DOCSLIB.ORG

NASACT News | May 2014 1 MESSAGE from NSAA’S PRESIDENT

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
NASACT News | May 2014 1 MESSAGE from NSAA’S PRESIDENT KEEPING STATE FISCAL OFFICIALS INFORMED VOLUME 34, NUMBER 5 | MAY 2014 NATIONAL STATE AUDITORS ASSOCIATION PROVIDES REAL VALUE FOR MEMBERS: INFORMATION SHARING, NETWORKING & MORE BY REBECCA OTTO, STATE AUDITOR OF MINNESOTA AND PRESIDENT OF NSAA Looking back over the last year, I can honestly say that Subsequent to the Measurement Date and Measurement the time has fl own. It has been an honor to serve as your of Elements of Financial Statements) and one preliminary president. NSAA is one of the best organizations that I have views document (Fair Value Measurement and Application) ever been a part of: the members are highly professional, from the GASB. Additionally, the committee responded always willing to assist one another, and are very to two exposure draft s from the American Institute of productive. Combine that with top-notch professional staff Certifi ed Public Accountants: the proposed statement on from NASACT, and we have a winning formula! standards for attestation engagements titled Attestation Standards: Clarifi cation and Recodifi cation and the When I fi rst became the state auditor of Minnesota, NSAA proposed statement on auditing standards titled Using the reached out to me and convinced me to attend an annual Work of Internal Auditors. I want to thank all committee conference. Th ey off ered a scholarship to help defray my members who participated in responding to these due costs, which made it possible for me to attend. Attending process documents. the conference was one of the best things I did. Being an active member of NSAA has helped me grow professionally NSAA members were also involved in working on and to forge many valuable relationships. When the NASACT’s response to the Financial Accounting economic downturn hit and the Recovery Act arrived, it Foundation’s request for input on GASB’s Scope of was helpful to work with other NSAA members to make Authority: Consultation Process. Th is work helped shape the sure we could meet the increased demands of overseeing fi nal outcome for GASB’s process in considering projects. ARRA funds with reduced staffi ng levels. Member input was valued and had an overall positive outcome for the standard-setting system. Based on my positive experiences over the last eight years with NSAA, I would highly recommend that new members NSAA’s Human Resources Committee continued to hold become involved and consider serving on an NSAA information sharing calls with many states joining in on committee. Th ere are several to choose from, and meetings the conversation. Th ere has been a continuing interest in are normally held by conference call. Th e committees work recruitment, retention and developing our future leaders as on a range of issues important to our work. long-time employees retire and the economy picks up. Th is is not a surprise, considering that the ability of our offi ces NSAA members and our committees stayed busy this to provide strong, eff ective oversight hinges on having year. NSAA’s Audit Standards and Reporting Committee a highly professional, trained, productive and engaged created a work group to discuss audit issues related workforce. As the economy continues to improve, attracting to the implementation of Statement No. 68 from the and retaining the best and brightest to work in government Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Th e work auditing will most likely become more challenging. Th is group has held seven conference call meetings. I want will require all of us to stay on our toes, understand the to thank everyone who put time and energy into the needs of the next generation of auditors, and be creative work group, especially Gerry Boaz (TN) who chaired the to ensure that we are successful. HR information sharing meetings. calls work because of the willingness of member offi ces to Th e Audit Standards and Reporting Committee also, share their approaches to recruiting, improving retention, in conjunction with state comptroller’s Committee on boosting morale, onboarding new staff successfully, and Accounting and Financial Reporting, responded to two exposure draft s (Pension Transition for Contributions Made continued next page REBECCA OTTO, NSAA PRESIDENT 2013-14 Minnesota State Auditor Otto was elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. She taught seventh grade science for five years. A successful businesswoman, she left a career as president of a 50-employee business she helped