2012 Utility Rate Survey

It’s time again for the annual North Central Utility Rate Survey. Each year, AE2S conducts a survey of water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste utility rates throughout the region. Two unique reports are prepared based on community population. One is for communities with populations of 1,000 to 4,999 and Regional/Rural Water Systems. The second is for … Read more

G-23 Rule Goes Into Effect

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

Strong Enterprise Risk Management Important for Municipalities

Major flooding issues last spring and summer in multiple communities throughout the region, in addition to the oil boom in western North Dakota and eastern Montana, shed light on why a strong Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework for a municipality can be very beneficial. However, it doesn’t take a natural disaster or rapid regional growth … Read more

ND Senate Bill 2371 Boosts Funding for Flood Recovery & Oil

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. $30 million from the General Fund has been … Read more