Page 26 - ClearGov | Documents
P. 26

Rate Stability and User Fees


           To   minimize   {nancial   impacts   on   residents,   the   City   stabilizes   rates   and   avoids   sudden   increases   in   taxes   and   user   fees.
           User   fees   recover   costs   where   ser vices   exceed   basic   municipal   functions.   In   cases   where   full  cost   recovery   is   impractical,
           fees   are   set   to   par tially   offset   costs.   Utility   rates   are   reviewed   annually   to   cover   operating   costs,   bond   covenant
           requirements, and capital improvements, ensuring the sustainability of ser vices.

           Reser ves

           The   City   of   Colleyville   maintains   reser ves   equivalent   to   three   months   of   operating   expenses   for   the   General   Fund   and
           Utility   Fund.   These   reser ves   provide  {nancial   stability   and   allow   the   City   to  manage   unforeseen   {scal   challenges,   such  as
           economic   |uctuations,   legal   matters,   changes   in   tax   rolls,   variations   in   sales   tax   receipts,   and   revenue   |uctuations   from
           city- operated utilities. This reser ve policy applies to all major operating funds of the City.

           While  the  target  reser ve  balance  is  generally  set  at  three  months  of  operating  expenses,  the  City  may  increase  this  target
           when  large  {scal  challenges,   signi{cant  capital  needs,  or   other  emergencies  are  anticipated.  The  reser ves   ensure   the  City
           can meet unexpected {nancial needs without disrupting the provision of essential ser vices or long- term goals.


           In   calculating   reser ves,   the   City   uses   the   concept   of   Available   Funds   rather   than   Fund   Balance.   Available   Funds   are
           de{ned   as   those   items   readily   conver tible   to   cash,   less   liabilities   and   encumbrances.   Items   such   as   inventories   and
           unrealized   gains   or  losses  on  investments   are   excluded   from   Available   Funds.   Inventories   are  maintained   at   stable   levels
           from   year  to   year  and  are  not   available  for   appropriation,  while   unrealized   investment   changes  are   excluded   because  the
           City generally holds its investments to maturity.

           Reser ves   greater   than  the  three -month  target   are   generally   transferred   to  capital  project   funds,   used  for  capital  items,   or
           saved for future one - time expenses, depending on the City ’s current and future needs.

           General and Administrative Charges

           The   General   Fund   is   compensated   by   enterprise   funds   for   administrative   ser vices   such   as   management ,   {nance,   and
           personnel. The City will also recover allowable indirect costs from grants to offset administrative costs.

           Grant-in-Aid Policy

           Federal and state assistance is evaluated based on:

               Community bene{t .
               Future {nancial impact and local funding requirements.
               Alignment with current operations and future plans.

           Grants are expected to cover their share of City administrative costs through an indirect cost rate, where applicable.

           Capital Acquisition/Improvement Policy

           The  City  plans   for   capital   replacements   and   improvements   through   an   annually   updated  {ve -year   Capital   Improvement
           Plan   (CIP).   Capital   replacements   are   budgeted   in   depar tment   operating   budgets,   limited   to   items   no   longer   functional,
           repairable,   or   safe.   Major   capital   projects   may   use   debt   {nancing,   with   repayment   schedules   designed   to   align   with   the
           asset's   useful   life.   The   City  employs   a   pay-as-you- go  approach   for   minor   capital   replacements,   passing   a   por tion   of   utility
           extension  costs   to  developers.   Capital  projects   over   $50,000   are   prioritized   based   on   asset  condition,  usage,   classi{cation,
           available funding, alignment with the City ’s long- term vision, project bene{ts, and risk management .








                FY 2025-2026 Annual Budget | Colleyville                                                   Page 26
   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31