Another budget session is over, and for some this year may have included difficult decisions such as furloughs, money-saving concessions, reduced services and decreased revenues all driven by the ongoing and often times overwhelming pandemic. Rest assured, government agencies are resilient, and we shall continue to prosper, improve, and serve our communities with even more tenacity.

During years with revenue declines those who are ready to retire do so to help reduce expenses, but they do not leave without their mark on our organizations, hearts, and wishing us the best during these difficult times.

To those who are retiring from years of public service, thank you for your dedication to making communities better, your forward thinking long-term financial planning, your methodical organized work ethic, calmness under pressure and extreme circumstances such as a pandemic. We wish you all the best in your retirements, may you laugh much, continue to make great memories, and please do remember to stay connected with your extended City and CSMFO families.
I have to admit it has been a bit difficult to focus, find my grove, and be excited about new ideas with so much whip lash going on at work and home…we are open, no wait… now we are semi-closed, but only for a few weeks….but, if, when, then, perhaps….so much to consider and monitor. I don’t know about you, but this is not the rollercoaster ride I was expecting this summer. None the less, we are on this ride but not alone.

As finance professionals, our communities are turning to us for expenditure reductions, updated revenue projections, new grants, FEMA, and CARES act funding options, and long-term financial projections, among other ongoing responsibilities. Our support of inter-agency and inter-departmental collaboration is critical during these times. Your financial knowledge is always augmented by CSMFO. Being a member keeps you connected to other professionals experiencing the same concerns, allows you access to the robust list serve to find quick answers, samples, or poll members on what they are doing. Not to mention Zoom happy hours!!!

CSMFO is committed to your professional success and continues to provide webinars with free CPE credits, local chapters are working on resuming meetings (virtual or safely in person), authors are writing articles for the news, the conference host committee is busy evaluating options under such difficult circumstances, and the CSMFO Board is always there to listen, led by example, and provide support to all of CSMFO members.

Together we shall continue to ride the rollercoaster and we may get off a little dizzy and bruised, but not broken. We shall not give up on a better tomorrow. We are stronger than we realize and remember others are counting on us for the numbers, projections, and financial guidance.