Culver City Taps TS to Create Popular Annual Financial Report
Culver City has worked with Tripepi Smith since 2016, first engaging the marketing-technology-public affairs firm for a Communications Assessment, then ongoing communications support. Over the years, team Tripepi Smith has also delivered photography, graphic design and voter education services on ballot measures.
In December 2022, the City engaged Tripepi Smith to craft its Popular Annual Finance Report (PAFR). During the two-month development process, Senior Business Analyst Saara Lampwalla reviewed the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), consolidated their findings and simplified the financial jargon. Senior Business Analyst Sara Madsen designed the report and added graphic elements to make the 12-page report more eye-catching. Principal Jon Barilone reviewed the PAFR and provided oversight and direction. Throughout the process, Team Tripepi Smith worked with Culver City employees, including Chief Financial Officer Lisa Soghor and Finance Associate Analyst Melissa Zak.
Every year, governmental organizations share their ACFR or their financial statements from the year. An ACFR must comply with the accounting requirements established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). In an effort to make city finances more transparent and easy to understand, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) encourages cities to supplement their annual report with a PAFR. The goal of the PAFR is to create a comprehensive report that allows the community to gain a deeper understanding of their government’s financial activities and performance over a fiscal year. Different from a Budget at a Glance, which is geared more toward stakeholders to give them the government’s financial situation and projections for the future.
“It’s always great news for Tripepi Smith when a current client reaches out to us for additional support,” said Saara Lampwalla. “Tripepi Smith has developed other simplified public finance documentation for our clients, so we can leverage our prior experience to assist the Culver City team. As usual, the Culver City team is fantastic to work with and takes a strong position on public engagement and transparency with this kind of investment. Transparency is built into their DNA at Culver City.”
About Culver City
Culver City is a five-square-mile, urban community of 39,000 residents surrounded mostly by the City of Los Angeles but also shares a border with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. It is centrally located on the Westside near Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles International Airport. Culver City is particularly known for its well-run public school system, “small town” charm, growing high-tech and creative economies, and a dynamic downtown that is regionally known as a destination for restaurants, live theater, and art galleries.
About Tripepi Smith
Tripepi Smith is a marketing, technology and public affairs firm based in Orange County, CA. Its clients include for-profit, nonprofit and public agencies throughout the state of California. The firm’s unique mix of marketing and technology prowess provides a competitive advantage for organizations seeking to leverage the Internet to achieve their communication goals. Tripepi Smith provides full content creation services, including ghostwriting, collateral development, photography, video production, search engine optimization, email marketing, crisis communications, social media management and website design and execution. Tripepi Smith clients include City of Santa Ana, City of Culver City, City of Rolling Hills Estates, City of Tracy, City of Santa Cruz, City of Snoqualmie, City of Cupertino, City of Daly City, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Paramount, City of Huntington Beach, City of El Cerrito, City of Indian Wells, City of Yuba City, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Industry Business Council, NHA Advisors, CalChoice, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, Rowland Water District, California Contract Cities Association, California City Management Foundation, League of California Cities, Institute for Local Government, Renne Public Law Group, Inland Empire Utilities Agency and Climatec Energy Services.