4th Annual County and District Clerks' Association of Texas Fall Conference

September 8 - 10, 2021

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
3001 Kalahari Blvd.
Round Rock, TX 78665

County clerks, district clerks and combination clerks can earn continuing education credits to help fulfill their annual requirements.

An integral part of this in-person meeting is the opportunity to network with your fellow clerks and exchange ideas that are helpful to you and your county.  

Registration for the conference will open Tuesday, June 15, at 8 a.m.

You must register for the conference to obtain hotel reservation information.

Join the County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas at the Fourth Annual CDCAT Conference on Sept. 8-10 at the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.

This year’s conference theme is “CDCAT, a Community in Service.” Conference sessions and speakers will offer comprehensive information on popular topics, upcoming changes that affect you directly and areas of high interest in the clerk profession.

County clerks, district clerks and combination clerks can earn continuing education credits to help fulfill their annual requirements.

An integral part of this meeting is the opportunity to network with your fellow clerks and exchange ideas that are helpful to you and your county.  

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from great speakers and enjoy this new venue that has the largest indoor water park in the nation!

Registration Fees

Full conference registration includes all education sessions, meals and breaks.

Description Early Registration by Aug. 8
 
Registration after Aug. 8
 
Clerk/Deputy Registration $200 $225
Retired Clerk Package $100  
Corporate Attendee $500  
On-Site Registration $225  
One-Day Registration $90  

HOST HOTEL

The host hotel is the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. The room block at the host hotel is sold out. Room availability is based on regular hotel rates.

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (ROOM BLOCK FULL)
3001 Kalahari Blvd.
Round Rock, TX 78665
Room rate: $146 per night plus tax

Visit the hotel information tab for overflow hotel information.

Registration and all meetings will take place at this hotel. If you have a reservation at the host hotel and need to cancel it, please contact Sam Burke at (512) 478-8753 or (800) 456-5974.

Parking at Host Hotel
Self-parking is complimentary.

Continuing Education
Application will be made for continuing education credit for county, district and combination clerks. Please check back here for approval updates. 

Vendor Information
For information on vendor registration and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sarah Lazarowitz, Zachary Publications events director, at (325) 673-4822 ext.121.

Payment Information
Please make checks payable to the Texas Association of Counties.

Mail checks to:
CDCAT Annual Fall Conference
c/o Texas Association of Counties
P.O. Box 2711
San Antonio, TX 78299

The host hotel is the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. The room block at the host hotel is sold out. Room availability is based on regular hotel rates.

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (ROOM BLOCK FULL)
3001 Kalahari Blvd.
Round Rock, TX 78665
Room rate: $146 per night plus tax

Check-in time: 4 p.m.

You can check in at 10 a.m. and begin using the water park. Staff will text when your room is ready after 4 p.m.

Checkout time: 11 a.m.

Host Hotel Room Cancellations

If you need to cancel a room reservation, please do not cancel directly with the hotel. Contact Sam Burke at (800) 456-5974 to cancel your host hotel room reservation. This will help move fellow attendees off the waitlist. We kindly request that you not post your reservation on the CDCAT listserv because this hinders waitlist management.

Parking at Host Hotel
Complimentary self-parking.
Valet parking available.

Overflow Hotels

La Quinta Round Rock East (1.2 miles from host hotel; 3-minute drive)
3900 E. Palm Valley Blvd.
Round Rock, TX 78665
Reservations: (737) 300-6008
Complimentary self-parking at host hotel.

You can call the hotel directly at 737-346-6652 to secure a reservation or use the booking link below:
La Quinta booking link

Mention you are with the County and District Clerks’ Association.

If you need special accommodations, please contact Luz Hinojosa at (800) 456-5974.

Tuesday, September 7
5:30 p.m. Executive Board of Directors Meeting 
Kalahari Salon I
 
Wednesday, September 8
General Session - Kalahari Salon E
Moderator: Hon. Lisa Johnson, Hemphill County Combination Clerk ; President, County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas
9-11 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting
Kalahari Salon I
Noon-5 p.m. Registration and Information Desk open
Noon-5 p.m. Exhibit Hall Opens
Welcome General Session
12:30-12:45 p.m. Welcome and Announcements
Hon. Lisa Johnson, Hemphill County Combination Clerk, CDCAT President
12:45-1:15 p.m. Public Service
Ms. Rhita Koches, County Relations Officer, Texas Association of Counties

Do you KNOW who I am? Well, do they? Are you visible in your community? If you don’t support local organizations and projects, who will? How do you get involved? Do they want me? You will leave a legacy of your life of service in office. What do you want that legacy to say?
1:15-2 p.m. Kahoot Game
Education Committee

Don’t miss out on this fun trivia session! Do you Kahoot!? Kahoot! is an interactive quiz game, so bring your A-game and compete against your fellow clerks from across the state. In addition to bragging rights, the top five winners will receive cool prizes. Make sure you download the free application to your phone, computer or other device and help us make learning fun. Visit kahoot.com for more information.
2-3 p.m. Keynote: Laugh More, Stress Less
Mr. Lyndy Phillips, Speaker. Humorist. Magician.

