Fiscal 911
Restoring Financial Health
November 17-19, 2010
Moody Gardens Hotel • Galveston
ATTENTION!
If you are a public finance official for a city, county, agency, or special district who is:
- Working on a first response team of improved public stewardship…
- Trying to diagnose and administer fiscal first aid…
- Charged with leading your organization back to fiscal stability…
THIS MEETING IS FOR YOU!
Preliminary Agenda
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
1:00 - 5:30 p.m.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP — PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT Part One (separate fee)
Click here for program details. (Save $25 by
registering online.)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
7:30 a.m.
BRUCE TESTA ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
Moody Gardens Golf Course, located at 170 Sydnor Lane in Galveston
8:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP — PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT Part Two (separate fee)
Click here for program details. (Save $25 by
registering online.)
8:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP — Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) UPDATE (separate fee) (6.5 CGFO/CPE)
Click here for program details. (Save $25 by
registering online.)
10:00 a.m. Noon
CERTIFIED GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICER'S (CGFO) EXAM STUDY GROUP
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Ethics Committee
FRRR Committee (GASB)
Membership Committee
Legislative Committee
Newsletter/Web Site Committee
Professional Development Committee
Program Development Committee
Scholarship, Fellowship and Foundation Committee
Women in Public Finance Network
3:00 5:00 p.m.
GFOAT EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
3:00 5:30 p.m.
CGFO TESTING
4:00 6:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION
5:00 6:30 p.m.
WELCOME RECEPTION
7:00 — 9:00 p.m.
WOMEN'S PUBLIC FINANCE NETWORKING EVENT
(separate ticketed event, $40)
Please join the Women's Public Finance Network at Moody Gardens
for an exciting experience. Details to follow!
8:30 Midnight
TEXAS HOLD EM
A donation of $25 dollars to the GFOAT Foundation will be taken at the door.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
7:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION
7:00 8:00 a.m.
NEW-MEMBER AND NEW- ATTENDEE BREAKFAST
This breakfast is for first-time attendees and new members to come and get an orientation to GFOAT. GFOAT Board and
committee chairs will be in attendance.
Moderator: GFOAT Membership Committee Co-Chair Clifford Blackwell, Director of Administrative Services, City of Bedford
7:00 8:00 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAKFAST
breakfast buffet for all conference attendees
8:00 9:15 a.m.
Welcome and Opening General Session (1.5 CGFO/CPE)
GALVESTON'S RECOVERY FROM IKE: A CITY MANAGER'S
POINT OF VIEW
Moderator: GFOAT President Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer, City of Georgetown
Keynote Speaker: Steve LeBlanc, City Manager, City of Galveston
9:15 9:45 a.m.
REFRESHMENT BREAK/SPONSOR NETWORKING
9:45 11:30 a.m.
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (2.0 CGFO/CPE)
- PRESCRIPTION FOR EFFICIENCY: LINKING PERFORMANCE
MANAGEMENT CONTROLS, MEASUREMENT, AND AUDITING TO FRAUD
Is your organization on "life support" when it comes to performance measurement, or have you had a case of "fraud" lately? Are you looking for ways to sustain or improve your organizational performance? Then this is the session for you! We will address these conditions and provide an understanding of how efforts to better manage organizations may have both positive and negative consequences to the health of your city.
Speaker: Stephen L. Morgan, CEO, EGAPP, Inc. (Excellence in Government Accountability and Performance Practices), Austin - POST OPERATIVE CARE: BEST PRACTICES IN
POST-ISSUANCE COMPLIANCE
Regulations are ever-changing. This session is just what the doctor ordered for ensuring compliance with new federal reporting regulations, including those for "Build America Bonds," as well as changes to IRS and SEC disclosure requirements.
Speakers: Carol Polumbo, Managing Partner; Richard Donoghue, Partner; Bart Fowler, Partner; and Jana Edwards, Associate, McCall, Parkhurst & Horton L.L.P., Austin
11:30 a.m. 12:45 p.m.
LUNCH, BUSINESS MEETING, AND AWARDS
Presiding: GFOAT President Micki Rundell, Chief Financial
Officer, City of Georgetown
NEWS FROM NATIONAL
Speaker: Len Brittain, Director, Corporate Finance, City of Toronto, and President, Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada
1:00 2:00 p.m.
