8:15 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Registration Desk Open

10 a.m. – Noon – Avoiding the "I Wish I'd Known That" Moments
Hindsight is 20/20, but this session is designed to help new city clerks confidently navigate the unexpected challenges and overlooked responsibilities of the job. This session will explore the essentials of a city clerk’s daily duties and introduce you to vital training opportunities, resources, and professional networks that make your first few years much smoother. Attendees will walk away with highly practical tools they can implement immediately, ensuring they feel fully prepared and capable from day one.

Noon – 1:30 p.m. – Break

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Everything Ted
Adopting an annual fiscal budget and completing the Annual Financial Report (AFR) can feel like moving targets, but this session is here to keep you on target. Ted Nellesen from the Iowa Department of Management will break down the essential state procedures for Iowa cities and address recent legislative changes that affect your property tax calculations and budgeting processes. You will also get a look at the new statewide long-term debt database—a tool created to simplify the complex debt details required in your reporting. Join us to master these updates, learn how to utilize the database efficiently, and ensure your city’s financial reporting is seamless and compliant.

4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – An Evening with our Vendors
Charlie Brown, Halloween
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the IMFOA Vendor Party as we celebrate "The Great Pumpkin of Public Finance!" Step into a festive fall atmosphere filled with great food, refreshing drinks, and plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues and vendors. Whether you're hunting for the Great Pumpkin or simply enjoying the harvest of networking, this is the perfect way to unwind after a day of conference sessions. Come dressed in your favorite fall attire (optional!), bring your pumpkin spirit, and don't miss one of the most anticipated events of the conference!

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Registration Desk Open

8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. – First Timer’s Orientation
The Board invites those attending the IMFOA conference for the first time to attend a brief orientation.  This is your opportunity to meet other First Timers, receive a welcome bag, and learn about important resources to help you navigate City Government and more! 

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Concurrent Workshops — Choose One

Digital Accessibility for Municipalities
Join de Novo Marketing for a clear guide on navigating the upcoming Title II ADA Accessibility requirements (and what the extension means). This session will talk through compliance, your city’s data archives, PDFs, partners, and what this means for your operations and digital services. de Novo will provide strategies for auditing your current website and implementing the necessary accessibility practices that can fit within your resources. They’ll showcase tools you can use to get started, leaving you with a roadmap to keep your platforms inclusive.

FLSA and Payroll Issues for Iowa Municipalities
This session will provide a practical overview of the Fair Labor Standards Act and other employment-law issues affecting municipal payroll and personnel administration. The presentation will address exempt versus non-exempt classifications, overtime requirements, compensable time, and common FLSA issues that arise in the public-sector workplace, including special rules applicable to certain municipal employees. The presentation will also discuss recent developments affecting wage-and-hour compliance, tips and overtime regulations, and other current payroll issues. Time permitting, it will also address related employment compliance topics, including Form I-9 and E-Verify requirements.

AI Policies and Procedures
As municipalities explore the use of artificial intelligence to improve services and streamline operations, establishing clear policies and procedures is critical to ensuring responsible, transparent, and secure implementation. This session will examine the essential elements of municipal AI governance, including acceptable use, data privacy, public records considerations, cybersecurity, procurement, ethical decision-making, and regulatory compliance. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for developing AI policies that foster innovation while maintaining public trust, accountability, and effective governance.

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Break

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Concurrent Workshops — Choose One

The TIF Advantage
Led by bond attorneys from Dorsey & Whitney LLP’s Des Moines office, this technical session provides city finance officers with an operational analysis of Chapter 403 of the Code of Iowa. Participants will explore strategic frameworks for leveraging Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to stimulate local economic growth and fund diverse municipal development projects. The curriculum covers essential statutory processes, including establishing urban renewal areas, adopting TIF ordinances, and accurately certifying municipal debt to county auditors. Finally, the session concludes with an interactive open forum dedicated to addressing attendee questions on capital borrowing strategies and property tax abatement programs.

