E-Help

IMTA's E-Help service was first introduced in 2002.  Since that time, this service has assisted members seeking answers to hundreds of questions.  A listing of the recent questions and results can be found below. 

01/07/2010 IMTA Certification & Recertification, Tax Exemption Letter, Free Check Signer, Federal Tax Tables, FOIA & Social Networking

12/18/2009 Independent Investment Consultant survey, Cell Phone Policy request, Meal Reimbursement,   IRS 2010 Standard Mileage, Mandatory Pension Training option

12/01/2009 Internal Controls, State Employment Tax: Rate vs Pay as you go, TIF on the Tax Levy,   Cortland IL Survey

11/12/2009 Treasurers Institute 11/15-19, Treasurers Institute Reminder, Legal Fees, NACHA Phishing Alert, Administrative Towing Charges, Energy Initiative: Sustainable Energy Plan, IMTA website photos

10/23/2009 Treasurers Institute 11/15-19, Treasurers Institute financial assistance, 1099 Form (Discharge of Indebtedness Income),   IDOI filing change for 2010, Oswego Finance Director position, Senate Bill 2011, IMTA Institute/ Pension Training Hours, Senate Bill 2188 Fact Sheet (Local Gov’t Debt Reform Act)

09/30/2009 Treasurers Institute 11/15-19, Treasurers Institute financial assistance, Seeking City Manager job description, Veterans Park District Finance Director position opening, Employment Verification FOIA (Ancel Glink)

08/27/2009 IML Conference volunteers needed, Credit Card for Municipal Use, Red Flag Rules Ordinance Request, State’s $500M Construction Distribution, Richard Turner & DCEO, Cell Tower Leases

07/09/2009 IMTA Annual Conference 6/14-16, LWFPD Accounting Manual, Prime Times on-line,   Treasurer’s Week 7/26-8/1, Cable Revenue Audit, Video Poker inquiry & response, Cell Phone Taxability proposal, Break in Police Pension Service, Taxability of Disability Pension,  Coalition update, Winnetka’s Pension Resolution

06/05/2009 IMTA Annual Conference 6/14-16, Treasurers Institute 11/15-19, Treasurer’s Week 7/26-8/1,   Changes in FDIC limits, Video Poker inquiry, Senate Bill 189- Open Meetings Act/ Freedom of Information Act,
Coalition update

05/15/2009  IMTA Annual Conference 6/14-16, Treasurers Institute 11/15-19, Who is your IMRF AA?, Pension Trustee Indemnification, IMTA/IPPFA Benefits Conference: 6/4-5, 2009  Bloomingdale IL, Pension Trustee Training: 1 law & 1 bill, Franchise Agreements SB82, Purchase Orders, Ordinances becoming law, Glenview Outsources Finance Dept: news article, Pension Burden: news article, Carl Brauweiler says “Hi” & photo

04/10/2009  IMTA Annual Conference 6/14-16; IRS Pension Survey; Coalition Contribution- PAST DUE;   Actuarial Survey for GASB 45; Letters of Credit vs Collateralization; Elected Officials expense accounts; RFP for Financial Software; Utility Billing equipment for sale; IMTA/IPPFA Benefits Conference: 6/4-5, 2009  Bloomingdale IL; Senate Bill 2011: Resetting pension actuarial period to 2049; New CMS Lease Requirements (public entities are exempt); Illinois Funds Seminars

03/13/2009  Payroll Procedures (Marseilles), Lockbox System Survey (Wauconda), Legislative Alert- Police Pension Benefits, IRS Tax Status- Statistics, IRS Tax Status- Project Status

02/27/2009  IRS Determination Letter: Statistics, IRS Determination Letter: Project Status (IRS survey questionnaire) IMPORTANT, IT Manual (Oswego), Stimulus Withholding Tables, COBRA Coverage Expansion,  IDOT’s Proposed Project List, Electricity Franchise Agreement (Clinton), Municipal Loan, Outsourcing Water Billing (Gilberts), 3rd Annual IPPFA/IMTA Benefits Conference, Pension Contributions for Suspended Officer

02/09/2009  Purchase Cards and Debris Management Plan, Illinois Fire and Police Pension Board statistics, IRS Tax Determination Letter Project Status, Cell Phone Taxability follow-up

