HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 85-18 Finance Reserve PoliciesRESOLUTION NO. 85-18
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA,
RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 33-15 IN ENTIRETY, AND ESTABLISHING A GENERAL FUND
EMERGENCY RESERVE POLICY, INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS RESERVE POLICY, HARBOR
ACCUMULATION FUND RESERVE POLICY AND MORRO BAY TOURISM BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FUND RESERVE POLICY
THE CITY COUNCIL
City of Morro Bay, California
WHEREAS, on June 28, 1993, the Morro Bay City Council adopted Resolution No. 55-93,
which adopted the Fiscal Year 1993-94 Budget and Appropriations Limit; and
WHEREAS, Section 5 of Resolution No. 55-93 states "A reserve for emergencies of
$800, 000 shall be established out of the City's General Fund. This amount will be reported in the
General Fund's Equity section of the balance sheet. The City Administrator must receive prior
approval from the City Council for any use of these reserve funds," and
WHEREAS, with this Resolution, the Morro Bay City Council is rescinding Section 5 of
Resolution No. 55-93; and
WHEREAS, on May 24, 2010, the Morro Bay City Council adopted Resolution No. 27-10,
which established the parameters for use of the General Fund (Accumulation) Reserve; and
WHEREAS, with this Resolution, the Morro Bay City Council is rescinding Resolution No.
27-10 in its entirety; and
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2011, the Morro Bay City Council adopted Resolution No. 42-11,
which amended the parameters of Resolution No. 27-10; and
WHEREAS, on June 9, 2015, the Morro Bay City Council adopted Resolution No. 33-15,
which rescinded Resolution No. 42-11 in its entirety; and
WHEREAS, with this Resolution, the Morro Bay City Council is rescinding Resolution No.
33-15 in its entirety; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the City Council adopt the proposed General Fund
Emergency Reserve Policy, which demonstrates the City's commitment to fiscal responsibility and
prudent management and is consistent with Government Accounting Standards; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the City Council adopt the proposed Internal Service Funds
Reserve Policy, which demonstrates the City's commitment to fiscal responsibility and prudent
management and is consistent with Government Accounting Standards; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the City Council adopt the proposed Harbor Accumulation
Fund Reserve Policy, which demonstrates the City's commitment to fiscal responsibility and prudent
management and is consistent with Government Accounting Standards; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the City Council adopt the proposed Morro Bay Tourism
Business Improvement District Fund Reserve Policy, which demonstrates the City's commitment to
fiscal responsibility and prudent management and is consistent with Government Accounting
Standards,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay,
California:
1. Section 5 of Resolution No. 55-93 and Resolution Nos. 27-10, 42-11 and 33-15 in their
entirety are hereby rescinded; and
2. the "General Fund Emergency Reserve Policy," as set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto
and incorporated herein, is hereby approved; and
3. the "Internal Service Funds Reserve Policy," as set forth in Exhibit B, attached hereto
and incorporated herein, is hereby approved.
4. the "Harbor Accumulation Fund Reserve Policy," as set forth in Exhibit C, attached
hereto and incorporated herein, is hereby approved.
5. the "Morro Bay Tourism Business Improvement District Fund Reserve Policy," as set
forth in Exhibit D, attached hereto and incorporated herein, is hereby approved.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, at a regular
meeting thereof held on the 23th day of October 2018, by the following vote:
AYES: Irons, Davis, Headding, Makowetski, McPherson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
JAMI� L. IRONS, Mayor
ATTEST:
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D A SWANSON, City Clerk
Resolution No. 85-18
Exhibit A
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COUNCIL POLICY
GENERAL FUND EMERGENCY RESERVE POLICY
Policy Statement
The City of Morro Bay (City) is afull-service city, providing essential services to over 10,000
residents related to public safety, planning, building, public works and recreation. In addition, the
City has a vibrant tourism industry, attracting thousands of visitors annually, all of whom utilize City
services in some fashion. As such, it is prudent for the City to establish and maintain reserve funds
to mitigate a variety of emergency situations and ensure that core, essential services are
maintained. The City first established a General Fund Emergency Reserve in 1993, which has
since been modified four times by Council resolution, the most recently being in 2015 per
Resolution 33-15. The City Council of the City has been proactive in setting aside emergency
reserves and recognizing the need to utilize reserves during recessionary periods.