Attendees will learn how stress affects the body and mind, the dangers of chronic stress, the importance of reducing stress, and ways to reduce stress with an emphasis on laughter
3-3:30 p.m. Break with Vendors
Sponsored by Fidlar Technologies
3:30-4:30 p.m. Legislative Updates
Panel

What a year! Join CDCAT legislative chairs and their team to discuss the success and results achieved at the Capitol this year. This session will provide an overview of the 87th legislative session as outlined in the legislative workbook distributed to each clerk.
4:30-5 p.m. Transfer Bill Review
Hon. Patti L. Henry, Chambers County District Clerk
Hon. Sharena Gilliland, Parker County District Clerk


This session will provide detailed instructions concerning the clerks transfer bill outlined in Article 7, Page 36 of House Bill 3774 (omnibus bill).
5 p.m. Adjourn for day
5-6 p.m. Grab N’ Go-McAllen Border Butter Milk in Hospitality Suite
Hosted by McAllen CVB and Hidalgo County Host Committee

Come get a “taste” of what McAllen has to offer! CDCAT will have the 2023 Annual Conference in McAllen and the host committee in Hidalgo County has partnered with the Visit McAllen team to treat you!
 
Thursday, September 9
Breakout Sessions
8 a.m. Breakfast With Vendors
Sponsored by Permitium
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration and Information Desk open
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open
9 a.m.-noon Education Session Breakouts
 
  District Clerk Breakout Sessions County Clerk Breakout Sessions
9-10 a.m. Non-disclosure/Expunctions
Ms. Annissa Obasi, Assistant District Attorney, Dallas County
Hon. Felicia Pitre, Dallas County District Clerk

Presenters will discuss the annual Dallas County Expunction Expo.  The expo helps identify people who may have Dallas County criminal offenses eligible to be legally cleared from their record and matches them with attorneys who volunteer to assist them with preparing and filing the legal documents required to seek an expunction, usually at no cost to the expo participant.
All Things Misdemeanor
Ms. Bianca Garcia, Assistant Director, Behavioral Health, Diversion, and Specialty Programs, Travis County Assistant Attorney’s Office

This presentation will cover misdemeanors and diversion programs from the state point of view and how it affects clerks specifically.
10-10:30 a.m. Break in Exhibit Hall
10:30-11:30 a.m. Navigating the Appellate Process: Procedure, Practice, and Problems
Mr. Jeffrey D. Kyle, Clerk, 3rd Court of Appeals

The goal of this presentation is to provide attendees with guidance and answers to the most common issues in navigating the appellate court system. This presentation will cover the district clerk's duties on appeal, a party’s inability to pay costs, preparation of the clerk's record and other common appellate issues. 
Nondisclosure of Criminal Records
Mr. Paul Quinzi, Attorney, Travis County

Texas law allows people who have completed deferred adjudication or have been convicted of a single nonviolent misdemeanor to have their record sealed from the public via a process called nondisclosure. This session will cover the importance of this relief, the requirements for a person to be eligible, and suggestions to make the process easier for pro se litigants.
11:30 a.m.-noon Probate: Appeal from County Clerk
Hon. Anthony Monico, Tom Green County District Clerk
Marriage License
Hon. Laura Hughes, Kaufman County Clerk

This session will cover how Kaufman County handled the video issuance of marriage licenses while the courthouse was closed to the public. In addition, we will discuss the new online marriage software options available to clerks.
Noon-1:30 p.m. Lunch (Election luncheon for clerks with election duties) Kalahari Salons ABCD

Hon. Heather H. Hawthorne, Chambers County Clerk
Mr. Chris Davis, Elections Administrator, Williamson County


Lunch (Mentor Program Lunch) - Kalahari Salon E
1:30-3 p.m. Attorney General Child Support Division Updates
Ms. Teresa Aguirre, Director, Office of the Attorney General
Mr. Ryan Morrow, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General

