2000 4210

Non-Instructional/Business

Operations

WFL

This investment policy applies to all moneys and other financial resources available for investment on its own behalf or on behalf of any other entity or individual.

The primary objectives of the local government’s investment activities are, in priority order,

1. To conform with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements (legal);
2. To adequately safeguard principal (safety);
3. To provide sufficient liquidity to meet all operating requirements (liquidity); and
4. To obtain a reasonable rate of return (yield).

The governing board’s responsibility for administration of the investment program is delegated to the Assistant Superintendent for Administration who shall establish written procedures for the operation of the investment program consistent with these investment guidelines. Such procedures shall include an adequate internal control structure to provide a satisfactory level of accountability based on a database or records incorporating description and amounts of investments, transaction dates, and other relevant information and regulate the activities of subordinate employees.

All participants in the investment process shall seek to act responsibly as custodians of the public trust and shall avoid any transaction that might impair public confidence in the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES to govern effectively.

Investments shall be made with judgement and care, under circumstances then prevailing, which persons of prudence discretion and intelligence exercise in the management of their own affairs, not for speculation, but for investment, considering the safety of the principal as well as the probable income to be derived.

All participants involved in the investment process shall refrain from personal business activity that could conflict with proper execution of the investment program, or which could impair their ability to made impartial investment decisions.

It is the policy of the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES to diversify its deposits and investments by financial institution, by investment instrument, and by maturity scheduling.

It is the policy of the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES for all moneys collected by any officer or employee of the government to transfer those funds to the (chief fiscal officer) within one day of deposit, or within the time period specified in law, whichever is shorter.

The Assistant Superintendent for Administration is responsible for establishing and maintaining an internal control structure to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that deposits and investments are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition, that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization and recorded properly, and are managed in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Banks and trust companies authorized for the deposit of monies up to the maximum amounts are:

1. By a pledge of "eligible securities" with an aggregate "market value" as provided by General Municipal Law Section 10, equal to the aggregate amount of deposits from the categories designated in Appendix A to the policy.
2. By an eligible "irrevocable letter of credit" issued by a qualified bank other than the bank with the deposits in favor of the government for a term not to exceed 90 days with an aggregate value equal to 140% of the aggregate amount of deposits and the agreed upon interest, if any. A qualified bank is one whose commercial paper and other unsecured short-term debt obligations are rated in one of the three highest rating categories by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization or by a bank that is in compliance with applicable federal minimum risk-based capital requirements.
3. By an eligible surety bond payable to the government for an amount at least equal to 100% of the aggregate amount of deposits and the agreed upon interest, if any, executed by an insurance company authorized to do business in New York State, whose claims-paying ability is rated in the highest rating category by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations.

Eligible securities used for collateralizing deposits shall be held by a third party bank or trust company subject to security and custodial agreements.

The security agreement shall provide that eligible securities are being pledged to secure local government deposits together with agreed upon interest, if any, and any costs or expenses arising out of the collection of such deposits upon default. It shall also provide the conditions under which the securities may be sold, presented for payment, substituted or released and the events which will enable the local government to exercise its rights against the pledged securities. In the event that the securities are not registered or inscribed in the name of the local government, such securities shall be delivered in a form suitable for transfer or with an assignment in blank to the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES or its custodial bank.

The custodial agreement shall provide that securities held by the bank or trust company, or agent of and custodian for, the local government, will be kept separate and apart from the general assets of the custodial bank or trust company and will not, in any circumstances, be commingled with or become part of the backing for any other deposit or other liabilities. The agreement should also describe that the custodian shall confirm the receipt, substitution or release of the securities. The agreement shall provide for the frequency of revaluation of eligible securities and for the substitution of securities when a change in the rating of a security may cause ineligibility. Such agreement shall include all provisions necessary to provide the local government a perfected interest in the securities.

As authorized by General Municipal Law, Section 11, the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES authorizes the Assistant Superintendent for Administration to invest moneys not required for immediate expenditure for terms not to exceed its projected cash flow needs in the following types of investments:

1. Special time deposit accounts;
2. Certificates of deposit;
3. Obligations of the United States of America;
4. Obligations guaranteed by agencies of the United States of America where the payment of principal and interest are guaranteed by the United States of America;
5. Obligations of the State of New York;
6. Obligations issued pursuant to LFL Section 24.00 or 25.00 (with approval of the State Comptroller) by any municipality, school district or district corporation other than the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES;

1. Obligations of public authorities, public housing authorities, urban renewal agencies and industrial development agencies where the general State statutes governing such entities or whose specific enabling authorizes such investments.
2. Certificates of Participation (COPs) issued pursuant to General Municipal Law Section 109-b.
3. Obligations of this local government, but only with any moneys in a reserve fund established pursuant to General Municipal Law Sections 6-c, 6-d, 6-e, 6-g, 6-h, 6-j, 6-k, 6-l, 6-m, 6-n.

