OSA Weekly Update - 7/18/2025
1. Message from Auditor Blaha
2. Meeting: Fire Relief Association Working Group
3. TIF: Annual Reporting Forms Due August 1
4. Avoiding Pitfall: Indirect Cost of Fraud
1. Message from Auditor Blaha
The weekly Avoiding Pitfalls is the most popular section in our newsletter. Avoiding Pitfalls are short, educational pieces to address questions asked of the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) on topics affecting local governments and others subject to the OSA's oversight. As I travel, I hear how helpful people find these quick bites of good financial practice. If you haven’t checked out this section, or want to look back on previous entries, click here.
2. Meeting: Fire Relief Association Working Group
The first meeting of this year’s Fire Relief Association Working Group is scheduled for Monday, July 21, from 2 - 3:30 p.m., with options to attend in-person at our office in Saint Paul or remotely via Teams. Meetings also will be livestreamed with recordings and meeting materials available on the OSA website.
3. TIF: Annual Reporting Forms Due August 1
Authorities must submit 2024 TIF Annual Reporting Forms to the OSA using the State Auditor Form Entry System (SAFES) or before August 1, 2025. Instructions, sample forms, and videos on how to fill out and submit TIF reporting forms are available under the heading “Resources for Completing Forms” on the TIF Forms page.
4. Avoiding Pitfall: Indirect Cost of Fraud
Weak internal controls increase the risk of fraud. In addition to the loss of funds, fraud carries indirect costs such as damage to an entity’s reputation and to employee morale.
For more information on internal controls, see our Statement of Position, The Importance of Internal Controls, click here.
The full Avoiding Pitfall is available on the OSA website.