found to devote her time to public service and give back to the community. She holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in biology from Macalester College. NASACT News | May 2014 1 MESSAGE FROM NSAA’S PRESIDENT handling promotions. I want to especially thank John July 1, 2013. He was a very active contributing member Geragosian (CT) for serving as the vice-chair of the including serving as president of the association. In his committee, and Glen Fowler (CA), Scott Frank (KS) and new position as the GASB chair, David hit the ground Roland Turner (VA) for always being willing to share what running. We look forward to a great working relationship they are doing around HR. Th e benefi t of working on this with him in the years to come. I also want to wish a warm committee is that you realize many of us face the same farewell to Tom McTavish (MI), as he will be retiring issues no matter what part of the country we serve in. soon aft er decades of public service in the governmental auditing fi eld. As a result of well-deserved retirements or NSAA’s Performance Audit Committee, chaired by Steve members moving on to other opportunities, I also want Eells (NJ), also continues to hold regular information to welcome these new NSAA members: Paul Joyce (IN), sharing calls. Most recently, the committee hosted a Marc Larkins (NJ) and Doug Ringler (MI). joint information sharing call with the E-Government Committee to discuss the types of audit provisions that As the president of NSAA, I have the honor and privilege should be included in cloud services contracts. of hosting the NSAA annual conference on June 10-13, 2014. Th e conference will be held in beautiful downtown A very popular service that NSAA off ers is the technical Saint Paul, Minnesota. Saint Paul is very easy to get to from inquiry program. When a member wants to fi nd out the Minneapolis/Saint Paul airport. Th e Mall of America, a how other states are handling issues such as purchasing must-see destination, is about a 15-minute drive from the new soft ware, addressing new auditing or transparency hotel. Located by the mighty Mississippi River, Saint Paul has requirements, or setting up a hotline, for example, NSAA much to see within walking distance of the conference site. staff will send out a technical inquiry on their behalf. My offi ce had NSAA send out a technical inquiry, and my staff We have a great agenda planned for the conference! We found the information we received from member offi ces will have a special focus on technology and making sure we very helpful. If you want to look back at past inquiries and have a strong workforce in the years to come. I hope that responses, you can fi nd them in the members only section Saint Paul’s Midwestern location will provide a great middle of NASACT’s website. ground for everyone to travel to. And I promise: the snow will be gone, the ice will be out on the lakes and rivers, and Finally, I would be remiss if I did not publicly thank some the grass will be green. See you all soon! of our departing members. David Vaudt, former Iowa auditor of state, took the helm as the chair of the GASB on NSAA COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE 10:30 a.m. E-Government IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER! The following NSAA committees will meet on Presiding: Chloe Haidet (GA), Chair Visit www.nasact.org to register and find Tuesday, June 10, in conjunction with the 2014 11:30 a.m. Peer Review additional details! Questions may be directed to NSAA Annual Conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Sherri Rowland at [email protected] or (859) All NSAA members and staff are invited to attend. Presiding: Elaine Howle (CA), Chair 276-1147. Conference call-in capability will also be offered. 1:30 p.m. Single Audit Those wishing to participate by conference call Presiding: Dianne Ray (CO), Chair may do so by dialing (512) 225-3050 (guest code 67981#). All meetings are listed in Central time. 2:30 p.m. Audit Standards and Reporting PROGRAM Presiding: Randy Roberts (AZ), Chair 8:30 a.m. Human Resources 3:30 p.m. Performance Audit Presiding: Rebecca Otto (MN), Chair Presiding: Steve Eells (NJ), Chair 9:30 a.m. Auditor Training 4:30 p.m. Executive Committee Presiding: Courtney Carraway (NC), Chair Presiding: Rebecca Otto (MN), NSAA President DON’T FORGET THE TRAVEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM! State auditors in good standing are eligible to receive up to $750 in travel assistance to attend the conference. The assistance will be provided as a reimbursement following the conference. Download the