§ 4-1301. Functions.

(1)

The Department of Finance, headed by the Director of Finance, shall:

(a)

Collect all taxes, license and permit fees, and other moneys which may be due to or receivable by the City or any of its officers, departments, or boards; provided that where economy of administration or public convenience requires, the Director may by rule authorize the receipt of moneys directly by officers, departments or boards, or may assign employees of the Department to make such collections.

(b)

Collect, when directed or authorized by law, all taxes, license and permit fees, and other moneys which may be receivable by the State or any public office, department or board not subject to the provision of this Charter.

(c)

Sell property upon which taxes are not paid within the period prescribed by law.

(d)

Prepare tax rolls and bills, including those required by state law.

(e)

Issue receipts for moneys collected by the Department.

(f)

Maintain the treasury of the City, and deposit the moneys belonging thereto in the depository banks to the credit of the proper funds.

(g)

Contract for services to be rendered by independent contractors, and purchase materials, supplies and equipment. The Department shall, from time to time, secure from all officers, departments and boards estimates of their needs for articles of common use and shall, when practicable, consolidate requisitions in order to secure the benefits of quantity purchases, and to that end, when authorized by the Council, may cooperate with other public agencies when making such purchases.

(h)

Acquire immovable property upon the recommendations of the Department of Property Management and dispose of immovable property upon such recommendations when authorized by ordinance.

(i)

Dispose of movable property not needed by the City.

(j)

Keep accurate and complete accounts of all receipts and disbursements.

(k)

Maintain a perpetual inventory of all equipment owned or controlled by the City.

(l)

Permit no disbursements to be made except pursuant to authorizations adopted under the terms of this Charter or applicable State law.

(m)

Provide information pertaining to financial affairs of the City.

(n)

Maintain and supervise any central warehouse.

(o)

Prescribe, maintain and supervise the general and cost accounting systems for all officers, departments and boards.

(p)

Prepare all payrolls and pension rolls.

(q)

Approve all disbursements of funds held by the City.

(r)

Prepare the necessary assessment rolls for assessable public improvements, issue appropriate bills, assist in the issuance and servicing of indebtedness in connection therewith, and in the collection, custody and payment of all moneys in connection therewith.

(s)

Designate, subject to any conditions which may be imposed by ordinance, the banks to be used as City Depositories and require them to fulfill all conditions which the City may impose.

(t)

Recommend terms to be incorporated in any franchise, permit, or privilege to be granted by the City, except as noted in Section 4-702(8) of this Charter.

(u)

Recommend rates and revisions thereof, to be charged by any public utility subject to regulations by the City.

(v)

Supervise and investigate, within lawful limits, the public utilities operating in the City for compliance with franchise or other privileges, rate orders, and any matter concerning the interests of the City or its residents with respect to the operations of public utility.

(w)

Recommend to the Mayor that legal proceedings be instituted to secure compliance with any franchise granted by the Council and with the provisions of law relating thereto.

(x)

Make public reports and recommendations to the Mayor on any matter concerning the interests of the City with respect to the operations of public utilities.

(y)

Perform all other functions required by this Charter or assigned in writing by the Mayor.

(2)

The Director of Finance may require from any officer or employee of the City or any other person such sworn information as may be necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department.

(3)

The Department of Finance may, at any reasonable time, inspect the books, papers, records, documents, materials, facilities, and plants, wherever located, of any public utility which is subject to the supervision, regulation, and control of the Council, and may require such written reports from such utility as it deems necessary and appropriate in the discharge of its duties and responsibilities as set forth in this Chapter and otherwise provided by law and all costs and expenses in connection therewith shall be borne by the public utility required to furnish or produce same.

Annotation: Sec. 4-1301. Functions. The duties herein described in subsections (t) through (x) of paragraph (1) and paragraph (3) were formerly performed by the now dissolved Department of Utilities. (See Ordinance No. 21,028 M.C.S.)