09 - GFOA Annual Conference
ITEM NO. 09
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
Memorandum
To:
Board of Directors
From:
Scott Carroll, General Manager
Date:
March 27, 2014
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Subject: Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) 108Annual
Conference Minneapolis, Minnesota
Summary
Staff is requesting the approval of out-of-state travel for Kaitlin Tran, Associate
Accountant, to attend the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) annual
conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 17, 2014 through May 21, 2014. This
conference was not included in the adopted budget. However, there are sufficient funds
available in the Staff Development accounts. Last year, this conference was budgeted for
Ms. Tran to attend, but she was unable to attend due to the vacancy of the Finance
Manager position.
Staff Recommendation
That the Board of Directors approves out of state travel for Kaitlin Tran, Associate
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Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Analysis
The GFOA conference offers a variety of sessions that are beneficial to the development
sessions included: Adopting Financial Management Policies; Are Your Defined
Contribution Fees Reasonable? How Do You Know?; Be Prepared: Business Continuity
for Local Government; Better Asset Management through GIS; Building a Better Budget
Document; Busting Myths About Public Retirement Plans; and Measure for Measure: The
GASB Tackles Measurement Approaches and Fair Value Reporting.
www.cmsdca.gov
Board of Directors
March 27, 2014
Page 2 of 3
The GFOA also offers a scholarship to first time attendees of $425 for registration. This
scholarship and been tentatively approved. However, staff has included the full
registration expense in case the scholarship is not awarded.
The estimated cost of attendance is as follows:
Registration $ 425
Lodging 775
Airfare 500
Meals/transportation/Misc. 300
$2,000
Strategic Plan Element & Goal
This item complies with the objective and strategy of Strategic Element 6.0,
Personnel/Organization Management, which states the following:
Objective: To employ and retain a high quality, motivated workforce.
Strategy: We will do this by utilizing sound policies and personnel practices, offering competitive
compensation and benefits, providing opportunities for training, development and professional
growth, while ensuring a safe and secure workplace.
Legal Review
Not applicable
Environmental Review
Attendance at a conference is an administrative matter and is exempt from the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code
Section 21000 et. seq.). Section 15300.4 of CEQA allows an agency while establishing its
thin each of the exempt
Financial Review
.
The total estimated cost of conference attendance is $2,000 There are sufficient funds available
in the Staff Development accounts.
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the entire agenda packet for the March
27, 2014 Board of Directors regular meeting at District Headquarters and on District website.
Board of Directors
March 27, 2014
Page 3 of 3
Alternative Actions
1. Do not approve the conference attendance.
Reviewed by:
Wendy H. Davis
Interim Finance Manager