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What additional forms of support are you looking for?
#Response DateResponse Text
1.1/7/2008 9:31:00 PMSample Policies
2.1/7/2008 9:34:00 PMAs a small municipality a decission neeeds to be made if we just comply or try to use the capital ledger for future uses. Determining what software to use key and frustrating to look at.
3.1/7/2008 9:43:00 PMExtension of deadline.
4.1/7/2008 11:34:00 PMtime and money to get the work done.
5.1/8/2008 12:53:00 AMfinancial
6.1/8/2008 12:54:00 AMstaff software
7.1/8/2008 12:30:00 PMI would like to see more workshops such as the one from AMCTO - my difficulty is that our CAO does not see the need for further workshops - he would like us to rely on our auditors for education, although there is a fine line between auditing and the decisions that need to be made for the PSAB project. If more communication was provided to CAOs and Council members to ensure they understand the importance of ongoing education in this area. I would also like to see department heads attend a workshop (ie, Facilities Manager, Public Works Manager). These individuals need a workshop which will address their questions as well. Perhaps something at OGRA might be beneficial.
8.1/8/2008 1:08:00 PMAnswers to questions such as are municipal drains an asset for this purpose?
9.1/8/2008 1:13:00 PMa couple of additional training sessions as to where we should be at this point in time to be ready for psab
10.1/8/2008 1:55:00 PMThere are no standards for each municipality therefore each municipality has their own policy which is not consistant.
11.1/8/2008 1:59:00 PMI have also used the MFOA email hotline - very helpful - thank you
12.1/8/2008 2:05:00 PMThere are a number of municipalities that meet every 2 or 3 months, and this is very helpful.
13.1/8/2008 2:07:00 PMAny information is helpful.
14.1/8/2008 2:07:00 PMFinancial recovery of costs associated with process. Hardware upgrades, software purchases, costs of data collection, costs associated with coming up with opening balances.
15.1/8/2008 2:19:00 PMnot sure at this point
16.1/8/2008 2:20:00 PMMore specific details on for example, budget process, reserves (or lack thereof), financial statements, etc
17.1/8/2008 2:27:00 PMContinue with the existing sources
18.1/8/2008 2:35:00 PMFINANCIAL SUPPORT
19.1/8/2008 2:36:00 PMWe are a very small municipality and our TCA will not be as major as others. We have attended the workshops, have a &quot;very&quot; good idea of what we are up against, however, because of the other hats worn by every staff member, the time required for this undertaking has not yet been established. Once we get in the swing of things, the Q &amp; A section will be very helpful.
20.1/8/2008 2:38:00 PMstill some major issues awaiting PSAB stand on.... 1. Municipal Drains 2. Cemetaries 3. etc
21.1/8/2008 2:39:00 PMSuch a big undertaking I dont even know where to start to ask for help
22.1/8/2008 2:47:00 PMAdditional training covering more specific areas (i.e accounting for specific types of assets).
23.1/8/2008 3:00:00 PMSharing of experiences with other municipalties. This is being done to a limited degree in York Region.
24.1/8/2008 3:16:00 PMI think AMCTO and MOFA are doing a great job keeping on informed of what is hpennening with their newsletters and training sessions.
25.1/8/2008 5:25:00 PMWe are not members of the Asociation and have not received any newsletters, etc.
26.1/8/2008 6:33:00 PMWe are anxious to receive the updated Book Value Calculator. It would also be helpful to have a data sharing mechanism between municipalities, some standardized guidelines for building valuations, standardized useful life data for assets and recommended threshold levels for various sized municipalities. It might also be helpful to hear from other municipalities what works well and what pitfalls to avoid.
27.1/8/2008 6:43:00 PMWaiting for the deflator indexes that MFOA claimed to have available early December 2007.
28.1/8/2008 7:43:00 PMhands on workshop that deals with the FIR schedules and preparing for the 2009 budget.
29.1/8/2008 7:55:00 PMconcrete examples, in a single large comprehensive case study, of the impacts on a medium-sized urbam municipality, with water/sewer/arenas/libraries/parks/cemeteries/fire/works dept and admin bldgs showing its financial stmts and its budget for the same year 2008 so we can compare and we can see some imaginary but sensible and realistic numbers
30.1/8/2008 8:04:00 PMhow to cost roads, bridges
31.1/8/2008 8:18:00 PMNone. The city of Winnipeg has already done the process and the information from them has been very helpful.
32.1/8/2008 8:20:00 PMMore training with the budget requirements and financial statements.
33.1/8/2008 8:34:00 PMMore &quot;how to&quot; meetings from MFOA/AMCTO.
