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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Toni Nelson

See You Later: Finance Consultant Toni Nelson Retires

See You Later: Finance Consultant Toni Nelson Retires

Finance Consultant Toni Nelson is retiring at the end of September after a long career in local government. 

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President’s Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations

President’s Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations

This blog post reviews a recent federal memorandum directing the U.S. Treasury to defer the withholding, deposit, and payment of Social Security taxes on wages and compensation paid during September 1 through December 31, 2020.

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Implicit Price Deflator Falls Below 1% for Setting 2021 Property Taxes

Implicit Price Deflator Falls Below 1% for Setting 2021 Property Taxes

The IPD inflation rate for 2019-2020 is 0.60152%, which means local governments with a population of 10,000 or more may not increase next year's property tax levies more than that rate unless they adopt a resolution or ordinance of substantial need.

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Annual Financial Reporting Options: Cash-Basis

Annual Financial Reporting Options: Cash-Basis

This blog post describes the cash-basis reporting option available to local governments for filing an annual financial report.

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 ​The Annual Financial Report for 2019

​The Annual Financial Report for 2019

This blog post highlights changes to the State Auditor’s Office Annual Financial Report for ‘cash-basis’ accounting and reporting entities.

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Changing Forecasts for Transportation Revenues and Other Impacts of I-976

Changing Forecasts for Transportation Revenues and Other Impacts of I-976

This blog post looks at the impact the passage of I-976 will have on transportation revenues, the state's multimodal account, and transportation benefit districts. 

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SHB 1406: Understanding the Affordable Housing Sales Tax Credit

SHB 1406: Understanding the Affordable Housing Sales Tax Credit

SHB 1406 will provide a new affordable housing revenue stream for those counties, cities, and towns that choose to participate; But to do so, those entities must act fast. 

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Finance-Related Legislation Passed During The 2019 Session

Finance-Related Legislation Passed During The 2019 Session

Interested in learning more about recently passed bills that offer increased use of taxes or authority to increase certain taxes? This blog post covers the basics. 

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The Annual Financial Report for 2018 (Part 2)

The Annual Financial Report for 2018 (Part 2)

This 2-part series highlights changes to the annual update to accounting and reporting requirements (BARS Alerts & Overview of Significant Changes). This post focuses on changes to Notes to Financials and in the Supplemental Schedules.

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​The Annual Financial Report for 2018 (Part 1)

​The Annual Financial Report for 2018 (Part 1)

In this 2-part series, Financial Consultant Toni Nelson will be highlighting changes to the annual update to accounting and reporting requirements (BARS Alerts & Overview of Significant Changes) from the State Auditor's Office. Part 1 focuses on changes to the Chart of Accounts. 

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New City and County Revenue Guides Published!

New City and County Revenue Guides Published!

For many years, city and county officials have relied on MRSC’s Revenue Guides to better understand their various revenue options. In partnership with the State Auditor’s Office, we’ve completely rewritten and republished these important documents.

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Year End is a Busy Time for Finance

Year End is a Busy Time for Finance

This article reviews some of the most important year-end reporting requirements and deadlines, including the "open period" and federal W-2, W-3, and 1099-MISC reporting requirements.

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Paid Family & Medical Leave Act: What does finance/payroll need to do?

Paid Family & Medical Leave Act: What does finance/payroll need to do?

With 2019 on the horizon, local governments must begin to comply with new Paid Family & Medical Leave requirements. Finance Consultant Toni Nelson looks at what steps the finance department should take, beginning today. 

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Cities and Towns Must Update General Business License Ordinances ASAP!

Cities and Towns Must Update General Business License Ordinances ASAP!

The final model business license ordinance has been released. All current BLS partner cities must adopt its provisions by October 17, and all other cities and towns with general business license requirements must adopt the model provisions by January 1.

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Salary Increases Effective July 1 for Many Special Purpose District Officials

Salary Increases Effective July 1 for Many Special Purpose District Officials

The salaries for many elected officials with Washington's special purpose districts are adjusted for inflation every 5 years by the Office of Financial Management, with 2018 being one such year an adjustment takes place. Finance Consultant Toni Nelson looks at which special purpose districts and officials will be impacted. 

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Is Your City Ready for the New Business Licensing Requirements?

Is Your City Ready for the New Business Licensing Requirements?

EHB 2005, which was passed last year, is intended to simplify the administration of municipal general business licenses for the applicant. This post looks at the actions cities and towns must take to comply.

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CPI Changes for Washington Indices Effective January 1

CPI Changes for Washington Indices Effective January 1

On January 1, 2018, the Consumer Price Index will begin to implement its update for sampling areas. Finance Consultant Toni Nelson looks at how this will impact Washington local governments. 

