E-Help 9/20/2006


INCLUDES:
Dept of Labor SURPRISE safety inspection. (Grayslake)
IRS Ruling on disability pensions for 55 yrs & older (Freeport)
Treasurer’s Institute
IMTA Schedule for IML’s Annual Conference
Certification Points
Results for City Attorney survey



DEPT OF LABOR SURPRISE INSPECTION

An Illinois Dept of Labor representative walked up to our counter, flashed a badge and reported he was here for a safety inspection.  After 21 years of municipal service, that was a surprise to me.  I have never seen one before.  He asked to inspect our:

            Compliance Posters

            Evacuation Plans (written)- Apparently yelling “Everyone get out of the building” wasn’t sufficient.  We failed.

            Fire Extinguishers

            Emergency Lights

            OSHA forms

He said we would receive a report detailing his visit.  He didn’t indicate that there would be fines or penalties and we didn’t ask.
The inspector stated that there are five inspectors in northern Illinois and they try to get around to everyone once every five years. 

Michael Peterson
Grayslake (Lake County)  


TREASURER’S INSTITUTE
 Nov 12-16 at Holiday Inn, Urbana (217.328.7900)
 Watch for the registration form in the mail and on the website in the next two weeks.  


IMTA Schedule for IML’s Annual Conference at Chicago Hilton Towers (Sept 30th)

7:30am  Registration & Continental Breakfast for Treasurers (hosted by Associated Bank)
8:00am  Opening Remarks by Bob Mullins, IMTA President
8:05am  Remote Deposit & ACH Fraud
8:45am  Microsoft’s future within Local Governments
9:30am  Identity Theft & Check Fraud
10:15am Performance Measurement: Balanced Scorecards within Finance
11:00am Legislative Update by Larry Frang
11:30am IMTA General Membership Meeting 


CERTIFICATION POINTS

Need certification points?  Please contact JoEllen Hickenbottom if you are available to volunteer time at the IMTA Exhibit Booth during the IML Conference at Chicago Hilton Towers on Sept 29th or 30th

csjeh@eiu.edu

 


CITY ATTORNEY SURVEY 

For those municipalities who do not have a full time attorney on staff....
What is your arrangement with your attorney?  (eg. retainer only, retainer + hourly fee, hourly fee only, etc.)
What do you pay your attorney, either hourly or annually?
How long have you had the same attorney?
Do you periodically change attorneys?
How do you hire your attorney?  (eg. accept proposals, hire a friend of the mayor J, hire the only guy in town, etc.)
Do you provide other benefits? (eg. Health insurance.. )
Thanks for all of your help!

Alta L. Long, Treasurer
City of Tuscola
along@tuscola.org

RESPONSES:

Attorney –

Hourly Fees – rates vary by staff level.
They bill us monthly with detailed bill.
Same attorney since 1981.
No.  Prior attorney was appointed as a Judge, and had to retire from practice.  He and his firm served us for 11 years.
We went through a RFP/RFQ process to select.
Contract services – no benefits.

Brad L. Bettenhausen
Treasurer/Finance Director
Village of Tinley Park   

Village of Machesney Park City Attorney: 
1. Arrangement - Retainer + Hourly Rate
     a.  Retainer of $2,700 per month for which the Village receives:   
          1.  4 hours per week at VMP office for consultation with each department head.
          2.  Attendance at all weekly Board and Committee meetings.  The Village Board meets weekly, Admin & Fin. Comm meets weekly, all others meet monthly.

     b.  All other hours billed at hourly rate of $90.00.

2.  Retainer paid monthly; hours billed monthly.
3.  Same firm since 1981, the year the Village was formed

4.  We have never changed attorneys, although several other firms are used for Bond Counsel, special projects
(SSA's or SA's) 
5.  N/A - we've not changed attorneys.  We have an excellent relationship with our law firm.  Our lead attorney is part of our management team and plays a vital role in most village business.
6.  No other benefits of any kind are provided.

I'm very interested in this survey's results! 
Bob Mullins
BobM@machesneypark.org