Strong Enterprise Risk Management Important for Municipalities

Major flooding issues this past spring and summer in multiple communities throughout the region, in addition to the “oil boom” in western ND and eastern Montana, shed light on why a strong enterprise risk management (ERM) framework for a municipality can be very beneficial. What is “ERM”? ERM, in short order, puts into operation, the … Read more

ND Special Session

Several interesting bills came out of North Dakota’s special session in November.  One of particular note is Senate Bill 2371, which includes funding for several programs that are critical to flood disaster recovery and energy-impacted western North Dakota.  Here are some of the highlights of SB 2371. The Land Department has been appropriated $30 million … Read more

Measure 2 Halts GO Bond Deals

North Dakota bond issuers only have a couple more weeks to push any general obligation bond deals through before the first of the year.  As of January 1, 2012 GOs will be on hold until voters decide whether they want to abolish property taxes during the June election.  The North Dakota Public Finance Authority will … Read more

G-23 Rules Goes Into Effect

A major adjustment to a federal rule aims to ensure bond issuers have access to the most competitive bond structure.  Until now, financial advisors could serve double duty as underwriters on the same bonding issue.  The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) Rule G-23 went into effect in late November.  The change prohibits municipal securities dealers … Read more