Before closing out the books for 2010, there are a few things that a new Auditor should note. First, be sure to review the 2010 budget and make sure all budgeted transfers have been completed. Any transfers or budget line items that the governing board decided not to complete or that you feel should be … Read more
In the State of North Dakota, NDCC 21-04-13 states that the governing body of a City must approve all pledges of securities at each depository a minimum of two times per year. The Auditor is responsible for obtaining proof of pledges of securities and for providing the information to the governing body. The proof of … Read more
Water is a basic human need. As a result, the cost of an average level of residential water service cannot be fairly compared to the cost of non-essential items such as cable TV, soda pop, and other discretionary items when determining whether the cost is “affordable”. Affordability means different things to different communities and varies … Read more
On September 30th, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR, H.R. 3081) to fund most federal programs at FY2010 levels through December 3rd. Prior to Congress recessing for the mid-term elections, work on appropriations bills was well underway. Committee reports on all except the Interior and Environment bill have been published by the Senate, and House … Read more
During the recent credit crisis and resulting economic downturn, a greater focus has been put on hidden risks in assets owned by major investors across the economy. Growing water scarcity in many regions of the United States is a risk running through municipal bond markets, one that must be addressed to protect the strength of … Read more
Inclining block rates can be an important component of a multi-faceted conservation plan. In recent years, many water utilities in our region have moved away from declining block and uniform block rates to an inclining block rate structure. If you are contemplating the benefits of such a change, there are some considerations to be taken … Read more