OTHER POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WORKSHOP SUMMARY
The WV Municipal League and the WV Association of Counties hosted a workshop on May 30, 2008, in Flatwoods, WV, regarding recent developments pertaining to post employment benefits.The workshop featured Jason Haught, Chief Finance Official for the WV Public Employees Insurance Agency. Mr. Haught advised that with recent changes to governmental accounting standards via GASB Statements 43 & 45, employers will now have to begin recognizing the expense of providing post employment benefits prior to paying such. Per GASB 45, governmental entities must now recognize this expense as it is incurred, or earned by the employee. This expense encompasses both the amortization of benefits earned in the past and current year’s benefits.
The Eyes of WV are on Four Cities
Board Chairman and Wheeling Mayor Nick Sparachane presided over the Home Rule Board meeting on the campus of West Virginia University on Wednesday. The home rule applications of Wheeling, Charleston, Huntington and Bridgeport were all approved.
This is only the beginning of the process. Now, each city is left to draft and pass ordinances through their respective City Councils that will include more specific information regarding their plans.
"Think about how interesting some of these council meetings will be when the cities want to pass these ordinances. The citizens will probably get pretty excited about a lot of it, but that is why we have home rule - to give power to local elected officials," Sparachage said.
New Tax Systems Make Tax Compliancy Easier
Governor Joe Manchin and the West Virginia State Tax Commissioner, Christopher G. Morris, today announced an innovation in modern tax administration in West Virginia.“From paying your bills to checking your bank account, online activity is flourishing in the private sector. The State Tax Department is taking online tax payments and account administration to the next level,” Morris said. “This is another step toward our Department becoming a 24/7 operation for Taxpayer convenience.”
Senate Temporarily Suspends Debate on HR 980/S 2123
Senate President Harry Reid (D-NV) temporarily suspended debate over the mandatory collective bargaining bill after acrimonious and partisan disagreements over Senate procedures affecting this bill and others erupted on the Senate floor.
At Sen. Reid's request, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), a key supporter of the bill, and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), a key opponent, are attempting to work out a compromise that would allow debate to continue. If Enzi and Kennedy are able to work out an agreement, debate on the bill is expected to resume.
Delinquent Municipal Court Fees-SB 435
The League, represented by Lisa Dooley and Suzan Singleton met with the DMV and Tax Commissioners, staff and an IT group to work on implementation of SB 435, authorizing the offset of State Income Tax refunds for delinquent municipal court fees.Page 40 of 41
Latest Press
NLC CitiesSpeak
- Why Local Leaders Are Doubling Down on Sustainability
- Innovative Approaches to Civic Engagement
- 6 Ways Cities Can Support Summer Learning Programs
- Three Things City Leaders Should Know about Planning for Future Extreme Weather Events
- Promoting Healthy Community Dialogue: Civic Discourse 101
- Calling All Municipalities – Safe Streets Grants Available Now