Gretchen Gomolka, City of Brighton

Insights on the 2021 Legislative Session—Current and Future

Local Government Advocates from MAC, MTA, and MML will share insights on the legislative and political landscapes in the new 2021 Legislative session, the ongoing effects of the pandemic response, budget updates, legislative issues at the forefront from tax and municipal finance to local control to federal actions and what we might expect in this session.

1.2 CPE credits in Other

Judy Allen, MI Townships Association; Deena Bosworth, MAC; Chris Hackbarth, Michigan Muncipal League

Moderator: Mark Warner, Plante Moran 

Financial Report Updates & GASB Updates

Comments letters were recently submitted by the MGFOA standards committee on two rather significant GASB due process documents. In this session, we will share some insight into these new GASB proposals along with the feedback we’ve provided.  In addition, we’ll take a quick step back and highlight other upcoming GASB standards that are important to know!

1.4 CPE credits in Accounting and Auditing

Michelle Watterworth & Marie Steigel, Plante Moran

Moderator: Laurie Hoose, Plante Moran

Break

Cost Allocation Plan

As local governments in Michigan continue to see declines in revenue streams, alternative methods of ensuring financial support are becoming commonly sought-after. To meet this challenge, Cost Allocation Plans can be a useful tool for maximizing cost recovery, whether through Federal grants or a new accounting approach. In this session, hear from private sector consultants who produce these reports and learn more about the guidelines, processes, and best practices of producing a Cost Allocation Plan.

1.0 CPE credits in Other
(Original credits were reduced from 1.4 due to the session ending 20 minutes early) 

Nicholas Bohac, Maximus

Moderator: Dan Aylward, Abilita Consultants

Peter Nielson, Life Coach

Mike Kloach, Meeder Investment

Hindsight is 2020

A discussion of the quickly changing economic environment and the challenges it presents to managing  investments and generating returns.

1.2 CPE credits in Other

Greg Prost, Robinson Funds

Moderator: Jamie Rivette, Yeo & Yeo PC

Budget - A Critical Finance Function

The budget is the financial road map to meeting an entity's objectives.  The budget process differs in every community - it is dependent on the skills available in the various departments, the size of the entity, the size of the finance group, the expectations of the governing board, the revenue constraints, the history of the budget process in that community and the sophistication of the leadership.   A strong finance manager who can vary the process depending on the above factors is critical to producing a budget that is understandable and supports the entity goals.  Colleen has spent most of her career working with small communities who do not have a large staff and this session will focus on ideas and share examples that prove even simple budgets can accomplish large goals.   The audience will also be encouraged to ask questions and share ideas that have worked or not worked for them.  

1.2 CPE credits in Other

Colleen Coogan, Woodhill Group

Moderator: Susan Dryden-Hogan, Hartland Twp.

Preparing for your First Single Audit

With the significant influx of federal funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will likely be many governmental entities that have never had to undergo a single audit before. This session will focus on helping auditees better understand what is involved and how to prepare for that first single audit.

1.2 CPE credits in Accounting and Auditing

Bill Tucker, Maner CPA

Moderator: Nathaniel Watson, PMF