mmta connect

8
From the President Tis the season of holidays and all that may mean to each of us. Give thanks for what you have and take stock of where you are going; make plans to be better in the future. No matter your beliefs, no matter if you are feeling jaded by this holiday ho-ho-ho-ing, we should take a moment to reflect on the past year and how we can personally make any one thing better for next year. Have you given items to a food pantry? Have you donated your time to a charity? Have you stopped and seen a senior who may not be able to get out anymore? Have you thought about giving your old towels and blankets to an animal shelter? Have you thought about serving food to those in need at a shelter? The list is endless and usually costs you little, other than your time and energy. Think about stepping up and getting out of your comfort zone and doing something for someone else, other than family, this holiday season. It’s a simple concept: giving. I would be remiss, after writing about giving and volunteering, if I did not thank my fellow Board Members for donating their time and energy to serving all of you in their various capacities on the Board. They are a great group of people, always willing to step out of their comfort zones, and do whatever is asked of them. I am truly honored to be able to lead this group. UPCOMING CALENDAR Our calendar is set for the following events during 2012: Spring Workshop (joint with MGFOA), March 23, 2012 Basic Institute, April 22 through 27, 2012 Advanced Institute, May 2 through 4, 2012 Fall Conference (Boyne Mountain), October 7 through 10, 2012 Additionally, the Professional Development Committee is working hard on the Michigan recertification process. We will keep you updated on our progress. We are also in discussion with our Associate Members about the possibility of their serving a bigger role on our Board. With two Board members also serving on the APT US&C Board, we discussed the possibility of having the APT consider coming back to the State of Michigan for a National Conference. We will be contacting them about this possibility soon. They have conference sites picked out for the next several years, so if they choose to C ALENDAR OF E VENTS Important Dates to Remember C ALENDAR OF E VENTS Important Dates to Remember THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Connect MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL TREASURERS ASSOCIATION December 2011 www.mmta-mi.org Volume 61 Spring Workshop • Henry Center Lansing, MI MARCH 23, 2012 MMTI Basic • Comfort Inn Mt. Pleasant, MI April 22-27, 2012 MMTI Advanced • Comfort Inn Mt. Pleasant, MI MAy 2-4, 2012 2012 APT US&C Conference • Williamsburg, VA August 12-15 34 th Annual Fall Conference • Boyne Mountain Boyne Falls, MI OctOber 7-10, 2012 35 th Annual Fall Conference • Grand Traverse Resort Traverse City, MI OctOber 7-10, 2013 CONTINUED ON PAGE 1.

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Page 1: MMTA Connect

From the PresidentTis the season of holidays and all that may mean to each of us. Give thanks for what you have and take stock of where you are going; make plans to be better in the future. No matter your beliefs, no matter if you are feeling jaded

by this holiday ho-ho-ho-ing, we should take a moment to reflect on the past year and how we can personally make any one thing better for next year.

Have you given items to a food pantry?Have you donated your time to a charity?

Have you stopped and seen a senior who may not be able to get out anymore?Have you thought about giving your old towels and blankets to an animal shelter?

Have you thought about serving food to those in need at a shelter?

The list is endless and usually costs you little, other than your time and energy. Think about stepping up and getting out of your comfort zone and doing something for someone else, other than family, this holiday season. It’s a simple concept: giving.

I would be remiss, after writing about giving and volunteering, if I did not thank my fellow Board Members for donating their time and energy to serving all of you in their various capacities on the Board. They are a great group of people, always willing to step out of their comfort zones, and do whatever is asked of them. I am truly honored to be able to lead this group.

UpcoMING caleNdarour calendar is set for the following events during 2012:Spring Workshop (joint with MGFoa), March 23, 2012

Basic Institute, april 22 through 27, 2012

advanced Institute, May 2 through 4, 2012

Fall conference (Boyne Mountain), october 7 through 10, 2012

additionally, the professional development committee is working hard on the Michigan recertification process. We will keep you updated on our progress. We are also in discussion

with our associate Members about the possibility of their serving a bigger role on our Board.

