Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Annual Conference

September 11 - 13, 2019

Far Flung Outdoor Center
23310 FM 170
Terlingua, TX 79852

For more information, contact Michele Ewerz or Rachel Kucera at (800) 456-5974.

Overview
Hotel
Scheduled Activities
Agenda
Continuing Education
Cancellation

The Annual Conference of the Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association brings together county judges and commissioners from the region to review and discuss critical issues facing their counties. This year's conference will present the latest updates on legislative actions, safety, human resource topics and more.

Educational Co-Sponsor

Special thanks to the V.G. Young Institute of County Government, a part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, for serving as the education program co-sponsor for this conference.

Association Officer

If you are interested in becoming an executive officer of the Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association, please contact President Ruben Ortega, Brewster County Commissioner, at (432) 837-2412.

Door Prizes

Each county is asked to bring at least one door prize, which will be collected at the registration desk.

Registration Fees (Included are tickets to all events)

Not sure if you are a member county of the Far West Texas Region? Click here to find out.

County officials and staff for Member counties	$100
County officials and staff for Non-Member counties	$125

The registration fee includes spouse attendance for all events. Registration forms must be received by September 4. After September 4, please register onsite at the conference registration desk.

Please contact Rachel Kucera for more information or conference registration information.

The host hotels are the Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa and the Big Bend Resort & Adventures. Request the "Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners" room block when reserving your sleeping room. The deadline to reserve rooms at the special rate is August 10, so make your reservations early. All reservations received after this date will be accepted on a space-available basis only and at the prevailing hotel rates.

Reservations must be guaranteed by a major credit card and the first night’s full deposit. Reservations not cancelled prior to the expected arrival date will be assessed the room rate and tax for one night.

Host Hotels

Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa (HOTEL FULL)
100 Main St.
Lajitas, TX 79852
(432) 424-5000 / (877) 525-4827
Room rate: $135 a day

Big Bend Resort & Adventures
1 Main St.
Terlingua, TX 79852
(432) 371-2218
Room rate: $89.95 a day

If special accommodations are needed, please contact Michele Ewerz at (800) 456-5974.

Tuesday, Sept. 10
6:30-9 p.m.	Pre-Conference Reception - Far Flung Outdoor Center Sponsored by: Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP
Wednesday, Sept. 11
Noon	Pre-Conference Lunch - Big Bend Resort & Adventures Sponsored by: Yellowhouse Machinery Co.
12:45 p.m.	Welcome and Introductions
6:30-10 p.m.	Attendees Appreciation Dinner Sponsored by: Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
Thursday, Sept. 12
7:30 a.m.	Burrito Breakfast - Far Flung Outdoor Center Sponsored by: Texas Association of Counties
11:35 p.m.	Grab-and-Go Lunch - Big Bend Resort & Adventures Sponsored by: Warren CAT
1:15 p.m.	Golf Tournament - Black Jack's Crossing, Lajitas Tournament sponsored by: McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C. Beverage cart sponsored by: Yellowhouse Machinery Co
1:30 p.m.	Horseshoe Tournament - Big Bend Resort & Adventures Sponsored by: Security Benefit
7 p.m.	Dinner and Dance - The Barn at Big Bend Resort & Adventures Sponsored by: Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association

*Agenda is subject to change

Tuesday, Sept. 10
6:30-9 p.m.	Pre-Conference Reception - Far Flung Outdoor Center Sponsored by: Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP
Wednesday, Sept. 11
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.	Registration
Noon	Pre-Conference Lunch - Big Bend Resort & Adventures Sponsored by: Yellowhouse Machinery Co.
12:45 p.m.	Welcome and Introductions
Commissioners Education Sessions
1-1:50 p.m.	Rights of Way Speaker: Mr. Bob Bass, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP
1:50-2:20 p.m.	Break Sponsored by: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Professional Associations
2:20-3:10 p.m.	The Effects of Stress on Your Physical Health Speaker: Mr. Mark Zollitsch, Wellness Consultant, Texas Association of Counties
3:10-3:40 p.m.	Break
3:40-4:30 p.m.	Role of Emergency Service Districts in Rural Counties Speaker: Mr. Cliff Avery, Executive Director, SAFE-D
4:30 p.m.	Adjourn
Judicial Training For County Judges
1-2 p.m.	Legislative Update Speaker: Hon. Mary Cunningham, Judicial Program Manager, Texas Association of Counties Mr. Rick Thompson, Senior Legislative Liaison, Texas Association of Counties
2-3 p.m.	Alternatives to Probate Speaker: Hon. Justin Lewis, Hill County Judge
3-3:15 p.m.	Break Sponsored by: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Professional Associations
3:15-4:15 p.m.	Criminal Pre-Trial: Motions to Suppress Speaker: Hon. Greg Holly, Ward County Judge
4:15-5:15 p.m.	Moderated Discussion Moderator: Hon. Mary Cunningham, Judicial Program Manager, Texas Association of Counties Speakers: Hon. Jerry Bearden, Mason County Judge Hon. Charlie Bradley, Schleicher County Judge
5:15 p.m.	Adjourn
6:30-10 p.m.	Attendee Appreciation Dinner Sponsored by: Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
Thursday, Sept. 12
7:30 a.m.	Burrito Breakfast - Far Flung Outdoor Center Sponsored by: Texas Association of Counties
General Session
8-8:50 a.m.	Local Response to Disasters Speaker: Dr. Monty Dozier, Special Assistant to the Director for Emergency Management, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
8:50-9:40 a.m.	Mental Health in First Aid Speaker: Dr. Rick L. Peterson, Professor and Extension Family Life Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
9:40-9:55 a.m.	Break Sponsored by: Bickerstaff Health Delgado Acosta LLP
9:55-10:45 a.m.	Overview of Solar Farms Speaker: Mr. Bob Bass, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP
10:45-11:35 a.m.	The Essence of Public Speaking Speaker: Mr. Mark Warren, Education Training Consultant, Texas Association of Counties
11:35 a.m.	Grab-and-Go Lunch - Big Bend Resort & Adventures Sponsored by: Warren CAT
Leisure Activities
1:15 p.m.	Golf Tournament - Black Jack's Crossing, Lajitas Tournament sponsored by: McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C. Beverage cart sponsored by: Yellowhouse Machinery Co
1:30 p.m.	Horseshoe Tournament - Big Bend Resort & Adventures Sponsored by: Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association
7 p.m.	Dinner and Dance - The Barn at Big Bend Resort & Adventures Sponsored by: Far West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association
Friday, Sept. 13
8 a.m.	Association Business Meeting
Closing General Session
8:30-9:20 a.m.	Border Issues Speaker: Chief Matthew Hudak, Chief Patrol Agent, US Border Patrol, Big Bend Sector
9:20-9:50 a.m.	Break Sponsored by: Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP
9:50-10:40 a.m.	Area Legislators: Moderated Discussion Speaker: Rep. Brooks Landgraf, District 81, Texas House of Representatives
10:40-11:30 a.m.	Legislative Update Speaker: Mr. Jim Allison, General Counsel, County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas
11:30 a.m.	Adjourn

*Agenda is subject to change

Ten hours of continuing education has been approved for county commissioners. The judicial education session on Wednesday afternoon is approved for four hours of continuing education for county judges.

Conference cancellations and all refund requests must be received in writing (fax or email acceptable) by August 28. No refunds will be given after August 28.

Please email cancellations to Rachel Kucera or fax to (512) 477-1324.