Navigating IPERS: Administration, Eligibility, and Audit Compliance
This session is designed to equip participants with a clear understanding of public retirement administration. This presentation guides attendees through critical employee eligibility guidelines—including nuances for part-time elected or appointed officials, as well as part-time and seasonal staff. Participants will gain practical insights into navigating monthly reporting and payment workflows, identifying common audit errors, and adhering to compliance requirements, all while building a solid foundation in core IPERS principles

AI How To
Discover practical ways to use artificial intelligence to enhance everyday municipal clerk responsibilities. This hands-on session will demonstrate how AI can help draft meeting agendas and minutes, summarize documents, create communications, support records management, and improve administrative efficiency. Attendees will learn effective prompting techniques, best practices for verifying AI-generated content, and strategies for using AI responsibly while maintaining accuracy, transparency, and compliance with municipal requirements.

11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Lunch / Opening Ceremonies

1:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Concurrent Workshops — Choose One 

City Finances
Managing a city’s financial landscape requires a clear understanding of statutory requirements, economic principles, and strategic planning. This session offers city clerks a highly practical and thorough introduction to the fundamentals of local government finance. Participants will explore key concepts and best practices essential for maintaining and improving their city's fiscal health. Topics include valuation, debt capacity, planning, fund balances, ratings, audits, and legislative updates. 

Can We All Just Get Along? Tips for Managing Council and Staff Relationships
Serving in municipal government can be quite rewarding, but it comes with unique challenges as well, including a structure that has multiple elected officials in leadership roles. Mayors and council members may not always agree on everything, including how city employees are managed and directed. Meanwhile, staff members may not understand what the council's priorities are and their role in helping the city achieve its goals. This session will discuss the difficulties that can exist between the council and staff along with ways to strengthen relationships to improve city services.

First Amendment Audits
As online activism increasingly impacts public agencies, this training provides staff with the essential knowledge required to navigate First Amendment audits effectively. Attendees will become familiar with common auditor strategies, behaviors, and terminology, enabling them to identify early escalation cues. The curriculum emphasizes proactive techniques for avoiding confrontations, thereby safeguarding the agency against potential liability risks. Finally, attendees will learn to manage public and restricted spaces while implementing best practices that maintain compliance with constitutional rights.

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Popcorn Break

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Concurrent Workshops — Choose One

What to Expect When You Are Expecting an Audit
A successful audit starts long before the auditor arrives. This session will provide city clerks with practical guidance on preparing for the annual audit, organizing financial and administrative records, understanding key documentation requirements, and working effectively with auditors throughout the process. Attendees will gain tips for identifying common audit issues, strengthening internal controls, and ensuring their municipality is well-prepared for a smooth and efficient audit.

House File 2634 and the Regulation of Government Cemeteries
Cemeteries within Iowa are regulated by the Iowa Insurance Division pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 523I. Effective July 1, 2026, House File 2634 introduced updated regulatory requirements for both preneed entities and cemetery operations. This presentation outlines the recent statutory changes specifically impacting the oversight of government-owned cemeteries. Additionally, it provides guidance on what governmental subdivisions should anticipate regarding future regulatory enforcement and compliance monitoring.

Having the Right Employment Policies for Your Organization
Employment policies are crucial for your organization because they establish clear ground rules and expectations. Having clear, well-written policies can prevent misunderstandings, ensure legal compliance, and protect your organization from costly litigation by providing a baseline for consistent, fair treatment. Clear policies ultimately build trust, accountability, and a stable workplace culture. In this session, the presenter will provide insight into recommended employment policies and provide suggested policy language to help you create a set of policies or tweak current policies to ensure your organization is protected and compliant with federal and state laws.

5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Banquet/Certification Awards Ceremony/Entertainment
Entertainment by ComedySportz.

7:45 a.m. – Noon – Registration Desk Open

8:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Iowa League of Cities Update
What should Iowa cities be watching as they look toward 2027? Join the Iowa League of Cities for a timely update on the legislative landscape, including implementation of recent legislation, emerging policy issues, the post-election outlook, and priorities taking shape for the upcoming legislative session. Discussion topics will reflect the latest developments at the time of the conference, giving attendees the most current information available.

10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. – “Hard Knocks” of Public Service
Paul Ten Haken will share critical insights and lessons learned from his eight-year tenure leading one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. He intends to provide a transparent examination of modern leadership and public service by reflecting on personal stories of perseverance, systemic challenges, and meaningful community impact. Throughout the address, he will explore actionable strategies for building organizational trust, navigating political division, and maintaining focus on core institutional priorities. Ultimately, attendees will depart equipped with a renewed perspective on leading with humility, developing professional resilience, and establishing a lasting, legacy-minded impact. 

11:45 a.m. – Noon – Door Prizes