Stephen Timberlake
Special Projects Manager
City of Boca Raton

Stephen Timberlake serves as the Special Projects Manager for the City of Boca Raton’s Financial Services Department, where he leads financial planning and strategic initiatives focused on operational improvements, redevelopment, and long-term fiscal strategy. With more than 25 years of experience across the public and private sectors, Stephen holds an MBA from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.

FGFOA has played a key role throughout Stephen’s career, from an early introduction to the organization to a pivotal connection made at the 2012 Annual Conference that led him into public service. An active FGFOA leader, he currently serves as Board liaison to the Education/Webinar Committee and has previously chaired the Legislative and Webinar Committees. Stephen values FGFOA’s strong sense of community and encourages members to get involved, noting that engagement enhances both professional growth and connection.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Stephen

Ken Burke, CPA
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

We are proud to congratulate FGFOA Past President Ken Burke on being named a Government Champions 250 Honoree, a prestigious national recognition celebrating outstanding public servants from across the country.

Selected from hundreds of nominations nationwide, the Government Champions 250 recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in service, leadership, and strengthening their communities. These honorees represent the very best of government at work and exemplify “democracy at the doorstep” through dedication, innovation, and integrity.

This recognition is part of the America 250 celebration and is presented by Local Gov 250 in partnership with the National Academy of Public Administration, honoring exceptional professionals from all levels of government including cities, counties, regional councils, states, and the federal government.

Please join us in celebrating Ken Burke for this well-deserved honor and for his continued commitment to public service, leadership, and excellence.

The Government Champions 250 honorees will be recognized at a national celebration on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Do you know someone who goes above and beyond? A mentor, colleague, or chapter leader who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them for the FGFOA Member Spotlight! It only takes a few minutes, and your nomination could help highlight the inspiring work of a fellow member. 

CLICK HERE to Submit a Nomination

FGFOA 2026 Legislative Summary

The FGFOA 2026 Legislative Summary – Local Government Finance has highlights from the Passed and Failed Bills from the first Legislative Session. Here are some examples.

HB 1329, effective 1-1-2027, requires the posting of the compensation of all employees on a website and has various requirements on budgets and impact fees.

HB 967, effective 1-1-27 requires local governments to take electronic payments.

HB 145, effective 10-1-26, raises the sovereign immunity threshold to $350,000 for a claim or judgment by any one person and $500,000 when totaled with all other claims or judgments arising out of the same incident or occurrence. It is currently $200,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence.

Collectively, HB 399 (effective upon becoming law), HB 803 (effective 7-1-26) and HB 927 (effective 7-1-26 except as otherwise specified) preempt many aspects of local development planning.

See the FGFOA 2026 Legislative Summary for more information.

DEADLINES EXTENDED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH ADA WEB CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued an Interim Final Rule revising the regulations implementing title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act to extend the compliance dates for the requirements for web content and mobile app accessibility that were adopted on April 24, 2024.

The compliance date for state and local government entities with a total population of 50,000 or more is extended from April 24, 2026, to April 26, 2027. The compliance date for public entities. with a total population of less than 50,000, or any special district government, is extended from April 26, 2027, to April 26, 2028.

The extension was driven by new information indicating that many public entities are not prepared to comply within the original deadlines. Challenges include limited staffing, insufficient technical expertise, budget constraints, and the current limitations of technology. Delaying the deadlines aims to give governments more time to implement sustainable accessibility improvements rather than rushed or incomplete fixes.

Get Involved: Join an FGFOA Committee and Make a Difference!!

Looking for a meaningful way to get more involved with FGFOA while growing professionally? Serving on an FGFOA committee is one of the best ways to do both.

• CGFO Certification – this committee administers the Certified Government Finance Officers Program (Must be a CGFO to participate)
• Annual Conference Program – this committee creates the educational program for the Annual Conference.
• Educational Programs – this committee creates the educational program for the webinars.
• Event Host – this committee plans and organizes various events at the Annual Conference and School of Governmental Finance.
• Local Chapter – this committee supports and assists the local chapters across the state.
• Professional Development – this committee helps shape our current and future leaders through the Mentor/Mentee Program, Leadership Program and much more.
• School of Governmental Finance (SOGF) – this committee creates the educational program for SOGF conference.
• Technical & Legislative Resources – this committee reviews and responds to proposed legislation on behalf of the membership and delivers timely information on these changes to keep you informed.

