Government Finance Review articles from February 2007

Government Finance Review archives from February 2007

Information technology and the finance officer.(from the editor)(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... Annually, GFOA produces an issue of the Government Finance Review focused on technology Each year, there are advances in technology to report on, as well as new ways governments have found to use technology to support productivity, decision...

Growth of public wi-fi.(News & Numbers)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... According to a new research report by Muniwireless.com, more than $3 billion will be spent over the next four years to build and operate public wireless networks for U.S. municipalities. The success of many initial municipal network deployments...

CalPERS expanding horizons.(News & Numbers)(California Public Employees' Retirement System)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) recently announced a three-year plan to offer its own set of investment products to local government workers outside of their pensions. If successful, CalPERS potentially would...

Increased revenue and spending for states in FY 2006.(News & Numbers)
February 1, 2007... States posted the highest balances seen in years in their primary accounts in FY '06, according to the Fiscal Survey of the States. The annual report, a collaboration of the National Governors Association and the National Association of State...

Calculator for biofuel feasibility.(News & Numbers)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... A new computer program can help municipal power providers determine the costs of moving to "green" sources. The free Biopower Toolkit helps judge the feasibility of using biofuels--such as wood, animal waste, and landfill gases--to generate...

Civic leaders offer their evaluation of Illinois' finances.(News & Numbers)
February 1, 2007... A recent report by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago warns of financial crisis in the State of Illinois if the state does not take corrective action. The report calls on state leaders to cut costs and/or increase revenues to...

Serving constituents, saving dollars; the cost-reduction potential of constituent relationship management.(Cover story)
February 1, 2007... Constituent relationship management (CRM) combines advanced telephony, Internet, and computer technology with constituent-focused business processes and an ethos of service to the community. Coordination between these elements in a government...

Consortium buying: best practices for local government implementations.
February 1, 2007... Consortium buying has been a hot topic among local governments of all sizes for more than a decade, but few have implemented successfully the concept beyond group purchasing initiatives. Yet, when faced with limited budgets and a costly upgrade...

Dollars and sense on muni wireless.
February 1, 2007... Some 350 cities across the country are in some stage of implementing citywide Wi-Fi (short-range wireless Internet access). Hundreds more are exploring the idea. An important step in the decision-making process falls to the financial officer:...

The need for financial leadership in IT asset management.
February 1, 2007... How often do we face a problem where the solution offers an opportunity to save more money than the cost of the solution? A ticking time bomb lies in every business and government that does not maintain precise control of IT assets. The...

Sym*bi*o*sis. Sym*me*try. Syn*er*gy: the case for interlocal cooperation.
February 1, 2007... To understand why interlocal cooperation among governments has so much potential, one needs to take stock of the trends affecting local governments today: * Federal and state budget challenges continue, reducing revenue sharing and grant...

Guidelines for expedited reviews by the Special Review Committee (SRC): new guidelines streamline the review process for GFOA's certificate program.(Best Practices)(Government Finance Officers Association)
February 1, 2007... Each year members of the Special Review Committee (SRC) review more than 3,500 comprehensive annual financial reports (CAFRs) submitted to the GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (COA). Recently, the...

Ten years young and growing: GFOA's Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) program.(Management & Careers)(Government Finance Officers Association)
February 1, 2007... In 1997, the Government Finance Officers Association launched its Certified Public Finance Officer program. The program is designed to test a finance officer's knowledge in five areas essential to government finance: * Governmental...

Performance management and measurement in small communities: taking the first step towards implementing a balanced scorecard approach.(Solutions)
February 1, 2007... Performance management and measurement is a process that has demonstrated positive impact for smaller communities and through the effective use of community resources, the process need not be costly. As the public sector moves towards...

Washington watch: the new leadership's possible effect on issues important to state and local government.(Federal Focus)
February 1, 2007... Throughout 2006 the focus on the November elections affected the congressional agenda, leaving many issues on the table for the new 110th Congress to address. Congress did however approve significant pension reform legislation and two tax bills...

Proposed disclosure changes for pensions.(The Accounting Angle)
February 1, 2007... The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) recently issued an exposure draft (ED) on Pension Disclosures. The proposed new guidance would modify the notes and required supplementary information (RSI) currently mandated for pensions to...

Leadership as more of an art than a science.(The Bookshelf)(The Dance of Leadership: The Art of Leading Business, Government, and Society)(Book review)
February 1, 2007... The Dance of Leadership The Art of Leading Business, Government, and Society Robert B. Denhardt and Janet V. Denhardt M.E. Sharpe Armonk New York 2006, 175pp What traits define a good leader? Perhaps your answer would include words like...

Calendar.(Calendar)
February 1, 2007... [state association events] February Wyoming GFOA February 8-9 Lander, WY Alabama GFOA February 28-March 1 Montgomery, AL www.gfoaa.org GFOA of Arizona March 6-9 Tucson, AZ www.groaz.org...

Digital leadership moves.(Commentary)
February 1, 2007... E-government presents leadership challenges much mole substantial than simply placing more transactions online. Effective leaders pay careful attention to needs for continuity. With stakeholders demanding traditional values and services,...