Location: Veramendi Ballroom Foyer
Location: San Marcos River Room
Location: San Marcos River Room
Location: San Marcos River Room
Location: San Marcos River Room
Explore the ever-changing landscape of workers' compensation and its significant impact on Texas Counties. Our expert presenters will highlight key trends and updates, with a special focus on essential human resources topics such as unemployment processes, payroll management, and critical HR issues. Join us for this insightful session and engage in an interactive Q&A tailored to address your county's specific HR concerns.
Helana Barmore, Workers Compensation Claims Program Supervisor, Texas Association of Counties (TAC)
Lorie Floyd, M.Jur., PHR, CCEP, Human Resources Consultant Supervisor, TAC
Cheraun Blankenship, PHR, Human Resources Consultant, TAC
*Preregistration is required for the mini-conference, plus an additional fee.
Location: Veramendi G&H
Location: Veramendi Ballroom Foyer
Location: Veramendi A&B
Location: Veramendi E&F
The 21st century manager must be skilled in achieving objectives by maximizing the potential of the organization’s most valuable assets—its human resources. In the past, managers directed and controlled employees. Today, managers empower employees to direct themselves. The most successful companies will be learning organizations—encouraging, supporting, and teaching employees—while also holding them accountable for results.
Nancy H. Baird, M.Ed., President, Training Strategies, Inc.
Location: Veramendi E&F
Location: Veramendi A&B
Hear about timely issues on the upcoming 89th session of the Legislature and how possible outcomes could affect your office.
Jason McElvaney, McElvaney Public Affairs
Elizabeth Choate, Legislative Consultant to CTAT, TAC
Location: Veramendi E&F
An overview of the Texas Economy. The presentation will explore population trends and influence on the revenue projection and overall state of the economy.
Tetyana Melnyk, Director, Revenue Estimating Division, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Location: Veramendi E&F
Servant leadership is a commonly used but less commonly understood concept. What does it mean? Can it be learned? We will discuss what makes a servant leader special and how being a servant leader differs from the traditional leadership mindset.
Susan M. Redford, Executive Director, TAC
Location: Veramendi E&F
Location: Veramendi A&B
Government agencies frequently face the challenge of responding to Public Information Act (PIA) requests while simultaneously defending themselves against potential lawsuits. This session delves into the complex dynamics between transparency and legal defense, exploring how responding to PIA requests can impair an entity's ability to mount an effective legal defense.
Andrea Beard, Legal Liability Claims Program Supervisor, TAC
Location: Veramendi E&F
Are you tired of switching from one restrictive diet to another? Are you sick of feeling guilty for honoring your cravings? Do you want to learn how to establish balanced eating patterns? Welcome to Intuitive Eating 101, where you will learn how to enjoy your cravings and nourish your body with nutrient-dense foods. This session teaches you the 10 principles of intuitive eating, to help you on your journey to food freedom.
Biral Patel, Wellness Consultant, TAC
Location: Veramendi E&F
Here’s a great opportunity to relax and network with fellow attendees over beverages and hors d’oeuvres.
Drop off silent auction items after 4:35 p.m. Last bidding at 7 p.m.
Location: Spring Lake Ballroom
Location: Veramendi Ballroom Foyer
Location: Veramendi A&B
During this session, attendees will learn about the purpose of open enrollment for benefits, different ways to host open enrollment, best practices, and hear from colleagues around the state who have hosted successful open enrollment events.
Orlando Espinoza, Employee Benefits Consultant, TAC
Ashley Cureton-Whitfield, M.Ed., CHES, HSMI, Senior Wellness Consultant, TAC
Location: Veramendi E&F
This session will give you the superpower to understand your financial statements by uncovering the story they’re trying to tell.
Julie Rogers, CFO, TAC
Location: Veramendi E&F
Location: Veramendi A&B
This presentation will include information on what to do with physical unclaimed property. We will also discuss any questions on reporting unclaimed property to the Texas Comptroller and the requirements for maintaining a county unclaimed property list.
