Greetings,

What a wonderful conference we had at the beautiful Osthoff Resort. The speakers were interesting and informative, providing us with great ideas to take back to our municipalities and put to use. The municipal service providers were there offering information and products that make our jobs easier. It’s always wonderful having them there and we appreciate their continued support of our association. Check out the updated municipal service provider support list at the bottom right of our website. And of course, the networking amongst our peers, sharing ideas, seeing old friends and making new friends is an invaluable part of every conference.

As I announced at the conference, my goal this year is to promote our profession and gain some recognition for the demanding work we do throughout the year. Upon researching, I found that many groups of municipal officials have had a national recognition week proclamation signed by a President of the United Stated for decades. They are as follows: since 1952, the last week of April is Administrative Professionals Week, since 1958 the 2nd week of April is Library Week, since 1960 the 3rd week of May is Public Works Week, since 1962 the 2nd week (that has the 15th) of May has been Police Week, and since 1969 the 1st week of May has been Municipal Clerks Week. Municipal Treasurers have never been recognized on a national level and I only found one state that recognizes their treasurers. With that in mind I wrote a proclamation declaring the 3rd week of April as Municipal Treasurers Appreciation Week and am working to get the President of the United States to sign this document. I’ve already hit a roadblock but I will continue to work hard to try to get this done prior to the end of my term in April 2018.

I also sent a proclamation to Governor Walker’s office, with the help of Representative Keith Ripp, to be signed for 2018 so we would have time to promote it once it was signed. They were so excited about the whole idea that they rushed it through and already signed the proclamation for 2017. Therefore, in the State of Wisconsin it is declared by proclamation from Governor Walker that April 16th – 22nd 2017 is Municipal Treasurers Appreciation Week! Proclamations were distributed to our members that could be used to have their local municipalities adopt to recognize their local treasurers. I will repeat this process again next year so we can all continue to promote our profession in our state.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions please feel free to contact me.
Lois Frank CMTW, MMC, WCPC MTAW President Village of Cambria Clerk/Treasurer

Municipal Treasurers Appreciation Week Proclamation!

UW-GB Institute scholarhips awarded.

Click here and read about Julie Whalen’s conference experience. Julie is the finance director/treasurer for the Town of Grand Chute.

Here is Rex Roehl, City of Neilsville, with his 4th CMTW Re-Certification engraved watch at the April 2017 conference. He is one of the very few MTAW members to reach this level of re-certification.

Steve Braatz, Jr, Village of Mukwonago Clerk-Treasurer

Describe your current government position.
Municipal Clerk-Treasurer for a medium sized community. My main focuses are election administration, tax collection administration, license administration, agendas/minutes/meeting packets, ensuring compliance of open meetings law, administration of governance procedures, and, of course, customer service. There are a variety of other tasks that I am involved in, including risk management and liability, worker’s comp, and auto insurance maintenance, information technologies, utility billing management, general office management, assistance with bond issues, assistance with budgeting, and special assessment maintenance, to name a few.

Why did you accept a public administration position?
My former boss (the Clerk-Treasurer at the time) recruited me to work here while I was in high school. He was my Boy Scout leader at the time. A few years later a full time clerical position opened up, and that is how I started. I was eventually groomed to take over for my former boss at the time of his retirement, which happened 10 years after I started full time. I moved up the ladder as the years went on, becoming Clerk-Treasurer permanently in 2012.

How has MTAW helped in your career development?
The education alone was very important in my earlier days. It continues today as MTAW assists the Treasurers with updates on the ever changing laws. Most importantly however, I have met a great number of Treasurers that I count on (we count on each other) for information and knowledge. MTAW is a great networking association, which is paramount in the career of a Treasurer.

What is the most challenging aspect about your current position?
Dealing with the ever changing landscape of politics. Laws change from year to year, and trying to determine the impacts on our organization and attempting to implement these law changes is time consuming and difficult.

What are you most passionate about as a leader in public administration?
I take great pride in ensuring the public is as informed as possible. I welcome differing opinions on matters, but I like to make sure those opinions are based on facts, not conjecture.

Describe the most interesting experience you have had in public administration?
Every day offers an interesting experience. Though not the most pleasant of experiences was dealing with a $285,000 shortfall due to an assessment error. Many man hours over the course of three years were spent trying to figure out the situation. The State helped in end by allowing municipalities to exceed their levy limits for one year, allowing us to tax for the amount that was supposed to be taxed initially.

What is on your wish list or agenda for the next 5-10 years for your municipality?
I hope that the Village continues on stable financial ground. We currently have an administration that believes in higher level goals that will positively impact the Village’s financial well-being for generations. The Village Administrator, Finance Director, and I seek to continually educate the current and new politicians on the impact of their decisions. Always on the agenda is finding new and innovative ways finance our operations.