With two Board members also serving on the apT US&c Board, we discussed the possibility of having the apT consider coming back to the State of Michigan for a

National conference. We will be contacting them about this possibility soon. They have conference sites picked out for the next several years, so if they choose to

Ca l e n da r o f ev e n t sImportant Dates to Remember

Ca l e n da r o f ev e n t sImportant Dates to Remember

t h e q u a r t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r

Connectm i c h i g a n m u n i c i p a l t r e a s u r e r s a s s o c i a t i o n

D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 1 w w w. m m t a - m i . o r g V o l u m e 6 1

Spring Workshop• Henry Center Lansing, MI March 23, 2012

MMTI Basic • Comfort Inn Mt. Pleasant, MI April22-27,2012

MMTI Advanced • Comfort Inn Mt. Pleasant, MI MAy2-4,2012

2012

APT US&C Conference• Williamsburg, VA August12-15

34th Annual Fall Conference • Boyne Mountain Boyne Falls, MI OctOber7-10,2012

35th Annual Fall Conference • Grand Traverse Resort Traverse City, MI OctOber7-10,2013

Continued on page 1.

Page 2: MMTA Connect

come back, it would probably be in the second half of the decade.

It is my particular goal that there is more communication between our Board and the general membership. For this reason, we will try to keep you apprised of when the current minutes, financials, etc. are placed on the MMTa website through our listserv. our responsibility is to serve you and the only way we know if we are succeeding is feedback. If you see something you question, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. My email is: [email protected] and my direct line is 616 825 5005. If I do not have the answer for you, I will find the person who does.

I hope you all have the happiest of holidays this year!

Kim McKay, MicpTMMTa president

december 2011 page 1

Continued from Cover.

PRESIDENTKim McKay, MicpT

city of rockford(616) 825-5005

PRESIDENT-ELECTJan Steggerda, MicpT

park Township(616) 738-4236

VICE PRESIDENTMary ann Kornexl, cpFa, MicpT

city of Mount pleasant(989) 779-5381

TREASURERcheryl rhein-o’Neill, cpFa, MicpT

oregon Township(810) 664-5971

SECRETARYannge Klinger, cpFa, cMc, MicpT

city of Tawas city(989) 362-8688

DIRECTORS

NEWSLETTERMatthew Horning, cpFa, cpFIM, MicpT

city of ann arbor(734) 794-6541

EDUCATIONBarbara Fandell, cpFa, MicpT

city of Ithaca(989) 875-3200

LEGISLATIONJanice Zuhlke, cpFa, cMc, MicpT

city of Imlay city(810) 724-2135

MEMBERSHIPMargaret Birch, cpFa, cpFIM, MicpT

Waterford charter Township(248) 674-6217

PARLIAMENTARIANrachel piner, MicpTVillage of Webberville

(517) 521-3984

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTrose dillon, cpFa, MicpT

Fruitport Township(231) 865-3151

ASSOCIATE LIAISONSKimberly Goethe, FVp, cTp

Flagstar Bank(248) 312-6964

annette devereaux, VpFlagstar Bank

(888) 254-5417

Jan Hatzius: some Lessons from tHe Past four Years WrittenbyJanHatzius, ManagingDirector,chiefeconomistandco-Headeconomics,commoditiesandstrategyresearchintheAmericas,andco-Headofglobaleconomicsresearch,globalinvestmentresearchDivision

thisarticleisaclearconciselookatwhattheeconomicforecastingcommunityhas,orshouldhavelearned.itiswritteninthreeparts;1)stability2)Fiscalstimulusatthetimeofcrisis3)Monetarystimulusafteracrisis.

pleaseclickthelinktoreadthefullarticle.http://www2.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/global-economic-outlook/some-lessons.html

reprintedwithpermission

Future APT US&C CONFERENCES

the Board of directors of the association of public treasurers of the united States and Canada has announced the following sites for future

apt uS&C conferences:

August 12-15, 2012Williamsburg, virginia

2013Houston, texas

2014 Salt Lake City, utah

2015Chicago, illinois 50th Anniversary of APT US&C

Kim McKay

Page 3: MMTA Connect

december 2011 page 2

michigan-basedmichigan-focused

flagstar.com/governmentbankingMember FDIC |

• CDARS®• Certificates of Deposit• Liquid Savings Account• Treasury Management Services

Your Government Banking Team

Click for Today’s RatesToll Free: (888) 254-5417

MUNICIPALITIES. MADE IN MICHIGAN.

We understand that you are responsible for every facet of administering your Municipality, including making financial decisions. Choosing the right financial institution for your banking needs is easy with Chemical Bank.

