Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, each City expenditure must be approved by the City Council. Anyone wishing payment from the City must first submit an invoice or a request for payment to the Administrative Services Department. City staff verifies that payment is due and then prepares a list of checks to be issued. This list is known as the warrant register and must be approved by the City Council at a scheduled City Council meeting before any check can actually be issued. This process can be time consuming, but it ensures accuracy and accountability. Anyone submitting a valid request for payment to the City will typically receive payment within 3-5 weeks from the time the request for payment or invoice is submitted.

The City operates on a fiscal year from July 1 through June 30. The City Council reviews the budget in public budget study sessions held during the month of June, and adopts the budget by June 30 of each year after a public hearing has been held.

Claim forms are available at City Hall on the second floor, located at 100 Civic Plaza. A claim form can be requested by telephone by calling (925) 833-6650. Claim forms must be filed with the City within six months from the date of the incident.

The claim is forwarded to the City's claim adjuster for handling. The adjuster will contact the claimant to discuss the claim and determine damages. The adjuster then reports to the City if the claim should be accepted or denied.