The City Council sets legislative financial management policies, as recommended by staff and
advisory committees. This General Fund Emergency Reserve Policy (Policy) is designed to
establish guidelines to ensure fiscal stability of the City and provide guidance to staff in the
financial management of City operations.
Purpose
A properly designed reserve policy is not only a financial best practice, but also sends a positive
signal to ratepayers, investors, regulatory, and credit rating agencies the City is committed to
maintaining the long -run fiscal strength of the City. Strong and transparent financial policies,
including maintaining prudent reserves for emergencies, working capital, and capital
improvements, are consistent with Government Accounting Standards and are important to the
City as they help to:
• Maintain the short-term and long-term financial health of the City
• Maintain stable user fees for customers and help ensure manageable rate increases
• Fund unanticipated expenditure contingencies, including emergencies
• Ensure funds exist for system and infrastructure improvements
• Ensure cash exists for the timely payment of bills
• Act as a significant positive credit factor in bond ratings
After the City's financial records are finalized and audited, with legal obligations and liability
reserves funded, revenues in excess of expenditures are closed out to the General Fund
Emergency Reserve. A base amount, both minimum and target levels, are established by Council
with adoption of this policy. Staff shall bring forward a recommendation for Council consideration
to provide direction on use of funds above the target levels.
Definitions
The General Fund Emergency Reserve ("GFER") is classified as an "Unrestricted-Undesignated
Reserve," representing funding that is being set aside to provide temporary financing for budget
stabilization caused by fiscal downturns, unanticipated extraordinary expenditures related to a
natural disaster or calamity, or from an unexpected liability or funding decrease created by a
legislative action. Those moneys may be used for any lawful purpose, as approved by the City
Council, and have not been designated for specific capital and operating needs. The following
Unrestricted-Undesignated Reserve Policy addresses the level, use and replenishment of those
types of unrestricted cash. The GFER will be accounted for within the General Fund,
Unrestricted-Undesignated Reserve Policy
The General Fund will have sufficient Unrestricted-Undesignated cash accumulated to maintain or
improve its credit ratings, ensure operating and maintenance costs will be paid in a timely manner,
pay debt service obligations, invest in needed capital improvements and equipment replacement
and other uses on a timely basis. In addition, the GFER will maintain sufficient cash accumulation
to minimize impacts from economic downturns, departmental expenditure freezes due to market
volatility, other economic impacts on demands, contingencies, and regulatory changes.
This GFER Policy outlines minimum and target funding levels.
Minimum Level: Equal to twenty-five percent of annual on -going operating
expenditures (excluding transfers out) based on the most recent adopted budget.
Target Level: Equal to twenty-eight percent of annual on -going operating
expenditures (excluding transfers out) based on the most recent adopted budget.
Example:
FY 2018/19 General Fund Expenditures $13,704,544
(on -going annual expenditures, excluding transfers)
Target Level 28%: x 0.28
Target Cash Accumulation $ 378377272
In calculating the minimum target funding level, one-time expenditures and transfers out are not
considered ih the base for determining the operating expenditures. The minimum target funding
level is intended to ensure sufficient resources to pay budgeted operating and maintenance
expenses, recognizing the timing differences between payment of expenditures and receipt of
revenues. It also provides a source of funding to allow the City to operate during short term
fluctuations in revenues and/or expenditures.
Withdrawal &Replenishment of Accumulation Reserves
The City will treat the minimum levels as practical reserve floors and allow reserves to increase or
decrease within the minimum and target levels, as approved by City Council during the annual
budget process.
To the extent cash in the GFER is above the target levels, the Council has the flexibility to direct
staff to utilize those available funds to fund internal service funds to target levels, fund other one-
time operating needs, capital projects (reducing the need for future debt), or pay down liabilities in
accordance with this policy as defined in the purpose statement above.
Reserve levels below the minimum target reserves would leave the City exposed to operational
risks. The City may only draw down the reserve levels with Council approval and the City
Manager, in conjunction with the Finance Department, will implement plans to return cash
accumulation reserves to their minimum target levels within three years and subject to approval by
City Council.
