Navigating the Waves of Change in Public Finance

November 12-14, 2008
Sheraton Dallas Hotel
Dallas, Texas

If you are a public finance official for a city, county, agency, or special district who is:

• Wondering about the effects of the unprecedented national fiscal policy
• Trying to operate under severely constrained revenue sources
• Anxious about the challenges threatening core accounting standards
• Curious about the outlook for public finance in the unique political climate…

THIS MEETING IS FOR YOU!

Agenda

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 7.2 CGFO/CPE—NO PREREQUISITES
WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITY RATEMAKING
See program details (separate $275 ticket, lunch is not included).

9:00 a.m. – Noon
CGFO Study Group
GFOAT Board Working Session (tentative)

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS

• Ethics Committee
• FRRR Committee (GASB)
• Membership Committee Legislative Committee
• Newsletter/Web Site Committee
• Professional Awareness Committee
• Professional Development Committee
• Program Development Committee
• Scholarship, Fellowship and Foundation Committee
• Women’s 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

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
WELCOME RECEPTION

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION

7:00 – 8:30 a.m.
WELCOME ABOARD: New Member and New Attendee Breakfast
(for all conference attendees!!!)
Our standard breakfast buffet offers an opportunity to meet new members and first-time participants. A meet-and-greet ice-breaker will start at approximately 8:00 a.m. We encourage members to sit in groups with their region so they can network with area officials.
Moderator: Collin Boothe, Financial Manager, City of Conroe, and GFOAT Membership Committee Co-Chair

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
CHARTING THE COURSE: Welcome and Opening General Session (1.2 CGFO/CPE)
Uncharted Territory
Moderator: Karen Rhodes, Director of Budget, City of Plano, and GFOAT President

9:40 – 10:40 a.m.
CASTING OFF: CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (1.2 CGFO/CPE)

• Debt Management Update: Have the Storms Passed?
  After almost two years of housing market traumas and the residual damage to banks, insurance underwriters, and most related industries, are there still ripple effects in the market? What is the aftermath doing to agency ratings?
• Energy Consumption: Issues on the Horizon
  Recent legislation in the form of H.B. 3693 requires public entities to establish a goal of reducing their energy consumption by 5 percent annually. What steps are others taking to accomplish this requirement? What are the payoffs and costs of compliance?
• 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Understanding Actuarial Fundamentals
  Having a grasp on the underlying methodology of actuarial analysis is critical to the decisions we make from their reports. What are the mechanics, assumptions, and various methods used, and what are the variables that affect how we manage the information provided? How deep do we need to dive in order to make informed decisions?

10:40 – 11:00 a.m.
FURLOUGH: REFRESHMENT BREAK

11:00 a.m. – Noon
SETTING SAIL: CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (1.2 CGFO/CPE)

• National Incident Management System (NIMS): What Finance Directors Need to Know
  In the continuing tsunami of federal mandates, Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 5 issued in February 2003 requires the adoption of NIMS by state and local organizations as a condition of federal preparedness assistance (grants, contracts, and other activities). Is your organization compliant? Will you be reimbursed by FEMA? Learn the basics of this directive BEFORE a disaster strikes.”
• Fuel Purchasing Options and Evaluating Fuel Alternatives
  Is the high price of fuel sinking your ship? Learn about different options for purchasing fuel and the pros and cons of different fuel and fleet vehicle alternatives.
• HRAs and HSAs: Turning Threats into Opportunities
  What are the pros and cons of health retirement accounts and health savings accounts? How can they help both employers and employees manage the rising costs of health care?

Noon – 1:15 p.m.
LUNCH FROM THE GALLEY: Business Meeting and Awards
Presiding: Karen Rhodes, Director of Budget, City of Plano, and GFOAT President

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
STAYING THE COURSE: CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (1.8 CGFO/CPE)

• Structuring a CIP Program: From the Shipyard to the Sea
  Enjoy this “soup to nuts” description of how to structure and manage a capital improvements program. In particular, learn how to incorporate some of GFOA’s best practices theories into application.
• Sales Tax Reporting and Analysis: Seeing Through the Fog
  The state comptroller’s office collects and maintains a wealth of information that can help users understand the underlying sources of their sales tax revenues. What data is available? How can we access it? How can we analyze it to improve our projections and collections?

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
FURLOUGH: REFRESHMENT BREAK

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
PORT OF CALL: CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (1.8 CGFO/CPE)

• New Options for Managing Risk in Public Funds Management
  In the ebb and flow of economic uncertainty, new fiscal policies of the federal reserve and new innovations in banking have increased options for securities and collateral in public funds investment. Hear how you might be able to improve the performance or security of your portfolio.
• GASB/OPEB Updates: How Are Phase I Cities Navigating Their Course?
  What are the implications of “pay as you go,” “irrevocable trusts,” and “defined contribution” directions? Hear from three entities that are each going different directions in the implementation stage of this new accounting standard.
• Commandeering Your Budget Process: Best Practices
  The national GFOA program for the budget award generates a great avenue to hear about best practices from organizations around the country. This topic not only covers some of the award criteria, but also offers additional insights into innovations in budgeting.
  Speaker: John Fishbein, Senior Manager, Technical Services Center, Government Finance Officers Association, Chicago, Illinois

6:30 – 10:30 p.m.
STORMING THE DECKS: Pirates’ Raid Casino Night (included in the delegate registration)
Join us for an evening of fun and games. Try your luck at blackjack, craps, roulette, or three-card poker to win your booty. A fabulous buffet, adult beverages (yo, ho, ho—bring your doubloons for a cash bar), and sensational prizes top off our evening! Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., and gaming tables will open at 7:30 p.m.

7:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
(breakfast buffet for all conference attendees!)

9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
LAND HO! CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (1.5 CGFO/CPE)

• Municipal Revenue Sources in Texas: A Comprehensive Look at Our Options
  Are your revenues at high tide or low tide? Published by TML as the authoritative source of revenue abilities of cities in Texas, primary author Bennett Sandlin presents the highlights of municipal revenue sources for local governments in Texas.
  Speaker: Bennett Sandlin, General Counsel, Texas Municipal League
• Administering Economic Development Programs: Taking the Helm
  Chapter 380 agreements. TIFs. Abatements. What should a public finance official know to help organize, manage, optimize, and ultimately end these agreements?
• Embracing Chaos: Navigating the Turbulent Sea of Change Management
  How is the baby boomer demographic phenomenon affecting workforce issues, retirement programs, and basic service delivery?
  

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
FURLOUGH: REFRESHMENT BREAK

10:30 a.m. – Noon
PULLING INTO PORT: CLOSING SESSION (1.8 CGFO/CPE)

• Hot Topics
  Moderator: Karen Rhodes, Director of Budget, City of Plano, and GFOAT President
• Legislative Update
  Speaker: Bennett Sandlin, General Counsel, Texas Municipal League
• Closing Keynote Address: The Future of Public Finance Professional: Anticipating and Responding to the Whirlpool of Issues Threatening Our Industry, Our Local Economies, and Our Profession
  Speaker: Ken Rust, GFOA National President

Noon
DRAWING FOR DOOR PRIZES
(must be present to win)

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General Information

REGISTRATION FEE:

HOTEL INFORMATION: The Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas is the site for the GFOAT Fall Conference. The hotel, located at 400 North Olive Street in Dallas, has extended a room rate of $129 single/double. In order to receive this special rate, your reservations must be made by Monday, October 20. To make a reservation, please call the hotel at 888-627-8191 and mention that you are registered for the GFOAT Fall Conference.

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 Monday, October 20. No refunds will be honored after that date.

THURSDAY NIGHT SOCIAL EVENT: Due to the relocation of the conference, GFOAT will host a reception in lieu of the Social Event.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: An application has been submitted to the State Board of Accountancy for CEU/CPE continuing education units (no prerequisites required). CGFO credits will also be offered.

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—PLEASE 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 12, at the Sheraton Dallas 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, there will be a study group meeting at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel from 9:00 a.m. – Noon on November 12, hosted by Carl Wessels, co-chair of the Professional Development (CGFO) Committee.

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.

CAR RENTALS: AVIS discounts are available at www.avis.com, or by calling 800-331-1600. Your Avis Worldwide 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 accessed by entering the association acronym, TEX, at the Corporate Reservation section of the Web site.

GOLF: A golf outing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, at Tension Park – Course Highlands, located at 3501 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas. Tee times will begin at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $48 per person, plus tax, which includes green fee, golf cart, and a small bucket of balls. There is room for 32 golfers. For further information, please contact Tony Sekaly with Costal 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. For information about Tension Park, please visit www.tenisonpark.com.

QUESTIONS: Call the TML Program Development Department at 512-231-7400, or e-mail fallconference@tml.org.

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GFOAT 2008 FALL CONFERENCE
PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION
(SEPARATE FEE)

Sheraton Dallas Hotel
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2008

8:00 A.M. _ 4:00 P.M.
7.2 CGFO/CPE—NO PREREQUISITES

8:00 – 8:15 a.m.
Registration
(coffee and pastries will be available)

8:15 – 8:25 a.m.
Introduction
Dan Lanning, R.W. Beck, Inc.

8:25 – 9:00 a.m.
How Ratemaking Supports the Utility’s Mission
Allen Mullins, Pros Consultants

9:05 – 9:45 a.m.
Getting Ready for the Rate Study: Data Requirements
Jennifer Ivey, City of Red Oak

10:05 – 10:45 a.m.
Determining Revenue Requirement
Andy McCartney, Black & Veatch

10:50 – 11:30 a.m.
Workshop One
Dave Yanke, R. W. Beck, Inc.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own

12:35 – 1:15 p.m.
The Cost Allocation Analysis
Mike Dutton, Black & Veatch

1:20 – 2:00 p.m.
Rate Design Alternatives
Carolyn Marshall, CPA

2:20 – 2:50 p.m.
Selling the Rate Adjustment
Terry Lowery, Dallas Water Utilities (DWU)

2:50 – 3:20 p.m.
Lessons Learned
Panel of city staff lead by Terry Lowery, Dallas Water Utilities (DWU)

3:25 – 4:00 p.m.
Workshop Two
Dave Yanke, R.W. Beck, Inc.

Participants will receive a copy of the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) M-1 – Principles of Water Rates, Fees, and Charges.

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(Your registration will not be processed until payment is received.)

1. Register online for the GFOAT Fall Conference now.
2. Download and fax a .pdf version of the registration form to 512-231-7495.
3. Mail the .pdf version of the registration form to:
   TML Administrative Services
   1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400
   Austin, TX 78754-5128