Happy Fall Everyone!

I just can’t believe that it is September already, time sure flies, especially when one is busy.

My July consisted of attending the UW Green Bay Clerks & Treasurers Institute, which was terrific fun.  Even though I was there working the MTAW information booth, I was able to spend time talking with many of the clerks or treasurers that were institute students.  Everyone I talked with found it to be a positive experience with lots of information to take back to utilize in their municipality.  The Institute celebrated their 40^th Anniversary in 2018 and the “All Conference Event” was a 70’s themed SINGO night (musical version of BINGO).  Oh what fun that was – lots of laughter!   It would be great to have SINGO for our entertainment event at a future MTAW conference (hint, hint).

The following week I traveled to Memphis to attend the Association of Public Treasurers of United States and Canada (APT US&C) conference!  This was my first APT conference and I am really grateful that MTAW allows the President to attend.  The conference agenda included interesting topics and great presenters.  I would love to attend another APT conference in the future.

Next up is the MTAW Fall Conference which is September 20^th & 21^st in Eau Claire at the Lismore Hotel.  Those that are attending will be able to meet the new Executive Secretary, John Schlice.   John was an active member in the association for many years prior to his retirement from his position at Stevens Point.  Please take the time to chat with John and make him feel welcome.  On behalf of the association I would like to welcome John to MTAW and look forward to working with him in the coming years.

If I don’t see you in Eau Claire, I hope to see you in Oshkosh for the Spring Conference.

My wishes to everyone for a safe and happy fall & winter!

Beverly Langenback

MTAW President

 

 

 

 

May 2, 2018

RE:  MTAW John Schlice Scholarship

My name is Connie Zimmerman, Clerk/Treasurer for the Town of Fulton.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the MTAW for awarding me the John Schlice scholarship.  Awards such as these enable many treasurers, such as myself to continue attending training, reducing some of the burden on the budget.

I’ve been a clerk/treasurer for 12 years, and this conference was one of my favorites.  It was held at The American Club – Kohler, WI.  I’ve never been to Kohler before.  What a beautiful conference center and community!  If you attended, you definitely know what I mean, and if you were not fortunate enough to attend, rumor has it, we may be having a future conference there in the next few years, so possibly you can attend then, to see it for yourself.

We were welcomed by Village President Thomas Schnettler, who gave us a brief history of the community, and explained how involved Kohler Co. is with the community.  As Thomas Schnettler explained, it is a unique relationship, like a marriage, between Kohler Co., and the Village of Kohler.  I’ve never known of a community where a company is so greatly involved.  I have to admit, I am uncertain if that “marriage” would work in other communities.  Kudos to Kohler Co. and Village of Kohler for making it work!  The rewards are very evident to visitors.

The conference committee did an exceptional job for the educational classes and speakers, as well as planning the extracurricular activities.  From the hotels to the food we ate, and everything in between, everything was superb!

Baker Tilly did a great presentation on audit readiness, things that we all need to know.  The presenter explained the year end closing process, tax process for municipalities, clearing taxes, and recording taxes.  Some of the items she spoke about did not apply to the town I work for because we are on a cash basis rather than an accrual basis, but it was good information to listen to, and store in the back of my brain should I need it in the future.  She also included examples of forms treasurer’s use, which are always good to reference to.

With the ever changing laws, the DOR updates proved to be very informative.  This session provided us with information on tax law changes, expenditure restraint program, levy limits, documentation and resources.   What I truly liked about this session, was the many questions and answers that were asked of the DOR.  Often times, other treasurers have questions about laws, and circumstances in their communities that they just aren’t sure how deal with, and by hearing the questions/answers, I am able to gain more knowledge.

Elhlers Inc. provided another informative session on GO Notes, Revenue Bonds, and TIFs.  While this class didn’t particularly apply to my municipality, again, it was very interesting to learn about.  I can only imagine that larger municipalities have to deal with this topic quite often.

There was a great variety of Municipal Service Providers at the conference.  It is always nice to stop by the booths and visit for a short time with them.  Some of them are providers our town uses, and others I have gotten to know throughout the years of attending conferences, while others were new, or at least new to me.  It’s always interesting when I return to the office with the few trinkets I’ve collected and then one day I look at that item, and end up calling that Service Provider for a price quote for something the town needs.

There was a brief overview of the MTAW website, definitely beneficial to all of us!  It’s one of the websites we visit often, and pointers are always helpful.

Employee issues for leave of Absences, and Reasonable Accommodations and how they are related to workers compensation was the final session on Friday.  Attorney James Macy was extremely knowledgeable, and presented in a manner that wasn’t “over our heads” as many times attorneys can be.  He added humor, and real life examples to what he was presenting, making it even more relatable.

Again, I would like to extend my gratitude to the entire MTAW for continuing to provide conferences where we can learn, network with other treasurers, experience new places and things, and have fun!

Sincerely,

 

Connie Zimmerman, WCMC, CMTW
Clerk/Treasurer
Town of Fulton

September 2017 – MTAW received one (1) John Schlice Scholarship application by the August 1 deadline and the Board awarded the following:

Connie Zimmerman, Town of Fulton Clerk-Treasurer

April 2018 – MTAW received twenty-seven (27) UW-GB Institute Scholarship applications by the March 1 deadline and Board awarded the following:

2018 Scholarships
#	Scholarship	Contributor	Recipient	Municipality	Year
1	$702	Ehlers & Associates, Inc. (Dorothy Berkan Memorial (tuition/lodging)	Anandhi Krishman	V of Somers	1st
2	$472	Baker Tilley Virchow Krause, LLP	Meagan VandeBerg	C of Fox Lake	1st
3	$472	Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.	Amy Hall	V of Mount Horeb	1st
4	$472	Workhorse Software Services, Inc.	Sue Born	T of Mosel	TC
5	$100	Quarles & Brady, LLP	Melissa Kempen	T of Merton	1st
6	$100	Quarles & Brady, LLP	Jessica Legois	V of Suamico	2nd
7	$100	Quarles & Brady, LLP	Tasha Rass	V of Sister Bay	3rd
8	$100	Quarles & Brady, LLP	Lori Phelan	V of Ridgeway	TC
9	$472	MTAW	Nicole Mrzena	C of Adams	1st
10	$100	MTAW	Sara Regenauer	T of Beloit	1st
11	$100	MTAW	Kay Weisensel	T of Sun Prairie	2nd
12	$100	MTAW	Melissa Blease	V of Cambria	TC

New – MTAW Conference Registration Scholarship – The Conference Registration Scholarship Program began in 2017 and is funded by pledges received from Municipal Service Providers. The number of scholarships awarded may vary each year based on available funds. Recipients shall use their scholarship, which will be distributed as a reimbursement to the recipient’s municipality, for the current year’s Spring or Fall Conference. The scholarship cannot be carried over to the following year. Limit one scholarship per MTAW member per lifetime. Current MTAW Officers and Board members are ineligible for this scholarship.

MTAW received seventeen (17) Conference Registration scholarship applications by the March 1 deadline and the Board award the following:

Scholarship	Contributor	Recipient	Municipality
$120	League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance (LWMMI)	Becky Frederick	V of Hixton
$120	Workhorse Software Services, Inc.	Jenny Salvo	C of Edgerton
$120	Ehler’s & Associates, Inc.	Lori Breiwa	V of Cobb
$120	MTAW	Shelly Bull	V of Linden