Scott LeeschTreasury Management Specialist

231.775.8588

Linda HammerTreasury Management Specialist

989.839.5243

Tammy KerrTreasury Management Specialist

616.785.2575

Kate SeamanTreasury Management Specialist

269.983.8946

ChemicalBankMI.com

2011 MMTA FALL CONFERENCE Submitted by Fran deWyseessexville city Treasurer

It was absolutely beautiful and we couldn’t have had any nicer weather in such a beautiful location as Mackinaw Island. It started at the ferry ride from the main land to the island on Sunday afternoon to wrapping up the session on Wednesday. There was abundant sunshine during the whole conference although the ride back to the mainland was a little cool. and for those of you who thought about riding on the top deck of the ferry it didn’t take long for you to come back to the lower deck.

We opened the 33rd annual Fall conference with chairperson, Kim McKay, giving the opening speech. She did such a great job planning this conference. Thanks Kim! The morning topics on Monday dealt with developments in municipal benefits and law issues relating to genetics, medical marijuana, and FMla. Who knew there was so much to learn about these subjects? We all came away with more knowledge to feel a little more comfortable with these issues.

cpFa awards were distributed right after lunch. congratulations to those who received awards. of course we learned a lot from the informative Bill anderson on

Monday afternoon as we usually do. The afternoon session pertained to over the counter debit and credit card payments with representatives from BS&a and point & pay. a quorum was not in attendance for the annual Business Meeting so it was rescheduled to Tuesday morning before the sessions began. We had the rest of the afternoon to enjoy ourselves before the Fun Night began. I enjoyed it with some friends to take a bike ride around the island.

The fun night had three different options and everyone should have found one of them to enjoy. There were two movies held in the theater along with popcorn and theater snacks. or you could stay in the conference center and enjoy the detroit Tigers baseball game. and we also could play glow putt putt golf. It was three great options and everyone had a good time.

We had a quorum for the business meeting on Tuesday morning. Then the day was packed with more sessions pertaining to the economic update (don’t expect it any time soon), a panel discussion regarding banking matters, and the MMTa legislative panel. Tuesday evening was the banquet and the presentation of the prime award. all of this year’s candidates were all deserving and it was so hard to decide when the voting took place early this year. This year’s winner was Janice Thelen. She has contributed a lot of her time and energy to make MMTa the great organization it is. Members of her family were there to help her celebrate, even her

daughter, who was getting married the next weekend. congratulations to Janice. We had a great evening networking with our fellow members.

Wednesday wrapped up with a great session put on by Tim cusack. He was a dynamic speaker who really tried to get us to see what is really important in our lives. He relayed a saying he learned at a Hospice conference from a Buddhist monk. This monk told him when we die here in america our death is like a train station-we arrive but our bags are not packed. We don’t take care of our relationships and when we die we have so much unfinished business. Tim also spoke about how we can work together as a team. He demonstrated with a great exercise with several members trying to get a marble to pass from one to the other on these small trays without dropping it. let us place more importance on all of our relationships. It was a fun and inspiring session.

as always it is great to connect with a lot of people we don’t get to see too often. We also learn so much just by discussing different issues among ourselves at our tables as well as from the topics discussed at our sessions. Thank you to the Fall conference committee for all your hard work to put on another great conference. We look forward to seeing everyone at Boyne Mountain in 2012!

Get the point, at the Point!

Page 4: MMTA Connect

december 2011 page 3

Midland | Frankenmuth | Saginaw | Lansing800.968.4280 | www.wolverinebank.com

Strength. Solutions. Trusted.

Julia JodoinPublic Funds Coordinator

(989) [email protected]

PF NOW Accounts CDARS Cash Management Services Electronic Banking Services

2011 PRIME AWARD RECIPIENTSubmitted by: al MooneyprIMe award committee Member

annually the MMTa recognizes one individual for outstanding service to their profession, their community, and the MMTa by awarding the prestigious professional recognition in Municipal excellence - a/k/a the prIMe award.

at our annual conference two years ago, during the installation ceremony for our new president in 2010, Janice Thelen challenged members to “rock the nominations” for the p.r.I.M.e award. last year we had ten members nominated and eight members on the ballot. Well, Janice’s inspiring words carried weight again this year as we have five outstanding members as our nominees. Kudos to those who were nominated! … and also to those treasurers who “rocked the nominations” again.

last year’s winner, Joe Ferrari, the chair of the prIMe award committee, earlier this year asked folks to think of that member who has taught a class from which you learned so much that helps you in your job; think of the member who is always there to pitch in when a job needs to be done; think of that member who you know you can always call or email and is never too busy to help you with any work-related issues.