Share a proud job-related moment.
I serve as chairperson for the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association New Clerk’s Committee, of which I help teach new Clerks (many who are also Treasurers) a high level overview of the duties of a Clerk. Every year is a proud six hours seeing the new faces in our industry. In 2016, we taught a class in northern Wisconsin as part of a new Up North Conference. Many of these Clerks and Treasurers have never attended training or received much formal training. The vast majority were very appreciative of the classes we taught. I was proud of our team for conducting the trainings to these Clerks and Treasurers who really needed it.

How or where do you like to spend your time to recharge yourself?
I love to take vacations outside of the State/Country. Cold, warm, it does not matter. As long as there are fun things to do and good friends to do it with, I can recharge my battery easily.

What three words best describe you?
Kind, thoughtful, helpful.

What advice/tips do you have for new treasurers?
Don’t be shy. There are plenty of treasurers out there willing to help you out. Don’t stress out. There is ALWAYS a solution to a problem. And stress is not good for your psyche.

Anything else you want to share with the MTAW membership.
No matter how experienced you think you are, continuing education is extremely key in our world. Most, if not all, of our duties are derived from State and local laws and policies, and those are always changing. Be helpful to your fellow Treasurers. There is a great deal of things that have been “because it has always been done that way.” That does not mean they have been done correctly, and many Treasurers need help in correcting these mistakes.

Three favorite websites.
The Legend of Phantom Lake: https://phantomlake.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/legend-of-phantom-lake/
The Elegant Farmer: http://www.elegantfarmer.com/
Mukwonago Community Library: https://www.mukwonagolibrary.org/

Click here to read about one clerk-treasurer’s conference experience.

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Biographical Q&A with Valerie Clarizio

1. Tell us about your background.
I was born and raised in Door County. I attended Lakeland College where I earned a bachelor degree in Accounting. Years later, I went back to Lakeland and earned an MBA. Before I worked for the City of Sturgeon Bay I worked at a manufacturing plant. I also teach part time at NWTC–accounting and business classes.

2. How long have you been a treasurer and where (include your municipality’s website)?
This coming June I will celebrate my eighteen year anniversary at the City of Sturgeon Bay.
http://www.sturgeonbaywi.org/

3. How did you get where you are today in governmental treasury/finance work?
I was working in accounting at a manufacturing plant during the weekdays and waitressing on the weekends. One of my restaurant customers came in on a Saturday morning and asked if I had seen the advertisement for a Deputy Clerk/Treasurer. This customer was an alderperson who knew I had an accounting degree. I applied and now here I am, the Finance Director for the city.

4. What do you enjoy most in your position?
Mostly, I like the actual hands-on financial work like running analyses.

5. What do you enjoy least in your position?
I can’t please everyone no matter how hard I try.

6. Describe the funniest thing that has happened to you as a treasurer?
Nothing is coming to mind.

7. What is your best asset?
The staff – on all levels.

8. What is your greatest accomplishment as a Treasurer? (most proud of)
Obtaining the CPFO designation from the GFOA. I studied long and hard for those exams.

9. Explain a work-related innovative process or procedure you initiated that may benefit other municipalities?
At the City of Sturgeon Bay we eventually grew to the point where we needed an IS Department but could not afford one. After some negotiating, the City contracted with the County of Door for IS services. The County already had experienced and trained staff in place and with our financial assistance they were able to hire a helpdesk operator. I think it turned out to be a win for both entities.

10. Describe the most important lesson you have learned from your position.
Think before you speak and don’t be afraid to tell the Council you’ll have to get back to them when you can’t exactly remember what they are asking you for during a meeting.

11. What is the work-related website you visit most frequently? Leisure/entertainment website?
For work, I would have to go with our banking provider. For leisure, I will go with Facebook since I tend to get hooked on all those cat and dog videos.

12. Describe, in any manner you select, your office/work station environment (view too – if you have a window).
I have two windows in my office overlooking one of our main roads in town. It’s not very exciting. As for my desk area, I like to keep it tidy but that doesn’t always work. Luckily, we moved into a new City Hall almost ten years ago and everything is still clean and fresh. It’s nice.

13. How do you spend the first 30 minutes of a ‘typical’ day?
Checking email, putting out fires, and catching up with staff on outstanding projects.

14. What advice/tips do you have for new treasurers?
Join organization such as the Municipal Treasurers Association and the Government Finance Officers Association. Not only will you benefit from their learning opportunities but the networking opportunities are phenomenal as well.

15. How long have you been a MTAW member and what have you gained from your membership?
If memory serves me, I have been a MTAW member since I began working for the city, so about eighteen years. In addition to being educated in the many areas of municipal treasury management, one of the biggest benefits I’ve received from being a MTAW member is meeting and networking with other treasurers, and municipal service providers, who have helped me every step of the way. Countless times, I’ve picked up the phone and called other treasurers for advice and help, and countless times these folks have gone above and beyond to help me.

16. Any special MTAW memories you would like to share?
I really enjoy going to the conferences and each one lends a little something special.

