Investment Advisory Services

The Vendor is required to provide investment advisory services for include:
- Investment management
•    Manage investments in accordance with the city’s approved investment policy and ensure coordination with pooled city funds.
•    Review and reference the most recent quarterly financial and investment report when advising on portfolio activities.
•    Manage the portfolio to achieve city’s objectives of safety, liquidity and yield. 
•    Provide monthly and quarterly investment reports to the city. 
•    Assist the city in developing and refining investment policies and portfolio strategies for governmental operating funds. 
•    Utilize independent investment research and a documented credit review process to support security selection and maturity decisions. 
•    Employ value-added portfolio strategies consistent with the city’s risk parameters and conduct daily portfolio reviews, maintain regular communication with city staff, and ensure continuity of operations through documented backup and business continuity processes. 
•    Evaluate market conditions, identify market risks, and recommend strategies to minimize their impact on the city’s investment portfolio. 
•    Analyze the effects of various investment strategies on potential arbitrage liability. 
•    Provide ongoing credit analysis of investment instruments in the portfolio. 
•    Provide monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting on all city funds, including portfolio holdings, performance, and compliance metrics. 
•    Provide assurance that the city’s investment portfolio remains in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and the city’s investment policy. 
•    Establish an appropriate performance benchmark consistent with the city’s investment objectives. 
•    Demonstrate a full understanding of and adherence to the city’s investment policy and its stated objectives. 
•    Provide maturity analysis and assist the city in managing investment ladders and timing of maturities. 
•    Ensure the portfolio structure aligns with the city’s liquidity needs, risk tolerance, and performance goals. 
•    Attend investment committee meetings as requested by city staff to review the investment program, portfolio performance, and strategy. 
•    Assist with the city’s annual investment policy review and presentation to city council, typically held in early December, and attend this meeting upon request. 
•    Obtain and maintain broker and dealer certifications as required by the city’s investment policy.
- Cash management
•    Assist with bidding of certificates of deposit.
•    Assist with execution of securities purchases and sales for the city’s operating and bond funds. 
•    Provide investment advice, reporting, and review of the city’s investment policy and related procedures. 
•    Lead the request for application (RFA) process for depository and merchant services
•    Conduct evaluations and recommendations for city council consideration. 
•    In collaboration with the city’s purchasing and finance departments, prepare the depository banking and merchant services request for application (RFA);
o    Act as liaison between bidders and city staff; 
o    Schedule interviews; 
o    Review, evaluate, and analyze bids and bidder qualifications; 
o    And advise the city on selection
•    Support the city as the current depository agreement approaches expiration on April 30, 2026, with one renewal option remaining and full expiration in April 2027. 
•    Provide ongoing review and recommendations on best practices for banking, cash management, and cash handling programs. 
•    Assist as requested in evaluating and selecting providers for securities clearing and estimate expenditure period interest earnings to support cash flow planning and budget forecasting. 
•    Support the city’s internal investment committee, which consists of six city staff members and meets monthly (or as combined sessions when needed) to review banking, treasury, and investment items.
- Merchant services support and evaluation
•    Evaluate merchant services, including processors, gateways, and POS systems, and provide recommendations and cost-saving and optimization analyses. 
•    Assist in evaluating, optimizing, and managing merchant services used for public payments, including: utilities, permits, court fines, parks and recreation, and other revenue streams. 
•    Review existing merchant service contracts, fee structures, and processing methods.
•    Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency
•    Evaluate compliance with PCI-DSS and state cybersecurity requirements.
- Payment technology and integration
•    Online payment portals;
•    Mobile payment solutions;
•    EMW and contactless payment technologies;
•    And integration with ERP, utility billing, and court systems.
- Fee and cost analysis
•    Analyze interchange fees, gateway fees, and processor markups.
•    Recommend cost-saving strategies.
•    Assist in evaluating merchant services vendors.
•    Provide technical expertise during procurement or renegotiation processes.
•    Support implementation and transition planning.
- Reporting and reconciliation support
•    Recommend improvements to merchant service reporting workflows.
•    Assist in developing reconciliation processes between merchant services and the city’s financial systems.