OSA Weekly Update - 9/22/2023

1. Message from Auditor Blaha

2. Meeting: Fire Relief Association Working Group

3. Available: Six-Year Rule Resources

4. Avoiding Pitfall: Electronic Funds Transfers

5. Job Openings

6. Upcoming Deadlines

1. Message from Auditor Blaha

You are invited to join us for the 2022 Asset Forfeitures and Forfeiture Expenditures in Minnesota listening session on Thursday, September 28 at 1:00 p.m. The listening session will be a hybrid event with options to attend in-person at our Saint Paul location (525 Park Street, Suite 500, Saint Paul) or virtually via Zoom.

If you plan to attend in-person, please RSVP to Megan.Thrasher@osa.state.mn.us. If you plan to attend virtually, please register for the listening session online.

The listening session will also be live streamed on our YouTube channel.

2. Meeting: Fire Relief Association Working Group

The Fire Relief Association Working Group met on September 20 to continue its review of pending legislative proposals. Working Group members approved draft language to clarify investment allocations for relief associations with a defined contribution plan, and benefit and reporting requirements that should apply when a relief association is involuntarily dissolved. Working Group meeting agendas and materials, and links to watch recordings of previous meetings, are provided on the Working Group page of the OSA website.

3. Available: Six-Year Rule Resources

The TIF Division has launched two new videos about the Six-Year Rule and a new tool to aid in tracking compliance.

In addition, a live webinar, 2023 Changes to the TIF Act, will be held on Wednesday, September 27, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. For more information and to register, visit the OSA website.

If you have any questions, please contact the TIF Division at TIF@osa.state.mn.us or 651-296-4716.

4. Avoiding Pitfall: Electronic Funds Transfers

To pay vendor claims, many local government entities may use electronic funds transfers instead of checks. Electronic funds transfers may also be used to purchase and sell investments.

While these transactions are convenient, they present unique opportunities for fraud. As a result, state law requires local units of government to adopt certain policies and procedures before electronic funds transfers are made. The law now specifically requires counties, local social service agencies, school districts, towns, park districts, and home rule charter cities of the second, third or fourth class to have all of the following policy controls in place before using electronic funds transfers:

  • On an annual basis, the governing body must delegate to a designated business administrator the authority to make electronic funds transfers;
  • The disbursing bank must keep on file a certified copy of the delegation of authority;
  • The person initiating the electronic transfer must be identified;
  • The person initiating the electronic transfer must document the request and obtain approval from the designated business administrator before initiating the transfer;
  • Written confirmation of the transaction must be made within one business day after the transaction; and
  • A list with all transactions made by electronic funds transfer must be submitted to the governing body at its next regular meeting.

The full Avoiding Pitfall is available on the OSA website.

5. Job Openings

Office and Administrative Specialist, Intermediate

The OSA Audit Practice Division has an opening for an Office and Administrative Specialist, Intermediate in the St. Paul office. The Audit Practice Division provides audit services to local governments. This position provides skilled support services for the Audit Practice Division in the formatting, completion, release, and publication of reports as well as other support services. The deadline for applications is October 3, 2023. This job posting is available on the OSA website.

Local Government Auditors

The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) is hiring Local Government Auditors in Saint Paul, Rochester, Marshall, Moorhead, Duluth, and Mankato. The candidate(s) hired and new to this job classification may be eligible to receive a $5,000 hiring bonus! The deadline for applications is October 31, 2023. All job postings are available on the OSA website.

Student Workers / Interns

The OSA is hiring student workers / interns in our Saint Paul and Duluth offices. In addition to the development of technical skills, this experience provides the opportunity to enhance communication skills through professional client interaction and refine job management skills in a fast-paced environment. This work experience is CPA qualifying. The deadline for applications is October 31, 2023. The Saint Paul and Duluth postings are on the OSA website.

6. Upcoming Deadlines

TIF Excess Increment

If a TIF district had excess increment calculated for 2022 it must be used for allowable purposes or returned to the county auditor by September 30. For more information, please see our article, Excess Increment Deadline Reminder.

If you have any questions please contact us at TIF@osa.state.mn.us.