DRAFT Page 2 General Fund Emergency Reserve Policy
Reporting and Oversight
GFER levels will be monitored during the fiscal year and reported in the quarterly financial reports,
as provided by the Finance Department. GFER minimum and target levels will be analyzed
annually by the Finance Department and an over/under reserve determination shall be made in
conjunction with year-end financial results. Those results will be reported to the City Council as
part of the year-end financial report presentation. If GFER levels need adjustment due to new risk
factors or changes in the industry, then that information will be brought to the City Council as part
of the year-end report or sooner, as determined by the City Manager and Finance Department,
This Policy will be reviewed during the City's annual budget process; and .updated, if needed, as a
result of material changes in the risk exposures or new conditions that required changes in this
Policy.
DRAFT Page 3 General Fund Emergency Reserve Policy
Resolution No. 85-18
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COUNCIL POLICY
INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS RESERVES POLICY
Policy Statement
Exhibit B
Internal Service Funds are established to provide centralized cost centers for shared expenses and
services in order to efficiently track costs and manage resources. Costs are then allocated back to
the operational programs based on usage to more accurately determine cost of services.
The City of Morro Bay's internal service funds include eight internal service/support funds:
Information Technology, facility maintenance, vehicle replacement, capital replacement,
compensable leave, and three equipment replacement funds, one each for the water, sewer and
harbor enterprise funds. In addition, the City of Morro Bay (City) has one insurance internal service
fund, Risk Management, which includes worker's compensation.
As each fund is accounted for as a separate entity, operational revenues less expenditures result
in either a positive or negative fund balance at any given point in time — Internal Service Funds are
similar to the separate checking and savings accounts a person may use for different purposes. At
year end, each fund's net balance is represented at the "Fund Balance Reserve."
The City Council sets legislative financial management policies, as recommended by staff and
advisory committees. This Internal Service Fund Reserves Policy (Policy) is designed to establish
guidelines to ensure fiscal stability for the City, accumulating funds and maintaining adequate
reserves to repair and replace infrastructure, equipment and/or insurance needs that may be either
planned or unexpected, and provides guidance to staff in the financial management of the City.
Purpose
A properly designed reserve policy is not only a financial best practice, but also sends a positive
signal to constituents, investors, regulatory, and credit rating agencies that the City is committed to
maintaining the long -run fiscal strength. Strong and transparent financial policies, including
maintaining prudent reserves for emergencies, working capital, and capital improvements, are
consistent with Government Accounting Standards and are important to the City as they help to:
• Maintain the short-term and long-term financial health of the City
• Fund unanticipated expenditure contingencies
• Ensure funds exist for unexpected and planned infrastructure, equipment and insurance
needs
• Ensure cash exists for the timely payment of bills
• Act as a significant positive credit factor in bond ratings
The intent of the Internal Service Funds Reserves is twofold:
1. To ensure sufficient resources exist in each internal service fund to pay for annual ongoing
expenses while maintaining a reasonable reserve to fund replacement purchases (i.e.
annual vehicle replacement); and,
2. Establish a fund balance level for each fund that is reasonable and prevents the over -
accumulation of resources beyond what is needed for normal operating needs plus any
amount required for emergency or contingency needs, hold appropriate levels of reserves
to support cash flow needs and minimize interfund loans, as well as maintain a reasonable
fund balance for contingency purposes.
Therefore, this policy will enumerate minimum fund balance levels for each Internal Service Fund
based on specific fund -type metrics. This Policy will also address the, use, and replenishment of
those types of unrestricted reserves. The Internal Service Funds Reserves will be accounted for
within individual and specific funds designated for each reserve.
Information Technology Services Fund
Information Technology Services provide for the delivery of technology -based services throughout
the City's operations, including maintenance of the City's information systems and infrastructure,
program implementation, internet, landline, and wireless communications systems, cloud -based
technology, and support of all existing information technology as well as new technology initiatives.
For technology oversight, security, and efficiency, information technology costs are managed
collectively and funded through a charge -back to the various funds and departments. At year end,
unspent funding flows into Unrestricted Net Position. Accumulated funds are held in the
Information Technology Services Fund for working capital cash flow. Requests for use of the
reserve are approved by Council through budget adoption or by a Council approved budget
adjustment Resolution during the year.
This Information Technology Services Fund outlines minimum and target funding levels.
Minimum Level: $100,000
Target Level: $150,000
The target reserve level should allow for periodic upgrades and enhancements to the City's
collection of information and communications technology, while also providing sufficient funds to
meet annual operating costs.
Vehicle Replacement and Enterprise Fund Equipment Replacement Funds
The Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance program provides for the maintenance, and servicing of
the City's fleet and major equipment to ensure all vehicles and equipment comply with
manufacturer's recommendations and safety requirements. The Vehicle Replacement Fund is for
all General Fund -owned equipment such as the City's Police, Fire, Public Works, Recreation and
pooled vehicles. The City has three equipment maintenance funds, one each for the enterprise
funds of water, sewer and harbor. Each individual enterprise fund supports their own equipment
maintenance fund and those funds are restricted to the specific enterprise activity.
To fund the program, vehicle &equipment replacement costs transfers into the funds are
accounted for through the budget process. The enterprise fund operating revenue funds account
for the enterprise fund equipment replacement funds while the General Fund is the primary funding
source for the Vehicle Replacement Fund.
Accumulated funds will be held in the Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Funds for working
capital cash flow. At year end, unspent funding flows into Unrestricted Net Position. Requests for
use of the reserve are approved by Council through budget adoption or by a Council approved
budget adjustment resolution during the year.
The Vehicle Replacement Fund, to be funded by the General Fund, minimum and target funding
levels are as follows:
Minimum Level: Equal to twenty percent of the replacement value of the general
fund fleet.
DRAFT Page 2 Internal Service Fund Reserves Policy
Target Level: Equal to thirty-three percent of the replacement value of the general
fund fleet.
The Enterprise Equipment Replacement Funds, to be funded by the specific enterprise fund,
minimum and target funding levels are as follows:
Minimum Level: Equal to twenty percent of the replacement value of the respective
enterprise fund fleet.
Target Level: Equal to thirty-three percent of the replacement value of the
respective enterprise fund fleet.
The replacement value shall be calculated based on the most recently updated Vehicle Insurance
Coverage list, or other internal tracking list developed by staff. The target reserve level will provide
sufficient funds should there be a need for a one-time, larger than normal expenditure related to
fleet services. State and Federal reimbursements for use of City -owned equipment, i.e. for fire
strike -team support, shall be placed in the appropriate vehicle or equipment replacement fund to
support future maintenance or replacement of those vehicles.
Facility Maintenance Fund
The Facility Maintenance Fund provides for maintenance and non -major repairs and building
improvement services for all City -owned facilities that are not part of an enterprise fund (i.e. water,
sewer or harbor). Additionally, the fund supports the maintenance and repair needs of the tenants
of City -leased buildings and properties as defined in the lease agreements. The program's funding
has primarily been derived from rental income from City -owned leased facilities; however, the City
is transitioning to funding the program through charge backs to departments based on building
space usage.
Accumulated net operations are held in the Facility Maintenance Fund for working capital cash
flow. At year end, unspent funding flows into Unrestricted Net Position. Requests for use of the
reserve are approved by Council through budget adoption or by a Council approved budget
adjustment resolution during the year.
The Facility Maintenance Fund, to be funded by the General Fund, minimum and target funding
levels are as follows:
Minimum Level: $50,000
Target Level: $75,000
Given the age of the City's facilities, increased maintenance needs are anticipated. The target
funding level of $75,D00 represents a reasonable contingency for unanticipated maintenance
issues which do not rise to the capital project level.
Compensated Absences Reserves
Under the Unassigned Fund Balance classification, the Compensated Absences Reserve is
established to smooth expenditure fluctuations resulting from the payout of accrued leave to
employees at service separation and distribution payouts.
Use of the reserve occurs when total annual compensated absences payouts exceed budgeted
salary funds. Large payouts decrease the compensated absences liability at year-end, thereby
supporting the practice of utilizing the reserve as needed. Year-end reconciling allocations to and
from the reserve are approved through Council's budget resolution adoption each fiscal year, with
the liability and resulting reserve amounts determined as part of the year-end close process. It is
DRAFT Page 3 Internal Service Fund Reserves Policy
the Citys policy to maintain Compensated Absences Reserve funds for the General Fund, Harbor
Fund, Water Fund, and Sewer Fund. Each fund shall be maintained separately within the
minimum and target levels defined below.
The Compensated Absences Reserve minimum and target funding levels are defined as follows:
Minimum Level: Equal to thirty percent of the compensated absences liability that is
established at year-end.
