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Some helpful changes to LGC policies and process

Some helpful changes to LGC policies and process

Our friends at the LGC have recently announced policy and process changes that will be useful to local governments in getting financings approved. Reducing the audit blackout period It has been LGC policy for some time that you couldn’t get a financing approved in...

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What we learned at the WNC Housing Summit

What we learned at the WNC Housing Summit

We were glad to be in Sylva on June 18 for a Housing Summit hosted by Western Carolina University and the Southwestern Commission Council of Governments. Bob provided the keynote address (slides available on our LinkedIn) and were pleased to see and be around so many...

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Disclosure of climate and cybersecurity risks

Disclosure of climate and cybersecurity risks

Local government disclosures regarding tax collections, outstanding debt, and any pension plans have always been important for complying with applicable disclosure rules and regulations. Climate and cybersecurity risks are two newer topics that have found their way...

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“Approved as to form”

“Approved as to form”

We’ve all seen those signature blocks for attorneys at the end of contracts, under the caption “Approved as to Form.” But what does it mean? In Frayda Bluestein’s  2009 blog on this topic she wrote that the caption suggests “ a limited approval – approval as to form...

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What is a “capital cost” for financing purposes?

What is a “capital cost” for financing purposes?

The State statutes and the tax-exempt bond rules generally provide that borrowed money can only be used to pay “capital costs” of a project. But what is a “capital cost,” or a “capital expenditure,” exactly? Let’s split the question into a few sections. For new...

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What do we do about retail leakage?

What do we do about retail leakage?

Retail leakage, for our purposes, is the gap between the money spent by local consumers and the revenue generated by local businesses, often due to residents shopping in neighboring areas. Significant retail leakage in an area points to opportunities for new and...

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