August Board Meeting Recap and September Highlights
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
August Board Meeting Recap
On August 22, 2024, the CSMFO Board of Directors Meeting was held both virtually and in person at the City of Perris Council Chambers, to discuss CSMFO
business and receive updates from committees and chapters. Action taken included a new policy on job posting fees, an update from the auditors on the 2023 Audited Financial Statements, adoption of a new ethics policy for our Commercial Members,
approval of an interim Executive Director agreement, and updating the authorized signers on CSMFO’s bank signature card. There was also discussion of the 2024 mid-year financial results, the current status of the association management company
process, and the introduction of a California Government Finance Professionals Week.
As the preeminent resource for local government finance professionals in California, CSMFO offers job advertising to all government and commercial members and extends this service to government agencies that are non-members with the intent of locating
qualified members for employment in local public agencies. The policy establishes the methodology and timing in evaluating and establishing rates. The Board’s approval also included an evaluation of the job posting placement and promotion to
maximize the benefit of posting with CSMFO. With the last rate increase occurring nearly six years ago, the Board did approve a rate increase in October 2024 as follows:
| |
Initial Posting |
Extension by Request |
| |
(45 days) |
(Additional 45 days) |
| • Government Member |
$325 |
$200 |
| • Commercial Member |
$425 |
$300 |
| • Government Non-member |
$455 |
$330 |
With the expanded role of commercial members in CSMFO (from its own standing committee to a voting member on the Board), the Commercial Member Committee established a stand-alone ethics policy. The Board approved their ethics policy as stated below:
- Understand and adhere to all CSMFO rules and bylaws as well as the principles of the Municipal Members Code of Ethics, with a focus on honor and professional integrity in working with local agencies, their staff, and all elected/appointed officials.
- Demonstrate mutual respect and integrity. Adhere to all rules and regulations that pertain to members area of commerce, such as accounting rules of conduct, Municipal Advisor (MA) regulations, and banking regulations.
- Not engage in any conduct whereby Commercial members pay for activity or exposure that is not otherwise disclosed nor monopolize their area of expertise, but rather strive to ensure trust and fairness, and avoid any appearances of impropriety.
- Respect and protect all privileged or sensitive data.
- Work to protect the public trust, safeguarding the local agencies and communities they serve.
CSMFO President, Ernie Reyna introduced a proposal to consider public recognition for a California Government Finance Professionals Week. The Board is supportive of this idea and will discuss more at its strategic planning meeting in October.
September Highlights
With most California public agencies starting their fiscal year on July 1, the budgets have been adopted and CSMFO provides an opportunity to receive peer feedback on how your agency’s budget
meets best practices. The CSMFO Recognition Committee has opened the Award season and submissions for Operating and Capital Budget Awards are due by October 1,
2024. There is also an Innovation Award that provides an agency the opportunity to share a best practice or program that other agencies may benefit from. The submission deadline for this program is November 1. As our colleges and universities head back to school, our Student Engagement Committee is gearing up with programs and activities to introduce CSMFO and public sector jobs to our next generation of employees. If you have a connection or want
to participate in sharing the benefits of our programs, please reach out to me and I can share your interest. Also, if your agency has the opportunity to hire a finance intern, submit your posting for free on CSMFO’s website.
After a successful 28-year career, Margaret retired as the Executive Manager of Finance for West Basin Municipal Water District. An opportunity to support the Town of Discovery Bay CSD as their Finance Manager provides her the opportunity to help guide
them through transformative. Margaret began her professional career at Coopers & Lybrand focusing primarily on governments and nonprofits. Margaret earned her B.A in Economics from U.C Santa Barbara. She maintains her license as a certified public
accountant (CPA).
In August 2024, Margaret was approved by the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) Board to serve as Interim Executive Director where she has overall strategic and operational responsibility for CSMFO programs and execution
of its mission. Margaret served as the 2018 President for CSMFO and also served in a variety of volunteer capacities. Margaret has also been active with CMTA and GFOA. In June 2022, Margaret joined California Class, a joint powers agency, as
a Board of Trustee to serve a four-year term for this local government investment pool. In April 2024, Margaret joined the NIGP Certification Commission as a public stakeholder member.
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