Financial Services

Finance

The City of Williams Lake is committed to sound financial management of its operations, debt, reserve balances and addressing our ageing municipal infrastructure. Our focus is to provide maximum efficiency and reasonable taxation, while also making provision for future infrastructure and service needs. The City's Financial Services effectively plan and steward the continuance of healthy fiscal management on these issues for current and future generations.

The City's Finance delivers the following services:

 
▪ Financial Planning, Operational and Capital Budgeting  
▪ Financial Reporting and Analysis 
▪ Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
▪ Payroll
▪ Purchasing, Supply Chain and Inventory Management
▪ Risk Management and Insurance 
▪ Taxation and Utilities
▪ Treasury and Financial Services
▪ Contacts, Asset Management and Related Activities

 Related Topics: About Finance & Taxes
  

Financial Planning, Analysis and Reporting  

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for designing and implementing adequate financial controls for the City's accounting functions, thereby ensuring the integrity of all financial transactions.

The Financial Planning, Analysis, and Reporting responsibilities are administered  by the Chief Financial Officer. This function is responsible for the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the City's Operating, Utility, Airport and Capital budgets. The Chief Financial Officers focus is to administer these processes within the legislative requirements to meet the needs of the community, City Council, other governing bodies and other City departments. The Chief Financial Officer is also responsible for financial reporting to both internal and external customers that include City's audited financial statements and Annual Report.  
    
Related Topics: Financial Planning, Budgets and Reporting

Accounts Payable and Receivable

Handles all disbursements/payments on behalf of the City. This would include payment of invoices for goods and services received, prepayments, municipal contributions, contract holdbacks, expense disbursements, transfers, recurring payments and refunds. Also handles all billing and collection activities.    
    

Payroll 

The Payroll Section administers the pay function for City employees in accordance with the collective agreement and policies which are in effect. There are 192 elected officials, employees and volunteer fire fighters on the payroll system, divided into the groups below.

▪ IUOE Local 882B (City Employees)
▪ Exempt Employees (Salaried and Contracted)
▪ Exempt Employees (Volunteer Fire Fighters)
▪ Elected Members of Council
  

Purchasing, Supply Chain and Inventory Management

The Purchasing and Supply Chain Section purchases and secures materials, supplies, equipment and services required by the City including contracts for all non-inventory items, construction contracts and consulting services.

The Inventory section  purchases and maintains all inventory requirements and associated products for Public Works operations including automotive and garage-related supplies. The City's central stores is located at 555 Second Avenue. 
 
Related Topics: Tenders, Quotations and Proposals
 

Risk Management and Insurance

The Risk Management section supports the organizations identification, managing, controlling or transferring of risks associated to the City's assets, programs and operations and ensures that accidental losses are effectively insured, managed and funded. 
 

Taxation

 
Taxation includes the collection of City revenues, including property taxes; annual residential utility (water, sewer, garbage/recycling) charges and metered utility billings; grants-in-lieu of taxes; provincial homeowner grants; local improvement charges;  and the payment of taxes collected for other taxing authorities.

Financial Services provides information to the public regarding property assessments, property taxes, utility charges, account balances and property tax deferment.
 
Related Topics:  
Property Tax Rates per $1000 of Assessed Value
How to Read Your Tax Notice
Homeowner Property Information
  

Treasury and Financial Services

 
The City has established guidelines and procedures within the framework of the Community Charter for the placement of City funds. The Finance Department manages highly cyclical cash flows ensuring adequate funds are available to fulfill the strategic plans and initiatives undertaken by the City. Additionally, all sources and inflows of revenues are identified and allocated to key capital projects. Technological efficiencies introduced over the last few years have enabled the Finance Department to streamline procedures and offer value added services to customers.
  
Contacts: Finance   
 
Related Topics:
▪ About Finance & Taxes 
▪ Financial Online Services
▪ Tenders, Quotations and Proposals 
▪ Homeowner Property Information/Grants
▪ Annual Financial Reports 
▪ FAQ's