The Finance Department oversees the fiscal affairs of the City and provides related financial services. These services include budgeting, cash management, accounting, utility billing, and collection of taxes, fees and fines. In addition to these financial services, the Finance Department administers the City's refuse collection service and recycling programs.

The department head, Leigh P. Keicher, serves as Director of Finance and City Treasurer. He provides leadership and policy guidelines on a wide variety of fiscal issues, in addition to general administration of the Department. The Director is also responsible for specific activities such as investing surplus City funds, publication of budget documents, annual fee adjustments, and formation of special improvement districts.

Under general administration of the Director, the department is split into two operating divisions.

The Revenue Collection/Fiscal Records Division performs the primary accounting services of accounts payable and payroll as well as all financial reporting. Other services including utility billing and customer relations, collection, recording of revenues and administration of business licensing and specials event permit programs. The division also provides internal audit services on both revenues and expenses.

The Refuse Collection/Recycling Division is responsible for administering a contract with a private hauler to collect and dispose of solid waste generated by residential, commercial, and industrial customers. This division also administers the City's recycling program which currently consists of residential curbside (newspaper, glass, metals, oils, and yardwaste), multi-family (newspaper, glass and metals) and backyard composting. The division also participates in bi-monthly Household Hazardous Waste Collection events and sponsors "Beautification Week" twice a year.

Some examples of the accomplishments of the Finance Departments in 2002 include:

• Received the national Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the seventh consecutive year and the state award for Outstanding Financial Reporting for the sixth consecutive year.

• Updated developer impact fees for backbone public facilities and infrastructure.

• Updated utility user charges for sewer and refuse collection/recycling services.

• Online sign-up for utility Automatic Payment Service.

• Acceptance of credit-card payments at front counter.