City of Haines City Florida

Finance Department
The Finance Department is responsible for the oversight of all City financial matters. Within the Finance
Department are the Finance Director, Assistant Finance Director, Account Specialist, Payroll Specialist,
Purchasing Specialist, Utility Billing Supervisor, Utility Billing Clerk II and two (2) Utility Billing Clerk
I positions. The primary activities of the Finance Department include:
Monitor City revenues and expenses, analyze City debt, investments, and employee group health
insurance options with respect to the fiscal impact on the City.
Process the City’s payroll and related reporting, administer accounts payable, record cash receipts
and prepare deposits, and generate and maintain fixed asset records.
Monitor expenditures throughout the year to ensure compliance with the City Commission
adopted budget.
Provide exceptional customer service for the customers of the City’s utility system, which
includes processing utility bills, personal services to customers, collecting payments, billing
adjustments, coordinating utility hookups for new customers, assistance with any other account
issues, and maintaining the utility billing system.
Process and maintain all citywide financial data per Governmental Accounting Standards Board
(GASB) principles and State of Florida guidelines.
Produce the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and coordinate the annual
financial audits of the City and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Prepare the City’s annual budget with input from each department, under the direction of the City
Manager.
Departmental Initiatives for FY 2016 Budget Year
Organizational Goal: Maintain, protect and design infrastructure that ensures a desired level of service
and provides for future needs.
Objective 1: Work with all City departments in preparation of the City’s Five (5) Year Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP).
Organizational Goal: Develop and maintain fiscal policies based on program and performance measures
while engaging community involvement.
Objective 1: Staff will continue to provide quarterly financial updates at regular City
Commission meetings for the edification of the general public and elected officials.
Objective 2: Attain the Certificate of Excellence Award in Budgeting from the Governmental
Finance Officers Association.
Objective 3: Explore opportunities to contract out services that will provide better value at
lower cost, when it is deemed reasonable and economically feasible.
Objective 4: Now that new purchasing policies have been adopted by the City, the Finance
Department will develop new internal purchasing procedures to enhance the procurement
process making it more efficient and effective.
Organizational Goal: Utilize technology to enhance public services.
Objective 1: Seek new and improved methods of communicating the City’s financial
information to the citizens, Commissioners and all other potential users.
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