Adopting a Policy Driven Budget - All municipalities should consider adoption of formal, written financial management policies.  Flexible policies provide sound management direction to a governing board when adopting a budget, carrying out financial procedures, and issuing debt while still allowing the board to respond to unforeseen circumstances.  Typical policies may range from general guidelines, directing the government to project revenues conservatively and project expenditures liberally; to more specific policies, directing a city not to borrow money to meet current expenses by relying on short-term debts.  Adopting a policy-based budget enables officials to demonstrate commitment to sound management practices and control of borrowing practices. Power Point Presentation - policy driven budget revised 5.03.ppt

Township and Road District Finance 101- This program reviews the essentials that township and road district officials must know when preparing the annual budget.  It looks at important procedures such as projecting revenues, compiling the property tax levy, and preparing the financial reports that are required by law and considered necessary to keep local governments financially strong.  Power Point Presentation - Township road revised 5.03.ppt

Disaster Planning:  Do It Before Disaster Strikes - This presentation focuses on the importance of preparing a disaster plan to ensure a community is in the best possible position to protect lives and property if a disaster strikes.  It’s too late to begin preparing a disaster response after a tornado touches down or a flood occurs.  It reviews the process, the elements/standards and the organization of the plan.  Information is also provided on coordinating your disaster program with other Emergency Management agencies at the county and state level.  Just having a prepared disaster plan is not enough.  All staff of key agencies must be knowledgeable about their roles in the plan and the steps needed to put the disaster preparedness plan into practice.  Lives depend on it!  Power Point Power Point Presentation - DisasterPlanning5.03.ppt

Upgrading Your Infrastructure:  How To Finance New Projects - This program reviews some of the important concerns local government officials should consider when financing significant improvements to water and sewage treatment systems, streets, bridges or any other major infrastructure improvement.  The program discusses issuing debt to finance improvements as opposed to operating on a “pay as you go,” basis.  One example given is on how to estimate the effect of new debt on existing user charges and property taxes.  The speakers explain the differences between General Obligation bonds, Revenue Bonds, and Alternate Bonds as well as when these debt instruments are appropriate.  The speakers also explain the important roles of the financial advisor, bond counselor and underwriter. Power Point Presentation - ProjectFinanceRevised5.03.ppt

Municipal Finance: The How and Why of Basic Budgeting for Cities and Villages - This program is similar to the financial management workshops DCEO’s local government staff has conducted throughout the state.  The program addresses such topics as the process of preparing and maintaining a balanced budget, the requirements for adopting the appropriation ordinance, and the procedures to prepare the tax levy ordinance.  Also discussed are statutory requirements of the Truth in Taxation Law and the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law.  Information is presented on compiling financial management reports that enable the governing board to monitor spending and revenue.  Power Point Presentation - MunicipalFinance.ppt