Congratulations to the WFOA for a trememdous 2008 Conference in Yakima, September 16th to 19th. We lift our (now empty) plastic, etched martini glasses with the color-changing stems to Craig Warner, Yakima County Budget Director and 2008 WFOA Conference Chair, and all members of the WFOA Conference and Education Committees. They succeeded to the "nth" degree in providing attendees and vendors with a well-organized, smoothly run, enjoyable event. Craig could probably have a career as a wedding planner after he retires. He was supported by great Assistants from Yakima County: Carmen Hayter, Mike Madison, Forrest Smith, and Connie Willman.

The Session offerings and Speakers were relevant and top-rate. The first two mornings the speakers addressed the "Origins of Money & the Monetary System" and "Emerging Technologies - What's Up Today and the the Future?"  The opening speaker Friday was Coach Frosty Westering. What a treat! His presentation was called "Making the Big Time Where You Are." Everyone attending his talk received a complimentary book by the same name. He shared his experience in "focusing not just on winning, but the joy of the journey and the opportunity to be in the arena."

The highlights of the Thursday evening banquet were the live music by Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts and retiring WA State Treasurer, Mike Murphy, singing Satisfaction!  I personally thank the person who found my mother's vintage brooch that fell off my sweater and turned it into the band. Its sentimental value is priceless to me.

The handouts and links for the 2008 WFOA Conference Sessions are already available online. The link is below.

See you in Bellevue in 2009!

(Pictured above: Forrest Smith, Karen Semerad, and Craig Warner.)

Open Government: What Local Government Officials Need to Know About WA's Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act

Come one, come all. Every WA State Town, City, and Special Purpose District is invited to attend one of AWC's Workshops at four locations addressing the Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act. "Full compliance with the OPMA and PRA needs to start at the top with you - the elected or appointed public official to maintain the public's trust."

Registration cost is $75.00. For more information on the Workshops, contact Sheri Sawyer at sheris@awcnet.org or (360) 753-4137.

Thank you to Maria Pena, Clerk/Treasurer of the City of Connell, for suggesting we feature this PERS 2/3: Early Retirement information. The data on the DRS Website and the printable document is thorough and concise.

The Town of Marcus is approximately 5 miles north of Kettle Falls. It's the oldest town in Stevens County and came close to being the capital of Washington State. Their annual community event - Cider Festival - is this weekend, Saturday, October 4, 2008. You will be treated to a parade, old fashioned pressed cider, live music, arts, crafts, food, and more. Join Mayor Fran Bolt, and the Marcus Community in a day of home-grown, old fashioned fun. See you there!

(If you would like your City, Town, or Special Purpose District event featured in the Clerk Communique', email me at karen@biasaccounting.com.)

Judy, Jeanette, Barb, Greg, Chantell, Scott, Patty, Carol, Betty, Kelly, Dee, and Hester....We'll always have Yakima!

"Flaming enthusiasm, backed by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success."     ~Dale Carnegie

The BBC aka BIAS Book Club Suggested Reading:

"Acres of Diamonds"      Russell H. Conwell

Fall Workshop Registration is open for the WMTA's Project Accounting & Performance Auditing Workshop in Tukwilla, October 22, 2008.

The Project Accounting part of the Workshop attempts to bring engineers and accountants together in a common goal to "speak the same language" regarding issues such as "When does a project really start?" "What does the term budget mean?" "What is a single audit?" etc.

The Performance Auditing part will address the difference between compliance and performance audits, why they are done, how you prepare for one, etc. State Auditors will present the answers to these questions and more.

Registration is $25. To register by phone or email, contact Holly Stewart at (206) 625-1300 or hstewart@mrsc.org.

Project Accounting & Performance Auditing Workshop

This 12-page Reference Guide from the SAO really DOES include everything you want to know about an audit. If you believe forewarned is forearmed, than this document is a must-read.  First it identifies the plethora of audit types including financial, performance, compliance, accountability, etc. Then it addresses the audit process from the entrance conference to the exit conference to the final notification of audit report, and everything in-between. The State and Local Audit Protocols document should assuage most of your audit fears. Remember, in the words of Sir Francis Bacon: "Knowledge is power."

State and Local Audit Protocols

"DRS and the WA State Investment Board will offer new investment choices for Plan 3, DCP, and JRA members this Fall - Retirement Strategy Funds. Known in the industry as "target date funds," the new options will automatically change the asset mix for you as you move closer to your target retirement date. Retirement Strategy Funds will replace the Horizon Funds and become available Monday, October 6, 2008."

DRS Member Information Page

We look forward to seeing everyone at our 2nd Annual BIAS Software Conference, this year at the 4-Star Davenport Hotel & Tower.

Act now to receive BIAS Conference deluxe room rates of $83.00/day, (single occupancy,) at the Davenport Hotel Tower. For reservations call:(800) 899-1482 and request the BIAS Accounting rates.

Conference Registration Packets will be mailed soon. Send me an email requesting to be included on the mailing list. If you want information sooner, call me or email: karen@biasaccounting.com.