Come hear the latest news from the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division and how it affects court clerks. New legislation and updated processes are on the agenda, as well as the basics of what a court clerk’s role and responsibilities are surrounding child support.
Probate Appeals and Contests
Ms. Cathy Horvath, Chief Deputy/Supervisor-Courts, Guadalupe County Clerk's Office
Hon. Teresa Kiel, Guadalupe County Clerk

This presentation will explain the processes for probate appeals and for contests and adverse actions filed in the probate courts, and it will clarify the differences between them, including jurisdictional considerations, notice requirements, filing fees, appeal records and deadlines.
3-3:30 p.m. Break in Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by Granicus
3:30-5 p.m. Roundtable Discussions

County Clerks Roundtable

Hon. Heidi Easley, Victoria County Clerk
Hon. Brenda McKanna, Moore County Clerk
Hon. Mark Staples, Anderson County Clerk

District Clerks Roundtable
Hon. Heather Marks, San Patricio County District Clerk
Hon. Anthony Monico, Tom Green County District Clerk
Hon. Beverley Walker, Fort Bend County District Clerk
Hon. Edith Harrison, Lampasas County District Clerk

Combo Clerks Roundtable
Hon. Mary Ann Gonzalez, Schleicher County Combo Clerk
Hon. Laura Rogers, Sherman County Combo Clerk
5:30-8:30 p.m. Party With the Past BINGO Night and Scholarship Fundraiser
Sponsored by Kofile

Join us for a 1920’s-themed event! Like the 2020’s, the 1920’s represented an era of change and growth. Every aspect of life today was in some way influenced by this moment in time. The era saw the large-scale adoption of automobiles, telephones, motion pictures, radio and household electricity, as well as unprecedented industrial growth, accelerated consumer demand and aspirations, and significant changes in lifestyle and culture. Like the 2020’s, that decade was one of learning and exploration. Looking forward to seeing you there!
 
Friday, September 10
Breakout Sessions
8 a.m.-noon Registration and Information Desk open
8 a.m. Breakfast
9 a.m.-noon Education Session Breakouts
 
  District Clerk Breakout Sessions County Clerk Breakout Sessions 
9-10:30 a.m. 9-9:45 a.m. Receiverships, Judgments and Miscellaneous
Mr. Matt Garcia, Managing Member, Barnett Garcia, PLLC

Many people think that once a judgment is entered, the case ends, but for many judgment creditors, the litigation post-judgment can be just as contentious if not more so. This program covers many of the post-judgment remedies and motions filed and requested after judgment, including receiverships and judgment renewals.

9:45-10:30 a.m. Inmate Correspondence (Jail Mail)
Ms. Ashlie Janak, Program Supervisor I, Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Ms. Tammy Shelby, Program Supervisor, Mail System Coordinators Panel, Correctional Institutions Divisions, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Offender correspondence — how to ensure mail has been properly sent through the unit mailroom and what to do if you receive suspicious mail, as well as what types of mail you should respond to.
Fee Changes
Hon. Patti L. Henry, Chambers County District Clerk
Hon. Joyce G. Hudman, Brazoria County Clerk


Repeat session.
 
10:30 a.m.-noon Fee Changes
Hon. Patti L. Henry, Chambers County District Clerk
Hon. Joyce G. Hudman, Brazoria County Clerk


The presenters will discuss in detail Senate Bill 41 — the civil consolidation bill — and corrections for SB 346, the criminal consolidation bill passed during the 86th legislative session.
 
10:30-11:15 a.m. Receiverships, Judgments and Miscellaneous
Mr. Matt Garcia, Managing Member, Barnett Garcia, PLLC

Repeat session.

11:15 a.m.-noon Inmate Correspondence (Jail Mail)
Ms. Ashlie Janak, Program Supervisor I, Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Ms. Tammy Shelby, Program Supervisor, Mail System Coordinators Panel, Correctional Institutions Divisions, Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Repeat session.
10:30 a.m.-noon Adjourn conference

Application will be made for continuing education credit for county, district and combination clerks. Please check back here for approval updates. 

Continuing Education Type  Hours
County, District and Combination Clerks Pending

Conference registration is transferable to another person within your organization without an additional charge. Cancellation refund requests received in writing (email and fax acceptable) by Monday, Aug. 16, will be granted, minus a $10 administration fee. We are unable to honor refund requests received after Aug. 16. 

Please contact Sam Burke for cancellations or by fax at (512) 477-1324. 

Please contact Sarah Lazarowitz, events director with County Progress magazine, for questions about exhibitor or sponsor opportunities at (325) 673-4822, ext. 2121.

You can also visit the County Progress conference page for exhibitor registration details.

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