POTSDAM -- Economist Steve Horwitz will offer the keynote address at the 22nd annual Managing Local Government Conference Oct. 15 at SUNY Potsdam.

The conference will kick off at 7:30 a.m. with registration and coffee, followed by the first two sessions, hosted in Flagg Hall. The lunch with keynote speaker will be from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Barrington Student Union Multi-Purpose Room, followed by the third session back in Flagg Hall. The conference will conclude at 3 p.m.

Horwitz, the Charles A. Dana Professor of Economics at St. Lawrence University, will speak on the topic of "The Five Economic Ideas Everyone in Local Government Should Know." He is the author of "Microfoundations and Macroeconomics" and "Monetary Evolution, Free Banking and Economic Order," and is a regular contributor for business networks CNBC, Fox Business and Bloomberg.

Local Government Conference Committee Chairwoman Ruth Garner said she believes attendees will get more than their money's worth at this year's event.

"Steve lives in, and is a student of, our local economies. He knows how difficult it is for local municipalities to fulfill their mandates in difficult financial times. What he has to say will both encourage and challenge our attendees," Garner said.

Nancy L. Hess, coordinator of conferences and special events at SUNY Potsdam, reported that early registration for the conference this year is strong.

"Our early bird registration has attracted a lot more interest than in previous years," Hess said. "Both elected and appointed government officials are looking at ways in which they can improve services to their constituents, while living within the state's tax cap guidelines. They know that they can get many of their questions answered at this conference."

Supervisors, mayors, clerks, board members, assessors, code officers and other officials from a five-county area meet each year to exchange ideas with their fellow local government officials and hear from representatives of the New York State Comptroller's Office, the leadership from the Association of Towns and the Mayor's Conference. Gerry Geist, who is the executive director of the NYS Association of Towns, will offer a presentation on the topic of creative ways for municipalities to share services.

Registration is $45 until Oct. 11, and is $60 on the day of the conference. Register for the conference by calling 267-2167 or 267-2538.

The schedule and registration form can be found at www.potsdam.edu/localgovernment.