50th Annual County Treasurers’ Spring Education Seminar

Telling Your Story in Leadership Mini-Conference (Veramendi G & H Ballroom)
Discover new methods to lead through storytelling — in traditional news media interviews, social media and public speaking. Create opportunities to make meaningful connections with your constituents and your team.

Ms. Leslie Rhode, Strategic Communications Consultant and Media Specialist, Leslie Rhode Stories

Preregistration is required for the mini-conference, plus an additional fee.

Welcome

Call to Order and Announcements

Pledge to the U.S. Flag and Texas Flag

Introduction of Officers
Presiding: Hon. Jennifer Henderson, President County Treasurers' Association of Texas and Schleicher County Treasurer

Inspiring Trust as a Servant Leader: Consistency, Compassion, Communication and Competence
Great leaders are energizing and productive, delivering breakthrough results. They are servant leaders who focus on leading their team to produce exceptional service for their customers. County treasurers represent one of the most trusted components of county government — the money — tracking, monitoring, evaluating, maintaining and ensuring excellent procedures and standards to ensure security and reliability. But teamwork isn't always easy. Even the best teams, with the most well-intentioned colleagues, can encounter problems that hinder their collective accomplishments. To improve results, the team members who are committed to and responsible for the achievement of the County Treasurer's Office's long-term success must be focused and work together to ensure positive long-term departmental and ultimately organizational results. This workshop will provide strategies and techniques for building a great leadership team focused on cultivating maximum team productivity, enhancing communication and trust, and aligning team members around shared goals.

Ms. Nancy H. Baird, M.Ed., President, Training Strategies, Inc.

$$$ Investment/Market Projections
During this session, we review the most utilized investments under the Texas Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA) and the ratings assigned to those investments. Additionally, we will comment on the state of the short-term fixed income markets and their prospects for the coming year.

Mr. Ash Mehta, Investment Advisory Services, Public Trust Advisors, LLC

$$$ Anatomy of a Recession
According to the World Bank, the United States has the world's highest nominal GDP and constitutes almost one-fourth of the world economy. Given the strength of global trade and the financial ties of the U.S. economy to the rest of the world, fluctuations of gross domestic product around its long-term growth rate and changes to monetary policy have traditionally had an important impact on other advanced economies and emerging markets, as seen during the financial crisis in 2008. This session will discuss risk and recovery indicators to help you stay on top of it and take a practical look at what the key indicators are saying about the U.S. economy and the potential impact on the equity markets.

Mr. Todd Ermenio, Vice President, Franklin Templeton
Mr. Corey Hardie, Director Client Portfolio Manager, ClearBridge Investments

The Inside Game: Working Under the Dome
When legislators are faced with issues that may affect local government, they want to hear from local elected and appointed officials. This session will feature experts from the Texas Legislature discussing the numerous ways you, as a county official, can help in the legislative process.

Rep. Andrew Murr, District 53, Texas House of Representatives

Legislative Update
Hear about timely issues on the upcoming 88th session of the Legislature and how possible outcomes could affect your office.

Mr. Jason McElvaney, McElvaney Public Affairs
Ms. Aurora Flores, Legislative Consultant to CTAT and Core Legislative Group Coordinator, Texas Association of Counties

Electronic Reporting
The session from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will cover updates on the new Webfile form as it pertains to the consolidated civil fees that took effect January 1, 2022. We will also discuss a broad overview of electronic reporting, specific guidance, and updates to that fee since it's new, and will be reporting it for the first time in April.

Ms. Lindsey Klein, Tax Auditor V, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Clearing the Air: Public Employers, Free Speech and the Law
Public employers are held to a different set of standards and rules in a number of areas when compared to private employers. Regarding speech by employees, this is especially important to understand. There are differing rules about what is considered "free speech" for public employers and public employees. In current society and with the growth of social media, public employers must be aware of what constitutes acceptable speech by employees, as well as what is protected, and must understand liabilities. This section breaks down the rights, responsibilities, protections and privileges of public employees and employers related to speech, whether through social media or other methods, and discusses relevant case law to make clear what may happen when the rules are violated.

Hon. Ray Scifres, Hockley County Sheriff

Breakout Sessions

$$$Life of a Bond (Veramendi E)
This session will cover the life of a county debt obligation, from the first discussions with your county commissioners to what to do if you have proceeds left over after completing all of your bond-financed projects. Other items to be covered include an overview of types of debt a county may issue, certain considerations when selling debt and the professionals involved in a county bond issuance.

Mr. Jason Hughes, Managing Director, Hilltop Securities Inc.

Bail Bond Board Role in Auditing Bail Bond Surety Records (Veramendi F)
Texas Occupation Code Chapter 1704 governs bail bond boards and the records requirements of a bail bond surety. This session will provide an overview of the record requirements, bail bond receipts and inspection requirements. A sample file will be provided and an opportunity to have an open discussion on this topic will follow.

Hon. Dianna Spieker, Tom Green County Treasurer

Breakout Sessions

Resources for Treasurers (Veramendi E)
This session will involve a high‐level review of the statutes that touch the county treasurer's office. We will review tools that will assist you in finding answers for statutes (laws) and attorney general opinions, and we will provide a "statute cheat sheet." Also, we'll get to know the CTAT Resource Guide, which provides county treasurers with a convenient outline of the constitutional duties, responsibilities and liabilities of this elective office.

Hon. Gayla Hawkins, President-Elect of County Treasurers' Association of Texas and Grayson County Treasurer

Cash Handling and Internal Controls (Veramendi F)
This course will describe the separation of duties related to cash handling. It will define proper internal control measures and protocols to follow for cash and investments.

Hon. Britney Richey, Hays County Treasurer

Breakout Sessions

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Update and Reporting (Veramendi E)
The 117th U.S. Congress passed one of the largest spending programs in our country's history with the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act, aiming to speed the national economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Texas counties have received half of the $5.6 billion in direct payments, but how is that money being used? What issues are counties having in meeting federal reporting requirements? What success stories are there across the country that could be replicated in your county?

Hon. Cindy Yeatts Brown, Denton County Treasurer
Hon. Jennifer Henderson, Schleicher County Treasurer

The Recent Tsunami of Unemployment Fraud and Its Effects on Texas Counties and TAC (Veramendi F)
The session will examine the startling rise of fraudulent unemployment claims in 2020 and 2021 and the consequent effects on Texas counties and the TAC Unemployment Compensation Group Account Fund.

Mr. Quincy Quinlan, Director, Health and Benefits Services, Texas Association of Counties

Breakout Sessions

Juror Donations (Veramendi E)
Government Code Chapter 61 was updated during the 87^th Legislative Session as to when a person paid for jury service can have the option to donate their juror reimbursement.  This session will provide an overview of the changes that went into effect on September 1, 2021.  Participants are invited to an open discussion on this topic.

Hon. Tracy Soldan, Kerr County Treasurer

Tax Assessor-Collector (Veramendi F)
A look at the tax assessor-collector's office and how it affects your office. See how you all must work together to get the job done.

Hon. Larry Gaddes, Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector

Breakout Sessions

Working to Live or Living to Work? How to Manage Workplace Stress (Veramendi E)
Between long hours, project deadlines and office drama, employees can feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Chronic workplace stress can strain mental and physical health, decrease productivity, and increase absenteeism and turnover. Although workplace demands can seem unending, it is possible for employees to avoid burnout so they can achieve success in their professional and personal lives. In this session, attendees will learn how to:

• Identify, reduce and respond to stressors.
• Manage their time effectively.
• Maintain a work/life balance.
• Reduce and manage workplace conflicts.

Ms. Biral Patel, Wellness Consultant, Texas Association of Counties

Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (Veramendi F)
The civilian response to active shooter events (CRASE) course was designed and built on the "avoid, deny, defend" strategy developed by the ALERRT Center at Texas State University. This training provides strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event.

