District Welcomes New Finance Manager

Jennifer Signs brings nearly 20 years of accounting experience to the District

The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District is pleased to welcome Jennifer Signs to the position of Finance Manager/Treasurer. Signs joins the District with nearly 20 years of accounting experience, including most recently serving as the Finance Director for the City of Monte Vista, Colorado. Signs received a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, and has since held varying financial accounting and leadership roles in both the private enterprise and public sector. Signs also chairs the Government Finance Officer’s Association Small Government Forum committee, which serves the United States and Canada.

“I am excited to join such a committed group of professionals and understand that no matter how well designed an organization is, it is only as good as the people who live and work in it,” said Signs. “I look forward to contributing towards maintaining the District’s exceptional services to its customers.”  Signs went on to say, “The District has done an amazing job of anticipating and planning for the future needs of its customers to ensure long-term sustainability and growth in a healthy and responsible way while protecting the beauty that is found in the Lake Whatcom watershed.”

Under the direction of the General Manager, the Finance Manager/Treasurer serves as a member of the management team and is responsible for the leadership and management of all financial operations of the District, including planning, organizing, and controlling financial resources and expenditures processes. The Finance Manager/Treasurer manages the Finance Department, which is comprised of four professionals, and is responsible for financial policy development, planning, investments, assessments, and debt service obligations. The Finance Manager/Treasurer also leads the development of annual capital and operating budgets, preparation of comprehensive financial statements, and directs the District’s accounting, utility billing and reporting systems.

“Providing safe and reliable drinking water, and collection and management of sewage in a manner that protects the Lake Whatcom watershed are the District’s primary missions,” stated Justin Clary, District General Manager. “However, an essential component to meeting those objectives is through the responsible management of the public’s funds with which we are entrusted, so that we may operate our sewer and water utilities in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Jenny’s direct experience, when coupled with her proactive approach to financial management, will ensure continued exceptional service to District customers.”