congratulations to all members who were nominated, you have helped our association and your communities in so many different ways. reading about all of you on the ballot made me realize what a special group we have in our association. The nominees are all to be commended for being role models and helping our association to be the best group of dedicated professionals I have been around.

our winner this year in the nomination was touted for the service provided the MMTa and their community. This person has chaired many committees and held various MMTa Board positions. They were commended for always being calm, rational and practical when making decisions. Yes, this person has given back to our association is so many different ways. In addition, this person has given back to her community, working with local youth and

participating in outdoor community activities. Most importantly, this person has been a very visible face for this organization for many years. For 13 years, our winner has served the community for which this person was elected Treasurer.

The winner of the 2011 prIMe award is Janice Thelen, Treasurer of Watertown charter Township. Janice has been married to her husband dave for 34 years and has two daughters, andrea and audrie.  Janice will be expanding her family next weekend as her youngest daughter, audrie is getting married.  Janice has one grandson, Joey, who just turned 2, who has been a great blessing.  In her free time, Janice loves to camp with her family. Janice is a member of the Wacousta Garden club and enjoys gardening (you may have noted her email signature says “life is a garden...dig it!” Janice also has served as a 4H leader in her community for many years, working with the local youth.

Congratulations

Page 5: MMTA Connect

december 2011 page 4

Maureen L. DonehueSenior Vice President - Wealth ManagementFinancial AdvisorWealth Advisory Specialist

35055 W 12 Mile Road Tel 248 358 7027/258 358 5000Suite 101 Tel 800 283 7084Farmington Hills, MI 48331 Fax 248 358 7122 [email protected]

888-775-6687 www.choiceone.com

DELINqUENT MUNICIPAL UTILITY CHARGESSumitted by W. peter doren, esq.Sondee, racine & doren, plcreprinted with permissionQuestions involving collection of delinquent municipal electric, water and sewer charges often arise. Hopefully the following will help clarify the concepts and process.

The Lien. a lien for municipal utility charges attaches to the property served at the time the service is rendered. Mcl 123.162. This is not a tax lien. It is a delinquent utility lien created by law. If owner a receives utility service and does not pay for it, and then sells the property to owner B, owner B has bought land that has a lien on it that can be enforced.

The Debt. The debt is separate from the lien. The utility customer is still liable for the debt even if there is a lien on his property. He can be sued and his other assets garnished or attached. Both owners a and B could be sued; owner a to enforce the debt and owner B to enforce the lien. of course, you can not recover more than the amount owed. The statute of limitations on collecting this debt from the utility customer is six years. Mcl 600.5807.

Leases. leases often put the responsibility on the tenant to pay utility charges. Such a lease provision, in and of itself, does not prevent the lien from attaching to the landlord’s property. However, the landlord/land owner may file a notice stating that the lease requires the tenant to pay utility charges and file a copy of the lease. This will prevent the lien from attaching to his property. When such a notice is received by a treasurer, the treasurer should (the statute says it must) require a deposit from the tenant to protect against unpaid utility charges. Mcl 141.121(3).

Bank Foreclosure. a delinquent utility lien on the property is not extinguished if a bank forecloses on a mortgage, even if that was made and dated before the utility service was rendered to the property. Mcl 123.165.

The Tax-Like Lien. Utility charges delinquent for six months or more may be certified each year to the city or township tax

assessing officer who enters a lien on the next tax roll and puts it on the tax bill against the property served. Mcl 141.121(3). Those delinquent utility charges are collected and the lien (created at the time the service was rendered) is enforced in the same manner as provided for the collection of taxes and the enforcement of tax liens. Thus, the delinquent utility lien rises to the same status and follows the same process as a property tax lien. If it is not paid by March, it is turned over by the city or township to the county treasurer. at that point, the county treasurer from the county delinquent tax revolving fund, should pay the delinquent utility charges. The county then proceeds with the GpTa tax foreclosure proceedings.

