This one-day workshop educates all newly elected county officials on basic issues and provides the information necessary to avoid making mistakes that could result in embarrassment or worse — legal problems.
There are many unfamiliar statutes and rules newly elected officials must understand before officially taking office. A faculty of association staff and specialists will explain the basics of important subjects, such as nepotism, discrimination, purchasing, open meetings, open records, budgeting and general employment law.
Who Should Attend?
All new and newly elected officials (including those appointed since February 2021): judges, commissioners, treasurers, county clerks, district clerks, county/district clerks, constables, justices of the peace, sheriffs, tax assessor-collectors, county attorneys, district attorneys and auditors.
Registration Fees
This workshop is provided FREE to new and newly elected officials.
| Dates |
Locations |
| Dec. 6 |
Overton Hotel
2322 Mac Davis Ln.
Lubbock, TX 79401 |
| Dec. 6 |
Holiday Inn Tyler
5701 S. Broadway Ave.
Tyler, TX 75703 |
| Dec. 8 |
Odessa Marriott Hotel
305 E. Fifth St.
Odessa, TX 79761 |
| Dec. 8 |
Texas A&M Hotel
177 Joe Routt Blvd.
College Station, TX 77840 |
| Dec. 13 |
Abilene Convention Center
1100 N. Sixth St.
Abilene, TX 79601 |
| Dec. 13 |
Omni Corpus Christi Hotel
900 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401 |
| Dec. 15 |
Hilton Waco
113 S. University Parks Dr.
Waco, TX 76701 |
| Dec. 15 |
The Bevy Hotel Boerne
101 Herff Rd.
Boerne, TX 78006 |
| Agenda |
| 8:30 a.m. |
Registration & Continental Breakfast |
| 9-9:30 a.m. |
Welcome
"Life in the Fish Bowl — A Survival Guide for New Officials"
This realistic video demonstrates how easily an uninformed public official can get into trouble.
Introductions
Introduction to the Texas Association of Counties (TAC)
A brief overview of the history and structure of TAC.
TAC Services Overview
|
| 9:30-10 a.m. |
Pitfalls & Perils of Public Office
An overview of the legal requirements that shape how you can transact county business. Learn why hiring your relatives is prohibited, who you can and can’t do business with, and other ways you can stay out of trouble. |
| 10-10:15 a.m. |
Break |
| 10:15-11:15 a.m. |
Management Challenges in HR
A discussion on the pitfalls that can occur in hiring, discipline and termination. |
| 11:15-11:30 a.m. |
Peer-to-Peer Networking: What Are All These Different Associations and How Do They Relate to Me?
Learn about the association specific to your office and what it offers you, including orientation for newly elected officials and mandatory continuing education. |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
Lunch (Provided) |
| 12:30-1 p.m. |
Checking All the Right Boxes
Take a deep dive into TAC’s legal publications, education opportunities and planning calendars, as well as other materials that TAC provides to help you get started on the right foot. |
| 1-2 p.m. |
Open Government 101: Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act
Understand how being an elected official affects how you communicate about county business. A simple act, such as having coffee with two friends, may violate the law. This session helps you conduct the public’s business without getting into trouble. |
| 2-2:15 p.m. |
Break |
| 2:15-2:45 p.m. |
Working With the Legislature
A discussion on the importance of being involved in the legislative process. |
| 2:45-3:15 p.m |
Working Effectively in County Government and the County Government System
Former county officials review the need for building relationships to make your job easier and more effective. Learn tips on dealing with the media, including social media. Take a look at the various county government offices and how each affects the others. See how they all must work together to get the job done. |
| 3:15-3:45 p.m. |
Questions
An open discussion to answer your questions about holding office and county government. |
| 3:45 p.m. |
Adjourn |
*Agenda subject to change. Check back later for updates to the topics and speakers as they are confirmed.
These one-day meetings are scheduled at locations near your county to allow travel to and from the meeting on the same day. No special arrangements are made for overnight accommodations.
No continuing education credit is available for the workshops.
If you need to cancel your registration, please contact Megan West in the TAC Education & Event Services department at (800) 456-5974.