18990_Authority_Feb_2026

municipalauthorities.org │ 35 8:00 - 8:30 am – Registration 8:30 – 9:20 am Financial Responsibilities David Busch, Keystone Alliance Consulting In this opening session, David will address the board’s responsibility for financial reporting, including external reports, internal reports, ways to budget, annual operating budget, revenue generation, and much more. 9:20 – 9:40 am Technology Awareness for Today’s Authority Board Member Craig Fahnestock, PMAA This session will help you understand why technology is everyone’s responsibility, not just the IT department’s. Through real-world examples and leading questions to bring back to your own organization, you’ll see how embracing key areas such as AI, cybersecurity awareness, online communication, and digital services can strengthen efficiency, transparency, and public trust, while ignoring them can leave your authority vulnerable. 9:40 – 10:10 am Board and Manager Responsibilities and Relationships with their Engineers and Solicitors April Winklmann, Hampton Shaler Water Authority Shannon Drosnock, Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority Patrick Caulfield, Schuylkill County Municipal Authority It is essential that authority board members and managers understand their different roles and responsibilities to ensure effective operations. It is also important that Board members understand the critical relationships their managers have with both engineers and solicitors. This part of the training will help you understand the different styles board members bring to the table and share tips for building strong, positive working relationships that lead to successful outcomes. 10:10 – 10:25 am - Break 10:25 – 11:30 am Ethics PA State Ethics Commission The Ethics Act (Act) states that public office is a public trust. Efforts to realize financial gain through public office or employment other than compensation provided by law is a violation of that trust. In this presentation, learn what the Act is, how the State Ethics Commission enforces it, review some of the most frequently violated provisions, and discover how to spot a potential problem so you can stay on the right side of the Act and out of the newspapers! 11:30 am – 12:15 pm The Municipality Authorities Act Lee Stinnett, Esq., Salzmann Hughes Issac Wakefield, Esq., Salzmann Hughes The Municipality Authorities Act (MAA) is the enabling statute for municipal authorities in Pennsylvania and provides the road map for what authorities can and can’t do. The most important sections of the MAA for board members are generally Sections 5607, 5610, and 5612. These sections outline the powers, purposes, and limitations of municipal authorities. Section 5607 defines the scope of authority functions - such as financing, constructing, and operating public facilities - while ensuring accountability and transparency in their operations. Section 5610 details the governance structure, terms, and responsibilities of board members, emphasizing ethical conduct and effective management of public resources. Section 5612 includes important guardrails that municipal authorities must follow regarding the handling and use of ratepayer funds. 12:20 pm – Lunch & Networking Online registration is available on our website. Scan to register