Finance Policies

The Town of Fairfax has adopted a comprehensive set of financial policies designed to provide clear guidelines for fiscal decision-making, ensure long-term financial stability, and enhance transparency. These policies guide how the Town Council and staff manage public funds, respond to changing economic conditions, and safeguard the Town’s fiscal future.

Why These Policies Matter

They help the Town maintain a strong, resilient financial position.
They provide consistent standards for budgeting, investments, debt, and reserves.
They promote accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public resources.

Key Policy Areas

Investment Policy

This policy sets out how the Town invests public funds — emphasizing safety, liquidity, and return, while also supporting our community’s values (such as social and environmental sustainability). Includes guidelines for consolidating cash balances and allocating interest earnings. Download full policy (PDF)

Reserve & Fund Balance Policy

Outlines how much the Town will keep in reserves, when and how to draw them down, and the process for replenishing them.

Debt Management Policy

Defines how and when the Town uses borrowing, limits on debt service, and criteria for repayment to maintain strong credit.

Purchasing & Expenditure Policy

Details the review process for contracts, purchasing thresholds, and internal controls to ensure expenditures are legal, efficient and documented.

Accounting & Reporting Policy

Specifies how the Town records, reports and audits its financial activity, including roles and responsibilities for transparency.

Access the Policies

Main policy document: Financial Policies – Revised July 18, 2018 (PDF).

Questions or Requests

Michael Vivrette, Finance Director
Town of Fairfax – Finance Department
142 Bolinas Road, Fairfax, CA 94930
Phone: (415) 458-2350
Email: finance@townoffairfaxca.gov
Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. or by appointment

For a faster response, please email your question with “Help” in the subject line.

Last Reviewed

July 18, 2018 (most recent revision of original policy document). Please contact the Finance Director for the most current version.

It is the policy of the Town of Fairfax (Town) to invest public funds in a manner which will provide the highest investment return with maximum security while meeting the daily cash flow demands of the Town and conforming to all state and local statutes governing the investment of public funds. The Town’s policy is to invest public funds in a manner which also support social and environmental sustainability principles.

Except for cash in certain restricted and special funds, the Town will consolidate cash and reserve balances from all funds to maximize investment earnings and to increase efficiencies with regard to investment pricing, safekeeping and administration. Investment income will be allocated to the various funds based on their respective participation and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Financial Policies