Public Finance: Fiscal Stewardship in a Falling House of Cards Spring Institute April 19-21, 2009 Sheraton Austin Hotel Austin, Texas

Transcription

1 Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT) Public Finance: Fiscal Stewardship in a Falling House of Cards Spring Institute April 19-21, 2009 Sheraton Austin Hotel Austin, Texas

2 Institute Objectives: This conference is for public finance officials at all levels. Our goal is to help you to: Maintain financial stewardship in uncertain times. Identify potential opportunities to improve fiscal stability. Network with others to generate collaborative solutions. Tentative Agenda SUNDAY, APRIL 19 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. CGFO STUDY SESSION 1:30 3:00 p.m. COMMITTEE MEETINGS FRRR Committee (GASB) Ethics Committee Membership Committee Legislative Committee Professional Awareness Committee Professional Development Committee (CGFO) Program Development Committee Newsletter/Web Site Committee Scholarship, Fellowship, and Foundation Committee Women s Networking Committee 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 6:30 10:00 p.m. SUNDAY HOLD EM The first 27 to contact Carl Wessels (cwessels@lancaster-tx.com) can play. A donation of $25 dollars to the Foundation will be taken at the door. MONDAY, APRIL 20 7:00 8:15 a.m. NETWORKING BREAKFAST We are trying a new breakfast format with two options the traditional breakfast for informal networking and, for the first time, the New Member Breakfast. There will be a common buffet for everyone, so all attendees are welcome; however, a separate room will be set up for first-time attendees and new members to come hear an orientation to GFOAT. Others are welcome to attend the traditional breakfast for informal networking. 7:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. REGISTRATION 8:30 9:45 a.m. WELCOME AND OPENING GENERAL SESSION (1.5 CGFO/CPE) Shuffle up and deal!!!! Moderator: GFOAT President Karen Rhodes, Director of Budget and Research, City of Plano Opening Keynote Address: Texas Hold Em: Making the Turn Dr. Mark G. Dotzour, Chief Economist and Director of Research, Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, College Station We have heard that Texas is faring the economic recession better than all other states. But how hard will it hit us, and how long will it last? Will the present day flop (pun intended) make a promising turn?

3 9:45 10:00 a.m. BREAK 10:00 11:45 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (2 CGFO/CPE) Public Bonds in Today s Market: Playing It Close to the Vest Today s bond market is unlike anything in our history. A unique team of an underwriter, buyer, and financial advisor will offer perspective and insights on selling, pricing, and structuring bonds. The House Cut: Understanding Cost Allocation and User Fees Come to this session if you need help in allocating costs for user fees and cost reimbursement, particularly in regard to the present economic climate. Internal Controls: No Gambling Allowed In this session, you will learn how a risk assessment can show you where to concentrate your internal controls and other tips for internal auditing. 11:45 a.m. 1:00 p.m. LUNCHEON/BUSINESS MEETING AND AWARDS PRESENTATION (1.5 CGFO/CPE) Who will win the bracelet? Presiding: GFOAT President Karen Rhodes, Director of Budget and Research, City of Plano 1:15 2:30 p.m. GENERAL SESSION (1.5 CGFO/CPE) Moderators: GFOAT Ethics Committee Co-Chairs Rebecca Koo, Finance Director, City of The Colony; and Rhonda Covarrubias, Director of Finance, Texas Municipal Retirement System Leveling the Odds Against Costly Ethics Problems: Some Easy Ideas with Maximum Results Christopher Bauer, PhD, HSP, CFS, Bauer Ethics Seminars 2:45 3:45 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (1.0 CGFO/CPE) IRS and Debt Issuance: Are the Odds in Your Favor? What post-issuance problems can arise? What happens in an audit? 3:45 4:00 p.m. BREAK Splitting the Pot: Revenue Recovery Hear from entities in West Texas about an interlocal agreement to improve inter-jurisdictional revenue recovery. The Showdown: Dealing with Media All our financial and technical training hardly prepares us for the political environment and the fishbowl in which we operate. Learn how to play your cards so that the media reports are accurate and never give off a tell that makes them think you are bluffing. 4:00 5:00 p.m. GENERAL SESSION (1.0 CGFO/CPE) Federal Legislation and the Impact on Local Government Susan Gaffney, Director, Federal Liaison Center, GFOA, Washington, D.C. 6:30 10:30 p.m. ESTHER S FOLLIES For more than a quarter of a century, the folks at Esther s Pool have kept Austin rolling with laughter. Part magic show, part vaudeville review, part improvisational tour-de-force, Esther s Follies takes no prisoners, offering biting, hilarious satire on all the newsmakers and events fit to parody. A bus will shuttle the group to Esther s Follies (on Sixth Street), where attendees will enjoy a buffet dinner and then move into the theater for a private show.