Target Level: Equal to thirty-five percent of the compensated absences liability that
is established at year-end.
City staff will report to Council on Fund Reserve levels in comparison to the minimum and target
funding levels defined by this policy during the annual budget adoption process. Reserve funding
in excess of one-third (thirty-three percent) of the liability will be available for the Council to allocate
during the budget process.
Withdrawal � Replenishment of Accumulation Reserves
The City will treat the minimum levels as practical reserve floors and allow reserves to increase or
decrease within the minimum and target levels, as approved by City Council during the annual
budget process.
To the extent moneys in any of the above funds are above the target levels, the Council has the
flexibility to direct staff to utilize those available funds to pay for other capital needs, other one-time
expenditures, or pay down liabilities as long as the funds legally support that purpose.
Reserve levels below the minimum target reserves would leave .the Clty exposed to operational
risks. If the City draws down the reserves below the minimum targeted level, then the City
Manager, in conjunction with the Finance Department, will implement plans to return cash
accumulation reserves to their minimum target levels within three years and subject to approval by
City Council.
Reporting and Oversight
The Internal Service Funds Reserve levels will be monitored during the fiscal year and reported in
the quarterly financial reports, as provided by the Finance Department. Internal Service Fund
Reserves minimum and target levels will be analyzed annually by the Finance Department and an
over/under reserve determination shall be made in conjunction with year-end financial results.
Those results will be reported to the City Council as part of the year-end financial report
presentation and annual budget adoption process. If Internal Service Fund Reserves levels need
adjustment due to new risk factors or changes in the industry, then information will be brought to
the City Council as part of the year-end report or sooner, as determined by the Finance
Department,
This Policy will be reviewed during the City's annual budget process, and updated, if needed, as a
result of material changes in the risk exposures or new conditions that required changes in this
Policy.
DRAFT Page 4 Internal Service Fund Reserves Policy
COUNCIL POLICY
HARBOR ACCUMULATION FUND RESERVE POLICY
Policy Statement
Resolution No. 85-18
Exhibit C
The City of Morro Bay (City) Harbor Department is responsible for the management of the City's
Tidelands Trust stewardship of the State -granted tidelands in Morro Bay, providing for waterfront
property and lease management, public service, public safety, and municipal code enforcement on
the waterfront, waters and beaches of Morro Bay. The Harbor Department is also responsible for
the Harbor facilities maintenance, repair, capital improvement and replacement.
The City Council sets legislative financial management
advisory committees. This Harbor Accumulation Fund
establish guidelines to ensure fiscal stability of the Harb
the financial management of the Harbor Department.
Purpose
policies, as recommended by staff and
Reserve Policy ("Policy") is designed to
�r Fund and provide guidance to staff in
A properly designed reserve policy is not only a financial best practice, .but also sends a positive
signal to ratepayers, investors, regulatory, and credit rating agencies the City is committed to
maintaining the long -run fiscal strength of the Harbor Department. Strong and transparent financial
policies, including maintaining prudent reserves for emergencies, rate stability, working capital, and
capital improvements, are consistent with Government Accounting Standards and are important to
the Harbor Department as they help to:
• Maintain the short-term and long-term financial health of the Harbor Department
• Maintain stable user fees for customers and help ensure manageable rate increases
• Fund unanticipated expenditure contingencies, including emergencies
• Ensure funds exist for system and infrastructure improvements
• Ensure cash exists for the timely payment of bills
• Act as a significant positive credit factor in bond ratings
Definitions
The Harbor Accumulation Fund Reserve will be classified as an "Unrestricted-Undesignated
Reserve." Those moneys may be used for any lawful purpose, as approved by the City Council,
and have not been designated for specific capital and operating needs. The following Unrestricted-
Undesignated Reserve Policy addresses the level, use and replenishment of those types of
unrestricted cash. The Harbor Accumulation Fund Reserve will be accounted for within fund
balances held in the Harbor Accumulation Fund,
Unrestricted-Undesignated Reserve Policy
The Harbor Department will have sufficient Unrestricted-Undesignated cash accumulated to
maintain or improve its credit ratings, ensure operating and maintenance costs will be paid in a
timely manner, pay debt service obligations, invest in needed capital improvements and equipment
replacement and other uses on a timely basis. In addition, the Harbor Accumulation Fund Reserve
will maintain sufficient cash accumulation to minimize user fee increases and departmental
expenditure freezes due to market volatility, economic impacts on demands, contingencies, and
regulatory changes.