Hon. Dianna Spieker, Tom Green County Treasurer
Location: Veramendi E&F
Gain invaluable insights into the dos and don'ts of legislative discourse, ensuring effective communication and advocacy for your county's interests with impact and professionalism.
Jason McElvaney, McElvaney Public Affairs
Elizabeth Choate, Legislative Consultant to CTAT, TAC
Location: Veramendi G&H
In this session we will get back to basics covering the Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA) and the importance of effective cash management and laddered investments to help prepare you for the next economic cycle.
Emily Upshaw, CPA, Associate, Valley View Consulting, L.L.C
Location: Veramendi I&J
This presentation will include information on what to do with physical unclaimed property. We will also discuss any questions on reporting unclaimed property to the Texas Comptroller and the requirements for maintaining a county unclaimed property list.
Hon. Dianna Spieker, Tom Green County Treasurer
Location: Veramendi E&F
Gain invaluable insights into the dos and don'ts of legislative discourse, ensuring effective communication and advocacy for your county's interests with impact and professionalism.
Jason McElvaney, McElvaney Public Affairs
Elizabeth Choate, Legislative Consultant to CTAT, Texas Association of Counties
Location: Veramendi G&H
In this session we will get back to basics covering the Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA) and the importance of effective cash management and laddered investments to help prepare you for the next economic cycle.
Emily Upshaw, CPA, Associate, Valley View Consulting, L.L.C
Location: Veramendi I&J
Texas’ Outstanding County Treasurer Award Committee Chair: Hon. Dianna Spieker, Tom Green County Treasurer
CTAT Scholarship Chair: Hon. Gayla Hawkins, Grayson County
Treasurer
Location: Spring Lake Ballroom
Considering TCDRS benefits loom so large in most employees’ retirement planning, it’s crucial to understand how other modes of saving complement and enhance those benefits. In this session, we’ll discuss several savings strategies available to your employees and how each can be combined with their potential pension benefits and utilized to support their overall financial wellness. We will also discuss your most difficult tasks: educating your employees on the benefits available to them and encouraging them to engage in their own financial well-being.
Samuel Vaughan, Associate Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Location: Veramendi E&F
Change, whether personal or organizational, is not easy. In this unique session, we share interesting science and personal insight about the stages of change theory, and how it can be applied to both individual and organizational goals. We finish the session by helping you identify your own goals for change and creating the next steps to achieve those goals.
Mark Zollitsch, M. ED., CWP, Senior Wellness Consultant, TAC
Tasha Brent, Wellness Consultant, TAC
Location: Veramendi G&H
To maximize Return on Assets, many banks are seriously considering selling off low-rate securities. However, if those Bank assets are pledged as collateral to a Public Entity, the Bank must come up with alternatives to collateralize and keep deposits. In this session we will discuss ‘are the alternatives better than the pledged assets?’ By examining alternatives, Federal Home Loan Bank Letters of Credit and FDIC insured Network Deposits, we will lay out why they may be better than pledged securities subject to market fluctuations.
Andrea Smiddy-Schlagel, CTP, AAP, E.V.P. Treasury Management - Line of Business Manager, First Financial Bank
Location: Veramendi I&J
Considering TCDRS benefits loom so large in most employees’ retirement planning, it’s crucial to understand how other modes of saving complement and enhance those benefits. In this session, we’ll discuss several savings strategies available to your employees and how each can be combined with their potential pension benefits and utilized to support their overall financial wellness. We will also discuss your most difficult tasks: educating your employees on the benefits available to them and encouraging them to engage in their own financial well-being.
Samuel Vaughan, Associate Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Location: Veramendi E&F
Change, whether personal or organizational, is not easy. In this unique session, we share interesting science and personal insight about the stages of change theory, and how it can be applied to both individual and organizational goals. We finish the session by helping you identify your own goals for change and creating the next steps to achieve those goals.