Tax Foreclosure. If the owner of the property does not pay what is on the tax bill, the property forfeits to the county and it (or the state if the county decided not to do tax foreclosures) petitions for foreclosure. There is a hearing, and the county (or state) becomes the owner of absolute fee title. all liens, including those for unpaid taxes or special assessments, are extinguished at that time. Mcl 211.78(k). This extinguishes all liens for unpaid utility charges. The county (or state) schedules an auction and establishes a minimum bid which would be sufficient to reimburse all the sums paid out of the delinquent tax revolving fund. Mcl 211.78(m)(8).

once the circuit court issues a judgment vesting fee title in the county (or state), the municipal utility should change the service over to the name of the county (or state), making it responsible for any continued utility charges. However, it may be that all utility service has been discontinued to such property by this time.

a municipal utility should require a deposit in order to continue serving property subject to the tax forfeiture and foreclosure process. When property is sold at a tax foreclosure auction, or is transferred to the state or a municipal government, all liens for

continued on page 5

Page 6: MMTA Connect

water and sewer charges on the property “as of the december 31 immediately succeeding the sale” are cancelled effective on that december 31. For example, property purchased at a tax foreclosure auction in august 2011 would have all water and sewer liens extinguished on the property effective december 31, 2011. Mcl 211.78m(13). They cannot be put on the tax roll.

purchasers of tax foreclosed property are not responsible for the unpaid municipal utility charges of a prior owner. Such delinquent charges that have been placed on the tax roll prior to the tax foreclosure sale, should be paid by the county Treasurer out of the delinquent tax revolving fund and that fund reimbursed when the property is sold. That fund should be reimbursed from the minimum bid. delinquent charges which have not been placed on the tax roll are still a debt of the prior owner, but cannot be enforced against a person who purchased the property through the tax foreclosure sale. 2011 oaG no. 7258 (5-6-11).

DELINqUENT MUNICIPAL UTILITY CHARGEScontinued from page 4

december 2011 page 5

38505 Woodward Ave., Suite 1300 | Bloom�eld Hills, MI 48304P. 248.566.4797 | Toll �ee 800.562.6224 | F. 248.644.8486

TKoss@�ePrivateBank.com

C. Toni KossAssociate Managing Director

Your Board of directors

Every year after the Fall Conference, the new President of our association distributes the assignments to each of the Directors. This was done by our new President Kim McKay. The following assignments were given to the Directors:

BarB Fandell – Education

Janice Zuhlke – Legislative

Matt horning – Newsletter

Margaret Birch – Membership

If you have any questions concerning these areas, or if you would like to participate in any of these please contact the director in charge of the committee.

Page 7: MMTA Connect

2011 page 6

Municipal Bond Commentary, 3rd Quarter 2011The third quarter of 2011 brought a negative shift in market sentiment and consumer confidence. In August political battles ensued surrounding a needed increase in the United States’ debt ceiling with the dual mandate of reducing future budget deficits. An agreement was reached that did not meet the expectations of Standard and Poor’s which downgraded the credit rating of the United States to AA+. A dramatic downward revision to the first quarter’s GDP growth to 0.4 percent, coupled with below trend second quarter GDP growth of 1.3 percent, led the Fed to indicate that monetary policy will remain accommodative through mid-2013. Employment data disappointed the markets with anemic payroll growth and a stubbornly high unemployment rate. The Fed cited significant downside risks to growth at its September meeting which prompted the launch of “Operation Twist,” a program where the Fed sells treasury securities with maturities inside of three years and uses the proceeds to buy longer dated treasuries. The long-term solvency of certain European sovereign nations also came back into question and continues to weigh on the financial markets.

State tax revenues continue to register positive growth and posted their seventh consecutive quarterly increase. Local government revenues continue to falter as municipalities find fewer options to generate revenues; since their main source of income is property tax, which is correlated to the downturn plaguing the real estate markets. Much of the “low hanging fruit” expense reductions have been picked and municipalities are now being forced to make cuts to education and school district funding. The federal budget deficit and Congressional focus on expenditure reductions could negatively impact municipal revenues and is a cause for unease amongst investors. State general funds commonly generate approximately 30 percent of their revenues from federal grants and transfers. Local governments typically

receive about 40 percent of their revenues from federal and state sources. The downgrade of United States’ credit rating had a ripple effect in the municipal bond market and certain issuers were downgraded or placed on credit watch because of their reliance on federal aid, federal backing, or, in some cases, federal employment. President Obama’s “Jobs Plan,” which contains a provision that could potentially limit the benefit of the tax exemption on municipal bond interest to 28 percent, is also creating angst for market participants. This change would make the interest on municipal bonds slightly less valuable to tax payers in higher tax brackets, who happen to be large buyers of tax-exempt debt. This plan is also being discussed and debated by the deficit reduction “super committee.”

