Articles and Speeches
Michigan Newsletters
We strive to keep our friends and clients abreast of current events and topics of interest to help manage our local governments, utilities and schools. Please let us know of articles of interest that you would like to see in future editions of footnotes.

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In this Newsletter:

Build America Bonds – Are They Right For You?

County Council Budget Review Process: Can It Be Meaningful?

Grants Available For Water Treatment Energy Efficiency

August 18, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Reductions in State Income Tax Distributions Delivery Unwelcome News for Local Governments at Budget Time

Look for Umbaugh at Fall Conferences

August 4, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Managing Your City or Town if Tax Caps Are Here to Stay

Three Common Budgeting Myths

July 21, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Alternative Energy Sources as Economic Development

2011 Budget Preparation - Some Helpful FAQ's

July 7, 2010
In this Newsletter:

The Importance of Independence

2011 Budget Calendar

June 23, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Planning Ahead – Tax Caps May Be Here to Stay

A Strategy To Deal With Schools' Reduced Capital Project Funds

June 9, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Planning Ahead – Tax Caps May Be Here to Stay

New Deadlines to Adjust Local Income Tax Rates for 2010

May 26, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Is It Time To Consider Consolidation? Part 2

Effect of Successful Property Tax Appeals

May 12, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Is It Time To Consider Consolidation?

Qualified School Construction Bond Deadline June 1st - Federal Changes Impacting Stimulus Programs

April 14, 2010
In this Newsletter:

School Funding Flexibility – Fund Transfers

Umbaugh Receives Award from Alliance of Indiana Rural Water

March 31, 2010
In this Newsletter:

What a Difference a Letter Makes - Ratings Really Matter

Time Winding Down on Stimulus Act Financing Tools

Local Option Income Taxes

March 17, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Requests for Bond Credit Rating Review from Standard and Poor's

New Disaster Recovery Grant Deadlines Approaching for Areas Affected by '08 Flooding

March 3, 2010
In this Newsletter:

CSO Remediation and Long-Term Control Plan Funding

Looking for Ways to Save Money? Check for Refunding Opportunities on Your Outstanding Bonds

February 17, 2010
In this Newsletter:

School Districts Respond to State Budget Cuts and Circuit Breaker Losses With Operating Referendums

Capital Planning, Part 2

February 3, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Economic Development: Structuring It To Work For You

Capital Planning, Part 1

January 20, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Economic Development: More Important Than Ever

Fire Territories: Deadline Extended To Levy Taxes Next Year

January 6, 2010
In this Newsletter:

Why Revenue Projections Are So Unpredictable: Income Tax Revenue

Excited About Launching Your Long-Awaited Project? Don't Forget Bond Post-Issuance

December 23, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Wishing You Happy Holidays

December 9, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Why are Revenue Projections So Unpredictable? Changes in Assessed Value

Creating a Structured Investment and Banking Program

November 25, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Why are Revenue Projections So Unpredictable?

Don't Burn Through the Deadline: Fire Territory 2001

November 11, 2009
In this Newsletter:

State Levy Replacement Grants for Schools

Don't Burn Through the Deadline: Fire Territory 2001

   

Save Money For a Limited Time Only: Recovery Zone Bonds

October 28, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Changes to Indiana Law Affect Approval Process for Schools and Local Government Building Projects

System Development Charges

   

Save Money For a Limited Time Only: Recovery Zone Bonds

October 14, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Strategies for Government Efficiency: An Evolving Model for High Impact Strategic Planning

Additional Disaster Recovery Funding Announced for Areas

In this Newsletter:

Strategies for Government Efficiency: The Process-Oriented Organization

Monitor the Economic Health of Your Large Utility Customers

September 16, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Strategies for Government Efficiency: Strategic Planning

Tax Anticipation Warrants: Nearly a Necessity with Late Property Tax Distributions

September 2, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Strategies for Government Efficiency: Grow Your Tax Base

A Year of Change for the Municipal Bond Market

August 19, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Strategies for Government Efficiency: Managing Your Capital Needs

County Council Budget Review Process: Can it be Meaningful?

August 5, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Strategies for Government Efficiency: Finding Opportunities for Cost Efficiencies

Consolidation - A Viable Option?

July 22, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Strategies for Government Efficiency: Managing Revenues Efficiently

In the Middle of Preparing Your Budget? Some Reminders and Helpful Hints

July 8, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Strategies for Government Efficiency: Where Did Our Taxes Go?

   
May we introduce EMMA? New Requirements for Continuing Disclosure
June 24, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Managing Your Utilities in Tough Economic Times

   
School Facility Projects Qualify For Special Funding Options Through Federal Stimulus Package
June 10, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Now Is the Time to Review Local Income Tax Rates

   

The Cost of Downsizing

May 27, 2009
In this Newsletter:

What Happened to My 2009 Net Assessed Value?

 
 

Protecting Your Maximum Levy

   

Reminder - July 15 is Deadline for TIF Analysis

May 13, 2009
In this Newsletter:

The Importance of Adequate Fund Balances

 
 

How Did the 2009 General Assembly Affect Your Operations?

   

Management Series: Property Tax Shortfalls

April 29, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Choosing The Best Matching Funds Option For Your Stimulus Projects

 
 

Red Flag Regulations: Enforcement Date is Almost Here

   

Local Option Income Taxes

April 15, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Umbaugh Partner Colette Irwin-Knott Named To Valparaiso University Board

   

Impact Fees: Alternative Revenue For Infrastructure Funding

April 1, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Finding Matching Funds For Your Stimulus Projects

    Notice of Final Budget Recommendations (the 1782 Notice)
March 18, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Declining Tax Revenues? What Next?

    Municipal Annexation: Will It Generate the Revenue You Expect?
In this Newsletter:

Deadlines Looming As Stimulus Package Details Unfold

February 18, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Economic Recovery Act: What It Could Mean for Local Infrastructure Projects

    Ways to Develop and Monitor an Alternative Work Schedule
February 4, 2009
In this Newsletter:

Stimulus Package May Help Fund Local Infrastructure

Considering an Alternative Work Week Schedule
Spam Alert!
January 21, 2009
In this Newsletter:
Looking Forward to 2009
December 24, 2008
In this Newsletter:

Wishing You Happy Holidays

       
December 10, 2008
In this Newsletter:

Budget-Savvy Ways to Pay for Fire Protection (Part 2)

Holiday Schedule
       
November 26, 2008
In this Newsletter:

Distressed Unit Appeal – Deadline Looms

Budget-Savvy Ways to Pay for Fire Protection
Umbaugh CPA Day of Service
November 12, 2008
In this Newsletter:

All Property Tax Relief LOITS are not the same - Part 2

Top Ten Reasons to Form a Stormwater Utility with a User Fee System
October 29, 2008
In this Newsletter:

All Property Tax Relief LOITS are not the same - Part 1

Salary Ordinance Adoption Dates
Red Flag Regulations: Deadline Extended
October 15, 2008
In this Newsletter:

Moody’s says HEA 1001-2008 could negatively impact Indiana local government credit

Guaranteed Savings Contract - an alternative means of procurement