4 TUESDAY, APRIL 21 7:30 8:30 a.m. MENTORING BREAKFAST (for all institute attendees!) Teaching the new players how to stack their chips. Moderators: GFOAT Ethics Committee Co-Chairs Rebecca Koo, Finance Director, City of The Colony; and Rhonda Covarrubias, Director of Finance, Texas Municipal Retirement System 8:45 10:00 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (1.5 CGFO/CPE) Ante Up: Rational Budget Reductions When You Are Short on Chips The standard across-the-board cuts have all been done; one-time capital expenditures have been deferred; travel and training were eliminated; the hiring freeze continues. What else is there to make real and sustainable budget adjustments, both mid-year and going into a new cycle? 10:00 10:15 a.m. BREAK TMRS: Three of a Kind Join one of our favorite speakers and moderators, Bob Scott, as he deals us a panel that will discuss how to manage your bankroll for the long run and various actions that TMRS member cities have taken to address funding issues. Single Audit/Grant Management What to do when you are gambling with someone else s chips or perhaps scrambling more appropriately defines our working through grants and single audits. Hear from our experts about how they manage. 10:15 a.m. Noon CLOSING SESSION (2.0 CGFO/CPE) Moderator: GFOAT President-Elect Kent Pfeil, Director of Finance, City of Richardson Legislative Update This session, for all high-rollers and the handlers, proves to be every bit as action-packed as the last go-round. Understand that the State owns the house and likes to change the rules. Bennett Sandlin, General Counsel, Texas Municipal League; and Fred Hill, former State Representative What Makes a Finance Department Great? It s difficult enough to be the technical expert, but there s more to it than that. And when the chips are down, like they are in today s climate, being the fiscal leader becomes even more challenging. Hear a perspective from the top on how to play tight and what we can do to improve our value to our organizations. Dan Johnson, Deputy City Manager, City of Richardson DRAWING FOR DOOR PRIZES (MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN) Hey, it s a free roll. 12:30 2:30 p.m. WOMEN IN PUBLIC FINANCE NETWORKING LUNCHEON (separate ticketed event $35)