Recessionary concerns, coupled with continued accommodative monetary policy, fueled the fixed income markets in the third quarter and pushed long maturity treasury yields and tax-exempt yields to near term lows. “Sticker shock” is a term often used to describe investors’ reactions to the high price and low yields offered by municipal bonds; from a historic perspective, however, municipal yields currently look attractive relative to US Treasury bond yields. Primary market supply experienced a modest pick-up in the third quarter but remains well behind levels from the prior year. Supply for the year registered a paltry $193 billion, which represents a reduction of over 35 percent versus the year prior. The austerity mindsets of many governors will likely limit municipal bond issuance not only in the current year but in the coming year as well. Liquidity has been sporadic as investors digest record low yields and mutual fund cash flows have generally been positive. Default activity continues to run below analyst estimates and has generally been limited to revenue bond issuers with low or non-investment grade ratings.

Cutwater Asset Management

113 King Street

Armonk, NY 10504

800-937-2624

www.cutwater.com

The information contained in this document comes from public sources which Cutwater Asset Management believes to be reliable. All opinions expressed in this document are solely those of Cutwater. A list of sources used for this document is available upon request.

The third quarter of 2011 brought a negative shift in market sentiment and consumer confidence. In August political battles ensued surrounding a

needed increase in the United States’ debt ceiling with the dual mandate of reducing future budget deficits. An agreement was reached that did not meet the expectations of Standard and Poor’s which downgraded the credit rating of the United States to AA+. A dramatic downward revision to the first quarter’s GDP growth to 0.4 percent, coupled with below trend second quarter GDP growth of 1.3 percent, led the Fed to indicate that monetary policy will remain accommodative through mid-2013. Employment data disappointed the markets with anemic payroll growth and a stubbornly high unemployment rate. The Fed cited significant downside risks to growth at its September meeting which prompted the launch of “Operation Twist,” a program where the Fed sells treasury securities with maturities inside of three years and uses the proceeds to buy longer dated treasuries. The long-term solvency of certain European sovereign nations also came back into question and continues to weigh on the financial markets.

State tax revenues continue to register positive growth and posted their seventh consecutive quarterly increase. Local government revenues continue to falter as municipalities find fewer options to generate revenues; since their main source of income is property tax, which is correlated to the downturn plaguing the real estate markets. Much of the “low hanging fruit” expense reductions have been picked and municipalities are now being forced to make cuts to education and school district funding. The federal budget deficit and Congressional focus on expenditure reductions could negatively impact municipal revenues and is a cause for unease amongst investors. State general funds commonly generate approximately 30 percent of their revenues from federal grants and

transfers. Local governments typically receive about 40 percent of their revenues from federal and state sources. The downgrade of United States’ credit rating had a ripple effect in the municipal bond market and certain issuers were downgraded or placed on credit watch because of their reliance on federal aid, federal backing, or, in some cases, federal employment. President Obama’s “Jobs Plan,” which contains a provision that could potentially limit the benefit of the tax exemption on municipal bond interest to 28 percent, is also creating angst for market participants. This change would make the interest on municipal bonds slightly less valuable to tax payers in higher tax brackets, who happen to be large buyers of tax-exempt debt. This plan is also being discussed and debated by the deficit reduction “super committee.”

Recessionary concerns, coupled with continued accommodative monetary policy, fueled the fixed income markets in the third quarter and pushed long maturity treasury yields and tax-exempt yields to near term lows. “Sticker shock” is a term often used to describe investors’ reactions to the high price and low yields offered by municipal bonds; from a historic perspective, however, municipal yields currently look attractive relative to US Treasury bond yields. Primary market supply experienced a modest pick-up in the third quarter but remains well behind levels from the prior year. Supply for the year registered a paltry $193 billion, which represents a reduction of over 35 percent versus the year prior. The austerity mindsets of many governors will likely limit municipal bond issuance not only in the current year but in the coming year as well. Liquidity has been sporadic as investors digest record low yields and mutual fund cash flows have generally been positive. Default activity continues to run below analyst estimates and has generally been limited to revenue bond issuers with low or non-investment grade ratings.

