City Budgets

The budget is the primary policy document adopted by the City Council each year. This budget is developed in accordance with the City's financial management policies and guidelines and reflects the City Council's goals and objectives and how resources are allocated to achieve these goals. In addition, the budget serves as the annual financial plan, an operational guide and a communication tool. Although adjustments are expected as needs arise, the budget ultimately maps out the City's activities over the course of the next fiscal year. Overall guiding principles are utilized to develop budgets including ensuring the City operates within its means while allowing for the continuation of existing services, enhanced service delivery, and fostering transparency.

Award Winning Budgets

The City of Cotati staff are the proud recipients of their second consecutive Distinguished Budget Awards from the Government Finance Officer Association (GFOA) and the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO).

This represents a significant achievement by the City and reflects the commitment of the City Council and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget awards, the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as:

  • A policy document
  • A financial plan
  • An operations guide
  • A communications device

Cotati Rolls Out All New Digital Budget Book

The Administrative Services Department are proud to provide the City budgets in a more accessible and easier to view format. This new online Digital Budget Book will allow residents to view the Annual Budget not as a static PDF but an as interactive document with improved visuals, mobile and ADA optimization, capital projects planning, and so much more. Reviewing the individual funds, departments and budgeting trends has never been easier!

Finance Staff has been working diligently to implement this new technology and are proud to have it in the following linked items for you to peruse.