01/26/2009  IMTA Certification Applications due Jan 31st, Light Duty Taxability, Cell Phone Taxability, “Qualified Plan Determination Letters” Project Status, PTELL CPI Change for 2009 Extensions

01/07/2009  Message from the IMTA President regarding “Qualified Plan Determination Letters”,   Illinois Fire and Police Pension Board statistics, Additional Information, Project Status.  Make checks payable to: Coalition For Qualified Plan Status, PO Box 1486, Warrenville IL 60555-1486

12/11/2008  IRS Mileage Rate, IMTA mourns the loss of Donna Taft, Dawson IL, IRS Tax Determination update  ***Very Important to F&P Pension Boards***, Scott Borror accepts finance position in North Carolina, Highland IL has an opening for an Assistant Finance Director, “Red Flag Rule” by Frank Dunmire, Executive Director of Illinois Rural Water Association

11/26/2008 Treasurer's Institute follow-up, Treasurer’s Institute: Municipal Service Providers,  Treasurer’s Institute: IRS, Required Reporting to Municipality By Pension Board (sample),   Seeking Water Application forms, Pension Record Retention, IRS Tax Determination Letter

11/04/2008 IRS Presentation at 2008 Institute is on-line, IRS Per Diem Publication 1542, IMRF 2009 Rates & Beyond, Identity Theft Prevention- Procedural Changes, Required Reporting to Municipality By Pension Board *new*

10/21/2008 Treasurer’s Institute  Nov 16-20 Peoria, New FDIC limits, Seeking RFP for Refuse Hauling Services,   Seeking RFP for Accounting Services, Water Tower Leasing Space, Property Tax Levy for Unemployment Taxes,   Identity Theft Prevention- Credit Reports & Social Security, Identity Theft Prevention- Social Security, Identity Theft Prevention- Procedural Changes, Response to ITP- Ambulance Services, Water Turn Off Q & A by Ancel Glink, Tax Determination Letters from IRS for all Illinois Police & Fire Pension Funds

09/30/2008 Treasurer’s Institute  Nov 16-20 Peoria, “Red Flag Rules”, Identity Theft Prevention Program, Inquiry Identity Theft Prevention Program for Ambulance Services, Estimated Useful Life of Electronic Message Board,  IMRF Audit feedback, IMTA Recruitment Incentives.

09/16/2008 IML Annual Conference- IMTA Session with Agenda, Treasurer’s Institute  Nov 16-20 Peoria, Public Investors’ Fall Financial Symposium- 9/17 & 18 at Doubletree Chicago Arlington Hts. Fixed Asset Disposal Policy, Seeking info about Foreclosure Grants, Worker’s Comp Taxation, Roselle Accounting Assistant/ Payroll Accountant, IMRF Audit “headsup”

08/26/2008 IML Annual Conference- IMTA Session with Agenda, Treasurer’s Institute  Nov 16-20 Peoria, Public Investors’ Fall Financial Symposium- 9/17 & 18 at Doubletree Chicago Arlington Hts., Revenue Recognition Vehicle Stickers, Invitation to attend Freeport's Lincoln Douglas Debate 8/27, Going Green? Enter to win a free one of a kind rain barrel

08/7/2008 Webinar: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, Broker violates Investment Policy and City takes a loss, Congrats to Nancy Woods & Oswego Staff Accountant Opening, Standard Operating Procedures, High Risk Home Loan Act, APT Books & More, Proclamation “Treasurers Week” Aug 10-16

07/23/2008 SAS # 70, 27th Pay Phenomenon in 2009, Local Gov’t Prompt Payment Act, RFP Pension Audit, Zoomerang, Ancel Glink legal FAQ, Policy for conducting business with minority owned / women owned businesses, Miscellaneous responses to the last E-Help

07/08/2008 IML Annual Conference- IMTA Session, Treasurer’s Institute  Nov 16-20 Peoria, 2008/09 IMTA Officers & Board Of Director’s, Business License, Façade Improvement Program, Personal Information Protection Act- Utility Bills, Personal Information Protection Act- Sample Notifications, Personal Information Protection Act Resources,  Zoomerang

06/05/2008 Legal: Bankruptcy vs Parking Ticket, Nicor and Other Gas Suppliers, Internal Controls, RFP for services to conduct a comprehensive Job Classification System and Compensation Study, Job Classification & Salary Survey

