Assistant's Session

Session Description:  Come and join us to network with your fellow professionals on pertinent topics.  This is an opportunity to establish your own personal network among other IGFOA members.

Led by

Peg Hartnett, IGFOA Assistants Representative and

Laurie Nannini, Village of Niles

SAS Regulations:  Impact on Local Government

Speaker: 

Irwin Lyons, Miller, Cooper & Co., Ltd.

David Farmer, Virchow, Krause & Company

Doug Cooper, Village of Hinsdale

Session Description:

Understand how the Risk Assessment Suite of Standards (SAS Nos. 104-112) which includes the most far-reaching changes in standards in 20 years will affect your next audit and how you can prepare for these changes.  Objectives of the changes will require a more in-depth understanding of entity and internal control, a more rigorous assessment of risks of misstatement, and improved linkage between assessed risks and audit procedures performed. 

Earn 1 CPE

Developing Comprehensive Financial Policies

Speakers:

Beverly Sterrett, Sauk Village

Douglas Krieger, City of Naperville

Jodie Andrew, Village of Schaumburg

Session Description:  Ever struggle with your financial policies? Come and join us as our panel of three speakers discuss policy development and management. We will discuss how to create, present, implement, and maintain financial policies.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of policy creation, implementation and maintenance.
• Acquire and review examples of other policies from your constituents.
• Learn about GFOA’s recommended practices for financial policies.

Earn 1 CPE

Associate's Session

4:30 - 5:30

Session Description:  Discover the myriad ways IGFOA Associate Members can support professional public finance management.

Led by

Lynda Given, IGFOA Associates Representative and members of the Assoicate Forum

Leadership Dialogue

Speaker: 

Paul Craig, University of Illinois

IGFOA is sponsoring the 2nd annual Leadership Dialogues for Public Sector Finance Professionals.  The session is held in a relaxing yet challenging format. You will learn new concepts on leadership from the author’s words, the facilitator’s insights and the exchange of ideas from the other participants.  Participants in the Leadership Dialogue will receive and read the chosen book before the session.

The Leadership Dialogue is a journey of self-discovery and the exploration of new ideas about leadership. The chosen book is Leadership by Rudolph W. Giuliani.

Months before the attacks as his second term as mayor drew to conclusion, Giuliani had already begun work on what eventually became this book. In the Preface, he explains that "Every single principle that follows was summoned [key word] within hours of the attacks on the World Trade Center. Surround yourself with great people. Have beliefs and communicate them. See things for yourself. Set an example. Stand up to bullies. Deal with first things first. Loyalty is the vital virtue. Prepare relentlessly. Underpromise and overdeliver. Don't assume a damn thing." Previously I suggested the importance of the word "summoned" because the leadership which Giuliani provided after the attacks was not improvised extemporaneously. On the contrary, over many years as he explains in this book, he carefully accumulated experiences, sharpened skills, forged relationships, and nourished resources all of which he needed to summon on that fateful day and in the months following. All of them proved essential to his performance as mayor when the events which occurred on September 11, 2001, created greater challenges for him than he had ever encountered before...and in all probability, greater than any he would ever face in the future.

Inevitably selective and subjective as all memoirs are, these are focused almost entirely on Giuliani's career while providing an extended explanation of leadership from his perspective. He begins the book with his own account of 9/11/01, then explains how and why 14 key management principles were so important that day, before shifting his and the reader's attention to recovery efforts. Giuliani's remarks throughout the narrative are thoughtful and heartfelt but he seldom allows the reader access to thoughts and feelings unrelated to his evolution as a leader. Although presumably he has several scores to settle, he chose not to do so in this book. If I were asked to suggest a subtitle, it would be something like "What I've Learned About Leadership and How I learned It" or "September 11, 2001: My Leadership Crucible."  Concluding this book, Giuliani acknowledges that he felt great anger after the attacks on the World Trade Center but considers that reaction a healthy one. "The challenge was to put it to work in ways that would make me a stronger, better leader." By all accounts he succeeded."

Earn 7 CPE

REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE NOW!!!

ONLY 30 SEATS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE.  YOU'LL RECEIVE THE BOOK IN THE MAIL.