Mark Zollitsch, M. ED., CWP, Senior Wellness Consultant, TAC
Tasha Brent, Wellness Consultant, TAC
Location: Veramendi G&H
To maximize Return on Assets, many banks are seriously considering selling off low-rate securities. However, if those Bank assets are pledged as collateral to a Public Entity, the Bank must come up with alternatives to collateralize and keep deposits. In this session we will discuss ‘are the alternatives better than the pledged assets?’ By examining alternatives, Federal Home Loan Bank Letters of Credit and FDIC insured Network Deposits, we will lay out why they may be better than pledged securities subject to market fluctuations.
Andrea Smiddy-Schlagel, CTP, AAP, E.V.P. Treasury Management - Line of Business Manager, First Financial Bank
Location: Veramendi I&J
Location: Veramendi A&B
Join us for an essential session focusing on payments to election workers and jurors in compliance with Texas state regulations, ensuring smooth operations and financial integrity for your county.
Hon. Cindy Yeatts Brown, Denton County Treasurer
Location: Veramendi E&F
Learn essential strategies, content elements, and structural principles to enhance your grant writing skills and maximize the chances of securing funding.
Lorie Barzano, Grant Professional Association – Austin-Central Texas Chapter
Location: Veramendi G&H
Explore the intricate relationship between GASB 31 and GASB 71 within the context of Texas' Public Funds Investment Act, gaining insights into crucial reporting standards and compliance requirements for intermediate-level attendees seeking to navigate the complexities of managing public funds effectively.
Lupe Garcia, Public Sector Audit Partner, Whitley Penn
Location: Veramendi I&J
Join us for an essential session focusing on payments to election workers and jurors in compliance with Texas state regulations, ensuring smooth operations and financial integrity for your county.
Hon. Cindy Yeatts Brown, Denton County Treasurer
Location: Veramendi E&F
Learn essential strategies, content elements, and structural principles to enhance your grant writing skills and maximize the chances of securing funding.
Lorie Barzano, Grant Professional Association – Austin-Central Texas Chapter
Location: Veramendi G&H
Explore the intricate relationship between GASB 31 and GASB 71 within the context of Texas' Public Funds Investment Act, gaining insights into crucial reporting standards and compliance requirements for intermediate-level attendees seeking to navigate the complexities of managing public funds effectively.
Lupe Garcia, Public Sector Audit Partner, Whitley Penn
Location: Veramendi I&J
Location: Veramendi Ballroom Foyer
Location: Veramendi Ballroom Foyer
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it's quietly shaping the world around us, possibly even within your own county. While AI can evoke fear in some, together we explore common AI trends and applications, safeguarding your county, and unlocking the benefits of AI. Participants will leave equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate this powerful technology responsibly and harness its potential for good.
Robert Ruiz, AIC, CRM, CIC, Associate Director of Risk Management Services, TAC
Location: Veramendi E&F
You will learn how TCDRS does retirement right and the key features that make TCDRS financially strong and sound. In addition, Ms. Bishop will address our 2023 investment performance and will answer any questions about the retirement plan that you sponsor for your hard-working county and district employees.
Amy Bishop, Executive Director, Texas County & District Retirement System
Location: Veramendi E&F
Location: Veramendi Ballroom Foyer
Explore the essential connection between ethical leadership, financial stewardship, and the responsible management of county funds in this session. As stewards of public resources, treasurers play a pivotal role in upholding integrity and transparency. We'll navigate the complexities of balancing county operational demands, taxpayer interests, and compliance with the Texas Local Government Code, including considerations from the Texas Public Funds Investment Act. Gain valuable strategies for maintaining ethical standards and effectiveness in your role.
Paul Miles, Associate General Counsel, TAC
Location: Veramendi E&F
An overview of SB22 grant program that will provide financial assistance to sheriff’s departments, constable’s offices and district and county attorney’s offices in eligible counties to ensure professional law enforcement and legal representation of the people’s interests throughout the state.
Russell Gallahan, M.P.A., Manager, Local Government & Transparency
Data Analysis & Transparency Division, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Location: Veramendi E&F
Location: Veramendi E&F