05/16/2008 Audit Fee Increase, Compensatory Time, Legal: Changes to Construction Orders,
Responses to IRS Audit Survey

05/09/2008 IRS Audit Survey, Retail Tax Caps, Pension Board members’ personal liability,
REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) Survey, Response to RFP Appraisal Services

04/22/2008  Certification Bonus Survey, American Water Collection Agreement, RFP Appraisal Services, Treasurer’s Institute  Nov 16-20 Peoria, Response CDARS, Legal concerning municipal contracts, Response RFP Appraisal Services

03/25/2008  APT Director Conservation, RFP Appraisal Services, Unauthorized Water Collections, April 10 & 11 IMTA/IPPFA's 2nd annual Public Employees Benefit Conference, CDARS (Mahomet)

03/14/2008  Actuary Contact Information (Posen),  APT Director position, Attorney Fee Survey (Louisville), Risk Management Survey (Pleasantview FPD), US Census Data (Yorkville), April 10 & 11, 2008 IMTA/IPPFA's 2nd annual Public Employees Benefit Conference, IMTA Board Of Director’s Application form, Response to Pension Affect for exceeding 5,000 population, Police Pension Property Tax Distribution update, Response Budget Descriptions and Breakdown

02/29/2008  Build Electricity Purchasing Program (Gurnee), Budget Descriptions and Breakdowns (Forsyth),  Pension effect when your community population exceeds 5,000 (Cortland), Police Pension Property Tax Distribution, Pension Beneficiary Payments (Yorkville), Merchant Processing Fees drop to 45 cents, IMTA Board Of Director’s Application form

02/12/2008  Pay Scale, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, Attorney Fee Survey, Microsoft Office defaults, Sewer Write Off Policy, Seeking Budget steps, Tuition Reimbursement Plans, IMTA Board Of Director’s Application form

01/24/2008  IEPA Loan & Internet monitoring software, E-Civis Grant Network, Book: Politics of Public Investing, APT Website & Annual Conference dates

01/10/2008  Employee Benefit Statements, Cell Phone Policy

12/21/2007  Round Table at South Barrington, Sewer Bills,  Book: Politics of Public Investing, APT Website & Annual Conference dates, Local Gov News- Free one month subscription offer, Street Lighting Savings, Response to Automatic Read Meters, Fire District Sample MD&A

12/06/2007  Reprimand Procedures, Automatic Read Water Meters, Vehicle Sticker software, APT Publications & Public Treasury Bookstore, APT Website & Annual Conference dates, FOIA Index, Local Gov News- Free one month subscription offer, COBRA Checklist, Thanks & Sharing/ Transferring Sick Leave amongst employees.

11/09/2007  Seeking Tax Attorney, Seeking Cell Phone Policy, Lockport Accountant position available, Seeking Wage/Compensation Plan and/or Personnel Policy, Seeking Cafeteria Plan, Oswego’s Employee Incentive to Save the City money, Thank you note, APT Publication

09/18/2007  Public Treasurer’s Financial Symposium: Rosemont 9/20 & 21, Salary Village Mayor & Clerks- Wauconda, Southern Regional Meeting, Northern Regional Meeting, Web based software, IMTA Recruitment Incentives, Associate Member John Falduto update.

08/31/2007  Institute- Nov 11-15, Public Treasurer’s Financial Symposium: Rosemont, CDARS free Webinars 9/6 & 13, Southern Regional Meeting- Mt. Vernon, Northern Regional Meeting- Lisle Woodridge Fire District, Seeking samples of “Master Plan”- Oblong, IMTA Recruitment Incentives, Illinois Funds new web address

08/17/2007  IMTA mourns the loss of Mildred Arends, Illinois Funds new web address, Institute- Nov 11-15,   Unemployment Taxes & Third Party Administrators, Unemployment Comparison, Not for Profit Groups soliciting donations on State Routes, Federal Travel Regulations Per Diem, Federal Excise Taxes & Municipal Telecommunication Tax on municipal phones, Electric Tax & Natural Gas Tax, Responses Identity Theft of Employee’s info, Responses Outsourcing Ambulance Billing, Interview Questions for Finance Director