GENERAL SESSION: (1.0 CGFO/CPE)
BORDERLINE CONDITIONS: EL PASO'S PRESCRIPTION FOR TRANSFORMING GOVERNMENT
Joyce Wilson, the first city manager for the City of El Paso, shares her insights regarding El Paso's successful transformation to a city manager-council form of government, as well as the challenges she faces in this high profile border community.
Speaker: Joyce Wilson, City Manager, City of El Paso
2:15 3:30 p.m.
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (1.5 CGFO/CPE)
- GETTING A SECOND OPINION: NEGOTIATING
MERCHANT SERVICES
Accepting credit cards is a service many of our customers expect. Not to mention that in this economy, every penny counts. Therefore, it's important to make sure you're getting the best rates possible from your credit card processer. This session will provide an overview of how to lower the fees you pay for accepting electronic payments and explain the various costs associated with transaction types.
Speakers: Edward Vaughan, President, Electronic Transaction Systems Corp. (ETS)., Sterling, Virginia; and Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Manager, City of Georgetown. - CHECKING YOUR VITAL SIGNS: A LOOK AT YOUR CAFR
FROM AN END-USER'S PERSPECTIVE
In this session, you will learn exactly what rating agencies are using to check your financial health and some tips and tactics to avoid common reporting deficiencies.
Speakers: Christopher L. Breaux, CPA, Principal - Governmental Services, Null-Lairson, P.C., Houston; and Dwight D. Burns, Executive Director, Texas Public Finance Authority, Austin - URGENT CARE FOR EMPLOYEES'
AILMENTS!
Personal and professional impacts from the economy are showing up as a variety of attitude and behavior maladies affecting the morale and performance of individual staff members… and these symptoms are contagious. Inoculate your organization now! Discover "low-cost/no-cost" cures already available to you through your own management and leadership abilities.
Speaker: Teresa Gonzalez, The Management Connection, College Station
3:30 4:00 p.m.
REFRESHMENT BREAK/SPONSOR NETWORKING
4:00 5:00 p.m.
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (1.0 CGFO/CPE)
- SUFFERING FROM POOR CASH FLOW? TRY REMOTE DEPOSIT CAPTURE: BANKING IN A PAPERLESS ENVIRONMENT
The Texas State Comptroller's Office deposits paper checks electronically in almost all circumstances. Learn how remote deposit capture can provide an effective remedy for those suffering from anemic interest earnings by increasing cash circulation and lowering banking fees.
Speakers: Robert P. Coalter, Assistant Director, Treasury Operations, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Austin; and Garry Hamilton, Senior Vice President, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Austin - DOCTOR'S ORDERS: INTENSIVE CARE FOR UNDER-PERFORMING
OPERATIONS
Under recent budget scrutiny, many functions or services that were traditionally provided by public employees were on the operating table for removal.ΚHear from these professionals about when to use your general practitioner employees versus when to call on the experts.ΚWhen and what to outsource? How do you develop RFP/B to get the most value from your contract? When and what to bring back internally?
Speakers: Tom Guilfoy, Director of Competition, City of Carrollton; and David Eisenlohr, Managing Partner, Azimuth Group, Dallas - SALES TAX: STILL A
FLATLINE REVENUE?
In this session, you will learn techniques to resuscitate your sales tax revenue. Learn how to evaluate your sales tax reports and put them to use to find a pulse on missing funds. Hear how one city put these analytical techniques to use and brought its sales tax back to life.
Speakers: Patrick Shinkle, Associate Director, University of North Texas Center for Public Management, Denton; and Adrienne Lothery, Budget Coordinator, Town of Flower Mound
6:30 10:30 p.m.
NETWORKING EVENT —
Just What the Doctor Ordered
Join us for an evening of fun and games. Try your luck at blackjack, roulette, poker, and much more. A fabulous dinner buffet and sensational prizes will top off our evening!
Friday, November 19, 2010
7:00 8:15 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAKFAST
breakfast buffet for all conference attendees
8:30 9:45 a.m.
CONCURRENT WORKSHOP (1.5 CGFO/CPE)
- THE ANATOMY OF UNDERWRITING BONDS
Ever wonder how the underwriters price your bonds? Come hear from those on the trading desks. How do they decide to price at a premium or discount? How do they market your bonds? What is group net? These experts can share timely tips in a vastly changing marketplace.
Speakers: Peter Stare, Senior Vice President, FirstSouthwest, Dallas; and David Holland, Managing Director, Coastal Securities, Houston - INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING:
THIS WON'T HURT MUCH
In this session, we will continue our examination of governmental accounting. You will hear from an expert on how to kick those bad habits and record transactions the proper way.