travel assistance form at www.nasact.org/conferences_training/nsaa/conferences/ AnnualConferences/2014AnnualConference/2014AnnualConference.cfm. NASACT News | May 2014 2 NEWS FROM WASHINGTON SINGLE AUDIT ROUNDTABLE HOLDS FIRST MEETING OF 2014 Th e fi rst 2014 single audit roundtable was held recently be discussing future revisions to the CPE requirements to to update participants on issues related to the federal refl ect current trends. single audit process. Th e roundtable, which is held twice Th e American Institute of Certifi ed Public Accountants yearly, is a forum for discussion between the federal provided an update on practice quality initiatives and on government (including federal inspectors general) and the activities of the Government Audit Quality Center state auditors and CPA fi rms that conduct the single audit.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Press Release: National Organization Names
    STATE OF MINNESOTA OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR SUITE 500 525 PARK STREET (651) 296-2551 (Voice) (651) 296-4755 (Fax) REBECCA OTTO SAINT PAUL, MN 55103-2139 [email protected] (E-mail) STATE AUDITOR 1-800-627-3529 (Relay Service) ***PRESS RELEASE*** National Organization Names State Auditor Otto to Program Committee Contact: Jim Levi, Office of the State Auditor, (651) 297-3683, [email protected] ST. PAUL (1/4/2010) – Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto has been invited by the President of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) to serve on the Annual Conference Program Committee. The Committee, which develops the educational program for the NASACT annual conference, is chaired by NASACT President Glen B. Gainer III, the State Auditor of West Virginia. "I am honored to be invited to serve on this committee with other State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers from around the country," said State Auditor Otto. Founded in 1915, NASACT is an organization for state officials who deal with the financial management of state government. The group's mission is to assist state leaders in enhancing and promoting effective and efficient management of government resources. The 2010 NASACT Annual Conference will be held August 7-11 in Charleston, West Virginia. -- 30 -- The Office of the State Auditor is a constitutional office that is charged with overseeing more than $20 billion spent annually by local governments in Minnesota. The Office of the State Auditor does this by performing audits of local government financial statements, and by reviewing documents, data, reports, and complaints reported to the Office.
    [Show full text]
  • AVAILABLE from DOCUMENT RESUME SP 038 711 Minnesota State High School League. a Program Evaluation Minnesota State Office Of
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 433 308 SP 038 711 TITLE Minnesota State High School League. A Program Evaluation Report. Report #98-07. INSTITUTION Minnesota State Office of the Legislative Auditor, St. Paul. Program Evaluation Div. PUB DATE 1998-06-00 NOTE 65p. AVAILABLE FROM Legislative Auditor's Office, Program Evaluation Division, Centennial Office Bldg., First Floor South, St. Paul, MN 55155; Tel: 612-296-4708; Fax: 612-296-4712; Web site: http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped2.htm; alternative formats such as large print, Braille, or audio tape: Tel: 612-296-8976, or Minnesota Relay Service: Tel: 612-297-5353; Tel: 800-627-3529 (Toll Free). PUB TYPE Reports - Evaluative (142) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Accountability; Athletics; Costs; *Extracurricular Activities; High School Students; High Schools; Private Schools; Program Evaluation; Public Schools; State Government; State Legislation IDENTIFIERS *Minnesota ABSTRACT This document presents a program evaluation report of the Minnesota State High School League, a nonprofit corporation that is a voluntary association of public and private high schools. Member schools delegate control of certain extracurricular activities to the League and, in turn, the League administers athletic and fine arts programs and competitions and establishes student eligibility rules. It is not a state agency, though in the last decade, the state legislature has shown continuing interest in its activities. This study focused on changes that have occurred since the 1987 evaluation of the League, state laws that govern the League's operation and how they compare with those governing state agencies, and changes needed to make the League more accountable to the legislature, students, parents, member schools, and the public.