07/27/2007  Unemployment Taxes & Third Party Administrators, Miscellaneous Resources at Ancel Glink's website, Credit Card Fees, Budget for Depreciation?, Identity Theft of Employee’s info Responses, Outsourcing Ambulance Billing, Disaster Preparedness Guide

07/11/2007  Credit Card Fees (home rule), Budget for Depreciation?, Identity Theft of Employee’s info,  Outsourcing Ambulance Billing (Highland), Sales Tax Rebate- response, Investment Policy addressing Risk (Lake Co), Payroll for Military Pay (Tinley Park) follow-up from Annual Conference, Disaster Preparedness Guide

06/19/2007  Sales Tax Rebate (Lockport), Disaster Preparedness for Water Damage

05/30/2007  Hotel Motel Tax (Clinton), Absenteeism Policy (Granite City)

05/03/2007  Utility Bills sent via Email (Highland), General Business License (Gurnee), Tax Exempt Certificate (Lockport, Seeking User Group of Civic System software (Cortland), APT’s Listserv Program

04/05/2007  APT’s Listserv Program, APT’s Annual Conference Aug 11-15th in San Diego, Tax Exempt Certificate (Lockport), IMTA/ IPPFA’s Public Employee’s Benefits mini-conference 4/26-27  Bloomingdale, Senate Bill 1429 (sales tax), Local Gov News offers one free month membership to IMTA members, Court Supervision Fees, Senate Bill 1166 Pension Investment Authority

01/12/2007  IMTA Certification & Recertification, Regionalization, 1.  Institute photos in Urbana 2006, Electric and Gas consortium, Bonding, Competitive Bids, Economic Development Consultant, Microsoft Public Summit, RFP for Accounting Software, Holiday Pay for Public Works, Statements on Auditing Standards, Electricity Franchise agreements, Pension Checks, Warrants.

12/19/2006  Warrants, New Statement on Auditing Standards, Electricity Franchise Agreements, Credit Monitoring, Pension Checks, Letters of Credit at 110%

11/22/2006  1099R Duty Disability Recipient, DUI Fees, Sample Policies, Special Tax Levy for Local Taxing Bodies- Public Act 94-976, Taxability of public safety officer’s workers compensation by IRS, FDIC coverage for Defined Benefit Plans, Special Census update, DUNS Number, Response Village Clerk Stipend, Response Commercial Sweep Account

10/20/2006  Accountant job descriptions, Police Dept staffing levels, Local Government News source, Mutual Fund Cost Calculator, Health Insurance Survey for municipalities w/ 5,000-10,000 or 5-15 employees, Commercial Sweep Bank Account, Response to IRS Ruling on Disability Pensions for 55 & older, Treasurers Institute Nov 12-16

10/09/2006  IML Treasurer’s session speaker contact information, Microsoft Licensing Support, Microsoft “wish list”, Confidential employee with Dept of Revenue (Grayslake), $100,000 FDIC coverage for pension funds, Public Education Government channel (Gurnee), IL Property Tax Rate & Levy Manual (DCEO), Treasurer’s Institute,  Response Financial Advisor, Response Finance Director job description

9/28/2006  Seeking Financial Advisor & Bond Counsel recommendations (Lockport), Seeking Finance Director job description (Paris), Mutual Fund comparison assistance, Feedback: Dept of Labor SURPRISE safety inspection. (Grayslake)

9/20/2006  Dept of Labor SURPRISE safety inspection. (Grayslake), Treasurer’s Institute, IMTA Schedule for IML’s Annual Conference, Certification Points, Results for City Attorney survey

8/18/2006  Inquiry for users of Affliated Computer System & Illinois Funds E-Pay, RFP for Plumbing, Electrical & Roofing, Inquiry for Users of Illinois County Risk Management Trust

8/11/2006  Government Bond Arbitrage, Interest Free Loan Incentives for Business, Policy Regulating Disbursement of Information to Trustee, Accounts Receivable Write Off Policy, New IRS regulations concerning the use of Debit Cards for Flexible Spending Accounts

7/27/2006  Predatory Lending survey, Ambulance Service Fee Waiver survey, Seeking Investment Policy & Investment Bid Form, Seeking recommendation for Liability & Property Insurance carrier, Tracking Sick and Vacation Leaves, Section 125 and administrator Wage Works

