Government Finance Review articles from October 2008

Government Finance Review archives from October 2008

Solutions for tough times.(from the editor)(Editorial)
October 1, 2008... There are few things everyone will agree on, except, perhaps, that local governments are facing tough economic circumstances At times like these, minor problems can threaten to quickly become a financial crisis, and unsustainable solutions can...

Study examines local governments' responses to health-care costs, GASB 45.(News & Numbers)(Governmental Accounting Standards Board)(Survey)
October 1, 2008... A new study looks at local governments' strategies for addressing health-care costs and their awareness of and response to Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 45. The study, "Health and OPEB Funding Strategies: 2008...

Oregon Department of Transportation building nation's first 'Roadside solar' project.
October 1, 2008... The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is embracing renewable energy The agency is undertaking an innovative development known as the Oregon Solar Highway project, a public-private partnership with an electric utility and a bank to...

Finance officers need to provide leadership, report says.
October 1, 2008... Only a third of government finance leaders believe they have the financial management abilities they need to address the fiscal challenges ahead, according to "Mastering Finance in Government," a report by Deloitte Research. The report, based...

Brass Tax compiles and evaluates collection techniques.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Brass Tax. The Compendium of Local Government Collection Powers and Practices, is an ambitious undertaking by the Arlington County Treasurer's Office to compile the various collection tools available to local governments throughout the United...

2008 Innovation award winners chosen.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Six initiatives were chosen by The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School as winners of the 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards. Each winner will receive $100,000 toward replication of its...

Fiscal first aid.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With indicators of housing market performance plumbing depths that haven't been seen in years, soaring energy and commodity costs, and slowed economic growth, many local governments are feeling financial pressure. In...

Consolidation and shared services: a proven method for saving tax dollars.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Midwestern mayor--who happened to be involved in discussions about merging fire and EMS services with neighboring communities--recently had a heart attack. Grateful for the quick response of the paramedics, he...

Stability in a time of uncertainty.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Challenging fiscal times test the strength of an organization's backbone, but they also provide an opportunity to strengthen policies, enhance analytical infrastructure, and inspire fresh perspectives. State and...

Making an argument for police enforcement costs: the St. Paul fee study experience.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The mortgage foreclosure crisis and the related downturn in tax revenues have forced city finance professionals to develop creative approaches to combat revenue shortages. Cities such as Baltimore, Buffalo, and...

Enhancing control and lowering costs through payables outsourcing.(enterprise resource planning)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Payment production is no longer a physical task within the Arlington County treasurer's office--payables outsourcing has moved a manual process to a Web-based environment. The county had considered moving away from...

Capital planning provides both short-term and long-term perspective.(Financial planning)
October 1, 2008... Most finance officers have heard about the need for long-term financial planning, a collaborative process that allows for strategic thinking about an organization's future. However, long-term financial planning doesn't just provide perspective...

Organizational alignment with logic models: Marathon County, Wisconsin: using a carefully thought-out implementation schedule and focusing on change management and training, Marathon County changed the focus of managers and elected officials to outcomes rather than outputs.([PM.sup.2] Connections: PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT & MANAGEMENT)
October 1, 2008... Marathon County, Wisconsin, continuously evaluates its programs and services in light of its goal: creating a learning organization that promotes improved quality of services as well as increased service delivery efficiency. The performance...

The fifth dimension of management: make it personal.
October 1, 2008... The art of management is to get a group of people to work together toward achieving stated goals. Traditional managers discharge their responsibilities through planning, organizing, leading, and controlling or coordinating their employees. In...

Long-term financial forecasting for local governments.(Financial planning)
October 1, 2008... Cities, counties, and other local government agencies are increasingly adopting long-term financial forecasting as a critical component of their financial management practices. Too many governments have found out the hard way what can happen in...

President signs Landmark Housing Law.(Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act)
October 1, 2008... Since early 2007, communities across the nation have been struggling with a flailing economy and perhaps the most significant downturn in the housing market since the Great Depression. In fact, the National Association of Homebuilders reports...

GASB proposes to modify guidance on ARC adjustment for pensions and OPEB.(Annual Required Contribution)(other postemployment benefit)
October 1, 2008... In mid-July, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) invited comment on a draft technical bulletin, Determining the Annual Required Contribution Adjustment for Postemployment Benefits. The draft technical bulletin proposes to modify...

Going beyond the obvious: what every finance officer should know about IT controls.(IT Compliance and Controls: Best Practices for Implementation)(information technology)(Book review)
October 1, 2008... IT Compliance and Controls: Best Practices for Implementation By James J. DeLuccia IV John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2008, 274 pages, $50.00 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Government finance officers know the value of maintaining strong...

Calendar.(Calendar)
October 1, 2008... [gfoa events] November Internet Training 5 Transcending the Cost of Mistrust Various Locations 6 Annual Governmental GAAP Update Satellite Teleconference Phoenix, Arizona 17 Evaluating Internal Controls 17...

Tempting targets for dramatic energy cuts.(Commentary)
October 1, 2008... Can we really go "green," to achieve big-time energy saving? For one solution hidden in plain sight, look outside, any evening, at the streetlight closest to you. Energy-wise, it's probably a Neanderthal--burning significant power dusk to...