OSA Weekly Update - 7/2/2026

1. Message from Auditor Blaha

2. Opportunity: State Auditor’s Working Group

3. Avoiding Pitfall: Approval of Claims

4. Deadlines

1. Message from Auditor Blaha

2. Opportunity: State Auditor’s Working Group

The State Auditor's Fire Relief Association Working Group will reconvene this summer to identify and work through current and pressing relief association issues.

There are open seats on the Working Group for a trustee or member of a relief association with a defined contribution (split the pie) plan and for an official of a city or town with an affiliated relief association.

If you'd like to be considered, please contact Rose Hennessy Allen at (651) 296-5985 or at rose.hennessy-allen@osa.state.mn.us. Please also forward to us any topics that you would like the Working Group to consider this year.

3. Avoiding Pitfall: Approval of Claims

In many public entities, the governing body must approve the payment of all claims.

Before the governing body’s meeting where the claims will be considered, members should fully review each claim for appropriateness and accuracy. If necessary, the supporting documentation for the claim should be examined.

The minutes of the meeting where the claims are considered should identify the claims that are approved. This can be accomplished by attaching a list of claims to the meeting minutes. The minutes should also reference the total amount of the claims list and identify how each member voted.

The full avoiding pitfall is available on the OSA website.

4. Deadlines

TIF: Annual Reporting Forms Due August 3, 2026

Authorities must submit 2025 TIF Annual Reporting Forms to the OSA using the State Auditor Form Entry System (SAFES) or before August 3, 2026. Instructions, sample forms, and videos on how to fill out and submit TIF reporting forms are available on the OSA Website.