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MRSC Expands its Financial Policy Guidance

MRSC Expands its Financial Policy Guidance

MRSC and the State Auditor’s Office Local Government Performance Center have launched a series of online resources to help Washington State local governments develop and adopt effective financial policies and procedures, while complying with SAO’s policy requirements.

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The New Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200 – Part 2

The New Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200 – Part 2

Federal awards given to local governments are now subject to revised audit standards under New Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200. In the second of this 2-part series, learn more about how the certification requirement and allowable costs have changed, and what you need to do to become compliant with the new guidance. 

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Federal Single Audit and the New Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200

Federal Single Audit and the New Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200

Federal awards given to local governments are now subject to revised audit standards under New Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200. Learn more about these new standards and what it means for your entity's policies regarding procurement, purchasing, and grant and contract management.

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Informal AG Opinion Clarifies Lodging Tax Awards

Informal AG Opinion Clarifies Lodging Tax Awards

An informal opinion from the Attorney General's office states that a municipality may award lodging tax revenues to a recipient in an amount that differs from the LTAC recommendations, as long as the legislative body follows the right process.

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Local Governments Now Have Clearer Investment Options Thanks to ESB 6349

Local Governments Now Have Clearer Investment Options Thanks to ESB 6349

A 2016 legislative bill (ESB 6439) provides more clarity on local government investment options and requirements.

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Multimodal Transportation Funds Released To Cities and Counties on April 15

Multimodal Transportation Funds Released To Cities and Counties on April 15

The initial distribution of this new fund should include the first two quarters of the state biennium that were missed (September 2015 and December 2015) along with the March 2016 distribution.

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Assuming the Powers of Your Transportation Benefit District? Here Are Some Items to Be Aware Of

Assuming the Powers of Your Transportation Benefit District? Here Are Some Items to Be Aware Of

An overview of accounting and reporting requirements as a result of the new legislation regarding the assumption of TBDs by cities and counties.

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Lodging Tax Reports: Changes to Reporting Process

Lodging Tax Reports: Changes to Reporting Process

Details on the new reporting process for lodging tax reports due on March 15, 2016.

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Who Should Receive the Utility Bill, Landlords or Tenants?

Who Should Receive the Utility Bill, Landlords or Tenants?

Who should receive a utility bill is just one of the many complexities local governments must determine in their utility billing procedures. This blog highlights our survey of how numerous jurisdictions handle this issue.

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Tax Changes for Recreational Services and Athletic/Fitness Facilities

Tax Changes for Recreational Services and Athletic/Fitness Facilities

Recent legislation has changed the definition of a retail sale and the new change becomes effective on January 1. Here is some guidance on what this change may mean for your 2016 tax report.

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Pre-Budgeting: Three Things to Do Before Budget Season Begins

Pre-Budgeting: Three Things to Do Before Budget Season Begins

With a little breathing room during the summer, here's recommendations for three things to do before budget season comes in at full force.

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Beyond the Annual Financial Report: Communicating Your Agency's Financial Data

Beyond the Annual Financial Report: Communicating Your Agency's Financial Data

As financial reporting to the State Auditor's Office wraps up, Toni Nelson explains some other types of financial reports you should be providing to management and elected officials.

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Info and Checklists to Get Your Annual Financial Report Done Accurately and On Time

Info and Checklists to Get Your Annual Financial Report Done Accurately and On Time

This post provides useful information to help make sure your annual financial reports to the State Auditor's Office are done right.

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Heads Up – Budget Amendments

Heads Up – Budget Amendments

When and how must budget amendments be adopted, and how does this overlap with the "open period? The budget amendment deadline is December 31, but this can create complications with the "open period" in early January.

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Budget Forecasting - Revenue projections not always that easy to develop

Budget Forecasting - Revenue projections not always that easy to develop

It is budget time again and most of you are working on revenue forecasts that will be used to develop the budget for the next fiscal period.  Accurate revenue forecasts are essential to budget execution. If the forecast grossly overestimates the amount of future revenues, the end result will be a deficit and the potential for mid-year spending cuts.  On the other hand, if the revenue forecast is...

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Using Lodging Taxes for Staff Support of LTAC

Can you use lodging tax revenues to pay for staff support of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)? After conferring with the State Auditor’s Office, we’ve concluded that this is an allowed use of the lodging tax, as long as certain requirements are met.

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Finance 101

In anticipation of the coming budget season, we thought a discussion on the characteristics that make governmental accounting unique would be helpful.

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