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Appendix A Operating Fund Reserve Policy Purpose • To provide a cushion against unexpected revenue and income interruptions. • To provide working capital by ensuring sufficient cash flow to meet the City's needs throughout the year. Policy • The City will maintain a general fund reserve of 35-45% of the general fund's total annual operating budget.This ensures that the City has adequate funds on hand to provide for operations between bi-annual property tax collection periods.Any surplus beyond the required general fund reserve may be transferred to another reserve fund with a funding shortfall. • The City will strive to create a reserve in the Recreation Fund to equal 25% of the annual recreation budget. This reserve will provide a cash flow cushion and reduce the inter-fund borrowing expense to the Recreation Fund. Because of more frequent cash inflows,a 25% reserve will be adequate to support the daily cash needs of the fund. • The Community Development Fund is supported solely by building permit fees and charges. Because the economic environment has a major effect on this Fund, a fund balance of 25-50 % of the annual budget is a reasonable target. It is expected that as economic downturns take place, this reserve will provide for a transition period during which the Council will be able to assess and to better match operations with the economic need. • City enterprise funds shall have operating cash reserves sufficient to provide for monthly cash flow, and for a reasonable level of equipment and infrastructure replacement. Major reconstruction or system upgrades, may need to be funded from enterprise revenue bonds. Annual utility rate reviews will be made in regard to projected operating expenses and capital improvements. The Council will, on an annual basis, establish rates in accordance to operating cost recovery and the projected capital improvements. • The Communications Fund has greater cash flow variability than in prior years and therefore warrants a higher reserve level than previously established. It is expected to operate with balances of 20-30%of the annual operating budget. • The License Center and Information Technology funds have consistently demonstrated strong cash flows which allows for a lower overall reserve level and are expected to operate with balances of 10-15%of the annual operating budget. • All other operational funds e.g. License Center, Information Technology, etc. are expected to operate with positive reserve balances of 10-25% of the annual operating budget. Each operational fund shall be reviewed on an annual basis to assure the fund balance is in line with the fund's objectives. Page 3 of 4