CSMFO Chapter Round-up: Coachella Valley Chapter Hosts Insightful Panel on Budgeting and Leadership
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
CSMFO News HTML for YM 5.01.25
CSMFO News HTML for YM 5.01.25
|
At the April 2 CSMFO Coachella Valley meeting in La Quinta, finance professionals explored strategies for clear budget communication, community engagement, and leadership. Panelists highlighted visual budgeting, internal collaboration, AI’s growing role,
and public speaking tips to strengthen transparency and service delivery.
|
|
|
|
Author: Karla Romero, CSMFO President-Elect
|
|
Coachella Valley Chapter Hosts Insightful Panel on Budgeting and Leadership
On April 2, 2025, Government finance professionals from across the Coachella Valley gathered in La Quinta for an engaging and informative panel discussion at the
California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) Coachella Valley Chapter meeting. The session, attended by nearly 30 professionals, featured a distinguished four-person
panel representing a well-rounded mix of public leadership: a Mayor, a City Manager, an Administrative Services Director, and an Executive Director. The panel offered
valuable insights into the budget process from both political and executive viewpoints as well as that of staff, emphasizing collaboration, communication, and the strategic
role of the budget in guiding public service delivery.
Prior to the panel discussion, a presentation was delivered on effective PowerPoint techniques. The key takeaways included the importance of setting audience expectations
by outlining an agenda, utilizing images instead of text to convey major points, replacing complex tables and graphics with simple, progressive charts, limiting the use
of animation effects, and, most importantly, practicing thoroughly.
Building a Strong Budget Foundation
The discussion kicked off with a focus on the importance of visual presentation in budget documents. The panel
stressed that budgets should be clear, visually appealing, and easy to follow—tools that not only serve internal planning purposes but also support public understanding.
They underscored the importance of using the budget as a solid foundation and encouraged agencies to leverage consultants for more complex technical analysis.
Panelists reinforced that the budget serves as a financial forecast—an essential planning tool to guide service levels. Their advice: adopt a conservative approach
and regularly monitor outcomes to remain flexible and responsive to changes.
|
|
Encouraging Community Engagement
One of the most dynamic portions of the session addressed how to incorporate community input into the budget process.
Panelists shared several strategies, including public workshops, study sessions, press releases, and regular updates at public meetings. Leveraging existing commissions
and committees can significantly increase transparency, strengthen community trust, and turn engaged residents into advocates for an agency.
Navigating Difficult Questions with Confidence
When faced with tough questions during meetings or presentations, the panel encouraged finance professionals
to remain composed and focused. Referencing the agency’s budget priorities and educating the audience through clear, respectful dialogue can go a long way. Finance professionals
should be aware of which inquiries fall within their area of expertise and which should be addressed by other members of the executive team. If an answer isn’t readily
available, it’s better to commit to following up with accurate information than to speculate.
Improving Internal Participation in the Budget Process
Internally, gaining cooperation across departments is key to a smooth budget process. Panelists
advised timely communication, respectful reminders, and positive reinforcement. One suggestion was to highlight and verbally reward departments that met budget deadlines
compared to those that did not. Regular staff meetings and a team-oriented mindset help overcome challenges and turn competing priorities into creative solutions.
The Role of AI in the Future of Budgeting
Looking ahead, the panel acknowledged that artificial intelligence will increasingly change the budgeting
process—streamlining data analysis, identifying trends, and reducing reliance on spreadsheets. This will enable finance professionals to allocate more time to prioritizing
key budget items, rather than concentrating on minor details. Advanced software tools, enhanced with visuals and summary charts, will make financial information more accessible
to both the public and decision-makers, helping to maintain engagement and build understanding.
|
|
Mastering Public Speaking in Finance
Public speaking remains a common concern among finance professionals. The panel shared practical exercises
and strategies for improving confidence and clarity, such as practicing impromptu speeches and eliminating filler words. Their top advice: trust your expertise, simplify
your message, and emphasize year-over-year changes to highlight what’s new and important.
The session provided timely, practical tools to enhance both the technical and interpersonal aspects of budget communication. With economic volatility, external
challenges, competing priorities, and technology evolving, the discussion was a reminder that strong leadership and thoughtful engagement remain central to effective public
finance.
The Coachella Valley Chapter is led by Chair, Claudia Martinez, Finance Director at the City of La Quinta and Vice Chair, Claude Kilgore, Director of Finance & Administration at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments.
|
|
|
Karla Romero is the Director of Finance for the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD). Karla previously served as the Finance Director/City Treasurer for the cities of La Quinta and Brawley and began her career at the City of Indio. She serves on several
CSMFO Committees and is the 2025 CSMFO President-Elect. Karla has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business administration. She enjoys learning, seeing others succeed,
and is passionate about mentoring and sharing knowledge. In her free time, she enjoys reliving her childhood with an active son named Titus, traveling, and staying connected
with family and friends.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Email to a Friend