Speaker: Terry Patton, Ph.D., Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls - EXPANDING THE FINANCE OFFICER'S ROLE IN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
When assembling the team to identify opportunities and negotiate terms, are you included at the table?Κ Or do you often find yourself trying to manage the administrative details long after the deals have been done? Learn how to interject yourself early in the process and become a valuable asset to the development team.
Speakers: Charles Cryan, Director of Finance, City of Bryan; and
Dennis Goehring, Director of Economic Development, City of Bryan
9:45 10:15 a.m.
REFRESHMENT BREAK/SPONSOR NETWORKING
10:15 a.m. Noon
CLOSING SESSION (2.0 CGFO/CPE)
TEXAS 87TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION: WHAT TO EXPECT
Speaker: Monty Wynn,
Assistant Director of Legislative Services, Texas Municipal League, Austin
EFFECT OF HEALTH CARE REFORM ON A CITY'S
FINANCIALS
Speaker: Susan Smith,
Executive Director, TML
Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool, Austin
Noon
DRAWING FOR DOOR PRIZES
(MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN)
General Information
Save $25 by registering online below.)
REGISTRATION FEE:
DEEP DISCOUNT for Active GFOAT Members
| By November 3 GFOAT Active Members Only | $225 |
| By November 3 GFOAT Members | $300 |
| After November 3 GFOAT Members | $350 |
| By November 3 - GFOAT Non-Member | $400 |
| After November 3 GFOAT Non-Member | $450 |
| First-Time Attendee | $175 |
| Student | $ 85 |
| Networking Event Guest | $ 45 |
| Womens Public Finance Networking Event | $ 40 |
| Pre-Conference Sessions: | |
| Public Funds Investment Act Training Part One (Tuesday) | $140 |
| Public Funds Investment Act Training Part Two (Wednesday) | $140 |
| Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPED) Update (Wednesday) | $95 |
HOTEL INFORMATION:
The Moody Gardens Hotel is the site for the 2010 GFOAT Fall
Conference. The hotel, located at Seven Hope Boulevard in Galveston, has extended a room rate of $129 single/double. In order to receive this special rate, your reservations must be made by Sunday, October 31. To make a reservation, please call the hotel at 409-741-8484 or
888-388-8484 and mention that you are registered for the GFOAT
Fall Conference. To make reservations online, visit
www.moodygardenshotel.com and enter your arrival and departure date under "Reservations." Click on "Group" and enter Group ID # 25328 and Password 875. If you encounter any problems, please call the hotel directly at 409-741-8484. The Moody Gardens Hotel is a non-smoking facility.
CANCELLATION AND SUBSTITUTION POLICY:
If you are registered and cannot attend, we encourage you to send a substitute. If you cannot send a substitute, a $45 cancellation fee will be assessed if written cancellation is received by Wednesday, November 3. No refunds will be honored after that date.
NETWORKING EVENT — Just What the Doctor Ordered
If you are a registered GFOAT conference delegate, your badge will admit you to the event. Only purchase an optional ticket for a person who is not registered for the conference. Tickets cannot be refunded after Wednesday, November 3.
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
An application has been submitted to the State Board of Accountancy for CEU/CPE continuing education units. CGFO credits will also be
offered. No prerequisites are required for any session.
CONFIRMATIONS/BADGES:
Conference badges will be mailed in advance. If you do not receive your packet in the mail, you can pick up your registration materials on site. REMEMBER: BRING YOUR BADGE AND ANY OPTIONAL TICKETS YOU ORDERED TO THE CONFERENCE.
CGFO TESTING:
The Certified Government Finance Officer's exam will be offered from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, at the Moody Gardens Hotel. If you are interested in sitting for the test during this time, please contact Suzette Clair at suzette@gfoat.org or Becky Brooks at blbrooks@gfoat.org. Also, CGFO Committee Co-Chair Carl E. Wessels will host a study group meeting at the Moody Gardens Hotel on
November 17 from 10:00 a.m. until Noon.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
Let us know on the registration form if you need special assistance of any kind. WE WANT TO HELP! In order to respond to any special
requests, we would appreciate as much advance notice as possible. Thank you.
SHUTTLE SERVICE:
Galveston Limousine Service, Inc. is a full service company serving the transportation needs of Galveston Island and the Bay Area since 1960. Customized transportation and daily scheduled Airport shuttles are among the many services offered. For more information, contact 800-640-4826 or 409-744-5466.
