HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2312-24023
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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Auditor
Meeting Date: January 16, 2024
Report #:2312-2402
TITLE
Approval of the Office of the City Auditor's Investment Management Audit Report as
Recommended by the Policy & Services Committee (CEQA Status - Not a Project)
RECOMMENDATION
The Policy and Services Committee and the City Auditor recommend that the City Council
approve the Investment Management Audit Report.
BACKGROUND
Baker Tilly, in its capacity serving as the Office of the City Auditor (OCA), performed a citywide
risk assessment that assessed a wide range of risk areas, including strategic, financial,
operational, compliance, technological, and reputation risks. The purpose of the assessment was
to identify and prioritize risks to develop the annual audit plan.
During the FY2022 risk assessment (ID#13914)1, the OCA identified risks associated with
Investment Management.
The council members approved the attached Investment Management Audit Report at the
Policy and Services Committee meeting on December 12, 20232.
MOTION: Mayor Kou moved, seconded by Chair Tanaka, to approve the Investment
Management Audit Report and recommend the City Council accept the report.
MOTION PASSED: 2-0
ANALYSIS
The objectives of this review were to:
1) Determine whether adequate controls are in place and working effectively to ensure
that investments are properly managed in accordance with the investment policy.
1 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/8/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-
agendas-minutes/2022/20220404/20220404pccsmamendedlinked1.pdf
2 https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=12186
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2) Assess the efficiency and the effectiveness of the investment portfolio management
against the best practice.
The OCA evaluated the processes and controls that safeguard the City’s investment of pooled
idle cash to which the City’s Investment Policy is applied to and tested the selected controls by
reviewing a sample of investment activities between July 1, 2020, to March 26, 2023.
The OCA used the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission (CDIAC) and the
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) as best practices.
The attached report summarizes the analysis, audit findings, and recommendations.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
The timeline and resource needs for implementation of management’s corrective action plans
are identified by management within the attached report. The City management requires no
additional resources to implement the recommended corrective actions identified in the report.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The OCA worked primarily with Administrative Services Department and engaged with
additional stakeholders, including the City Manager’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office, as
necessary.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental review is not applicable to this activity.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: OCA – Investment Management
APPROVED BY:
Adriane D. McCoy, City Auditor