OSA Weekly Update - 3/10/2023
1. Message from Auditor Blaha
2. We're hiring!
3. Released: 2021 Minnesota City Finances Report
4. TIF: Certification of a TIF District
5. Avoiding Pitfalls: Pay and Benefits Documentation
1. Message from Auditor Blaha
You are invited to join us for the 2023 State of Main Street listening tour next week, March 13-15. The listening sessions will be held in a hybrid format with in-person gatherings in Minneapolis, Bemidji, St. Cloud, and Mankato – and via Zoom!
The annual State of Main Street is an opportunity for the Office of the State Auditor to hear from you to ensure our numbers tell the real story of your community. We hope you can join us!
Please contact Megan Thrasher Clark with any questions.
2. We're hiring!
The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) is hiring! We are looking for Local Government Auditors and summer interns to join our teams in St. Paul and Duluth.
Posting details for all open positions are available on the OSA website. Interested applicants may apply on the State of Minnesota Careers site and search positions using the Job ID Numbers listed on the OSA website.
At the OSA, we pride ourselves on our supportive work environment for our staff including the ability to work remotely. Apply by Monday, March 13 to join our dynamic team!
3. Released: 2021 Minnesota City Finances Report
This week State Auditor Julie Blaha released the City Finances Report. The Report summarizes the current and long-term trends for city revenues, expenditures, and debt. The Report and its underlying data are available on the OSA website.
4. TIF: Certification of a TIF District
After a TIF plan has been adopted, an authority must request certification by the county. The county auditor must certify the original net tax capacity within 30 days after the receipt of the request. To learn more, visit the OSA website.
If you have any questions, please contact us at TIF@osa.state.mn.us.
5. Avoiding Pitfalls: Pay and Benefits Documentation
Accurate documentation of employee pay and benefits is essential. If pay and benefit decisions are not accurately documented, needless disputes may arise over pay raises, employer contributions to health insurance payments, accrual of leave time, and other payroll matters.
A well-written employment contract can often prevent issues from arising in employment situations. Where a written contract is not used, it is especially important for governing bodies to accurately record pay and benefit decisions in the meeting minutes. This is true both for decisions about individual employees and for decisions about employee benefits generally.
The Avoiding Pitfall is available on the OSA website.