As many are already aware, Norm Klein retired from his position as the Accounting and Management Systems Section Supervisor for the Local Government Services Bureau in December. The Bureau has promoted Darla Erickson (406-841-2909) from her position as an accounting systems officer to the Section Supervisor. We feel Darla is an excellent choice for the supervisor position. She brings many years of local government accounting experience to her new job, including several years working under Norm's supervision in the Section's Glendive office.
While the Bureau certainly feels the loss of Norm's considerable local government knowledge, we still retain a great staff. Kim Smith (406-841-2905) and Tom Hayes (406-841-2906), Audit Quality Control Reviewers in the Helena Office, both CPA's, have a combined 43 years of experience working with local governments and posses a thorough understanding of Montana local government auditing, accounting and legal compliance issues.
We also have immense confidence in our newer accounting systems officers. Although they are not seasoned veterans in the local government arena, they bring many talents to the Bureau and are dedicated to excellent customer service. Accounting systems officers include:
Billings- Linda Willett 406-245-2747
Glendive - Rachelle Fenger 406-365-6582
Kalispell - Magda Nelson 406-257-5245
Helena - Open (currently accepting applications)
Call on them as the need arises. They are eager to help and will serve you well. (Posted 05/02/08)
(Helena) The Montana Main Street Program, which promotes the revitalization of historic downtown business districts, announced that it will open up a new cycle of applications on April 1, 2008. Two to three new communities will be selected for Main Street designation.
"The Main Street Program helps preserve the heart and soul of a community," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. "Montana's towns are known for their unique character and colorful history and this program not only maintains the essence of these communities, it also promotes economic development."
The National Trust for Historic Preservation established the National Main Street Center in 1980 to assist nationwide downtown revitalization efforts. The Montana Main Street Program is based on the Trust's philosophy, which advocates restoration of the historic character of downtown while pursuing traditional development strategies such as marketing, business recruitment and retention, and public improvements. The Main Street approach encourages communities to use their unique assets - distinctive architecture, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, local ownership, and personal service - to rebuild their downtowns.
"There are no quick fixes for declining downtowns, but the Main Street program is a great start," Montana Department of Commerce Director Anthony Priete said. "Success comes from a comprehensive and incremental approach. Main Street has proven itself as an effective downtown revitalization method."
According to Julie Burk, Montana Main Street Program Coordinator, the seven Main Street communities (Libby, Polson, Stevensville, Butte, Anaconda, Livingston, and Red Lodge) in 2007 collectively created 106 new jobs, and 45 new businesses. Public improvement projects totaled almost $3 million and building improvements totaled $1.5 million. Volunteers contributed more than 5,000 hours to their communities.
The Main Street approach focuses on four major areas, also called the 4-Point approach. The first area, organization, focuses on getting everyone in the community to work toward the goal of revitalizing a Main Street. The second area, promotions, focuses on attracting potential shoppers, investors and businesses to the downtown. The third area, design, focuses on getting Main Street back into top-notch physical shape. The fourth area, economic restructuring, focuses on finding a new niche for Main Street's businesses.
Designated Main Street communities receive on-site technical training and consulting on a wide range of topics in the four categories of the Main Street approach. In addition, they participate in monthly phone conferences and attend yearly executive director's meetings and statewide conferences.
The benefits of becoming a Main Street community include:
- Improved building facades and rehabilitated buildings
- New businesses and jobs
- Growth of locally-owned businesses
- Expanded tax base
- More efficient growth and an alternative to sprawl
- Increased public and private investment in the downtown
- Preservation of historic and cultural resources
- Improved downtown and community image
- New and improved events to bring fun and foot traffic downtown.
Applications can be downloaded from the Department of Commerce's website, mtmainstreet.mt.gov, starting April 1, or by calling Julie Burk at (406) 841-2756. Applications will be due July 1, 2008. (Posted 3/14/08)
Montana Public Employees Retirement Administration (MPERA) is in the process of implementing Section 19-2-506 (3), MCA, which requires public employers to report all employees, regardless of their retirement system membership, to MPERA. Initial notices have been sent to our municipal employers. Implementation will occur in two Phases.