5 General Information HOTEL INFORMATION: The Sheraton Austin Hotel is the site for the 2009 Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT) Spring Institute. The hotel, located at 701 East 11 th Street in Austin, has extended a room rate of $159 single/double. In order to receive this special rate, your reservations must be made by Friday, April 3. To make a reservation, please call the hotel at or and mention that you are registered for the GFOAT Spring Institute. To make reservations online, visit If you encounter any problems, please call the hotel directly at The Sheraton Austin Hotel is a non-smoking facility. REGISTRATION FEES: GFOAT Member by April 3 $275 GFOAT Member after April 3 $325 GFOAT Non-Member by April 3 $375 GFOAT Non-Member after April 3 $425 First-Time Attendee $150 Student $ 60 Monday Night Social Event Guest Ticket $ 40 Women s Networking Luncheon $ 35 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 Friday, April 3. No telephone cancellations will be accepted, and refunds are available for registration fees only. No refunds will be honored after April 3. SUNDAY HOLD EM: The first 27 to contact Carl Wessels (cwessels@lancaster-tx.com) can play. A donation of $25 to the Foundation will be taken at the door. MONDAY NIGHT SOCIAL EVENT ESTHER S FOLLIES For more than a quarter of a century, the folks at Esther s Pool have kept Austin rolling with laughter. Part magic show, part vaudeville review, part improvisational tour-de-force, Esther s Follies takes no prisoners, offering biting, hilarious satire on all the newsmakers and events fit to parody. A bus will shuttle the group to Esther s Follies (on Sixth Street), where attendees will enjoy a buffet dinner and then move into the theater for a private show. CONTINUING EDUCATION: An application has been submitted and approved by the State Board of Accountancy for up to 12 hours of CEU/CPE continuing education units. It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure that the hours qualify for continuing education under State Board rules. CGFO credits will also be offered. PREREQUISITES: No prerequisites are required to attend the GFOAT Spring Institute. CONFIRMATIONS/BADGES: Institute badges will be mailed in advance. If you do not receive your packet in the mail, please pick up your registration materials on site. REMEMBER PLEASE BRING YOUR BADGE AND ANY OPTIONAL TICKETS YOU ORDERED TO THE INSTITUTE. CGFO TESTING: The Certified Government Finance Officer s exam will be offered from 3:00 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, at the Sheraton Austin Hotel. If you are interested in sitting for the test during this time, please contact Becky L. Brooks at blbrooks@gfoat.org. CAR RENTALS: AVIS discounts are available at or by calling Your Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) Number is J Enterprise Corporate Class discounts are available at or by calling 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: The Bruce Testa Annual Golf Outing is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, at the Riverside Golf Club, located at 1020 Grove Boulevard in Austin. Tee times will begin at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $45 per person, plus tax, which includes the green fee and cart (no driving range). The golf outing is limited to 24 golfers. For further information, please contact Tony Sekaly with Costal Security at or tds@coastalsecurities.com; or Greg Wilmore, Finance Director for the City of Cleburne, at or gregw@cleburne.net. SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Let us know on your 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. QUESTIONS: Please call the TML Program Development Department at , or springinstitute@tml.org.

6 POST-INSTITUTE CONCURRENT EVENTS PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT TRAINING TWO PARTS April $120 each day (The fee does not include lunch each day.) 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, Completion of this two-part workshop satisfies this requirement. Tuesday, April 21 Part One 1:00 5:30 p.m. (Lunch is not included.) Wednesday, April 22 Part Two 9:00 a.m. 2:15 p.m. (Lunch is not included.)

7 Registration THREE WAYS TO REGISTER: Your registration will not be processed until payment is received. 1. Register online with credit card payment at: (click on Conferences/Education ) 2. Fax this form with your credit card information to: Mail this form and your payment to: TML Administrative Services 1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400 Austin, TX 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 Friday, April 3. No telephone cancellations will be accepted, and refunds are available for registration fees only. No refunds will be honored after April 3. Please type or print below. Full Name: Badge Name: Title: City/Organization: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Fax: I require the following special accommodations: Please select one: Amount GFOAT Member by April 3 $275 GFOAT Member after April 3 $325 GFOAT Non-Member by April 3 $375 GFOAT Non-Member after April 3 $425 First-Time Attendee $150 Student $ 60 Monday Night Social Event (guest ticket) $ 40 Women s Networking Luncheon $ 35 Post-Conference Sessions: Public Funds Investment Act Training - Part One (Tuesday) $120 Public Funds Investment Act Training - Part Two (Wednesday) $120 Total $ Please indicate if you will go to Esther s Follies on Monday evening: Yes No If yes, will you ride the bus provided by GFOAT? Yes No Required Please indicate below the SESSIONS you will attend: Monday: 10:00 11:45 a.m Monday: 2:45 3:45 p.m. Tuesday: 8:45 10:00 a.m. Public Bonds in Today s Market IRS and Debt Issuance Ante Up: Rational Budget Reductions Understanding Cost Allocation Revenue Recovery TMRS: Three of a Kind Internal Controls Dealing with Media Single Audit/Grant Management 2009 GFOAT SPRING INSTITUTE CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS: MasterCard Visa Am Ex Discover Cardholder's Name (Please Print) Acct # Signature Exp. Date FOR TML OFFICE USE ONLY: Business Check $ Personal Check $ Total $ Batch No. Id #

8 Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT) 1821 Rutherford Lane Suite 400 Austin, Texas Phone: Fax: