The 76th Annual Fall Conference of the Texas Association of County Auditors is designed to keep members informed about the issues that are important to you and your counties. This four-day conference in Corpus Christi is a convenient way to earn continuing education credits during education sessions, as well as an opportunity to network with your peers.
Registration is scheduled to open on Thursday, July 15.
Check back often for conference updates.
Registration Fees
Full conference registration includes all education sessions and evening events.
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Conference Registration Fees
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Registration by Sept. 27 |
| County auditor (full conference) |
$275 |
| County auditor assistants and staff members |
$275 |
| Retired county auditor |
$150 |
| Guest Tickets |
Cost |
| Wednesday: Comedy Show |
$40 |
| Thursday: Banquet at Ortiz Center |
$60 |
Continuing Education
The conference offers 20.5 continuing education credits for county auditors. No prerequisites are required for this class.
Vendor Information
For information on vendors and sponsorships, contact Wood County Auditor Terri Sellars at (903) 763-2921.
Payment Information
Please make checks payable to the Texas Association of Counties.
Mail checks to:
Texas Association of County Auditors
c/o Texas Association of Counties
P.O. Box 2711
San Antonio, TX 78299
Special Services
To ensure that our conference is ADA-accessible to all, please contact Sam Burke or Luz Hinojosa at (800) 456-5974 if you need assistance.
Omni Corpus Christi Hotel
900 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(800) THE-OMNI
Room rates:
$110 per night, plus tax (single)
$139 per night, plus tax (double)
$149 per night, plus tax (triple)
$159 per night, plus tax (quad)
Rates available: three days before and after the conference, depending upon room availability
For reservations, click the hotel link above or call (800) THE-OMNI. Ask for the "Texas Association of County Auditors" room block. If you reserve your room online, you will have the option to purchase tickets to the Texas State Aquarium and USS Lexington Museum at a discounted price.
The deadline to reserve rooms at the special rate is Sept. 27. The block could fill before then, so we encourage you to make reservations early.
Parking Rates
Self-parking is free.
Overnight valet parking is $25.
Overflow Hotel
Holiday Inn Downtown Marina
707 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(361) 882-1700
Room rate: $135 per night, plus tax
Group code: TAA
Parking rates: Complimentary ($15 fee waived)
For reservations, click the hotel link above or call (800) 882-1700. Ask for the "Texas Association of County Auditors" room block.
| Tuesday, Oct. 12 |
| 6-9 p.m. |
Welcome Reception at the Omni
Bayview Room
Entertainment: DJ Quick Mix
Sponsored by Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P.
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| Wednesday, Oct. 13 |
| 6-10 p.m. |
Funny Feast
Get ready to laugh out loud at La Stanza Event Center. Attendees will enjoy a light dinner and a comedy show. Transportation will be available.
Sponsored by Indigent Healthcare Solutions
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| Thursday, Oct. 14 |
| 6-9 p.m. |
President's Dinner Banquet at the Ortiz Center
Transportation will be available
Entertainment: The Variety Band
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No prerequisites are required for this class.
| Tuesday, Oct. 12 |
| 8 a.m.-noon |
Board of Directors Meeting |
| 10 a.m.-5 p.m. |
Registration and Information Desk open |
| 10 a.m.-5 p.m. |
Vendors set up/Exhibit Hall open |
| 1-1:50 p.m. |
Auditing the Sheriff Commissary
Joe Yebra, First Assistant County Auditor, Bexar County
Attendees will gain an understanding of the compliance requirements for auditing the sheriff commissary, review the authority of the auditor, and share lessons learned throughout the years.
A current audit program will be included for the attendees.
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1:50-3:05 p.m.
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IDER-New Reporting Requirements
Edwin Colfax, Grant Program Manager, Texas Indigent Defense Commission
Dylan Moench, Legal Representation Director, Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission
Debra Stewart, Fiscal Monitor, Texas Indigent Defense Commission
This session will provide county auditors an overview of the new reporting requirements of Senate Bill 560 from the 86th legislative session. This legislative action involves reporting funds spent for indigent representation in CPS cases. County auditors will receive information on the background and purpose of Senate Bill 560 and will be introduced to the report format and the attorney voucher form for CPS cases. Additional updates to the Indigent Defense Expenditure Report (IDER) will be discussed.
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3:05-3:20 p.m.
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Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall
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3:20-5 p.m.
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Active Shooter/Open Carry Laws
Travis Pace, Senior Officer, Corpus Christi Police Department
Participants will learn to prepare for and respond to being trapped in a building during an active shooter event. The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy developed by ALERRT in 2004, provides strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event.
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6-9 p.m.
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Welcome Reception at the Omni
Bayview Room
Entertainment: DJ Quick Mix
Sponsored by Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P.
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Wednesday, Oct. 13
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7-8 a.m.
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Breakfast with vendors
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8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Registration and Information Desk open
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8-8:15 a.m.
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Welcome
Hon. Barbara Canales, Nueces County Judge
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8:15-9:30 a.m.
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That Which Doesn’t Kill Me – Successful Management of Stress in the Modern World
J. Mark Warren, Training Consultant, Texas Association of Counties
Under the age-old mantra of "that which doesn’t kill me makes me stronger," we have tried to thrive since the beginning of time. But science shows this to be a lie. Stress is linked to heart disease, immune deficiency and memory loss. Men and women process stress differently, and childhood stress can lead to adult health problems. And worse, we inflict most of this on ourselves. Fear not, however! This presentation is a discussion of new strategies for old baggage, and it is designed to be fun, but will also demonstrate some proven methods for effective coping and positive living.
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9:30-10:20 a.m.
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Investments/Market Projections
Peter Rizzo, Director, Pooled Investment Services, Public Trust Advisors
Tony Sekaly, Regional Director, Texas CLASS
During this session, presenters will review the most utilized investments under the Texas Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA) and the ratings assigned to those investments. Additionally, they will comment on the current state of the short-term fixed income markets and their views for the coming year.
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10:20-10:35 a.m.
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Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall
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10:35-11:50 a.m.
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility and History of ADA
Marshall Burns, ADA Consultant, Crystal Fortune Lyons, LLC
Why I should care about the ADA? At some point in someone’s life they could face either a temporary or long-term disability. Please join the presenter to learn how the ADA has played a key role in providing inclusion for all citizens, understand the roadblocks to accessibility and find easy and no-cost ways to overcome these obstacles to make a more inclusive neighborhood for you and your community.
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11:50 a.m.-1:05 p.m.
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Business Meeting and Lunch
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1:05-1:55 p.m.
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Economic Update
Dr. Jim Lee, Regents Professor of Economics, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
This is an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and the overall economy as well as a look at the post-pandemic recovery in different regions of the state. Particular attention will be given to the Coastal Bend and Corpus Christi. The presentation will conclude with an assessment of the impact of the federal stimulus measures on the local economies, followed by a short-term outlook.
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1:55-3:10 p.m.
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GASB-87: Building an Action Plan for GASB-87 Compliance
Kasey Harris, CPA, Head of Accounting Services, DebtBook
GASB 87 represents a significant change in lease accounting standards.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the impacts that GASB 87 will have on lease accounting.
- Identify the basic elements within the GASB 87 guidance.
- Develop an action plan for compliance with GASB 87.
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3:10-3:25 p.m.
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Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall
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3:25-4:40 p.m.
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The Recent Tsunami of Unemployment Fraud and Its Effects on Texas Counties and TAC
Quincy Quinlan, Director, Health and Benefits Services Department, Texas Association of Counties
The session will examine the startling rise of fraudulent unemployment claims in 2020 and 2021 and the consequent effects on Texas counties and the Texas Association of Counties Unemployment Compensation Group Account Fund.
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6-10 p.m.
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Funny Feast
Get ready to laugh out loud at La Stanza Event Center. Attendees will enjoy a light dinner and a comedy show. Transportation will be available.
Sponsored by Indigent Healthcare Solutions
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Thursday, Oct. 14
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7-8:15 a.m.
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Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
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8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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Registration and Information Desk open
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8:15-9:05 a.m.
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Court Fees Updates
Isela Cannon, Accounts Examiner, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Margie S. Johnson, Assistant General Counsel, Office of Court Administration
Veronica Vasquez, Program Supervisor VI, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Presenters will explain changes to court costs and fees enacted by the 87th Legislature, focusing primarily on Senate Bill 41, which relates to the consolidation and allocation of civil court costs.
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9:05-9:55 a.m.
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Auditing the Tax Office
Madeline Walker, CPA CFE, First Assistant Auditor, Galveston County
Jordan Speer, CIA CISA, IT Systems Auditor II, Galveston County
The tax assessor-collector calculates property tax rates for the county, collects taxes for the county (and sometimes for additional local taxing entities) and collects various other fees for the state and county through the tax office. This session will provide insight into functions of the tax office and the areas of the tax office in which internal audits can be implemented.
At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to:
- Have a basic understanding of the functions of the tax office.
- Be familiar with the laws that govern tax office operations.
- Understand the areas of the tax office where internal audits can be performed.
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9:55-10:10 a.m.
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Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall
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10:10-11:50 a.m.
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American Rescue Plan
Mike McCann, Vice President of Government Finance, OpenGov
In his job with OpenGov, Mike McCann has read the ARPA text, followed the Treasury Department’s evolving guidance and monitored its FAQs. Like other leading vendors in the local government market, it has conducted numerous webinars and written extensively about this important legislation over the past few months.
In this session, presenters will highlight the latest Treasury guidance, reporting issues, evolving best practices, and technology-related allowable uses.
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| 11:50 a.m.-6 p.m. |
Lunch and afternoon on your own in Corpus Christi |
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6-9 p.m.
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President's Dinner Banquet at the Ortiz Center
Transportation will be available
Entertainment: The Variety Band
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Friday, Oct. 15
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7-8 a.m.
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Breakfast in Foyer
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8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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Registration and Information Desk open
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8-9:15 a.m.
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Legislative Update
Chuck Rice, Legislative Consultant, The Chuck Rice Group
Pete Winckler, Legislative Consultant, Texas Association of Counties
Sit in on this discussion of legislation affecting you from the 87th legislative session.
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9:15-10:05 a.m.
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Payroll Audit With CAATs
Charles Eddy, CISA, IT Internal Auditor III, Galveston County
In this session, you will be presented with practical concepts for auditing payrolls with computer-assisted audit techniques. Participants will be shown concepts to enhance their payroll audit.
At the conclusion of this session participants should be able to:
- Identify the essential requirements needed to develop a basic continuous IT integrated payroll audit program.
- Recognize common dilemmas and potential solutions.
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10:05-10:20 a.m.
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Break in Foyer
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10:05-10:20 a.m.
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New Board of Directors Meeting
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10:20-11:35 a.m.
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Working Relations With Public Officials
Nathan Cradduck, Tom Green County Auditor
To be effective and efficient in our jobs as county auditors, we have to pay special attention to our relationships with other officials in the county. This session will take a closer look at the independent nature of our position, the tools we have available to make stronger and more trusting relationships, and how we can better communicate with other officials.
At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the most important resources available to county auditors for building effective working relationships.
- Recognize common hazards and dangers than can hinder an auditor’s ability to gain the trust of other officials.
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11:35-11:45 a.m.
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Closing remarks/Adjourn
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*Agenda is subject to change.
No prerequisites are required for this class.
| Continuing Education Type |
Hours |
| County Auditors |
20.5 |
We are happy to have you in Corpus Christi during the conference and hope you can stay for other local and nearby events over the weekend. Below are options if you decide to extend your stay after the conference.
Texas Sand Fest
Fri., Oct. 15, 2 p.m. - Sun., Oct. 17, 11 p.m.