34.1/8/2008 9:13:00 PMHuman and financial resources
35.1/8/2008 9:31:00 PMNone at the present time
36.1/8/2008 10:25:00 PMNone at this time
37.1/9/2008 1:58:00 PMFunding for add'l resources and a clear guide or direction. Variety of approaches and unclear future about acceptability by Council, other departments and Auditors have been a challenge.
38.1/9/2008 2:02:00 PM- Financial assistance from the Province rather than burdening the property taxpayer
39.1/9/2008 3:11:00 PMEffective information sharing opportunities (meetings, WebX sessions, electronic discussion board/fourm).
40.1/9/2008 5:44:00 PMAn extension to the deadline - I understand that this is not Provincial policy, but the CICA - however I believe it is going to be difficult to have all documentation in place for a January 1, 2009 start-up. In order to complete the task accuratetly and completely, and to ensure meaningful results, our municipality could really use an additional year for preparation. Our associations have been very helpful with training, however delays in developing the training session material results in further implementation delays.
41.1/9/2008 6:32:00 PMFinancing to help with cost of getting the program up and running
42.1/9/2008 6:43:00 PMTime is the biggest factor
43.1/9/2008 7:35:00 PMprovincially-endorsed policies and guidelines on asset classification, useful life and amortization methods, capitalization thresholds and network segmentation, as developed by the government of Alberta for its municipalities, would be beneficial
44.1/9/2008 8:34:00 PMWould like to see more on how muncipal budgets will look in the future. Cannot see how tax rate calculations should change due to account practice change.
45.1/9/2008 8:38:00 PMNot sure we need anything
46.1/9/2008 9:18:00 PMOne more staff.
47.1/10/2008 2:25:00 PMAs everyone should be moving forward at breakneck speeds toward the meeting of the PSAB timeline, the AMCTO or MFOA should be setting up a chat room or blog or something for members to go to to ask others how situations were handled in their municipality. Sharing of data is not happening and I am certain that there are many people who are able to shed some light on ways that they had treated their assets of one group or another. Therefore, the short answer is &quot;Sharing of data amongst &quot;Municipalities&quot;.
48.1/10/2008 2:26:00 PMA follow-up to fall 2007 workshop would be helpful in spring 2008. My suggestions: - audit of opening balances - 2008 as a transition year.. what to do to prepare for 2008 financial statement presentation - how to educate councill members and other user re: financail statement - 2009 budget - then and now
49.1/10/2008 4:29:00 PMcontinued training sessions and updates as municipalities proceed throught the steps to PSAB compliant
50.1/10/2008 6:26:00 PMtemplates and examples of policies, inventory and appraisal forms, sample trial balance and balance sheet for municipal accounting
51.1/10/2008 7:06:00 PMOngoing dialogue with other municipalities.
52.1/11/2008 2:30:00 AMStill interested in knowing more about how the changes are going to change budgetting process, fund accounting and reserve management.
53.1/11/2008 2:28:00 PMfunding
54.1/11/2008 3:30:00 PMLOTS!!!!!!!!!
55.1/13/2008 4:34:00 PMThe fall session just spent a few moments on reporting and budgeting. More information of these two topics. Recommendations on deflators. Information, perhaps through the PSAB newsletters, on decisions being made by the municipalities in the lead on how to aggregate and disaggregate asset types. It is my understanding the pilots are now re-thinking some of their decisions. It would be good to know choices that are being made in the sector and why i.e. pros/cons of the selections.
56.1/14/2008 3:12:00 PMFinancial
57.1/14/2008 4:15:00 PMWe have received infromation on how other municipalites are proceeding but at a very high level and are interested in more detailed information such as assets clssification approaches. Municipalities need to develop a common approach which would then form the basis for genrally accepted accounting polices (GAAP) which would then assist in dealing with our external auditors. Have heard that some municipal auditors are insisting on going back to original invoices in order to determine historic cost which is not at all possible, practical or cost effective.
58.1/14/2008 6:04:00 PMAdditional office help
59.1/14/2008 6:05:00 PMAsset Management Software Training
60.1/14/2008 6:06:00 PMBASIC TRAINING FOR ASSET MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING. EXAMPLES OF HOW WILL THIS AFFECT FINANCIAL REPORTTING, BUDGETING ETC.
61.1/14/2008 6:06:00 PMAnwers to questions such as evaluating Municipal Drains for PSAB - do we or don't we
62.1/14/2008 6:09:00 PMnothing right now
63.1/14/2008 6:10:00 PMI received very little help when I have tried to contact the association on issues. I am advised to network with other municipalities and contact my auditor. I already know that! I have also received the line that a bulletin is coming but no answer to my query in the meantime other than the line above. I had a query on cemeteries and was told that a bulletin is coming out in February and to ask my auditor and network with others.
