Camas Finance Department: Stewards of the City’s Resources

The City of Camas Finance Department plays a crucial role in maintaining the financial health and stability of the city. Responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial management, the department ensures the efficient and transparent use of taxpayer dollars, ultimately contributing to the overall quality of life for Camas residents.

Core Responsibilities

The Finance Department’s diverse responsibilities can be broadly categorized into several key areas:

• Budgeting: Crafting and managing the city’s annual budget, a complex process involving forecasting revenues, allocating resources to various departments and projects, and ensuring alignment with the city’s strategic goals. This includes preparing budget documents, presenting them to the City Council, and monitoring budget performance throughout the year.
• Accounting and Financial Reporting: Maintaining accurate and comprehensive financial records, preparing financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and providing timely and reliable financial information to city management, the City Council, and the public. This ensures transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
• Treasury Management: Managing the city’s cash flow, investments, and debt. This includes optimizing investment strategies to maximize returns while minimizing risk, ensuring sufficient funds are available to meet the city’s obligations, and managing debt issuances and repayments.
• Payroll and Accounts Payable: Processing payroll for all city employees accurately and on time, and ensuring timely payment of invoices to vendors and suppliers. These essential functions are vital to maintaining smooth city operations and fostering positive relationships with employees and business partners.
• Utility Billing: Managing the billing and collection of payments for city utilities, such as water, sewer, and stormwater services. This ensures the city receives adequate revenue to maintain and improve its essential utility infrastructure.
• Purchasing: Overseeing the city’s procurement processes, ensuring fair and competitive bidding, and adhering to all applicable laws and regulations. This guarantees the city obtains goods and services at the best possible value.

Commitment to Transparency and Accountability

The Camas Finance Department is deeply committed to transparency and accountability in its operations. The department makes financial information readily available to the public through various channels, including online budget documents, financial reports, and presentations to the City Council. Public engagement is also encouraged, allowing residents to understand how their tax dollars are being used and provide input on budget priorities.

Looking Ahead

The Finance Department continues to adapt to the evolving financial landscape, embracing innovation and best practices to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness. They are constantly seeking ways to improve processes, leverage technology, and provide exceptional service to the community. By remaining proactive and forward-thinking, the Camas Finance Department will continue to play a vital role in ensuring the city’s long-term financial stability and prosperity.