5 Questions: Bryan Cook, Finance Director and Assistant City Manager

Bryan Cook,  finance director and assistant city manager for the , answered five questions posed by South Gate Patch Latino. He discussed the budgetary pressures affecting the city and the ways officials are addressing them.

South Gate Patch Latino: What is the role of the finance director within the municipal government?

Cook: The finance director is essentially the chief financial officer of the city.   The position is responsible for budgeting, financial planning, recording-keeping, cash flow management, [and] communicating financial performance and forecasts to the city manager, City Council and the community at large.  

South Gate Patch Latino: What is the biggest financial challenge that South Gate is currently facing?

Cook: The elimination of redevelopment [agency] is the most immediate financial challenge facing the city. The state of California’s decision to eliminate one of the only economic development programs available to local government to attract quality and sustainable development has made our job much harder.  In addition, the loss of [the] redevelopment tax increment which funded a portion of the city operations now must be absorbed by the city’s general fund.

South Gate Patch Latino: What are some of the ways that the city’s finance department is confronting this financial difficulty?

Cook: One thing we do in finance is keep a critical eye on the expenditures of each department to make sure that they are within budget.  Consequently, city departments have been doing an excellent job in staying within their budgets. They are managing the resources that they are given both effectively and efficiently.

South Gate Patch Latino: Is there a project that you hope to achieve during your time as finance director?

Cook: I would like to assist the city manager, City Council, and city staff with the development of a long-term sustainable financial plan to ensure that the community continues to receive the best public services, while retaining and maintaining the quality of the city’s workforce.

South Gate Patch Latino: You also currently serve as South Gate’s assistant city manager. How do you juggle both positions and do you receive a separate salary for each capacity? 

Cook: We have excellent staff at City Hall, and a strong commitment to teamwork, which in turn enables me to properly balance both jobs. I do not receive a separate salary for each position. I am currently paid at the rate of finance director only. Many others in our organization are doing more than their current job requires; it is only fair that I do the same.

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