October 2021 Orange County Chapter Highlight
On October 20, 2021, the Orange County CSMFO Chapter hosted a virtual training event with Chapter Chair Michelle Bannigan from the City of Stanton leading the meeting with her vibrant and contagious energy.
Nearly 40 attendees enjoyed the diverse panel of three who provided real-life examples of how the Finance Director role intertwines closely with that of the City Clerk and City Attorney. Panelists included Donesia Gause-Aldana, City Clerk from the City of Riverside, Hong Dao Nguyen, City Attorney with Best Best & Krieger, and Tarik Rahmani, Finance Director from the City of Carson.
This presentation, Finance Directors: Tips for Working with Your City Clerk and City Attorney, was originally provided at the League of California Cities Annual Conference on September 24, 2021.
If you missed the meeting, here are some session highlights:
- The City Clerk’s office acts as a Compliance Officer who can assist with contracts and ensure the legislative process is followed. Building a close relationship with the City Clerk can help you better prepare for public meetings and understand contract requirements.
- A City Attorney is usually a consultant that serves multiple agencies and has additional resources. Therefore, with an expanded network of professional contacts, templates, and models, they have vast knowledge and a variety of experiences from other agencies that can assist you in determining what is best for your agency.
- Build and maintain a good working relationship, a tri-pod of knowledge to achieve more with more resources. Start by setting regular office hours – virtually, in person, or over the phone. Get approval, be prepared for meetings, and know the billing rate and contract rules for this communication beforehand.
Join your next local chapter meeting or visit another chapter and get to know your fellow CSMFO members. Keep an eye on the CSMFO Community Calendar for upcoming chapter meetings!
