Jessica Brown
Chief Financial Officer, City of Fontana, California
Jessica Brown brings nearly two decades of experience in public finance to her role as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the City of Fontana. With a wealth of experience in fostering financial sustainability and enhancing transparency in government finance, Jessica is devoted to ensuring that Fontana’s fiscal management is robust, efficient, and accountable.
Before joining the City of Fontana, Jessica held various finance-related roles in local government. She served as the Finance Director for the cities of Placentia and Rialto, as well as Lake Arrowhead Community Services District, Apple Valley Fire Protection District, and the County of San Bernardino where she played a pivotal role in strategic financial planning, budget management, and implementation of technology solutions to enhance fiscal accountability and efficiency.
As the CFO of Fontana, Jessica oversees the city’s financial strategies, accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting. She is instrumental in developing and implementing policies that ensure fiscal responsibility, efficient allocation of resources, and financial transparency. Under her leadership, the city has maintained a strong credit rating, enhanced its financial reporting mechanisms, and established a comprehensive fiscal framework that supports long-term financial health and sustainability.
Some of Jessica’s accomplishments include:
- Structured revenues within the City of Fontana that realized a new on-going revenue source of $5 million annually.
- Stabilized the City of Fontana’s finances that resulted in the addition of 20 new police officers in the 2022-23 budget.
- Restructured agency debt and liabilities realizing savings of over $50 million and received a S&P issuer and bond credit rating increase.
- Reduced the structural deficit by 50% for the City of Rialto.
- Ensured future fiscal sustainability of Fire Protection District and allowed for an expansion of services through the development of a Special Tax Measure passed by 78% of the voters.
- Successfully replaced and upgraded the City of Rialto’s IT network and server infrastructure.
Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in business/accounting and is a member of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO), Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), California Municipal Treasurers Association, and Government Investment Officers Association. She also serves as Vice-Chair for the CSMFO Student Engagement Committee and a Norco College Advisory Board member. Jessica is committed to continuous improvement, innovation, excellence in financial management and helping develop the next generation of public finance professionals.