CLICK HERE for More Information

CLICK HERE to fill out a Committee Application

The FGFOA Leadership Class recently concluded another successful program, bringing together a talented group of government finance professionals committed to growth, collaboration, and service. The class provided participants with a valuable opportunity to step away from their day‑to‑day responsibilities and focus on strengthening their leadership skills while building lasting professional connections.

Throughout the program, participants engaged with peers and experienced leaders from across the state, fostering meaningful dialogue around leadership, teamwork, and the evolving challenges facing public finance organizations. The shared experiences and relationships developed during the class will continue to support participants as they advance in their careers and take on new leadership roles.

The program concluded with a Graduation luncheon, celebrating the accomplishments of the class and recognizing their commitment to professional development. Congratulations to all members of the Leadership Class for completing this intensive and rewarding experience. FGFOA is proud to support the development of future leaders who will help shape the profession for years to come.

Registration is open for the FGFOA Annual Conference, and this is an event you won’t want to miss. From high‑quality educational sessions to valuable networking opportunities, the Annual Conference offers something for every government finance professional.

This year’s conference will take place June 13–17, 2026, at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando, providing the perfect setting for learning, collaboration, and connection with peers from across the state.

We are also excited to welcome two outstanding keynote speakers:

• Hoan Do, award‑winning international keynote speaker, author, and finalist on American Ninja Warrior
• Nicole Gasparri, FGFOA President, speaker, author, and respected leader within our organization

CLICK HERE to register

We look forward to seeing you there!

Have you or your organization earned the GFOA Triple Crown Award? We want to celebrate your achievement!

The June Newsletter will spotlight recent Triple Crown Award winners, recognizing the outstanding commitment to excellence in financial reporting, budgeting, and transparency demonstrated by these organizations.

If your organization has been honored with the Triple Crown Award, please use the link below to submit your information.

Submissions will be accepted through the end of May for inclusion in the June newsletter.

Let’s recognize and celebrate excellence across our profession – submit your Triple Crown Award spotlight and share your success with your peers!!

CLICK HERE to Submit Triple Crown Information

Upcoming FGFOA Webinars – Mark Your Calendar!

Stay current and connected with FGFOA’s lineup of professional development webinars! Each session is designed to provide practical insights, timely updates, and tools you can apply directly in your daily work. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your technical knowledge or expand your leadership skills, there’s a webinar for you.

• May 21, 2026 – Privacy Protection Online
• June 25, 2026 – Modernizing Municipal Finance
• July 2, 2026 – Privacy Protection Online
• July 23, 2026 – Common Reporting Deficiencies/Findings on IT Controls and Review of SAS 145

Visit the FGFOA WEBINAR PAGE and click “Register Now” or log in to your member portal and go to the “Events” tab.

Don’t miss these valuable learning opportunities!

Looking for additional ethics CPE opportunities?

The Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) is offering “FICPA Ethics: Protecting the Integrity of the Florida CPAs,” created with the DBPR and approved by the Florida Board of Accountancy. Sessions are available online, in-person, and on-site (live or virtually).

Learn more and register

Educate Your Elected Officials!!

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board has created a New Video Series to help elected officials and other stakeholders understand the information included in government financial reports and how they can use it.

The collection includes 16 Videos, each ranging from 5 to 10 minutes in length. It includes a 3-part introduction to financial reporting, followed by 13 videos that each address key areas of the annual comprehensive financial report.

Florida First Coast Chapter Quarterly Lunch & Learn

Join the Florida First Coast Chapter for its upcoming Quarterly Lunch & Learn, hosted by the City of Fernandina Beach, on May 29, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This event will feature two engaging learning sessions, offering a total of 2 CPE credits in Technical Business, and provides an excellent opportunity for professional development, networking, and knowledge sharing among government finance professionals.

Session topics include:

• The Future of Payments – Paper Check Reduction
• Risk Management and Insurance

Whether you are looking to stay current on evolving payment practices or strengthen your understanding of risk management strategies, this Lunch & Learn offers valuable insights you can apply in your organization.

We look forward to seeing you there!

2026 Fiscal Forum Newsletters

2025 Fiscal Forum Newsletters