Presenting Sponsor

Leading and managing are different. Good managers manage stuff. Good leaders lead people. The best organizations have both. Learn the difference and how you can become a better leader in your organization, no matter what position you hold. Be introduced to the five practices of exemplary leadership as defined in The Leadership Challenge, and then explore and reflect personally on what you can do to make a difference in your own organization.

Create connections with colleagues from across the state through a series of structured small-group and one-on-one conversations about leadership and its role within our organizations.

See two very different approaches to beginning the budget process. The City of Mooresville takes a laid back approach that works well for its community. Budget simply places resources where departments can access them on their own time. Looking to kick it up a notch? Invite a gorilla, as the City of Raleigh has done in the past. They annually host a creative, fun event designed to energize departmental staff as they begin the budget process. Learn tips to improve your process and hear the results of an online survey sent to NCLGBA members. See what the budget kickoff process is like in cities, towns and counties across North Carolina.

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Brush up on capital budgeting and finance. Hear an overview of capital financing options available to local governments in North Carolina. Discuss the basic legal authority, procedural requirements, and major limitations of each financing option.

(Off-site at Packs Tavern, shuttle until 10 pm)

In life, we develop scripts that affect how we look at ourselves and others. These scripts impact relationships and our ability to solve problems. Understand your individual script, recognize its impact, and learn strategies for enhancing your effectiveness both in the workplace and in your personal life.

Practice 15 easy poses you can do at your desk or anywhere when you need to de-stress. Examine what sustainability means to each of our communities across North Carolina. Discuss desired outcomes, such as reducing costs or environmental impact. Share how you approach analysis of these types of projects. Brainstorm ways to reduce costs through sustainable efforts while increasing revenues. Discussion will focus on four programs -- used cooking oil collection, hybrid vehicles, building design and green certification, and public-private partnership for energy generation. Share how your community analyzes cost, benefit and sustainability. Page 3

The 1999 ICMA Revenue Estimation Survey found revenue forecasting was mainly the responsibility of finance and budget officers. Municipalities predominantly used traditional forecasting approaches such as expert and trend methods. Poor forecasts may result in either a revenue shortfall or a revenue surplus. Strategize ways to involve departments in revenue forecasting to improve accuracy. Come talk trash! And nuts and bolts and paving and recycling and maintenance. Problem solve common issues public works departments face during budget development and discuss best practices. Challenges include budgeting for the needs of both town programs and citizens, projecting future service needs, maintaining aging infrastructure while also addressing new infrastructure projects, and responding to regulatory issues. Share how to best communicate these budget needs to management and Council.

Making good hiring decisions is crucial to the success of any organization. Discuss interview questions and strategies, practical evaluations, and advertising strategies that will help you select the best candidate for your next department or central budget office staff recruitment process.

Discuss strategies to best position yourself for your next job in budgeting or for another position elsewhere in local government.

Many communities are challenged with efficiently providing and funding fire and emergency services in unincorporated areas, across municipal boundaries, and in partnership with many independent municipal and historically volunteer-based independent departments. Come discuss non-general fund mechanisms and partnership opportunities authorized and in use for fire services funding in North Carolina, such as rural fire protection districts, consolidated fire and rescue service districts, interlocal cost share funding models, contracting with another jurisdiction or department. Please review the following in advance of the session: http:// sogpubs.unc.edu/electronicversions/pdfs/lfb43.pdf (County Funding for Fire Services in North Carolina, Kara A. Millonzi, May 2011)

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Discuss any problems you face as a small budget shop. Share best practices for budget development process, calendar, documents, and other issues affecting small local governments. Note: Define for yourself a small jurisdiction. If you think you can contribute and would like to discuss the budget process and other intricacies of public budgeting for small towns and counties, join us!

Hear a synopsis of the changes that NC made to the income tax policy and then discuss the best and worst case scenarios. What will this mean for your community? And what actions can you take now?

A lot of hard work goes into preparing the budget, but we all know its just the beginning. Once the budget passes, how do you ensure the organization sticks to the plan? How are the inevitable, unforeseen items addressed? Managing the budget during the fiscal year can take many forms and include issues like budgetary level of control, transfers and amendments, and monthly projections. Answer the question all the departments ask, what do you do the rest of the year? A leaders vision is an invitation to what could be: come watch excerpts from Dr. Martin Luther Kings landmark speech through a new lens and then explore what visions we could inspire and share in our own organizations. In this follow-up to the Leadership general session from Wednesday, we will concentrate specifically on how things could change in your organization if we envision the future (and its possibilities) and enlist others in pursuit of that vision. Discuss your reflections from the morning presentation and how your work practice can improve. What role do you default to? And how can you get out of the triangle?

