Roseville resident Bruce Bester served as a nonprofit Chief Financial Officer for decades managing a $35 million budget for a charity that helped adults with disabilities.
In that capacity, he was named CFO of the Year by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
He retired from that role in 2015 and focused on his own financial consulting firm helping clients invest their nest eggs.
Bester is now using his expertise to keep an eye on the City of Roseville’s money matters as chair of the Finance Commission. He has served on the commission for four years.
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“There is so much alignment with what I have done in the past and what the city’s accounting and financial reporting is all about. It just seemed like a perfect fit,” Bester said.
The seven-person volunteer commission advises the City Council and professional city staff on both short-term and long-term financial policy matters, including budgets, capital replacement policies, and cash reserves. The City of Roseville has about a $70 million annual operating budget, which includes police, fire, water service, roads, and parks. The commissioners also advise on the $200 million capital budget, which is used to repair and replace equipment and infrastructure.
“Our first mission is to make sure the city is healthy financially. Our second mission is to watch out for the taxpayers including business and homeowners,” Bester said. “I want to make sure they are being considered in the process.”
The commission, which meets monthly, helps provide transparency for the public.
In addition to meetings, Bester said he spends countless hours at home reviewing documents.
“I find this work really fulfilling. It allows me to continue to use the skills, training, and experience I have for what is a good purpose,” Bester said. “There are not a ton of people capable or willing to do this work.”
Roseville Finance Director Michelle Pietrick praised Bester’s and the entire commission’s dedication to the city.!["Bruce]("https://www.cityofroseville.com/ImageRepository/Document?documentId=37600")
“I am grateful for Bruce’s time and commitment,” Pietrick said. “I know he cares deeply about our community and devotes many hours to understanding all the intricacies of our budgeting process.”
And while the bottom line is important, the finance commission must ensure that spending and budget also align with the community’s values, Bester said. For example, the city decided to spend more upfront on an electric fire engine instead of a diesel one, because the electric model will last longer, reduces emissions, and aligns with the city’s sustainability goals.
Bester has lived in Roseville on Lake Owasso for 23 years. When he’s not reviewing the city’s finances, Bester is a slalom water skier, who regularly skis Lake Owasso with friends. He spends winters in Florida training with a professional slalom water skier.
In Minnesota, Bester also volunteers with the nonprofit Courage Center, helping people with disabilities experience water skiing and sports.