    [Show full text]
  • Capitol Region Watershed District Management Letter
    State of Minnesota Julie Blaha State Auditor ______________________________________________________________________________ Capitol Region Watershed District Saint Paul, Minnesota Management and Compliance Report Year Ended December 31, 2020 Description of the Office of the State Auditor The mission of the Office of the State Auditor is to oversee local government finances for Minnesota taxpayers by helping to ensure financial integrity and accountability in local governmental financial activities. Through financial, compliance, and special audits, the State Auditor oversees and ensures that local government funds are used for the purposes intended by law and that local governments hold themselves to the highest standards of financial accountability. The State Auditor performs approximately 100 financial and compliance audits per year and has oversight responsibilities for over 3,300 local units of government throughout the state. The office currently maintains five divisions: Audit Practice – conducts financial and legal compliance audits of local governments; Government Information – collects and analyzes financial information for cities, towns, counties, and special districts; Legal/Special Investigations – provides legal analysis and counsel to the Office and responds to outside inquiries about Minnesota local government law; as well as investigates allegations of misfeasance, malfeasance, and nonfeasance in local government; Pension – monitors investment, financial, and actuarial reporting for Minnesota’s local public pension funds;
    [Show full text]
  • Graduate Affairs Committee January 27, 2004 3:30 P.M
    Graduate Affairs Committee January 27, 2004 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. UL 1126 AGENDA 1. Approval of the minutes for November 25, 2003 .................................................... Queener 2. Associate Dean’s Report .......................................................................................... Queener 3. Purdue Dean’s Report ................................................................................................... Story 4. Graduate Office Report ............................................................................................ Queener 5. Committee Business a. Curriculum Subcommittee ........................................................................... O’Palka 6. International Affairs a. IELTS vs. TOEFL ............................................................................................ Allaei 7. Program Approval .................................................................................................... Queener a. M.S. Health Sciences Education – Name Change b. M.A. in Political Science c. M.S. in Music Therapy 8. Discussion ................................................................................................................ Queener a. MSD Thesis Optional b. Joint Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering 9. New Business…………………………………… 10. Next Meeting (February 24) and adjournment Graduate Affairs Committee January 27, 2004 Minutes Present: William Bosron, Mark Brenner (co-chair), Ain Haas, Dolores Hoyt, Andrew Hsu, Jane Lambert, Joyce MacKinnon, Jackie O’Palka, Douglas
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Directory MINNESOTA
    140 Congressional Directory MINNESOTA MINNESOTA (Population 2000, 4,919,479) SENATORS PAUL D. WELLSTONE, Democrat, of Northfield, MN; born in Washington, DC, July 21, 1944; attended Wakefield and Yorktown High Schools, Arlington, VA; B.A., political science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1965; Ph.D., political science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1969; professor of political science, Carleton College, Northfield, MN, 1969–90; director, Minnesota Community Energy Program; member, Democratic Farmer Labor Party, and numerous peace and justice organizations; publisher of three books: ‘‘How the Rural Poor Got Power’’, ‘‘Powerline’’ and ‘‘The Conscience of a Liberal Reclaiming the Compas- sionate Agenda’’; published several articles; married to the former Sheila Ison; three children: David, Marcia, and Mark; committees: Agriculture; Foreign Relations; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Indian Affairs; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Veterans’ Affairs; elected to the U.S. Senate on November 6, 1990; reelected to each succeeding Senate term. Office Listings http://www.senate.gov/∼wellstone [email protected] 136 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510–2303 ............................... (202) 224–5641 Administrative Assistant.—Colin McGinnis. FAX: 224–8438 Office Manager.—Jeffrey Levensaler. Legislative Director.—Brian Ahlberg. Court International Building, 2550 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55114– 1025 ..........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Linwood, Town Of
    STATE OF MINNESOTA OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR SUITE 500 525 PARK STREET SAINT PAUL, MN 55103-2139 (651) 296-2551 (Voice) (651) 296-4755 (Fax) REBECCA OTTO [email protected] (E-mail) STATE AUDITOR 1-800-627-3529 (Relay Service) February 28, 2014 The Honorable Philip Osterhus Chair, Linwood Town Board 22817 Typo Creek Drive, N.E. Stacy, Minnesota 55079 Dear Chair Osterhus: The Office of the State Auditor (“OSA”) received a number of concerns about Linwood Township (“Town”). This letter will provide the Town with guidance to better safeguard its financial resources and to comply with Minnesota law. Background The Town has a five-member Board of Supervisors, an elected Treasurer, and an elected Clerk.1 For a number of years, the Clerk was also employed by the Town as the Office Manager and the Senior Center Coordinator.2 The Town sponsors an annual celebration known as Linwood Family Fun Day (“LFFD”). The Town receives donations from local businesses for LFFD.3 In addition, the Town holds garage sales and silent auctions to raise money for LFFD.4 The garage sales and silent auctions are held at the Town’s Senior Center and are run by the Senior Center Coordinator, with the help of volunteers. Items sold at the garage sales are donated to the Town, although the Town has not maintained an inventory of the donated items. The Town owns the Senior Center building, funds various activities at the Senior Center, and hires the Senior Center Coordinator.5 The Senior Center is operated by the Town, with the 1 The OSA received conflicting information on whether the Town is classified as an “urban town.” See Minn.
