74th Annual County Treasurers' Association of Texas Conference

Silent Auction (McLennan Hall 207-208)
Drop off silent auction item by 4 p.m.

Proceeds from the silent auction benefit the CTAT college scholarship fund, so please bring lots of cool and unique items. Our Treasurers (and even some of our vendors) love to get into bidding wars and it's for a great cause!

Welcome and Greetings (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)

Call to Order and Announcements
Hon. Jennifer Henderson, CTAT President and Schleicher County Treasurer

Invocation
Hon. Jenifer Gierisch, Concho County Treasurer

Presentation of Colors
Baylor AFROTC

Pledge to the American Flag and the Texas Flag
Hon. Christina Dodrill, Eastland County Treasurer

National Anthem
Ms. Meagan Burkhart-Vaughn

Tune Up Your Life (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Ms. LaDonna Gatlin, Motivational Speaker
Moderator: Hon. Ann Strube, Runnels County Treasurer

LaDonna's presentation focuses on the wisdom found in the notes of the musical scale: DO-RE-MI-FA-SO-LA-TI-DO.

Weaving her own personal story, music, and humor throughout, this is an unforgettable experience that inspires audiences to achieve their absolute best by embracing these concepts:

• DO Do the right thing
• RE Realize potential
• MI Mind your manners
• FA Failures can become fertilizer
• SO Solutions begin with me
• LA Laugh
• TI Time is valuable…that will bring us back to
• DO Do the right thing

Why IT Matters (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Mr. Sam Goldsmith, Principal, Goldsmith Solutions

This session will discuss how county government can work together to secure your information, enhance services for your users, and serve your citizens with excellence in all things.

Legislative Update (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Mr. Jason McElvaney, Founder and President, McElvaney Public Affairs
Ms. Aurora Flores, Legislative Consultant to CTAT and Core Legislative Group Coordinator, Texas Association of Counties

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

$$$ Fixed Income Portfolios (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Mr. Rafael Gutierrez Nieto, Senior Financial Advisor, Faro Wealth
Moderator: Hon. Jeannie Keeney, Freestone County Treasurer

Fixed-income instruments include a broad range of publicly traded securities such as commercial paper, notes, and bonds traded through exchanges. Fixed-income obligations may be bundled into a pool of assets supporting such instruments as asset-backed securities and covered bonds. We will discuss the different roles of fixed-income securities in portfolios and explain the two main types of fixed-income mandates—liability-based mandates and total return mandates—as well as bond market liquidity.

Grant Writing (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Mr. Russell Devorsky, Executive Director, Heart of Texas Council of Governments

This session will discuss tips on how to outline a successful grant proposal and key information to include.

Day in the Life of an Elected Official – Justice of the Peace (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Hon. Shane Brassell, Hill County Justice of the Peace
Moderator: Hon. Rhonda Burkhart, Hill County Treasurer

Get a good look at the office of Justice of the Peace and how it affects the Treasurer's functions. Learn how all must work together to get the job done.

Unemployment (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Ms. Michele Arseneau, Human Resources Consultants Supervisor, Texas Association of Counties
Moderator: Hon. Patsy Phifer, Comanche County Treasurer

Usually the first thing a separated employee does after termination is file for unemployment benefits. This class will discuss how the Texas unemployment benefits system works. Elected officials and supervisors will learn how to successfully protest a former employee's claim and learn tips to reduce potential unemployment liability during the hiring process. Documentation is key in successfully protesting a claim. This class will also discuss best practices in preparing documentation with the goal of using it to win an unemployment claim, should one arise.

ARPA and How Counties Are Using Funds (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Hon. Stephanie Davis, Comanche County Judge

The American Rescue Plan gives counties flexibility to decide how best to use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to meet the needs of their communities. Texas' 254 counties will receive about $5.7 billion to help respond to and recover from the coronavirus pandemic. The final rule "provides state and local governments with increased flexibility to pursue a wider range of uses, as well as greater simplicity so governments can focus on responding to the crisis in their communities and maximizing the impact of their funds."

The Art of Making a Difference (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Mr. Richard Hight, Inspirational Artist, Visual Impact

You're stuck. You've run out of ideas. Every door in your life seems to be locked. But what if, tomorrow morning, it could all be different? What if all it takes is vision—seeing something new, daring to color outside of the lines? Richard Hight was once stuck. As an unassuming Oklahoma kid struggling in school, he never seemed destined for anything special, but for one ordinary day that would change everything about what he saw in life.

Payment Fraud Prevention, Positive Pay and Other Services (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Hon. Cindy Yeatts Brown, Denton County Treasurer
Moderator: Hon. Leann Monk, Tyler County Treasurer

Payment Fraud continues to evolve. Positive Pay is one of the most predominant online banking tools you can use to prevent check fraud. This session will discuss in detail the process of implementing and maintaining a positive pay process; and will also discuss other online banking tools you should consider to minimize your bank fraud exposure.

Give Your Metabolism a Helping Hand (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Ms. Shameria Davis, Wellness Consultant, Texas Association of Counties

Have you ever wondered about your metabolism and if or how it can change? In this class, we will:

1. Explore trends and barriers to nutritional health.
2. Explain metabolism methodology.
3. Describe food intake and activity levels that promote a healthy weight.
4. Discuss tools to track and improve nutritional intake and physical activity.

Professionalism, Diversity and Valuing Differences in the Workplace (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Mr. Mark Warren, Training Consultant, Texas Association of Counties
Moderator: Hon. Sheryl Pringle, Falls County Treasurer

What are the characteristics of professionalism and what is a standard definition of a professional? What, besides money, separates the professional for amateur? No matter the business or industry, the standards and definition of professional conduct have varied little over decades. Likewise, is the core of valuing differences – the way we've always done it – may not be appropriate anymore. RELATIONSHIP is the key to success in the multi-cultural workplace and enhancing the quality of relationships will hone that key. This presentation helps participants rediscover their deep sense of duty and obligation, where diversity, inclusion, respect and value are expected, and have earned the title of "professional": competent, trained and ethical. Relationship and interpersonal communication skills are the quickest and most effective way to connect one's self and position and with the public. It is in the spirit of knowing why that this presentation is dedicated.

$$$ The Municipal Bond Market: Where Do We Go From Here? (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Mr. Jason Hughes, Managing Director, Hilltop Securities Inc.

The session will cover the significant changes in the municipal bond market (and all financial markets) that have occurred in 2022. The discussion will focus on what this means for Texas counties and their capital programs.

$$$ When is The Last Time Your Dusted Off the Investment Policy (McLennan Hall 207 & 208)
Mr. Tony Sekaly, Director of Investment Services, TexasCLASS Public Trust Advisors

Do you know what Chapter 2256 of the Public Funds Investment Act states? How often to look at your investment policies? This session will discuss investment diversification and review maturity. It will also review the average life limits and describe a list of broker dealers.