Location: Registration Desk
Location: Belfort Meeting Room
Presenter: David Williams II, Regional Disaster
Finance Coordinator, TDEM
This session will provide a high-level exploration of disaster finance strategies tailored for Texas county auditors, focusing on optimizing reimbursement opportunities in federally declared disasters. Attendees will gain valuable insights into FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) process, best practices for maintaining financial compliance, and how to navigate procurement challenges. The presentation will also cover the proper documentation requirements, ensuring that auditors can effectively manage resources, mitigate risks, and maximize recovery funds for their jurisdictions. This session is essential for auditors who aim to strengthen their county’s disaster preparedness and financial resilience.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Presenter: Greg Warner, Managing Director, Co-Head of Municipal Cash Management, HilltopSecurities
Asset Management, LLC
This session focuses on how to use the power of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to keep track of your investments. Start with basic concepts such as how to design your spreadsheets so you can easily manipulate the data. Quickly advance to financial calculations, including yields and weighted averages. Examine Excel’s database functions and learn how to use array formulas and embedded if/then statements to easily summarize complex data and create management-quality reports.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Location: Foyer
Presenter: Dr. William Chittenden, President and CEO, SW Graduate School of Banking Foundation, SMU Cox
This session will review the current state of the Texas and U.S. economies. Issues discussed will be the GDP, employment, price levels, interest rates and consumer confidence. At the end of this session, attendees should have a better understanding of the relationship between GDP growth and unemployment, as well as between interest rates and recessions. Attendees will also be able to make an informed judgment about the future direction of the U.S. and Texas economies.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Presenter: David Gibson, Vice President, Client Services, Holmes Murphy
Texas, like many other states, has faced challenges in ensuring the long-term sustainability of retiree medical plans for its government employees. Join Holmes Murphy for an opportunity to gain insights into your role as a plan sponsor and what you can do to honor your future commitments without causing financial strain or creating unnecessary future liabilities. During this session, we will explore methods for reducing your organization’s future. Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) liabilities and expenses, strategies that will apply within and beyond the valuation process, and proactive strategies that you can do now to ensure that your retirees will continue to have access to affordable plans in the
years to come.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Sponsored by Patillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P.
Bring your A-game to compete in the TACA cornhole tourney. Sign up on-site with your partner. We will have prizes for the top two teams.
Location: Pool at host hotel
Location: Registration Desk
Hon. Bill Gravell, Williamson County Judge
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Chet Garner, Creator, Host and Executive Producer of “The Daytripper”
Texas is BIG! Exploring it is no small vacation — it’s a lifetime endeavor. And that’s exactly what local Georgetown celebrity Chet Garner has set out to do. From the well-known landmarks to the completely obscure dives and hideaways, Garner remains true to his mission of exploring every corner of the Lone Star State. As he carries out his passion, he has unique stories to share. His stories will inspire you to head out on your own Texas-size adventures.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Location: Foyer
Presenter: Cassie Davis, Director of Compliance Audit, Harris County
This session will provide attendees an overview of the Harris County Auditor’s approach to statutory audits of property taxes in compliance with Texas LGC §115.002. Attendees will receive insight on audit planning, testing and evaluating potential fraud risks. In addition, common audit findings will be discussed.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Location: Foyer
Presenters: Crystal Leff-Pinon, Director of Family Protection Representation, Texas Indigent Defense Commission
Debra Stewart, Fiscal Analyst, Texas Indigent Defense Commission
The Texas Indigent Defense Commission is launching a new data website for FY 2024 reporting. The new reporting platform includes three portals, which are Adult Criminal & Juvenile Delinquency Indigent Defense Expenditure Report (IDER), Family Protection Representation Indigent Defense Expenditure Report (IDER), and OCA Interpretation Services Report. This session will discuss the Adult Criminal & Juvenile Delinquency IDER and the Family Protection Representation IDER. Instructions for how to use the new data reporting website will be provided to session attendees.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Presenters: Lia Givens, Senior Lead Treasury Management Consultant, Government Banking, Wells Fargo
Brenda Pollard, Relationship Manager, Government Banking, Wells Fargo
Fraud is a constantly evolving landscape, with growing concern around cyber payments fraud. In this session, you will learn about different types of fraud, fraud prevention and best practices, and how best to prepare your counties in the event you experience fraud.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Presenters: Benedict Castro, Supervisory Special Agent, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department
of the Treasury
Sonia Hurtado, Supervisory Special Agent, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of the Treasury
The presentation will provide insights into the agency’s mission. Special agents will review fraud indicators and present on the type of fraud cases the agency investigates.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Location: Foyer
Presenter: Russell Gallahan, Manager, Texas Comptroller's Office
Senate Bill 22 established a 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. This session will cover questions about this grant program after the presentation.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Moderator: Carlos Pereda, County Auditor, Dimmit and Zavala Counties
Test your knowledge of the county auditor’s role in this interactive game show! Discover the complexities behind what may seem like a simple job. Compete against fellow attendees and see if you have what it takes to be a star auditor.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Sponsored by Indigent Healthcare Solutions
Transportation provided to and from Sheraton Austin Georgetown
Hotel & Conference Center. First bus departs at 5:45 p.m. to Barrels & Amps (209 W. Eighth St., Georgetown, TX 78626).
