The objectives of the Investment Policy of the Village of Fort Plain
are to minimize risk, to ensure that investments mature when the cash is required
to finance operations and to ensure a competitive rate of return.
All investments made pursuant to this Investment Policy shall comply
with the following conditions:
A. Collateral.
(1) Certificates of deposit shall be fully secured by insurance
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or by obligations of New York
State or obligations of the United States or obligations of New York State
local governments. Collateral shall be delivered to the Village of Fort Plain
or a custodial bank with which the Village of Fort Plain has entered into
a custodial agreement. The market value of collateral shall at all times equal
or exceed the principal amount of the certificate of deposit. Collateral shall
be monitored no less frequently than monthly, and market value shall mean
the bid or closing price as quoted in the Wall Street Journal or as quoted
by another recognized pricing service.
(2) Collateral shall not be required with respect to the
direct purchase of obligations of New York State and obligations of the United
States.
B. Written contracts. Written contracts are required for
certificates of deposit and custodial undertakings. With respect to the purchase
of obligations of the United States, New York State or other governmental
entities, etc., in which moneys may be invested, the interests of the Village
of Fort Plain will be adequately protected by conditioning payment on the
physical delivery of purchased securities to the Village of Fort Plain or
custodian or, in the case of book-entry transactions, on the crediting of
purchased securities to the custodian's federal reserve system account.
All purchases will be confirmed, in writing, to the Village of Fort Plain.
It is therefore the policy of the Village of Fort Plain to require written
contracts as follows:
(1) Written contracts shall be required for the purchase
of all certificates of deposit.
(2) A written contract shall be required with the custodial
bank.
C. Designation of custodial bank.
(1) Custodial bank. The Fleet Bank and Central National Bank,
Canajoharie, chartered by the State of New York, are designated to act as
custodial banks of the Village of Fort Plain's investments.
D. Financial strength of institutions.
(1) All trading partners must be credit worthy. Their financial
statements must be reviewed at least annually by the Village Treasurer to
determine satisfactory financial strength, or the Village Treasurer may use
credit rating agencies to determine credit worthiness of trading partners.
Concentration of investments in financial institutions should be avoided.
The general rule is not to place more than $100,000 in overnight investments
with any one institution.
(2) Investments in time deposits and certificates of deposit
are to be made with banks or trust companies. Their annual reports must be
reviewed by the Village Treasurer to determine satisfactory financial strength.
(3) When purchasing eligible securities, the seller shall
be required to deliver the securities to the custodial bank.
E. Operations, audit and reporting.
(1) The Village Treasurer or the deputy chief fiscal officer
shall authorize the purchase and sale of all securities and execute contracts
for certificates of deposit on behalf of the Village of Fort Plain. Oral directions
concerning the purchase or sale of securities shall be confirmed, in writing.
The Village of Fort Plain shall pay for purchased securities upon the delivery
or book-entry thereof.
(2) The Village of Fort Plain will encourage the purchase
and sale of securities and certificates of deposit through a competitive or
negotiated process involving telephone solicitation of at least three bids
for each transaction.
(3) At the time independent auditors conduct the annual audit
of the accounts and financial affairs of the Village of Fort Plain, the independent
auditors shall audit the investments of the Village of Fort Plain for compliance
with the provisions of these investment guidelines.
(4) Within 60 days of the end of each of the first three
quarters of the fiscal year, the Village Treasurer shall prepare and submit
to the Board of Trustees of the Village of Fort Plain a quarterly investment
report which indicates new investments, the inventory of existing investments
and such other matters as the Village Treasurer deems appropriate.
(5) Within a reasonable time after the end of the fiscal
year, the Village Treasurer shall prepare and submit to the Board of Trustees
an annual investment report; recommendations for change in these investment
guidelines; the results of the annual independent audit; the investment income
record; a list of total fees, commissions or other charges, if any, paid to
the custodial bank; and such other matters as the Village Treasurer deems
appropriate.
(6) The Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Fort
Plain shall review and approve the annual investment report, if practicable,
at its October meeting.
(7) At least annually and, if practicable, at the October
meeting of the Village Board, the Trustees shall review and amend, if necessary,
these investment guidelines.
(8) The provisions of these investment guidelines and any
amendments hereto shall take effect prospectively and shall not invalidate
the prior selection of any custodial bank or prior investment.