Port Aransas, TX
Texas Sand Fest is a three-day sand sculpture festival and contest that offers a weekend of fun on the beach and an exhibition of impressive works of sand art created by sculptors from all over the United States. The festival hosts two major sand sculpture contests, Masters' Contest and Amateur Contest, held in two separate areas of the beach. There are special contests for children (Guppy Contest) and youth.
Along with the contests, the festival features live music in Music Tent, beer & wine garden, vendors offering unique "island-style" art, crafts and jewelry, food stalls, and more. There are fun activities for visitors of all ages, including lots of family events.
Rockport-Fulton Market Day
Sat., Oct. 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor, 1500 E Laurel St.
Rockport, TX
Over a dozen food trucks & food vendors - live music - over 100 vendors and a Pet Friendly Market!
The Best market along the Texas Coast.
Making Strides of Corpus Christi
Sat., Oct. 16
Making Strides has always been more than just a walk, it's a movement. We are making it easier for anyone, anywhere to make an impact. We know the future can be free from breast cancer. We're asking you to join the movement and sign up to save lives.
Conference Cancellation
Conference fees are fully transferable to other participants upon request. All conference registration requests for a full refund must be received in writing before Oct. 1. Please send an email to Sam Burke at samb@county.org or fax notice of your cancellation to (512) 477-1324.
Hotel Cancellation
If you must cancel a room reservation, please notify Sam Burke. In the event of a waitlist, this notification gives others an opportunity to stay at the host hotel.
Interested in sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities for this conference?
Please contact Wood County Auditor Terri Sellars at (903) 763-2921 ext. 6.
Please click on the “Agenda” tab to view the schedule of events for the conference.
Exhibit Setup and Tear-Down
Exhibitors at the TACA conference can set up on Tuesday, Oct. 12, from 12-10 p.m. They can tear down on Thursday, Oct. 14, from 12-6 p.m.
The busiest time for the Exhibit Hall will be before and after conference sessions and during the scheduled conference breaks.
Texas Association of County Auditors Sponsorship Levels
$4,000 Diamond Sponsor
1. Booth space in exhibitors area, if desired.
2. Four admissions to all Fall Conference sessions.
3. Four admissions to all all Fall Conference social events.
4. Name recognition as a Diamond Sponsor, including an announcement at the scheduled social event.
5. Sponsorship information printed in conference program (Logos are due by 8/20/21)
$3,000 Platinum Sponsor
1. Booth space in exhibitors area, if desired.
2. Four admissions to all all Fall Conference sessions.
3. Two admissions to all all Fall Conference social events.
4. Name recognition as a Platinum Sponsor, including an announcement at scheduled social events.
5. Sponsorship information printed in conference program (Logos are due by 8/20/21)
$2,000 Gold Sponsor
1. Booth space in exhibitors area, if desired.
2. Three admissions to all Fall Conference sessions.
3. Two admissions to all all Fall Conference social events.
4. Name recognition as a Gold Sponsor.
5. Sponsorship information printed in conference program (Logos are due by 8/20/21)
$1,500 Silver Sponsor
1. Booth space in exhibitors area, if desired.
2. Two admissions to all all Fall Conference sessions.
3. Two admissions to one social event.
4. Name recognition as a Silver Sponsor.
5. Sponsorship information printed in conference program (Logos are due by 8/20/21)
$1,000 Bronze Sponsor
1. Booth space in exhibitors area, if desired.
2. One admission to all Fall Conference sessions.
3. One admission to one social event.
4. Name recognition as a Bronze Sponsor.
5. Sponsorship information printed in conference program (Logos are due by 8/20/21)
For additional information about the exhibit hall for the conference, contact:
Terri Sellars
Wood County Auditor
P.O. Box 389
Quitman, TX 75783
(903) 763-2921 ext. 6
Remit payment to:
Loretta Key
Texas Association of County Auditors
Eastland County Auditor
100 W. Main St., Ste. 205
Eastland, TX 76448