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Greetings Dear Clerks!
We are quickly approaching the end of Summer. With that being said, we are entering the "Back to School Zone" and the 2009 Budgeting Season.
"Requests by the City Clerk to all department heads and those in charge of municipal offices to prepare detailed estimates of revenues and expenditures for the next fiscal year" begin September 8, 2008.
The 2009 Budget Suggestions Report, published by MRSC, is now available online. It contains budget calendars for cities and counties; summaries of 2008 legislation; revenue and inflation forecasts; and articles for those interested in city and county financial issues.
Get MRSC Updates by Email by subscribing to their services online. Be the first one in your town or city to receive the latest local government news and information delivered right to your desktop!
Enjoy the last of these "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer." fa la la
Yours in fresh home-grown vegetables and blooming lavender,
Karen Semerad and all your friends at BIAS
(Pictured left to right: Debbie Naccarato, Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency Secretary; Jeanette Coppersmith, Almira Clerk/Treasurer; Barb Nelson, Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency Administrative Services Officer, Peggy King, Spangle Clerk/Treasurer; and Karen Semerad, Pretty-in-Pink BIAS Happy Lady.)
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WA Secretary of State - WA State Archives
Record Management at the local government level is a hot-button topic. What with record retention, emails, public records requests, public disclosure regulations, and more.........this can be a full time job - often falling on the City Clerk or Clerk Treasurer - who's plate is already full.
The Office of the Secretary of State, Archives Division, is very pro-active about providing educational opportunites for you. In fact, they are conducting a Records Management Seminar, August 26, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Grant County Commissioner's Office in Ephrata, WA. The cost is $15.00 per person. It includes Lunch: box lunch, beverages, and dessert. Space is limited and the registration deadline is August 20, 2008. Seating may fill up prior to the deadline, so register now! Please email me or Leslie Koziara - Office of the Secretary of State for the Seminar Brochure and Registration Form: karen@biasaccounting.com or lkoziara@secstate.wa.gov.
There are five regional Archives Branches:
Central Ellensburg
Eastern Cheney
Northwest Bellingham
Puget Sound Bellevue
Southwest Olympia
Each branch offers consultations, workshops, and coordination of additional services. The link below will provide you valuable information in your effort to comply with Record Management Regulations.
Record Management - Local Government
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AWC - For Your Benefit: Older Children on Your Health Plan
Thank you to Betty Garrison, CMC, Clerk/Treasurer of the City of Tenino, for her suggestion to feature the new rules for Health Insurance Coverage for Older Children. Effective January 1, 2009, employees will have the opportunity to obtain medical insurance for their children up to age 25.
Older Children on Your Health Plan: New Rules & the IRS
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2008 WFOA Annual Conference - September 16th to 19th - Yakima Convention Center
The 53rd Annual WFOA Conference is September 16th to September 19th, 2008 at the Yakima Convention Center. Online Conference Registration is available. Some Conference Classes to take note of are:
Tuesday - September 16, 2008 - Pre-Conference:
Electronic Record Management presented by Leslie Koziara
Wednesday - September 17, 2008 - Small Entities Classes:
Annual Financial Reporting & SAS 112 Compliance; Fraud in a Small Town; Audits - New Standards, New Controls; Annual Reporting with SAO; and Grants for Small Entities...........all presented and/or coordinated by our beloved Toni Nelson and Duance Walz. These Classes alone are worth the price of admission!
BIAS Accounting will be returning as a Vendor. Mark and I look forward to greeting old friends and making new ones. See you there!
2008 WFOA Annual Conference
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August Bouquet of Integrity
Lavender sprigs for Tara J. Fare thee well.
"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
The BBC aka BIAS Book Club Suggested Reading:
"The Scented Room" Barbara Milo Ohrbach
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| AWC Small City Resources - Compliance Calendar
We can love on Toni Nelson some more for compiling the Calendar of Compliance Issues. It is a comprehensive 12-month calendar of financial deadlines and budget compliance dates for WA State entities. It lists everything from when W2's must be issued to employees to the Final Budget Hearing in December. It's an invaluable resource to keep you organized and compliant with Federal and State requirements. Thank you, Toni!
Calendar of Compliance Issues |
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| Audit Preparation Checklist
The WA State Auditor's Office created the Audit Preparation Checklist. It will be a stress-reliever when getting ready for your audit. The Checklist will serve as a reminder of what documents to prepare, copy, etc. It will save time and lower everyone's blood pressure!
Audit Preparation Checklist |
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| Master Academy Sessions Scheduled in October
WMCA is sponsoring a Master Academy Session in October. The "east" session is Friday, October 17, 2008, in Moses Lake. The "west" session is Friday, October 31, 2008, in Bremerton. Michael Buschmohle is the speaker. His presentation is entitled: "Managing Meetings and Handling Tough Situations." Attendance at the full six-hour session will earn 3 MMC educational points, 3 CMC experience points, or 3 recertification points.
IIMC Fall Certification Academy Registration Form |
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| BIAS 2nd Annual Winter Conference - 12/08 to 12/09
We are proud to announce our 2nd Annual BIAS Winter Conference will be held at the world-renowned Davenport Hotel and Tower. This will be a two-day event, (December 8th to 9th,) coinciding with the Spokane Symphony's Annual Fundraiser: Christmas Tree Elegance. There will be presentations on issues facing today's Clerk/Treasurers such as Record Retention and Legal Issues. The ever popular Duane Walz has agreed to a return engagement. Now if we can just get Lori to donate another quilt for our drawing! Stay tuned!
BIAS 2nd Annual Winter Conference |
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