Dear Colleagues and Friends,

The “dog days” of August are upon us and the temperature continues to be 100+ degrees.  The only good thing about this weather is that most of us are selling more water and electricity which will mean more funds for the budget.  Speaking of budget, I hope all of you have had a successful budget season in spite of the economy.   I know that declining property values and decreasing revenues have made this a stressful budget process for almost everyone.  These tough economic times have made raising property taxes unpopular with most local governments.  Many of us are faced with cutting services and frozen positions.  These factors, along with employees who are facing rising health care costs with little or no pay raises, have made the 2010/11 budget one of the most challenging of my career. 

It always amazes me that each budget cycle seems more difficult than the last, but somehow, the budget always manages to come together for adoption.  This “coming together” is due to the hard work and dedication of finance professionals like you who often put their lives “on hold” until the budget is adopted each fall.   I encourage each of you to step back, take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back for a job well done!  I also hope you get a chance to relax, unwind and take a break before the next cycle begins.  Yes, the year end audit and CAFR is right around the corner.
  
As the fiscal year is winding down, the fall conference is fast approaching.  This year’s conference will be at Moody Gardens in Galveston on November 17 – 19.  The theme for this year’s conference is “Fiscal 911 – Restoring Financial Health” and will be filled with presentations aimed at ways to enhance financial recovery.   Key note speakers include Steve LaBlanc, City Manager of Galveston who will be sharing insights about Galveston’s recovery from Hurricane Ike and, Joyce Wilson who will share the challenges of being El Paso’s first City Manager.  We’re also excited to have Susan Smith, Executive Director of TML Intergovernmental Employee Pool as our closing speaker discussing the impacts of health care reform to local government.  In addition, this year there will be two pre-conference sessions, OPEB and PFIA.   My thanks to the Program Committee for developing a program that includes so many useful and timely topics.  So mark your calendars to join us in Galveston. I hope to see you there!

I ’d also like to thank Charles Cox, City of Farmer’s Branch and Steve Williams, City of Conroe for agreeing to continue to serve as Directors for the GFOAT Foundation.  I’d also like to welcome Martie Gillespe, City of Killeen as a new Regional Director, for Region 9.  She replaces Elizabeth Deiterich who retired from the City of Bellmead earlier this year. 

Lastly, I want to encourage you to get involved!  It’s a great way to meet and connect with your peers and make new friends.   Start by joining a committee. Give me a call if you’re interested and I’ll be happy to connect you with the appropriate person.

Until next month,

Micki Rundell
President

City of Forest Hill-City Accountant
Job Posted on: 9/9/2010
Closing Date: 11/8/2010
Salary: Dependent upon qualifications

CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS-PURCHASING SUPERVISOR/MANAGER
Job Posted on: 9/2/2010
Closing Date: 10/2/2010
Salary: $22.19 - $30.00 Hourly/$46,155.20 - $62,400.00 Annually

CITY OF SEAGOVILLE, TX-Director of Financial Services
Job Posted on: 8/27/2010
Closing Date: 10/26/2010
Salary: DOQ

City of Highland Village-Senior Accountant
Job Posted on: 8/27/2010
Closing Date: 9/26/2010
Salary: $25.06/hr

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Professional Development - CGFO:   Contact suzette@gfoat.org Next testing date: November 17 Galveston

Regional 8 & 13 News (DFW): Contact Alan at adickerson@littleelm.org.  Welcome Linda Bantz and Monika Arris!

Regional 9 News (Heartland):  Welcomes Martie Gillespie as new regional co-chair.

Regional 11 News (Coastal Bend):  Welcomes Anna Marquez and Darla Honea and as new regional co-chairs.

Need justification and explanation for why those financial reports need to be completed in a timely manner??? Check out GASB's Chairman Attmore and AICPA's Melancon in "Trust in Timing" in Governing Magazine, July 15, 2010

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