All investment obligations shall be payable or redeemable at the option of the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES within such times as the proceeds will be needed to meet expenditures for purposes for which the moneys where provided and, in the case of obligations purchased with the proceeds of bonds or notes, shall be payable or redeemable at the option of the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES.

The Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES shall maintain a list of financial institutions and dealers approved for investment purposes and establish appropriate limits to the amount of investments which can be made with each financial institution or dealer. All financial institutions with which the local government conducts business must be credit worthy. Banks shall provide their most recent Consolidated Report of Condition (Call Report at the request of the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. Security dealers not affiliated with a bank shall be required to be classified as reporting dealers affiliated with the New York Federal Reserve Bank, as primary dealers. The Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES is responsible for evaluating the financial position and maintaining a listing of proposed depositaries, trading partners and custodians. Such listing shall be evaluated at least annually.

The Assistant Superintendent for Administration is authorized to contract for the purchase of investments:

1. Directly, including through a repurchase agreement, from an authorized trading partner.
2. By participation in a cooperative investment program with another authorized governmental entity pursuant to Article 5G of the General Municipal Law where such program meets all the requirements set forth in the Office of the State Comptroller Opinion No. 88-46, and the specific program has been authorized by the governing board.
3. By utilizing an ongoing investment program with an authorized trading partner pursuant to a contract authorized by the governing board.

All purchased obligations, unless registered or inscribed in the name of the local government, shall be purchased through, delivered to and held in the custody of a bank or trust company. Such obligations shall be purchased, sold or presented for redemption or payment by such bank or trust company only in accordance with prior written authorization from the officer authorized to make the investment. All such transactions shall be confirmed in writing to the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES by the bank or trust company. Any obligation held in the custody of a bank or trust company shall be held pursuant to a written custodial agreement as described in General Municipal Law, Section 10.

The custodial agreement shall provide that securities held by the bank or trust company, as agent of and custodian for, the local government, will be kept separate and apart from the general assets of the custodial bank or trust company and will not, in any circumstances, be commingled with or become part of the backing for any other deposit or other liabilities. The agreement shall describe how the custodian shall confirm the receipt and release of the securities. Such agreement shall include all provisions necessary to provide the local government a perfected interest in the securities.

Repurchase agreements must be entered into subject to a Master Repurchase Agreement.

1. All repurchase agreements must be entered into subject to a Master Repurchase Agreement.
2. Trading partners are limited to banks or trust companies authorized to do business in New York State and primary reporting dealers.
3. Obligations shall be limited to obligations of the United States of America and obligations guaranteed by agencies of the United States of America.
4. No substitution of securities will be allowed.
5. The custodian shall be a party other than the trading partner.

General Municipal Law Section 39

Education Law Sections 1604-a and 1723(a)

Local Finance Law Section 165

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2000 4220

Non-Instructional/Business

Operations

The District Superintendent or a designee shall seek State and Federal aid and/or other funds to the greatest extent possible in financing BOCES programs, provided such funds are not to be used for partisan political purposes such as lobbying activities, the production of publications, or the production of any other materials intended for influencing legislation. Successful program awards shall be reported for the Board at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.

Compliance Supplement for Single Audit of State and

Local Governments (revised September 1990)

supplementing OMB Circular A-128

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2000 4230

Non-Instructional/Business

Operations

The Board may accept gifts, grants and/or bequests of money, real or personal property, as well as other merchandise which, in view of the Board, add to the overall welfare of BOCES, provided that such acceptance is in accordance with existing laws and regulations. However, the Board is not required to accept any gift, grant or bequest and does so at its discretion, basing its judgment on the best interest of BOCES. Furthermore, the Board will not accept any gift, grant or bequest which constitutes a conflict of interest and/or gives an appearance of impropriety.

At the same time, the Board will safeguard the BOCES, the staff and students from commercial exploitation, from special interest groups, and the like.

The Board will not accept any gifts or grants which will place encumbrances on future Boards, or result in unreasonable additional or hidden costs to BOCES.

The Board will not formerly consider the acceptance of gifts or grants until and unless it receives the offer in writing from the donor/grantor. Any such gifts or grants donated to the Board and accepted on behalf of BOCES must be by official action and resolution passed by Board majority. The Board would prefer the gift or grant to be a general offer rather than a specific one. Consequently, the Board would suggest that the donor/grantor work first with BOCES administrators in determining the nature of the gift or grant prior to formal consideration for acceptance by the Board. However, the Board, in its discretion, may direct the District Superintendent to apply such gift or grant for the benefit of a specific school program or service.

The Board is prohibited, in accordance with the New York State Constitution, from making gifts/charitable contributions with BOCES funds.

Gifts and/or grants of money to BOCES shall be annually accounted for under the trust and agency account in the bank designated by the Board.

All gifts, grants and/or bequests shall become BOCES property. A letter of appreciation, signed by the President of the Board and/or the District Superintendent, may be sent to a donor/grantor in recognition of his/her contribution to BOCES.

New York State Constitution 8, Section I

Education Law Sections 1709(12) and (12-a) and 1718(2)

General Municipal Law Section 805-a(1)