About the Finance Department

Finance Department Divisions

The Finance Department administers the financial affairs of the City, including City-owned public utilities. The department is comprised of the following divisions:

Administrative Services

• Manages and directs the activities of the Finance Department
• Focuses on the management and coordination of special projects including SB90 Reimbursements, Legislative Review, Sales Tax audits, and internal control/agreed upon procedures audits
• Administers contractual agreements for the annual audit, and the City's liability and property insurance program
• Administers fiscal controls and policies

Budget and Treasury

• Manages cash flow, investments and the issuance and maintenance of outstanding debt
• Participates in budget and financial planning activities, and financial administration of contracts
• Compiles and produces external documents, e.g. the Annual Budget, the Annual Capital Improvement Budget, and the Annual Financial Report
• Compiles data and statistics, and develops financial analysis and revenue forecasts

Accounting

• General Accounting
• Receivables
• Payables
• Payroll
• Administers and controls the City's on-line financial management information systems
• Administers internal and external financial information reporting
• Responsible for general accounting, payroll preparation and reporting, accounts payable and receivable functions, financial analysis, special grants and funds accounting
• Integrates financial and statistical information into a comprehensive financial recording and reporting system
• Prepares periodic and annual comprehensive financial reports for the City, its Agencies and Corporations, and the annual State Controller Reports
• Responsible for the internal control auditing functions of the City, its Agencies and Corporations

Municipal Services

• Manages field and office personnel who provide customer assistance regarding utilities, tax and license, meter reading, and utility field services
• Manages, administers, and maintains online computerized systems for Utility Billing, Tax and Licensing, and Cash Receipting
• Generates monthly utility bills for all Santa Clara residential, commercial, and industrial customers
• Investigates, researches, prepares findings, and works with customers to resolve their concerns, complaints, and/or suggestions

Purchasing

• Provides support and facilitates procurement activity to City departments, and ensures compliance to City Policy and applicable government regulations
• Operates the Electric and Water Utilities warehouse
• Disposes of surplus material
• Process outgoing US mail for municipal offices City-wide

Thanks for the Timely Payment

The City of Santa Clara says "thank you" to customers for their timely payment of utility bills.

Prompt payment allows the City to control processing and staff costs, and the benefit is passed on to customers in the form of lower utility rates and enhanced customer service.