City & Town Newsletters

This article provides insights into the evolution of municipal government structures, highlighting changes such as the adoption of charters, establishment of chief administrative positions, adjustments in select board membership size, consolidation of departments, and the transition from elected to appointed officials.

This article highlights the importance of multi-year financial forecasting as a critical tool that allows local policymakers to analyze and evaluate the long-term impact of financial decisions.

This article highlights the importance of adopting financial policies as a best practice essential to sound, long-term budgeting for municipalities.

Importance of building financial reserves using sound formal policies governing their funding, use and replenishment.

This article emphasizes the importance of developing sound financial policies in communities and provides a general roadmap for local officials to reach consensus on those policies for their community.

This article is a helpful guide for local officials preparing for the annual budget season. It presents a helpful roadmap of suggestions and best practices that foster communication and collaboration as cities and towns craft their fiscal year budgets.

Article reviews Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) views of strategic planning in a volatile and resource constrained environment.

This article highlights the importance of developing a municipal calendar to assist in managing key processes, timely statutory reporting obligations, collection of revenues, and compliance with state and federal laws.

This article provides important information and guidance to local officials seeking to measure their community's override capacty, the difference between the community’s levy ceiling (the amount equal to 2.5% of the community’s total property values and the maximum allowable levy, outside of any debt exclusions) and its levy limit (the maximum property tax levy for that year).

Financial Management Resource Bureau recommends as a best practice, communities engage a certified public accountant to conduct independent audits of their financial records to review operating procedures, financial controls and comment on management practices.