    [Show full text]
  • Minnesota State Auditor Four Candidates Are Running for the Office of Minnesota’S State Auditor
    VOTER GUIDE Minnesota State Auditor Four candidates are running for the office of Minnesota’s state auditor. Incumbent Rebecca Otto is not seeking re-election. Candidate Michael Ford did not respond to a request for participation. Candidate answers are in their own words and unchanged. Explain your approach on balancing training local offi- Does Minnesota still need Are local government cials to do a good job keep- a state auditor, at least one audits conducted by private ing financial records and elected on a partisan tick- firms as good as ones the the need for the auditor’s Should audits be limited Should the auditor’s et? Many people have said auditor’s office conducts? office to strictly enforce to finances or expanded role be expanded to exam- it should be removed from Should private audits be laws and accepted account- to include how successful ine state books instead of *denotes incumbent politics. allowed? ing principles. programs and policies are? just local governments? Julie Blaha (DFL) An elected auditor is direct- An audit is most trustworthy As a math teacher, I know A full investigation includes The state auditor over- Age: 48 ly accountable to Minneso- when no money changes what it means to both accu- analyzing results. While the sees over $20 billion in local Occupation: tans, not a political party. In hands between an auditor rately assess performance office’s Audit Division focus- spending - that deserves top Math Teacher; this time of fake news and and the municipality. I will and increase success. The es on finances, its Report- attention.
    [Show full text]
  • State Auditor Otto Chosen by National Organization for Three Committees
    STATE OF MINNESOTA OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR SUITE 500 525 PARK STREET (651) 296-2551 (Voice) (651) 296-4755 (Fax) REBECCA OTTO SAINT PAUL, MN 55103-2139 [email protected] (E-mail) STATE AUDITOR 1-800-627-3529 (Relay Service) ***PRESS RELEASE*** State Auditor Otto Chosen by National Organization for Three Committees Contact: Jim Levi, Office of the State Auditor, (651) 297-3683, [email protected] ST. PAUL (10/5/2010) – Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto has been invited by Nancy Kopp, the President of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT), to serve on three of its strategic committees. Auditor Otto has accepted the invitation to serve on NASACT's Financial Management and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, which considers and reviews issues related to state/local partnerships and improved relationships with federal finance officials. In addition, State Auditor Otto has accepted the invitation to serve on NASACT's Training and Professional Development Committee and the Membership Committee. Earlier this year, State Auditor Otto was elected to the Executive Committee of the National State Auditors Association (NSAA) by the membership, and is in line to become President of that group. "I look forward to working with the other State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers from across the country on fiscal management and oversight of government funds," said State Auditor Otto. Founded in 1915, NASACT is an organization for state officials who deal with the financial management of state government. The group's mission is to assist state leaders in enhancing and promoting effective and efficient management of government resources.
    [Show full text]
  • Childp;N Familieswaming
    MINNIIOTA DIPARTMINT O' Childp;n FamiliesWaming Report to the Legislature January 2 1, 2003 As required by Minnesota Statute §128C.20 COMMISSIONER: Cheri Pierson Yecke Report to the Legislature 2002 Minnesota State High FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: School League Dan Stewart, Due Process Specialist Report Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning T: (651) 582-1611 FAX: (651) 582-8725 E-MAIL: [email protected] As required by OR Minnesota Jenny Thompson, Legal Intern Statutes Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning §128C.20 T: (651) 582-8792 FAX: (651) 582-8725 E-MAIL: [email protected] January 21, 2003 1500 Highway 36 West Roseville, MN 55113-4266 TTY: (800) 627-3529 OR (651) 582-8201 Upon request, this report can be made available in alternative formats. ESTIMATED COST OF PREPARING THIS REPORT This report provides information which is maintained and published as Minnesota Rules by the Office of Revisor of Statutes as a part of its normal business functions. Therefore, the cost information reported below does not include the cost of gathering the data but rather is limited to the estimated cost of actually analyzing the data, determining recommendations and preparing this report document. Special funding was not appropriated for the costs of preparing this report. The estimated cost incurred by the Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning in preparing this report is $350.00. MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES & LEARNING REPORT ON THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE Purpose of the Report Minnesota Statute §128C.20, Subdivision 1, requires the Commissioner of Children, Families & Learning (CFL) to conduct an annual review of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).
