Scope of work: A follow-on engagement to the previous operational review, Citygate conducted an analysis of progress and an update of recommendations made to the Finance Department, identifying current operational strengths and weaknesses and offering a Revised Priority Action Plan.

Scope of work: A strategic planning and facilitation session for the City of San Juan Bautista, including a high-level organizational review to identify current issues and develop recommendations for workload management. After conducting varied stakeholder interviews and community and employee surveys, Citygate assisted in a Citywide update to establish vision and mission statements and identified key strategic goals and core priorities alongside developing new processes to monitor progress and update the Strategic Plan.

Scope of work: operational review for the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Finance/Administration Department. This review included assessment of current operational structure, staff duties, and responsibilities and analysis of operational and fiscal policies, procedures, and practices—with attention to operational functions, workflow processes, and use of technology and automation in performance of operational responsibilities. Citygate offered comparison to best practices and made recommendations in accordance with the findings of this review.

A collaboration with Stantec to develop a Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan for the City of Reno. The Master Plan will serve to forecast responsible expansion of the existing parks and open space network to accommodate growth, enhance pedestrian and bicycle connectivity within the City and to open space and public lands, ensure parks, recreational facilities, trails, and open spaces are well maintained and accessible, and conserve and protect Reno’s natural resources. Citygate’s scope of work for this engagement includes review and analysis of the City’s existing draft Master Plan document and relevant regional plans, Level of Service alternatives, financing alternatives (capital and operating), urban forestry initiatives, and recreation services for the City.

Citygate performed an operational review and provided mentoring for the Western Riverside Council of Governments’ Finance Department. The operational review will include an examination of the Department’s organizational structure; a review of the financial policies, procedures, and practices; and a review of the Department’s operational functions, workflow processes, and documents to identify overall strengths and weaknesses and provide recommendations for streamlining procedures and processes. The mentoring will entail assisting the Finance Director in the development of long-range financial planning and forecasting models based on industry best practices and providing professional guidance and mentoring to key management staff as needed.

Citygate provided strategic planning and facilitation assistance for the City of Angels, California, as a follow-up to Citygate’s previous two studies for the City: the 2018 organizational review and budget stabilization study and the 2020 financial action plan in response to COVID 19. For this project, Citygate interviewed key staff, City Councilmembers, and community members to gauge current operational efficiency, identify goals and priorities, and identify general and operational issues/priorities to assist in the development of Council priorities. Citygate also reviewed the City’s current fiscal condition at a high level to identify present opportunities and challenges.

Citygate reviewed the proposed tax sharing agreement between Contra Costa County and one incorporated city within the County. This review compared the current tax sharing agreement and the proposed amendment to the current agreement in regard to the County’s allocation pertaining to the development recently approved by the city.

Citygate recently developed an action plan for the City of Angels, California, to provide financial strategies in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. This plan included review of the City’s revenues and reserves, identification of the anticipated financial impacts of the COVID 19 crisis on the City, and development of a recommended high-level action plan to address the anticipated impacts for the current fiscal year and the next three to five fiscal years. Citygate also identified, at a high level, potential operational changes that could improve efficiency, reduce expenses, or enhance revenues.

Citygate provided an independent operational assessment of the outstanding sponsorship fees that were owed and collectable for Foster City, California. As part of this assessment, Citygate also provided the City with recommendations for implementation of best practices related to the sponsorship program, including those pertaining to the policies, practices, and procedures used to solicit sponsors; management of the sponsorship program; maintenance of records, and collection of donations from sponsors.

Citygate completed a high-level observational organizational and financial review for the City of San Juan Bautista, California. This review included analyzing revenues and expenditures for the General Fund and reviewing the City’s Annual Audit to inform Citygate’s budget sustainability recommendations, to provide guidance to establishing financial and budgetary policies and procedures, to provide financial forecast and budgetary models for the City and City staff to utilize going forward, and to provide an assessment of three to five current issues and suggested priorities, as well as recommendations for workload management and suggested topics for further in-depth study as needed.