CAR RENTALS:
AVIS discounts are available at www.avis.com or by calling 800-331-1600. Your Avis World Wide Discount (AWD) Number is J867208. Enterprise Corporate Class discounts are available at www.enterprise.com or by calling 800-736-8222. Your Corporate Class number, which is Y21222, can be assessed by entering the association acronym, TEX, at the Corporate Reservation section of the Web site.
WOMEN'S PUBLIC FINANCE NETWORKING EVENT (separate ticketed event, $40):
Please join the Women's Public Finance Network at Moody Gardens for an exciting experience. Details to follow!
GOLF:
The Bruce Testa Annual Golf Outing is scheduled for Wednesday,
November 17, at the Moody Gardens Golf Course, located at 170
Sydnor Lane in Galveston. Tee times will begin at 7:30 a.m. The cost
is $52 per person, plus tax, which includes the green fee, cart, and a small bucket of balls. The golf outing is limited to 32 golfers. For further information, please contact Tony Sekaly with Coastal Securities at
800-681-4121 or tds@coastalsecurities.com; or Greg Wilmore,
Finance Director for the City of Cleburne, at 817-645-0911 or gregw@cleburne.net.
QUESTIONS: Contact the TML Program Development Department at 512-231-7400, or fallconference@tml.org.
GFOAT Pre-Conference Workshops (Separate fees)
Moody Gardens Hotel
PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT WORKSHOP — TWO PARTS
November 16-17
$140 each day (The fee includes lunch.)
The Public Funds Investment Act requires chief financial officers, treasurers, and investment officers of local governments to receive ten hours of investment training every two years. In addition, new investment officers are required to receive ten hours of training within the first twelve months after assuming their duties. A new two-year training cycle began on September 1, 2009. Completion of this two-part workshop satisfies this
requirement.
Tuesday, November 16 — Part One
1:00 — 5:30 p.m. (Come early for lunch served at Noon in the meeting room.)
Wednesday, November 17 — Part Two
8:00 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. (A continental breakfast and lunch will be served.)
OPEB and GASB 45
Wednesday, November 17
Tentative Agenda
7:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:00-8:30 a.m.
Introduction and Issues- FirstSouthwest
8:40-9:40 a.m.
Your Actuarial Study - Part I
Michael N. Morin, Principal, Consulting Actuary, Milliman
What is required in your study? What does it really mean? What information do you get out of it? And how do you interpret it?
What are common assumptions made by actuaries when they have no data?
What impact does this have on results? What else should you ask your actuary that would be useful?
9:50-10:50 a.m.
Your Actuarial Study - Part II
Jack L. Beam, Consultant, Gabriel Roeder Smith
What are the major choices you can make in your study, and how do they impact the results?
Level Dollar vs Percent of Payroll contributions?, Open vs closed amortization?,
various cost methods of ? How do you know what to choose? How do they impact your financials over time?
What isn't in your study? Medicare Part D, and Federal Reimbursements.
11:00 a.m. - Noon
GASB's Stance
Kevin A. Sanford, Partner, Weaver & Tidwell; Steve Murray, Senior Director, Fitch Ratings;
Peter Stare, Senior Vice President, First Southwest
GASB 43/45 where is it today and where is it going? What do the new "Preliminary Views" tell us about OPEB?
What should we do to prepare? What do rating agencies think? How often have investors been asking questions about OPEB?
How do you know if your auditor understands OPEB? What is Texas HB 2365 for OPEB reporting; why is it not widely used vs.
GASB 43/45?
WORKING LUNCH - PROVIDED
12:15-1:30 p.m.
What else should I know?
Brian Whitworth, Senior Vice President , First Southwest; Don Paschal, Senior Municipal
Consultant, PARS; Winston Duke, City of Huntsville
What are the considerations for a single employer trust? What are considerations to join a group trust?
What duties would staff have in each case? Are RFPs necessary? What disclosure problems should I watch for?
Should/Can I consider issuing bonds to fund OPEB? What types of modifications might be common to lower our liabilities?
What are the effects of the Early Retiree Reinsurance program? What are the local issues?
Questions and Answers
How do I register?
Save $25 by registering online below, or you can sign up on the registration form included in the downloadable pdf brochure.
The number of participants is limited, so register today.
REGISTER NOW
- Register online for the GFOAT Fall Conference now.
- Download a .pdf version of the registration form and mail to:
TML Administrative Services
1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400
Austin, TX 78754-5128