This Harbor Accumulation Fund Reserve Policy outlines minimum and target funding levels.
Minimum Level: Equal to fifteen percent of annual on -going operating and
maintenance expenses based on the most recent adopted budget.
Target Level: Equal to twenty five percent of annual on -going operating and
maintenance expenses based on the most recent adopted budget.
Example:
FY 2018/19 Harbor Operating Fund Total Expenditures $1,666,706
(on -going annual expenditures)
Target Level 25%: x0.25
Target Cash Accumulation $ 416,677
In calculating the minimum target funding level, one-time expenditures are not considered in the
base for determining the operating expenditures. The minimum target funding level is intended to
ensure sufficient resources to pay budgeted operating and maintenance expenses, recognizing the
timing differences between payment of expenditures and receipt of revenues. It also provides a
source of funding to allow the Harbor Department to operate during short-term fluctuations in
revenues and expenditures.
Withdrawal &Replenishment of Accumulation Reserves
The Harbor Department will treat the minimum levels as practical reserve floors and allow reserves
to increase or decrease within the minimum and target levels, as approved by City Council during
the annual budget process.
To the extent cash in the Harbor Accumulation Fund Reserve is above the target levels, the
Council has the flexibility to direct staff to utze those available funds to pay for capital projects
(reducing the need for future debt), or pay down liabilities related to the Trust lands.
Reserve levels below the minimum target reserves would leave the Harbor Department exposed to
operational risks. If the City Council authorizes the reserves to fall below the minimum targeted
level, then the Harbor Department, in conjunction with the Finance Department will implement
plans to return cash accumulation reserves to their minimum target levels within three years and
subject to approval by City Council.
Reporting and Oversight
Harbor Accumulation Fund Reserve levels will be monitored during the fiscal year and reported in
the quarterly financial reports, as provided by the Finance Department. The Harbor Accumulation
Fund Reserve minimum and target levels will be analyzed annually by the Harbor Department and
an over/under reserve determination shall be made in conjunction with year-end financial results.
Those results will be reported to the City Council as part of the year-end financial report
presentation. If Harbor Accumulation Fund Reserve levels need adjustment due to new risk
factors or changes in the industry, then that information will be brought to the City Council as part
of the year-end report or sooner, as determined by the Finance Department, in consultation with
the Harbor Department.
This Policy will be reviewed during the City's annual budget process, and updated, if needed, as a
resuIt of material changes in the risk exposures or new conditions that required changes in this
Policy.
DRAFT Page 2 Harbor Fund Accumulation Reserve Policy
Resolution No. 85-18
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COUNCIL POLICY
Exhibit D
MORRO BAY TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FUND ACCUMULATION
RESERVE POLICY
Policy Statement
The City of Morro Bay (MB) Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) was merged under the
City's management in June 2016 to carry out tourism operations and marketing. With Transient
Occupancy Tax being leading revenue generator for the City's general fund, the City of Morro Bay
relies heavily on tourism and tourist driven activity and events. Therefore, it is in the City's best
interest to reserve monies to continue funding tourist related activities during economic downturns
when revenues generated into the TBID would likely decline.
The City Council sets legislative financial management policies, as recommended by staff and
advisory committees. This TBID Accumulation Reserve Policy ("Policy") is designed to establish
guidelines to ensure fiscal stability of the MB TBID Fund and provide guidance to staff in the
financial management of the Tourism Department,
Purpose
A properly designed reserve policy is not only a financial best practice, but also sends a positive
signal to ratepayers, investors, regulatory, and credit rating agencies the City is committed to
maintaining the long -run fiscal strength of the Tourism Department. Strong and transparent
financial policies, including maintaining prudent reserves for emergencies, working capital, and
capital improvements, are consistent with Government Accounting Standards and are important to
the Tourism Department as they help to:
• Maintain the short-term and long-term financial health of the Tourism Department
• Fund unanticipated expenditure contingencies
• Ensure funds exist for tourism promotion
• Ensure cash exists for the timely payment of bills
• Act as a significant positive credit factor in bond ratings
Definitions
The MB TBID Fund Accumulation Reserve will be classified as an Unrestricted-Undesignated
Reserve. Those reserves may be used for any lawful purpose, as approved by the City Council,
and have not been designated for specific operating needs. The following Unrestricted-
Undesignated Reserve Policy addresses the level, use, and replenishment of those types of
unrestricted reserves. The MB TBID Fund Accumulation Reserve will be accounted for within fund
balance of a newly created MB TBID Accumulation Fund.
