The meeting progressed to discussion/action items starting with an item from Neil Murthy, Commercial Partner Committee (CPC) Chair, regarding the amount paid in annual dues by commercial members. Commercial members’ dues were not changed in 2023 or 2024 like the dues paid by municipal members. CSMFO leadership wanted to get feedback from its commercial members before considering any changes in the current dues level. Neil discussed the work done by the CPC regarding this matter. The CPC surveyed other associations and found the commercial member dues charged by CSMFO are the highest, however other organizations’ membership dues/fees are structured as part of an annual sponsorship that includes marketing and annual conference benefits. After some discussion, it was decided for Neil to bring the matter back to the CPC for additional work and back to the Board at some time in the future.

Executive Director Jean Rousseau presented discussion item b. which was a financial summary of the unaudited results for 2023 and five years of comparative numbers. The overall net income (loss) for 2023 is ($69,247) as of April 11, 2024 unaudited numbers. The overall loss is a combination of an ordinary loss of ($97,998) coupled with net other income from programs of $28,751. The overall net loss is in contrast to the budgeted net loss of ($228,504). More work needs to be done to bring operating income in line with operational expenditures. Two areas noted during the presentation was the increase in non-conference program revenues from 2019 and the losses incurred over the last two calendar year conferences. Going from in-person classes pre-covid to virtual classes has helped the program grow significantly. Consequently, since 2019, non-conference program revenues have increased 93% or $82,434. In the last two years, the annual conference has experienced losses of ($133,508) and ($50,493) respectively.

President Ernie Reyna presented discussion item c., which was a follow up item from the February Board meeting. CSMFO currently has a reciprocal agreement with the states of Washington and Oregon that allows for members from each association to receive the same conference registration fee and related benefits when traveling to their neighboring state’s conference. Presidents from the three states met with their counterparts in Alaska and Colorado and decided to try to extend the agreement to those states as well. After some short comments, the Board approved extending the existing reciprocal agreement to the states of Alaska and Colorado.

Former President and chair of the Past President Advisory Committee (PPAC), Drew Corbett, presented the next item regarding establishing a framework for the annual strategic planning workshop to create year-over-year process consistency. The proposed structure of the framework was reviewed, which included the planning process and the development of a strong workshop agenda. The agenda should include, but not be limited to, the affirmation of Mission, Vision, and Values; a review of the status of the existing initiatives and related strategic plan goals; and the use of the strategic plan goals to develop new initiatives and new priorities. A lengthy discussion ensued among Board members mostly in agreement with the proposed framework, and the Board directed the draft plan be sent back to the PPAC to be finalized and eventually incorporated into the Policies and Procedures manual.

Stephen Parker, member of the Finance Committee, presented the last item on the discussion portion of the agenda regarding an update to CSMFO’s investment policy. The last time the investment policy was updated was January 2020. The cash management options allowed in the current policy only includes bank accounts and Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF). With LAIF interest rates trailing many Local Government Investment Pools (LGIPs), the Finance Committee determined it was appropriate to revise the investment policy to allow for investments in LGIPs in addition to LAIF. After a short discussion, the Board approved the changes to the investment policy. Stephen Parker indicated he would bring a follow up item to the June Board meeting recommending which LGIF to invest in.

Jean Rousseau completed a distinguished 31-year career serving local government in California, starting as an Accountant II with Fresno County. He moved up the finance ladder to Chief Accountant before moving to the Assistant County Administrative Officer position in 2004. In 2007, he moved into the County’s top position (County Administrative Officer), serving Tulare and Fresno counties for 14 years until his retirement. He has served in several finance and accounting roles, including as Finance Director/Controller for the City of Fresno, Principal and Senior Accountant for Fresno County, and Staff Accountant for Sampson & Sampson CPAS.