7/17/2006  Telephone Excise Tax, Electronic Dog Fences, Purchase Policy posted to website, Certification Bonus survey, Results to Health Insurance survey, Cash payment in lieu of Health Insurance Benefits, Minooka Finance Director position

6/29/2006  Sample Purchase Policy and Email Policy, Helpful Link to Mike Bazzell, Alton PD website- free software recommendations, Survey Health Insurance premiums, RFP for Legal Services, Cash Payment in Lieu of Health Insurance Benefits, Web site Development, Sales Tax Response, Sudan Divestment Update

6/21/2006  Blogging guidelines (Highland),  Home Rule Sales Tax (Chicago Heights), Accounting Policies & Guidelines (Wauconda), Part time Treasurer survey (Macomb)

6/08/2006  Accounting Policies & Guidelines (Wauconda), Sudan divestment informational meeting 6/23 FREE, Part time Treasurer survey (Macomb), Treasurers Institute Nov 12-16

6/05/2006  Association of Public Treasurers 41 Annual Conference 7/22-26, IMTA Annual Conference   Fairview Heights, IL 6/25-27, Tax Levy, Response: Mandatory Trash Pickup, Sudan divestment

5/15/2006  DROP Legislation update, Utility Late Penalties, IRS Regulations- Employer Provided Vehicle, Mandatory Trash Pick-up Ordinance, Computer Server Cost Comparison 1991 & 2006, Response: Budget Deficit, Response: Cash Handling Policy, Response: Utility Billing Due Date, Response: Certification Benefits

4/07/2006  Seeking Budget Deficit survey, Seeking Employee Dental Plans, Deputy Treasurer Job Description, Seeking Policy concerning Outside Employment by Staff, Responses Annual Audit Fee, Seeking Cash Handling Policy, Utility Billing Due Date, Certification Benefits, Link to IRS' Taxable Benefit Guide, Mandatory Trash Pickup, APT Disaster Preparedness Manual

3/14/2006  Seeking recommendation for Salary Survey company, RFP for Actuarial Services, Response Village Treasurer Job Description, Response Accounting Policies & Procedures, DROP legislation

3/01/2006  Village Treasurer job description, Seeking RFP for Recycling and Refuse, Seeking ordinances concerning position of Clerk/Treasurer, Sample RFPs available on APT website

2/15/2006  APT Annual Conference July 22-26, 2006 in Memphis TN,  Seeking RFP and/or Accounting Policies & Procedures,  Seeking sample Utility Billing past due notices,  Seeking RFP Banking Services, Response to DOI Filing,  Sample Performance Measurement available

1/26/2006  Cell Phone Policy, Investment Program, Response to Utility Customer Late Notice, Water Service Termination, DOI Filing, IMRF Rates, Public Safety Employee Benefits Act, Short Term Debt options, Workers Comp

1/19/2006  DOI Filing, Performance Measurement, Utility Late Notice, IMRF Employer Rates, Book: Stop That Fraud

11/23/2005  Credit/Debit Card Processors, Corporate Credit Cards, Gas Franchise, APT's satisfaction survey, Responses to Credit Monitoring.

11/04/2005  Accounting Procedures and Fund Balance Policies, Weed Cutting Liens, Credit Monitoring, Erik Bush update.

11/01/2005  Electronic Scheduling, Responses Insurance Benefits for Disabled Officers, Public Officials Bond

10/21/2005  Employee performance Evaluation Forms, Insurance Benefits for Disabled Officers, Treasurers Institute Nov 13-17

10/07/2005  Treasurers Institute Nov 13-17, Salary Survey, Public Officials Bond, Bankruptcy Claim Sale

10/05/2005  Public Officials Bond, Bankruptcy Claims for Sale, Cell Phone Use Policy, Customer's Bank Pays UB via ACH processing service, Pension Fund Accounting, Salary Survey, Certification points for Round Table and Regional Meetings.

09/23/2005  IRS Mileage Rate Change, Pension Fund Accounting Services (Waukegan), Responses Program to Calculate Step Increases (Huntley), Responses Annual Pay and Merit Increases (Warrenville), Treasurers Institute Nov 13-17, 2005 Holiday Inn, Decatur

09/15/2005  IMRF's Salary Definition for Car Allowance