The City of Ojai was presented with an investment policy certification by the California Municipal Treasurer Association during the Dec. 9 council meeting, a recognition CMTA said reflects adherence to state best practices for managing public funds.

Don Patterson, former CMTA president, told the council that the city’s investment policy met program requirements developed with input from the state treasurer’s office. "I'm pleased to announce that the City of Ojai received the certification," Patterson said, and he added staff had prepared a policy that the association scored 100% across all evaluators and listed as a model on the CMTA website.

Staff said the certification confirms that Ojai’s policy includes recommended practices such as separation of duties in investment management, defined responsibilities for who manages funds, and documented procedures for oversight. Council members posed for a photograph with the certificate; staff said the award is a positive confirmation of recent policy work in finance.

No formal council action was required; the presentation served as recognition of policy work completed and as a bookend to the earlier audit and operational assessment presentations.