Phase I will begin April 1, 2008. This Phase requires minimal programming changes to the current process of filing payrolls and the associated file layout.
The Phase II implementation date is not yet determined. Phase II will allow payroll personnel to print working retiree reports from the MPERA Web Reporting system. These reports will be based on information already captured within the system. Payroll personnel would still obtain the necessary employer and retiree signatures before filing with MPERA. This automated process will benefit payroll clerks, especially as more members retire and then return to work.
Beginning April 1, employers will be able to enter all non-contributing employees into the MPERA Web Reporting System. If an employer cannot being the process April 1, the employer must contact MPERA with the reason why and the planned start date. The process will be mandatory for ALL EMPLOYERS as of JULY 1, 2008.
Important announcements will appear for payroll clerks on the MPERA Web Reporting system, so please watch for them! Additionally, an on-line guide with instructions on how to enter the information for your non-contributing employees will be available soon.
For further information and assistance in complying with this new requirement, please contact MPERA at their website, or by calling toll free (877) 275-7372. (Posted 03/06/08)
In order to provide some assistance, especially for first time grant writers, Stewart Kirkpatrick, the Montana State GIS Coordinator, has published an MLIA Grant Instructional video. This video makes use of software that enables one to port a powerpoint presentation and narration to a browser enabled video.
The presentation takes about 30 minutes to view, although you can switch between slides if you don't want to watch the entire production.
To view the video, go to http://giscoordination.mt.gov/grant.asp and click on the instructional video. If you have questions, contact Stewart Kirkpatrick.
(Posted 02/27/08)
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is now accepting applications for grants and loans through two programs designed to promote the conservation, development, and reclamation of natural resources in Montana.
The Reclamation and Development Grants Program offers grants of up to $300,000 for projects that repair, reclaim or mitigate the effects of past mineral development and promote natural resource projects that benefit Montana citizens. Examples of projects funded in the past include mine reclamation, stream restoration, oil and gas reclamation, hazardous waste cleanup, and applied reclamation research. Some examples of projects funded last grant cycle include groundwater monitoring of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) activities in the Powder River watershed; the Bald Butte Mine and Millsite reclamation project southwest of Marysville; acid mine drainage mitigation near Belt; settling pond construction at the Zortman/Landusky mine in Phillips county; Reliance Refinery cleanup in Kalispell; hazardous waste cleanup in Powell County near Deer Lodge; investigation of groundwater/surface water interaction on the Smith River; and the plugging of 24 abandoned oil and gas wells at sites located in Glacier, Big Horn, Musselshell, and Yellowstone Counties.
The Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program offers grants of up to $100,000 and low-interest loans up to the amount a community has the ability to repay. This program funds projects for the conservation, management, development, or preservation of renewable resources. Projects funded through this program include irrigation efficiency projects improvements, watershed planning and restoration, range and timber improvements and projects to reduce the use of agricultural chemicals. This program also funds community infrastructure projects for water, wastewater, and solid waste. Some examples of projects that were funded in the last funding cycle include North Powell Conservation District for a drought and water conservation project on the Blackfoot River; the City of Livingston for a glass pulverizer; the East Bench Irrigation District for a ditch lining project; and the town of Jordan for wastewater system improvements.
Both programs also fund reclamation and renewable resource projects for applied research, demonstration, planning and preliminary engineering.
Any division of state, county, city, and tribal governments, or other local political subdivision is eligible to apply. The application deadline is May 15, 2008. All grant and loan requests must receive authorization by the 2009 Montana Legislature.
Applications for both programs can be obtained from the DNRC website at http://www.dnrc.state.mt.us/cardd/cardd.html; by writing to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Resource Development Bureau, PO Box 201601, Helena MT 59620-1601; or by calling Greg Mills or Pam Smith at (406) 444-6668. (Posted 02/06/2008)