Sgt. Justin Baker, Safety Education/Media Communications, Texas Highway Patrol

Breakout Sessions

How Do I Categorize All These Different Employees, and How Do I Pay Them Properly? (Veramendi E)
This session will answer your questions about the different categories of employees and what the rules are about paying them properly. We will discuss the classification of election workers, court reporters, independent contractors, and visiting judges. We will also explain what exempt and nonexempt mean. Let's get all your questions answered.

County Purchasing (Veramendi F)
This session will cover the purchasing basics for smaller counties — the statutes and laws pertaining to purchasing and how purchasing can be made easy (cooperatives, interlocals and more). What is needed for bids, proposals and purchase orders will also be discussed, as well as county purchasing cards. Discussions will include salvage property and how you can sale scrap metal.

Mr. Scott Arledge, Director of Purchasing, Denton County

Breakout Sessions

Personnel Policies: What You Need to Know to Be in Compliance (Veramendi E)
The Legislature was busy last year, and several bills were passed that require some new policies to be instituted and some current policies to be updated. During this session, we will discuss the importance of county policies and outline the new required policies, such as quarantine leave, military leave and mental health leave.

Ms. Cheraun Blankenship, Human Resources Consultant, Texas Association of Counties

$$$ New Depository, Now What? (Veramendi F)
You've gone out to bid and a new bank gets your contract! Now what? This session will discuss the steps to take to ensure a smooth transition when moving your depository accounts to a new bank. Whom do you notify? What accounts have to move? When should you start and how long will it take?

Hon. Tracy Soldan, Kerr County Treasurer
Hon. Cheryl Chambers, Ellis County Treasurer

Breakout Sessions

Bank Recs (Veramendi E)
Bank reconciliations for county governments have hidden challenges for county treasurers. We will start with the basics of what a government bank reconciliation should document. We will then provide an overview of issues that can show up unexpectedly and discuss how to manage them.

Boosting Financial Wellness With Your 457(b) Plan (Veramendi F)
In this session, we'll discuss two broad aspects of your 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan: Developing and maintaining an optimal plan for your employees; and improving their level of engagement with the plan in order to improve their overall financial wellness.

Mr. Sam Vaughan, Associate Financial Adviser, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Suffer From BURNOUT, Give 'Em the F.I.N.G.E.R.!
Burnout affects millions of Americans each year and has been called "the disease of our civilization." The unhappiness and detachment that burnout causes can threaten your job, your relationships and your health. But there's good news — burnout can be healed. Former 20-year district attorney, Mark Yarbrough, from Littlefield (hometown of Waylon Jennings), personally experienced burnout, learned how to successfully overcome it, and went from "burnout" to "on fire!" He has since become a burnout expert and has written and published on the subject. Yarbrough is a very entertaining, motivating and inspiring speaker. He has taught thousands of people how to overcome burnout — from employees at companies such as Blue Bell Creameries and Xcel Energy, to teachers and doctors/nurses, to government workers (police officers, Child Protective Services workers, attorneys, victim's rights advocates, counselors, mental health professionals and more). Audience members will learn the definition of burnout and its symptoms. But more importantly, attendees will be laughing and, at the same time, learning how to apply Yarbrough's F.I.N.G.E.R. philosophy to help them or their co-workers avoid or recover from burnout. This is a training that you won't want to miss!

Mr. Mark Yarbrough, Motivational Speaker/Burnout Expert

What Does an Outside Auditor Do?
External financial statement auditors are tasked with providing an objective opinion on whether those financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the entity they are engaged to audit. We will provide an overview of the auditor's frameworks (rule books) that they use to guide their audit process and what strategies can be employed by county treasurers during their fiscal year to streamline and (sometimes) improve audit results.

Mr. Neil Conway, CPA, Managing Partner, Conway CPAs. LLC

$$$ Investment Policy Within Public Funds Investment Act
We'll review the requirements for your entities' investment policy according to the state Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA). We will also focus on industry best practices.

Ms. Debbie Laudermilk, Chief Investment Officer, Travis County