Last bus departs from Barrels & Amps at 10 p.m.
Entertainment: Dueling Pianos
Williamson County is proud to showcase the courthouse on the square. Did we mention it is the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas? Attendees will also enjoy dinner, drinks and a dueling piano show at Barrels & Amps.
Location: Registration Desk
Hon. Betsy Lambeth, District Judge, 425th District Court
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Presenters: Rebecca Darling, CPA, Public Sector Audit Partner, Weaver
Brandon Tran, CPA, Audit Senior Manager, Weaver
Join us for a timely session that will provide a detailed summary of the latest GASB standards and their upcoming effective dates. This informative session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to stay current with the evolving landscape of government accounting.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Presenter: Samuel Vaughan, Associate Fianancial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
While the Public Funds Investment Act mandates that we adopt a separate written investment strategy for each group of funds under our control, it is silent when it comes to:
1. Helping us determine what strategies are available to us.
2. Showing us how those strategies might be applied.
3. Highlighting the specific investments that are best suited to each strategy.
4. Explaining how best to identify investment opportunities in an ever-changing
interest rate environment.
This session is intended to fill in those gaps.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Presenters: Clayton Rogers, Audit Manager, Pattillo, Brown and Hill, L.L.P.
Mishal Majewski, Audit Supervisor, Pattillo, Brown and Hill, L.L.P.
Internal control is never easy, but the annual audit brings it especially into focus. This session will provide insights about auditors’ goals and methodology when reviewing internal control, with practical steps to improve controls and streamline the audit. Common audit problems will be discussed, with an emphasis on steps actionable by the county auditor’s office.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Panelists: Chuck Rice, Legislative Consultant, The Chuck Rice Group
Tragina Tallant, County Auditor, Lampasas County
Pete Winckler, Legislative Consultant, Texas Association of Counties
Join us for a discussion about current legislation and our strategies for the upcoming 89th legislative session. Stay informed and prepared for the political landscape ahead.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Entertainment: Who Stole the Diamond? Mystery Dinner
Attire: Formal
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Location: Registration Desk
Moderator: Carlos Pereda, County Auditor, Dimmit and Zavala Counties
Panelists: Kristen L. Klein, County Auditor, Guadalupe County
Melissa Jeter, County Auditor, Houston County
David Wendel, County Auditor, San Patricio County
Join us for a unique and valuable session where experienced county auditors share their invaluable wisdom and lessons learned throughout their careers. This candid discussion will provide you with a deeper understanding of the challenges, triumphs, and best practices associated with the role of a county auditor.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Presenter: Ashley Cureton-Whitfield, M.Ed., CHES, Senior Wellness Consultant Health & Benefits Services, Texas Association of Counties
During this session, attendees will learn about the importance of mental health, including various conditions for educational purposes, tools and skills to manage mental health conditions, and national and TAC Health and Employee Benefits Pool resources available.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Location: Foyer
Location: Ames Meeting Room
Presenter: Richard Semple, Chief Information Officer, Williamson County
Technology holds much promise for government operations. However, it also comes with many dangers that we need to be aware of and watch for. During this session, we will cover several existing and emerging technologies that will change the way we do business, make us more efficient, and shape how we interact with customers. We need to lean into these changes, but we need to do so with caution.
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF
Moderators: Carlos Pereda, County Auditor, Dimmit and Zavala Counties
Jeff May, County Auditor, Denton County
Wrap up our learning adventure with a fun and competitive Kahoot quiz! Download the app and compete for a chance to win a prize. Let’s see who’s the ultimate knowledge champion!
Location: San Gabriel Ballroom EF