Legislative Update

Speaker:

Bill Anderson, Anderson Legislative Consulting

Session Description:  Get up to speed with what happened in the most recent legislative session.  You will find out what bills will become law, what bills never made it out of Committee, what bills are likely to re-emerge during the veto session and what issues are likely to be hot in future years.  IGFOA Legislative Liaison Bill Anderson will lead the presentation and allow an opportunity to ask questions.

Learning Objectives:

Become familiar with pending laws and better understand the direction of bills in Springfield.

Earn 1 CPE

Advanced Governmental Budgeting

Speakers:

Kathy Booth, Village of Bartlett

Jennifer Johnson, City of Champaign

Kevin Wachtel, Village of Riverside

Larry Maholland, Sikich LLP

The Advanced Budgeting track at the annual conference provides a day and a half of learning.  With frequent opportunities for hands-on learning, the seminar will focus in-depth on the four main functions of the budget:  Policy, Financial planning, Operations planning, and Communications.

Policy

The seminar will discuss the policy function focusing on the use of financial policies and strategic planning.  This section will explore the development of policies and how to judge good and bad policies.  The strategic planning section will explore ways to ensure the budget document guides an organization towards their vision and is linked to strategic objectives.

Financial Planning

The financial planning section will focus on forecasting major revenues and analyzing expenditures.  In addition, this section will cover the impact current year decisions have on future budgets, operating costs of new equipment/projects, deferred costs, and the use of fund balance for expenditures.  Furthermore, this section will delve into capital improvement planning and debt planning.

Operations Planning

This section will explore organization descriptions, organizations charts, and staffing levels in relation to the budget.  This section will explain the FTE vs. body count.  This section will also explore issues of performance measurement.  This section will discuss developing performance measure, using performance measures, and implementation of performance measures.

Review the entire agenda

Earn 7 CPE on Day 1

Special Service Areas and TIFs:  What NOT to Do

Speakers:

Beth Ruyle, Ehlers and Associates, Inc.

Pat Curtner, Chapman and Cutler

Session Description: 

This session is designed to be interactive. Participants will not only come away with understanding basic concepts between the definition and establishment of Tax Increment Financing Districts and Special Service Areas, but what can occur in economic development circumstances that can get finance and other city officials in trouble and what to be on the look out for.  Panelists will present simulated situations inviting audience participation.

Earn 1 CPE

Cash Management:  Cash Flows and Investment Returns

Speakers:

Jim Davis, PMA Financial Network, Inc.

Sarah Simmons, PMA Financial Network, Inc.

Session Description:  There is more to money management than shopping for investments to increase returns.  As municipalities continue to face financial challenges, improving your overall investment plan is the smartest way to impact your investment income.  Learn how to optimize your investment strategy, which will give you potential for maximizing interest earnings, and review investment instrument options available given the current rate environment.

Learning Objectives:

-Improve your overall investment plan

-Learn ways to maximize interest income

-Review of investment options available

Earn 1 CPE

Public/Public & Public/Private Partnerships

Speakers:

Beth Ruyle, Ehlers and Associates, Inc.

Tim Stratton, Ice Miller

Larry White, Chapman and Cutler

Session Description:

Public/public and public/private partnerships are being undertaken as a way to combine power, privileges, function or authority for joint projects.  This session will talk about the advantages of these partnerships as well as what it takes to make them successful.  Learn about the common challenges of structuring these projects, as well as ways to finance your proportional share of the project.

Learning Objectives:

-Learn about the types of public-public and public-private partnerships allowed under state law.  

-Examination of the steps needed to plan and establish these various partnerships.

-Exploration of the financing arrangements available to the units of local government and school districts who participate in these partnerships.

Earn 1 CPE

Balancing Roles:  CFO and Department Head

Speaker:

Brian Caputo, City of Aurora

Ron Hill, Town of Normal

Session Description:  A finance director plays a variety of roles in a local government. At times, two or more of these roles may be difficult to reconcile. This session will explore the potential roles of the finance director and suggest possible ways of harmonizing them. The session will also incorporate a discussion of professional ethics.

Learning Objectives:

-Learn how to balance the major roles of a finance director

-Recognize effective strategies for running a department that responds to internal and external responsibilities

Earn 1 CPE

OPEB:  Update on Liabilities

Speakers:

John Ritchie, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

Stacey Levine, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

Tom White, Chapman and Cutler

Sandor Goldstein, Goldstein & Associates

Session Description:  This session will be useful to  finance professionals of many levels  as the panel  will discuss a variety of topics related to  GASB 43 and 45. The presentations will cover funding strategies, tax and legal issues as well as important "lessons learned" from those that have complied. With a December 31, 2007 implementation deadline for some governments right around the corner, this will  be a timely program. 

