The Finance Committee reviewed the city's annual investment policy and third‑quarter investment report on Nov. 4 and indicated support for minor technical changes that would extend the permissible maximum maturity for commercial paper from 270 days to 365 days.
Jenny Kurzman, assistant director of treasury, reminded the committee that the annual adoption and review of the written investment policy is required by the Texas Public Funds Investment Act (Texas Government Code chapter 2256). Kurzman said the investment committee, which includes the chief financial officer and city controller, met with the city's outside advisers, METER Public Funds, and recommended no strategic changes other than extending the allowable commercial paper maturity to expand investment options.
Kurzman presented the third‑quarter operating portfolio totals: a book balance of $4,285,757,098 and interest earnings for the quarter of $47,134,180. The operating portfolio's weighted average yield was 4.23 percent with a weighted average maturity of about 1.91 years. Kurzman and CFO Jack Ireland clarified that those earnings are allocated across funds (general fund, water and aviation, bond funds) and are not all general‑fund revenue.
Committee members asked why the book balance dipped from the second to the third quarter; Kurzman and Ireland explained the timing of large debt‑service outflows and the seasonality of property‑tax receipts drive quarterly balances. The committee discussed the rationale for extending commercial paper maturity and heard that the change is intended to expand options and potentially improve yield without altering core safety and liquidity objectives.
Staff said the item has been docketed for the Nov. 12 City Council agenda (item 20‑530758) and recommended council adoption of the policy updates for fiscal year 2026.
What happens next: The recommended policy amendments (commercial paper maturity and updated approval date) will be considered by City Council on Nov. 12.