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With the recent economic down turn, cities and counties have increasingly become important sources of grant funding for nonprofit agencies. Learn about Mecklenburg Countys efforts to align their community service grant program with the Countys four Critical Success Factors. Hear how the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County structures its funding decision process to promote transparency and advance the common good through education, income, and health initiatives.

Local option sales tax (LOST) revenue is influenced by numerous factors including how urban, suburban, or rural you are; if you have a rich tourism industry; and if you are attracting a large commuter workforce. Although these additional LOST dollars offset fiscal pressure and property tax rates, they come with their own set of concerns. Hear how to know where your county is on the spectrum of LOST revenue and why. Discuss what issues this may raise, equity concerns and municipal distributions through the lens of overall revenue capacity.

Building on recent efforts to gather Big 10 budget managers more regularly to learn from each other, representatives from the large counties and cities will discuss the unique budget issues facing them given how population and service delivery growth are outpacing economic growth and the increasing urbanization of North Carolina.

With tighter budgets and environmental costs, US cities have accepted that the status quo of development patterns will no longer work. When trying to convey that information, cities get lost in the numbers. Using simple math and creative visual aids, hear the true costs and benefits of development choices with the use of award-winning metrics. See how these tools can help cities overcome misconceptions about urban development and help municipalities make wise investments. Page 6

The City of Durham uses their award-winning strategic plan methodology to build capacity in the organization, make decisions and set priorities. Hear an overview of citywide and department perspectives on Durhams strategic planning process and team approach, tips on how to build capacity in your organization through developmental opportunities, ways to use data to make decisions and show how to set priorities.

Learn different ways technology is funded including planning for costs, funding mechanisms for up-front costs and ongoing maintenance and upgrades, computers and mobile devices and any workgroups that review collaboration opportunities and/or prioritize technology initiatives.

Learn how you can encourage citizen participation in your annual budget development without significant costs.

Organizational Website, featuring group information and regular updates Career GatewayYour best source for local budgeting & finance job postings

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Why create a culture of well-being in the workplace? Uncover the tools and community resources that are helping employers attain measureable health improvement outcomes and optimize wellness cost savings at the same time. Learn the benefits of focusing on a comprehensive wellness program as a forefront strategy.

General overview of the condition of the U.S. macroeconomy and hear the current domestic economic events being discussed in the national media. Review the progress of the economic recovery and how current events and policies are shaping the future economic landscape of the U.S. economy. The condition of the North Carolina economy will be discussed, including the current employment situation, conditions in the local housing market, and a general economic forecast for the state.

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Websites

www.ExploreAsheville.com www.AshevilleDowntown.org

www.RomanticAsheville.com www.AshevilleGrown.com

Restaurants On or Near Hotel Property Horizons Dining Room , 828-252-2711 Blue Ridge Dining Room, 828-252-2711 Elaines Dueling Piano Bar (Open Thursday Night) Grovewood Caf, 111 Grovewood Road, 828-258-8956 On Merrimon Avenue (From North to South Towards Downtown) Vegheads (Vegetarian Drive Thru), 705 Merrimon Avenue Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company, 675 Merrimon Avenue, 828-254-5339 Vinnies Neighborhood Italian, 641 Merrimon Avenue, 828-253-1077 Zen Sushi, 640 Merrimon Avenue, 828-225-6033 Nois Thai Kitchen, 535 Merrimon Avenue, 828-251-1960 Luellas Bar-B-Que, 501 Merrimon Avenue, 828-505-7427 Homegrown, 371 Merrimon Avenue, 828-232-4340 Downtown Top Picks Creperie Bouchon, 61 1/8 North Lexington Avenue, creperiebouchon.com Curate, 11 Biltmore Avenue, 828-239-2946, curatetapasbar.com Barleys Taproom & Pizzeria, 42 Biltmore Avenue, 828-255-0504 Wicked Weed Brewing, 91 Biltmore Avenue, 828-575-9599 Table Asheville, 48 College Street, 828-254-8980, tableasheville.com Tupelo Honey Caf, 12 College Street, 828-255-4863, tupelohoneycafe.com French Broad Chocolate Lounge, 10 South Lexington Avenue, 828-252-4181 Other Top Picks (More at urbanspoon.com) 12 Bones Smokehouse, 5 Riverside Drive, 828-253-4499 Corner Kitchen, 3 Boston Way, 828-274-2439 Nine Mile, 233 Montford Avenue, 828-505-3121 Papas & Beer, 17 Tunnel Road, 828-255-2204 Laughing Seed Caf, 40 Wall Street, 828-252-3445

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