64.1/14/2008 6:10:00 PMActual training course outlining pitfalls to avoid and details on best practices to compile the initial asset inventory
65.1/14/2008 6:09:00 PMThe Associations and Ministry need to promote consistency among municipalities. The PSAB standard leaves many elements to interpretation and individual municipal circumstances and there may not be much consistency after implementation by over 400 municipalities.
66.1/14/2008 6:11:00 PMIf there are sample policies and other documents available.
67.1/14/2008 6:12:00 PMBudgeting info on impact to confirm our understading.
68.1/14/2008 6:12:00 PMDiscussion of/refinement of technique.Knowledge of the differing approaches of the different audit firms.
69.1/14/2008 6:12:00 PMJust interaction among my peers. Why reinvent the wheel is somebody else has already done the task.
70.1/14/2008 6:14:00 PMwhose responsibility is it really from Council - policy samples Most of our things are old and not worth anything so how do we deal with this.
71.1/14/2008 6:16:00 PMadditional workshops at frequent intervals in summer and fall to deal with specific issues
72.1/14/2008 6:24:00 PMnone at present
73.1/14/2008 6:28:00 PMWorking groups
74.1/14/2008 6:32:00 PMi would like to have seen std. costing models used for asset accounting, for example in specific areas of the province all municipalities in the area would value a gravel road at $X per km . This concept could be applied to paved roads , std. bridge structures etc.
75.1/14/2008 6:41:00 PMtime, staff resources
76.1/14/2008 6:49:00 PMNot sure at this point.
77.1/14/2008 6:53:00 PMcontinued newsletters
78.1/14/2008 6:56:00 PMWe would be now looking for depreciation and valuation information. . .We will be looking for Financial statement information shortly so that we can set up our G/L to accommodate the new requirements. We need direction in this area as software is not so forgiving. Once set up it is hard to redo without starting completely over.
79.1/14/2008 7:07:00 PMSamples of formats/ forms /
80.1/14/2008 7:14:00 PMA wookbork for small municipalities would be great.
81.1/14/2008 7:18:00 PMPost implementation issues such as valuation of contributed land from subdividers is an area we are concerned about. A comprehensive review of the software available (not just PSAB, but asset management) and the municipality that might be best served by it would also be useful.
82.1/14/2008 7:41:00 PMwritten documentation in laymans terms of what PSAB is about, the effect on municipalities, access to expertise, a step by step guideline in laymans terms
83.1/14/2008 8:00:00 PMFuture Q &amp; A sessions in order to network with other municipalities.
84.1/14/2008 8:17:00 PMDiscussion with other OMBI members
85.1/14/2008 8:55:00 PMDetails regading the impact on financial reporting and budgetting including implications of other moves to accrual accounting. Training on moving to the new FIR.
86.1/14/2008 9:12:00 PMbudgettign info
87.1/15/2008 1:54:00 AMLike Alberta, we need some standards (particularly in Roads) to make this project more manageable without the cost of consultants which smaller municipalities can ill-afford.
88.1/15/2008 1:30:00 PMtraining on specific assets categories
89.1/15/2008 1:45:00 PMWould prefer provincial custom software to be provided to Municipalities.
90.1/15/2008 2:08:00 PMPossibly more examples of actual spreadsheets completed with inventory data, allowing you to see what details should be gathered. Or maybe even contact names for specific areas of questions, i.e. problems with Water/Sewer contact _____, for problems with sidewalks, contact ________.
91.1/15/2008 2:13:00 PMAn independent review of software that has been designed for PSAB. Or perhaps a detailed description of what features are important and what is not relevant. At a recent training session the presenter suggested that only excel is needed.
92.1/15/2008 2:25:00 PMAMCTO/MFOA workshops on changes to budgeting late spring 2008 AMCTO/MFOA workshops on converting financial statements in Fall 2008 Workshops/Newsletters on tracking Capial Asset Enhancements/Additions
93.1/15/2008 2:34:00 PMDon't know yet what will be needed
94.1/15/2008 3:50:00 PMMore training
95.1/15/2008 5:42:00 PMNot sure at this point in time
96.1/15/2008 6:12:00 PMIt would be nice to have a chat board where you could post questions and respond to others
97.1/15/2008 7:41:00 PMMore training by the MFOA. The association has been a god send in guiding us through the process. Time is running out quickly and more compliance samples as reference will be great.
98.1/15/2008 7:49:00 PMn/a at this point
99.1/15/2008 8:29:00 PMauditor professional engineers to perform condition assessments implementation consultants to assist with Maximo implementation
100.1/15/2008 8:37:00 PMUp to date and ongoing training.