Unrestricted-Undesignated Reserve Policy
The Tourism Department will have sufficient Unrestricted-Undesignated cash accumulated to
ensure operating and maintenance costs will be paid in a timely manner, invest in .any capital
improvements and equipment replacement, continuously promote tourism and tourism events
within the City of Morro bay, and other uses on a timely basis. Cash held in the accumulation
reserve may only be used for tourist related activities, events or projects, in accordance with
section 3,60.030 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code which includes the following:
A. "The general promotion of tourism within the district is to include costs as
specified in the business plan to be adopted annually;
B. The marketing of conference, group, and film business that benefits local
tourism and the local hotel industry in the district; and
C. The marketing of the district to the travel industry in order to benefit local tourism
and the local hotel industry in the district.
The MB TBID Accumulation Fund will maintain sufficient cash accumulation to minimize
departmental expenditure freezes due to market volatility, economic impacts on demands, and
contingencies.
This Accumulation Reserve Policy outlines minimum and target funding levels.
Minimum Level: Equal to twenty percent of annual on -going operating and
maintenance expenses based on the most recent adopted budget.
Target Level: Equal to twenty five percent of annual on -going operating and
maintenance expenses based on the most recent adopted budget.
Example:
FY 2018/19 MB TBID Operating Fund Total Expenditures $ 997,135
Less: Accumulation Fund Transfer - 21.653
Total on -going annual expenditures $ 975,482
Target Level 25%: x0.25
Target Cash Accumulation $ 243,871
In calculating the minimum and target funding levels, one-time expenditures are not considered in
the base for determining the operating expenditures. The minimum target funding level is
intended to ensure sufficient resources to pay budgeted operating and maintenance expenses,
recognizing the timing differences between payment of expenditures and receipt of revenues. It
also provides a source of funding to allow the Tourism Department to operate during short term
fluctuations in revenues and/or expenditures.
Withdrawal &Replenishment of Accumulation Reserves
The Tourism Department will treat the minimum. levels as practical reserve floors and allow
reserves to increase or decrease within the minimum and target levels, as approved by the City
Council during the annual budget process.
To the. extent Unrestricted-Undesignated Accumulation Reserves are above the target levels, the
MB TBID Board and Council has the flexibility to direct staff to utilize those available funds to pay
for tourist related events or needs, or pay down liabilities.
DRAFT Page 2 MB TBID Fund Accumulation Reserve Policy
Reserve levels below the minimum target reserves would leave the Tourism Department exposed
to operational risks. If the Tourism Department draws down the reserves below the minimum
targeted level, then the Tourism Department, in conjunction with the Finance Department will
implement plans to return cash accumulation reserves to their minimum target levels within three
years and subject to approval by City Council.
All recommended use of reserve cash will be presented to the MB TBID Board for consideration
and input prior to being presented to the City Council. Proposed uses of funds may originate at
the staff level, MB TBID Board levels or City Council level, however in no circumstance will use of
cash within the reserve fund be authorized prior to both the City Council and MB TBID Board
having an opportunity to provide input and a recommendation on the use of rserve funds.
Reporting and Oversight
MB TBID Fund Accumulation Reserve Levels will be monitored during the fiscal year and reported
in the quarterly financial reports, as provided by the Finance Department. Accumulation Reserve
minimum and target levels will be analyzed annually by the Tourism Department and an over/under
reserve determination shall be made in conjunction with year-end financial results. Those results
will be reported to the TBID Board and City Council as part of the year-end financial report
presentation. If Unrestricted-Undesignated Accumulation Reserve levels need adjustment due to
new risk factors or changes in the industry, that information will be brought to the TBID Board and
City Council as part of the year-end report or sooner, as determined by the Finance Department, in
conjunction with the Tourism Department as needed.
This Policy will be reviewed during the City's annual budget process, and updated, if needed, as a
result of material changes in the risk exposures or new conditions that required changes in this
Policy.
DRAFT Page 3 MB TBID Fund Accumulation Reserve Policy