17. Anything unique about your municipality?
Nope. I think we are just like everyone else. We try to do a good job serving our public.

18. Any family info you wish to share?
My husband and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We have two cats who allow us to share their house.

19. What hobbies/interests do you have?
My husband and I enjoy the outdoors so we do a little fishing, hunting, and hiking.

20. What is your favorite food – is it available here – do you have it on vacation?
I love pepperoni pizza and chocolate.

21. What is your favorite vacation destination? Why?
In 2009 I had the privilege to travel to Alaska and I would love to go back someday. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and the wildlife we saw was amazing.

22. Tell us something about yourself that most people do not know or would never suspect, i.e. took tap dance lessons, does sign language at a deaf institute, whatever.
I write novels. When I first told people that I wrote a book they assumed it was an Accounting textbook.

23. Anything else you would like to add?
As I’ve mentioned before, it is a privilege to serve the members of MTAW. THANK YOU!

Hello MTAW members!

First of all, I want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you this year. Through the years, MTAW has provided me with valuable educational tools and immeasurable networking experiences. I am very grateful and proud to be a member of such a wonderful organization.

Second, I’d like to thank all of you who volunteered to serve on committees and as District Directors. I know with our busy work and family schedules it is sometimes difficult to carve out time for the extras, so please know that your efforts do not go unnoticed and you are very much appreciated. There are still a few volunteer opportunities available. They can be found under the ‘Committees’ tab on the website. Serving on committees is a great way to meet other members and earn points for certification and/or recertification.

Now that I’ve made mention of our busy schedules, and asked for more of your time by volunteering for committees, I also want to ask you to make sure you take the time you need for yourself. Very few of us are good at this, yet it is so important. I’m embarrassed to say that our health insurance experience in Sturgeon Bay was so bad last year that we were kind of forced into a new wellness program. Recognizing the need for change, I volunteered for the committee and we are working toward achieving a healthier staff both physically and mentally. With this program, came the fancy new Fitbit I’m wearing. Currently, the Fitbit is telling me that I’m not getting enough sleep or exercising enough, however, according to the device, I do have a good resting heartrate when I’m home watching TV, so I have that going for me. Anyhow, part of what I’ve learned through this is that we really need to carve out time for ourselves. Take time to do something you enjoy, and take time to relax. A healthier and relaxed you will make for a more productive you. The end result – you’ll probably get the same amount of work done as when you run yourself ragged, only now you’ll be healthier and happier.

I’m going to close this message with a little story. Today I called our very own Helen Schmidlkofer, Madam President of APT US & C, because I had a question about something. After a few minutes we ended our conversation and I hung up the receiver. I thought about the things we talked about and found myself inspired by Helen. She’s so motivating and continues to give back to our organization time and time again, and now she’s serving on the national level too. I felt so good when I was done talking to her I decided that I was going to call her every Monday for a weekly pep talk. Sorry, Helen, you’ve been warned. I don’t want to stop here with just Helen because our organization has many members like her. I have been helped and inspired countless times by countless MTAW members and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a member of such a topnotch organization.

Who in MTAW inspires you? Drop me an email, I’d love to hear about it!

Valerie Clarizio
City of Sturgeon Bay
MTAW President

Happy Spring Everyone!

I must say life in my office was very interesting in March. We have the usual day-to-day activity, which always keeps us hopping. On top of that we always have our audit in March. We were very busy making sure our records were complete and accurate but somehow our auditors always seem to find some little detail that we miss. I am happy to say they were able to leave just in time to make it home before the big snowfall we had on March 23rd. Now this week we collect our second installment of taxes since our City collects on a four-installment plan. Of course there were a lot of last minute people getting their pet licenses yesterday as well. Oh yes and we had absentee voting going on! Life in a city office is anything but dull. I enjoy the diversity of the career path I have chosen – no two days are ever the same.

As we head into April, I near the end of my term as the President of our organization. Valerie Clarizio is busy putting together next year’s board and committees. I want to remind you members that there are always opportunities to get involved with this group. This is such a great way to learn more about MTAW and about the people who do the same job as you do in other communities. Don’t be afraid to volunteer.

Mark your calendar and make sure that you have registered for the Spring Conference “Go Green” at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, April 21-22. That is just weeks away now! For all you who are new treasurers or those who would like a review, there is also a Treasurers Workshop on Wednesday, April 20th. There is an additional registration and cost if you would like to attend this. I look forward to seeing everyone at the spring conference. Please stop me and introduce yourself.

One more reminder on the education front! The Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute is being held July 10-15, 2016 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay. I cannot say enough about the quality of this educational opportunity. This is University for Clerks and Treasurers! You will learn so much from it and it will help greatly with your positions as clerks and treasurers. The website for this is www.uwgb.edu/govt. This is also a great help in receiving points for your CMTW Certification.

I will close for now. Have a wonderful day. See you at the spring conference!

Best to you all.
Julia Mann, CMTW
City of Tomah Treasurer
MTAW President