The Finance department is responsible for protecting the City’s fiscal health and sustainability by maintaining compliance with financial policies and internal controls, accurate accounting of financial transactions, timely revenue collection and accounts receivable processing, timely payment of accounts payable, transparent and professional financial reporting, effective budget management, cash and investment management, and debt financing and administration.

In fulfilling these responsibilities, the department oversees the City's long-range financial planning and financing of capital needs, including bond financing and fiscal analysis. It performs a variety of management and analytical duties related to financial and personnel matters. The department provides professional support to the City Council, City Manager, and operating departments to assist them in making sound financial and organizational decisions that promote the fiscal sustainability of the City and its ability to provide services to the community.

THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE ANNUAL BUDGET

The City adopts an Annual Budget in June in preparation for the upcoming fiscal year - which begins July 1. The budget document is prepared by City staff and follows the guidelines recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

• • Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Budget (adopted 6/10/2026)
  • Fiscal Year 2026-27 Adopted Digital Budget (adopted 6/10/2026)
  • Archived Annual Budgets

During its Regular Meeting on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the City Council held a public hearing to receive comments regarding the budget adoption for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2026. The Council received a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget and 5-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) from Dena Heald, the City’s Director of Finance, and adopted a Resolution Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget.

The City has long been known for its high-quality financial management and its sound fiscal practices, and the department’s management team is committed to continuing this legacy. 

In addition, the Finance Department has also received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) seven years running (FY 2017-18 through FY 2023-24) and will be submitting the 2024-25 report to the GFOA'a Special Review Committee for consideration.

ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORTS

The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) is prepared by City staff and audited by an independent firm of Certified Public Accountants annually. This report is prepared following the guidelines recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada and the standards adopted by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Please note, the information in the ACFR has not been updated for developments subsequent to the date of the independent auditor's report.

• • 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025)
  • Archived ACFRs (dated information for historical reference only)