    [Show full text]
  • Press Release: State Auditor Otto Releases Criminal Forfeitures Report
    STATE OF MINNESOTA OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR SUITE 500 525 PARK STREET (651) 296-2551 (Voice) (651) 296-4755 (Fax) REBECCA OTTO SAINT PAUL, MN 55103-2139 [email protected] (E-mail) STATE AUDITOR 1-800-627-3529 (Relay Service) ***PRESS RELEASE*** State Auditor Otto Releases Criminal Forfeitures Report Contact: Jim Levi, Office of the State Auditor, (651) 297-3683, [email protected] ST. PAUL (7/19/2010) – State Auditor Rebecca Otto today released the Criminal Forfeitures Report, which provides information on the amount of cash and property seized subject to forfeiture by Minnesota law enforcement agencies in 2009. The report lists and summarizes these forfeiture incidents to help provide transparency to the forfeiture process, and to keep policymakers and the public informed on the nature and frequency of property seized subject to forfeiture. “The Metro Gang Strike Force issues in 2009 raised the legislature’s and the public’s level of awareness of criminal forfeitures in the State of Minnesota. As a result, the legislature made many changes to the criminal forfeiture laws, and to the reporting requirements for criminal forfeitures. The more extensive reporting requirements go into effect August 1st of this year and will be reflected in the 2010 report,” said Auditor Otto. “One example of a new reporting requirement is that law enforcement agencies will have to report DUI forfeitures to the Office of the State Auditor.” Highlights from the report include: In 2009, 218 Minnesota law enforcement agencies (7 fewer agencies than in 2008) reported a total of 4,895 incidents of property seized subject to forfeiture.
    [Show full text]
  • State Auditor's E-Update -- October 9, 2020
    OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR E-Update Follow us on Twitter State Auditor October 9, 2020 @MNStateAuditor Julie Blaha 1. Message from Auditor Blaha 2. Meeting: Volunteer Fire Relief Association Working Group 3. Deadline: OPEB Trust Investment Reporting Form 4. TIF: Segregation of TIF Funds 5. Avoiding Pitfalls: Dangerous Emails 1. Message from Auditor Blaha As your Minnesota State Auditor, I sit on the Executive Counsel. Part of my responsibility, as a member of this body, is to vote on Executive Orders that are issued by the Governor. It is vitally important that I keep up with all COVID-19 related data so that I may make the most informed decisions possible when tasked with voting on issues that directly impact the lives of Minnesotans. Here are my primary sources of information: 1. State of Minnesota COVID-19 Site: https://mn.gov/covid19/ 2. Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/ 3. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME): www.healthdata.org/covid 4. The COVID Tracking Project through The Atlantic: https://covidtracking.com/ If I want to look at another way to visualize the data in Minnesota, both the Star Tribune and Minnesota Public Radio are great resources. Finally, in last week’s E-Update we shared incorrect information for the 2020 Local Government Training Conference. The conference is only scheduled for one day: Wednesday, November 18, 2020 (not November 18 and 19 as previously mentioned). Stay safe and stay informed. 2. Meeting: Volunteer Fire Relief Association Working Group The Volunteer Fire Relief Association Working Group held its first meeting of the year on October 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Benton County Management Letter
    STATE OF MINNESOTA Office of the State Auditor Rebecca Otto State Auditor MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE REPORT BENTON COUNTY FOLEY, MINNESOTA YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 Description of the Office of the State Auditor The mission of the Office of the State Auditor is to oversee local government finances for Minnesota taxpayers by helping to ensure financial integrity and accountability in local governmental financial activities. Through financial, compliance, and special audits, the State Auditor oversees and ensures that local government funds are used for the purposes intended by law and that local governments hold themselves to the highest standards of financial accountability. The State Auditor performs approximately 150 financial and compliance audits per year and has oversight responsibilities for over 3,300 local units of government throughout the state. The office currently maintains five divisions: Audit Practice - conducts financial and legal compliance audits of local governments; Government Information - collects and analyzes financial information for cities, towns, counties, and special districts; Legal/Special Investigations - provides legal analysis and counsel to the Office and responds to outside inquiries about Minnesota local government law; as well as investigates allegations of misfeasance, malfeasance, and nonfeasance in local government; Pension - monitors investment, financial, and actuarial reporting for approximately 650 public pension funds; and Tax Increment Financing - promotes compliance and accountability in
    [Show full text]