101.1/15/2008 9:10:00 PMImproved Council awareness Risk for non-compliance
102.1/16/2008 12:30:00 PMprinted all the news letters... and tonnes of other documents but - no time, no resource internally and financial stuff doesn't seem to be a priority... don't know how else to pressure council, senior management to get the help or get going on this
103.1/16/2008 4:38:00 PM- someone or some body to give specific answers to specific questions; currently, we are referred back to legislation or told to ask our auditors - immediate training (Ontario specific) focused on the real accounting, financial statements and budget treatment of the PSAB changes; currently it's all theoretical
104.1/16/2008 5:46:00 PMcontracted services
105.1/16/2008 6:41:00 PMMore specific details on how to value certain infrastructure assets
106.1/16/2008 7:00:00 PMI don't yet know
107.1/16/2008 7:53:00 PMI think at this stage we'll be looking at more specific areas for getting answers to questions. Also, waiting for the deflation factors.
108.1/16/2008 9:26:00 PMWaiting for the Pricing Index
109.1/16/2008 10:00:00 PMSpecifically what to look for in software requirements.
110.1/17/2008 1:59:00 PMPrevious MFOA training was useful but very general. Valuation workshops which are focused on specific topics would be useful. Valuations standards would also be extremely useful
111.1/17/2008 3:31:00 PM- it would be helpful if there was a section on the PSAB website that was like a forum where municipalities could pose questions and have responses posted from auditors (Ask the Auditor) - the spring/fall training workshops would be more effective and useful if they were divided into 2 levels geared towards different stages of readiness. This would allow municipal staff to choose a workshop that is more relevant to the stage they are at in the process. (ie. one session could focus on inventory and valuation and the other session would focus on financial reporting and budgeting).
112.1/17/2008 3:37:00 PMvaluation tables - ie Federal gov't database standard componet proportion value of buildings ie standard % of office building is the electrical value
113.1/17/2008 4:29:00 PMSamples and examples Ongoing training
114.1/17/2008 8:07:00 PMAs above -- a listing of various consultants who have technicians who will come in and help with the inventorying and valuation. Some sort of compilation of off-the-shelf software that municipalities have purchased and are using. Information that is more appropriate for municipalities with populations less than 5,000. Very difficult to put this in perspective when all the examples are from large, urban municipalities. I went to the Province of Alberta's website for help! Councillors who attended OGRA 2007 came away with impression that MDW software was the best thing ever. Had absolutely no idea how complicated it is, how &quot;overkill&quot; it is, how time-consuming it is to collect the data. That's why it's difficult to convince them we need help from people who know what they're doing. After all says Council --Just use MDW. It will do it all. It's free... This type of misleading promise is an example of support we don't need.
115.1/18/2008 1:43:00 PMFinancial
116.1/18/2008 3:06:00 PMBook value calculator, budget guidelines, shared data from other cities and any building valuation methods that have been successful. Also, guidelines surrounding threshold levels based on municipal revenue levels would be helpful also.
117.1/18/2008 7:37:00 PMSample budgets and financial statements.
118.1/18/2008 10:03:00 PMSpecific municipal TCA examples.
119.1/21/2008 5:27:00 PMexecutive level prioritization
120.1/21/2008 8:46:00 PMadditional government grants to offset the cost
121.1/23/2008 4:18:00 PMIs there an Excel template or other software available for smaller municipalities (under 10,000 population)? There was talk at the MFOA of a toolkit that was to be made available to municipalities. I have been told by MMAH that this will not happen. As I recall one of the items to be provided was the devaluation indices.
122.1/23/2008 4:24:00 PMDirection/training for budget related topics
123.1/23/2008 4:43:00 PMmore training on what comes next.
124.1/23/2008 7:41:00 PMMore examples of policies and how accounting systems are being set up
125.1/23/2008 7:43:00 PMWe have hired a consultant to help us along the way.
126.1/24/2008 12:56:00 PMContinuing education sessions
127.1/24/2008 6:39:00 PM- after implementation is complete, support of how to maintain our capital asset inventory (Phase 2 of project)
128.1/24/2008 7:59:00 PMPSAB website contains outdated information. Hearing of success stories and updates from other Muncicipalities would be helpful. The &quot;tool kit&quot; concept on Alberta's Provincial website is useful.
129.1/25/2008 8:38:00 PMasset evaluation -
130.1/31/2008 5:22:00 PMBetter understanding of what is considered acceptable documentation by the external auditors to support valuation. (i.e. is insurance valuation acceptable or do we require an independant appraisal?) A reference library of commonly asked questions and responses. A chat room for members to ask question and other members can provide responses. Reporting Discloser requirements for 2007, 2008 and beyond financial year-ends.