Municipal Bond Commentary, 3rd Quarter 2011

Municipal BondsPOINT OF VIEW

The third quarter of 2011 brought a negative shift in market sentiment and consumer confidence. In August political battles ensued surrounding a

needed increase in the United States’ debt ceiling with the dual mandate of reducing future budget deficits. An agreement was reached that did not meet the expectations of Standard and Poor’s which downgraded the credit rating of the United States to AA+. A dramatic downward revision to the first quarter’s GDP growth to 0.4 percent, coupled with below trend second quarter GDP growth of 1.3 percent, led the Fed to indicate that monetary policy will remain accommodative through mid-2013. Employment data disappointed the markets with anemic payroll growth and a stubbornly high unemployment rate. The Fed cited significant downside risks to growth at its September meeting which prompted the launch of “Operation Twist,” a program where the Fed sells treasury securities with maturities inside of three years and uses the proceeds to buy longer dated treasuries. The long-term solvency of certain European sovereign nations also came back into question and continues to weigh on the financial markets.

State tax revenues continue to register positive growth and posted their seventh consecutive quarterly increase. Local government revenues continue to falter as municipalities find fewer options to generate revenues; since their main source of income is property tax, which is correlated to the downturn plaguing the real estate markets. Much of the “low hanging fruit” expense reductions have been picked and municipalities are now being forced to make cuts to education and school district funding. The federal budget deficit and Congressional focus on expenditure reductions could negatively impact municipal revenues and is a cause for unease amongst investors. State general funds commonly generate approximately 30 percent of their revenues from federal grants and

transfers. Local governments typically receive about 40 percent of their revenues from federal and state sources. The downgrade of United States’ credit rating had a ripple effect in the municipal bond market and certain issuers were downgraded or placed on credit watch because of their reliance on federal aid, federal backing, or, in some cases, federal employment. President Obama’s “Jobs Plan,” which contains a provision that could potentially limit the benefit of the tax exemption on municipal bond interest to 28 percent, is also creating angst for market participants. This change would make the interest on municipal bonds slightly less valuable to tax payers in higher tax brackets, who happen to be large buyers of tax-exempt debt. This plan is also being discussed and debated by the deficit reduction “super committee.”

Recessionary concerns, coupled with continued accommodative monetary policy, fueled the fixed income markets in the third quarter and pushed long maturity treasury yields and tax-exempt yields to near term lows. “Sticker shock” is a term often used to describe investors’ reactions to the high price and low yields offered by municipal bonds; from a historic perspective, however, municipal yields currently look attractive relative to US Treasury bond yields. Primary market supply experienced a modest pick-up in the third quarter but remains well behind levels from the prior year. Supply for the year registered a paltry $193 billion, which represents a reduction of over 35 percent versus the year prior. The austerity mindsets of many governors will likely limit municipal bond issuance not only in the current year but in the coming year as well. Liquidity has been sporadic as investors digest record low yields and mutual fund cash flows have generally been positive. Default activity continues to run below analyst estimates and has generally been limited to revenue bond issuers with low or non-investment grade ratings.

Municipal Bond Commentary, 3rd Quarter 2011

Municipal BondsPOINT OF VIEW

Page 8: MMTA Connect

2011 page 7

Websites You May Find Useful In Your Job

michigan municipal treasurer association association of public treasurers of the united States and Canada michigan municipal League michigan townships association Michigan Government Finance Officers association State of michigan michigan department of treasury

•Quarterly income tax reporting•W-4 federal employees withholding

allowance form•941 Quarterly federal tax return•941 Quarter federal tax return – Schedule B

michigan Legislature governmental accounting Standard Board internal revenue Service michigan State disbursement unit

•friend of the Court paymentsmichigan unemployment insurance agency michigan unemployment reporting

•forms 1017 and 1020uS Census Bureau federal deposit insurance Corporation financial industry regulatory authority Bankrate. Com

•Check bank ratingsBauer financial

•Check bank ratingsBloomberg

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paCer •Search bankruptcy and other court records

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ScholarShip aVailaBiliTYMany municipalities are not able to provide funds for their treasurers to attend conferences or workshops for education and training. Many have had their budgets decreased or have very limited funds for conferences and training. The MMTA has always stressed the need for education. If you are from a municipality whose education budget is stressed, this opportunity may be your solution to attending the important educational opportunities provided by MMTA. You may qualify for a scholarship if you been an Active Member of MMTA for at least 12 months prior to submitting your application.

I encourage you to review the Scholarship Guidelines and submit your application if you meet the qualifications. Please do not hesitate to do so.

Margaret Birch, Membership Committee

MMTA Bylaws

The new MMTA Bylaws that were approved by theActive Members in attendance at the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, are available on the website at mmta-mi.org.