Learning Objectives:

-Learn how to implement the important GASB standards

-Understand ways of dealing with the newly recorded liabilities

Earn 1 CPE

Home Rule Revenues

Speakers:

Jim Egeberg, City of Rolling Meadows

Mark Horton, City of Wheaton

Session Description:  The in’s and out’s of home rule revenue.  Attendees will learn about home rule revenues, how to choose and implement them, collection techniques including sample local tax forms, and compliance with the Taxpayers Bill of Rights.

Learning Objectives:

-Learn how to select, implement, and administer various revenue sources.

Earn 1 CPE

Non-Home Rule Revenues

Speakers:

Bill Hannah, Village of North Aurora

Kim Auchstetter, Village of New Lenox

Session Description:

This session will highlight home rule vs. non-home rule revenue. General Fund revenues will be discussed in detail such as property tax including the property tax cap, sales tax including non-home rule increases, State Shared Municipal Revenue such as income tax, motor fuel tax and use tax, types of utility taxes, licenses and permits, fees, and other miscellaneous revenues. In addition, restricted revenues and non-General Fund revenues will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

-Learn how to select, implement, and administer various revenue sources within the limits of non-home rule authority.

Earn 1 CPE

OPEB:  Update on Liabilities

Speakers:

John Ritchie, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

Stacey Levine, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

Tom White, Chapman and Cutler

Sandor Goldstein, Goldstein & Associates

Session Description:  This session will be useful to  finance professionals of many levels  as the panel  will discuss a variety of topics related to  GASB 43 and 45. The presentations will cover funding strategies, tax and legal issues as well as important "lessons learned" from those that have complied . With a December 31, 2007 implementation deadline for some governments right around the corner, this will  be a timely program. 

Learning Objectives:

-Learn how to implement the important GASB standards

-Understand ways of dealing with the newly recorded liabilities

Earn 1 CPE

Advanced Governmental Budgeting

Speakers:

Kathy Booth, Village of Bartlett

Jennifer Johnson, City of Champaign

Kevin C. Wachtel, Village of Riverside

Larry Maholland, Sikich LLP

Communications

The communications section will explore the budget message, community profile, budget process, presenting before the board and public, and miscellaneous issues related to budget communication.  Furthermore, this section will outline the major components of the budget message, discuss useful components in a budget, and look at tailoring budget presentations to various audiences.

Learning Objectives:

-Recognize the major uses for the budget

-Identify opportunities for improvement within your organization

Review the entire agenda

Earn 2 CPE

SAS Regulations:  Impact on Local Government

Speaker: 

Irwin Lyons, Miller, Cooper & Co., Ltd.

David Farmer, Virchow, Krause & Company

Doug Cooper, Village of Hinsdale

Session Description:

Understand how the Risk Assessment Suite of Standards (SAS Nos. 104-111) which includes the most far-reaching changes in standards in 20 years will affect your next audit and how you can prepare for these changes.  Objectives of the changes will require a more in-depth understanding of entity and internal control, a more rigorous assessment of risks of misstatement, and improved linkage between assessed risks and audit procedures performed. 

Earn 1 CPE

Evaluating Bond Restructuring, Bond Environment and Debt Ratings

Speakers:

Bob Lewis, PMA Financial

Shawn O'Leary, Moody's

Session Description:

The presenters will discuss the legal framework for Illinois financings (e.g. general obligation, alternate revenue, revenue, special tax etc.). In addition, particular interest will be directed towards refundings and the circumstances in which a refunding should be considered. This is an intermediate level session geared towards participants with a least a basic understanding of municipal bonds and its concepts.

Learning Objectives:

-Understand the legal framework for financing

-Recognize when to consider refunding

Earn 1 CPE

Keynote Address and Brunch

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias

This year’s Keynote Address will be delivered by Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias during the Conference Brunch on Tuesday, September 11th at the Springfield Hilton. Treasurer Giannoulias will discuss the public finance challenges and opportunities in Illinois, particularly as they impact local governments. Earn 1 CPE