, Assessor, Treasurer, and other city officials and employees, as well as anyone (vendors, contractors, or employees) who is owed money by the city and must go through the warrant process to be paid.

Key rules

• The Director of Accounts and Finance supervises all city accounts and records and must have them audited by the City Controller "at frequent intervals."
• The Director oversees all city printing and must examine and report to Council on all bills, accounts, payrolls, and claims before they are acted upon.
• The Director may purchase necessary books, stationery, and supplies for the department.
• The City Clerk, City Controller, Assessor, and Treasurer, along with their offices and staff, are assigned to and supervised by the Department of Accounts and Finance.
• Warrants drawn on money held by the City Treasurer must be signed by both the Director of Accounts and Finance and the City Controller.
• City officials and employees are paid weekly out of the proper appropriation.
• Bills and claims for city expenditures must be certified by the department director who incurred the expense, then audited and approved by the City Controller, then presented to the Director of Accounts and Finance, who brings them to Council with a payment recommendation.
• Weekly employee payrolls may be paid without prior Council presentation but must be reported to Council at the next meeting for ratification; payroll warrants may be drawn in a lump sum to the City Treasurer, who requires payees to sign for amounts received.
• The City Clerk prepares warrants for bills or claims ordered paid by Council and presents them to the Director of Accounts and Finance for approval.
• The Director signs a warrant only if the amount is actually due, the supplies or services were furnished or performed according to law and contract terms, and there is sufficient money in the City Treasury.

Notable and archaic details

• The chapter's history traces this department to a 1966 city ordinance, and the text still refers to the Director using "he"/"his."