88th Annual Tax Assessor-Collectors Association of Texas Conference

New Tax Assessor-Collector Orientation - Regency Room B
Speakers: Hon. Randy Riggs, TACA President and Tax Assessor-Collector, McLennan County
Hon. Bruce Stidham, TACA President-Elect and Tax Assessor-Collector, Grayson County
Moderator: Hon. Donna Willis, TACA Vice President-Internal and Tax Assessor-Collector, Lynn County

This session is required for all new tax assessors in the first 90 days of taking office. It provides information on the basic operations of a county tax office, where additional resources can be obtained, and on the rules and regulations that are state-mandated. Tax Assessor-Collectors are considered new if still in their first term of office.

Advanced Program: Leadership* - Regency Room B
Speakers: Dr. Lance Kieth, Ed.D, Department Head and Professor of Agricultural Education, West Texas A&M University
Dr. Landry Lockett, Instructor of Agricultural Sciences, West Texas A&M University
Moderator: Ms. Amy Crowson, Accounting Manager, Montgomery County

Leaders guide others by example, inspire enthusiasm and develop employees through their words and actions. Learn what it takes to be a leader in your office and community and how different types of traits can make your office a place where employees and customers feel confident.

*Additional registration fee required

Welcome & Greetings - North Exhibit Hall A

Greetings by Hon. Randy Riggs, TACA President and Tax Assessor-Collector, McLennan County

Presentation of Colors by Randall County Sheriff's Office

Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag and Pledge to the Texas Flag by Hon. Bruce Stidham, TACA President-Elect and Tax Assessor-Collector, Grayson County

Singing of the National Anthem by Hon. Michelle French, TACA Past President and Tax Assessor-Collector, Denton County

Invocation by Hon. Mike Dowd, Tax Assessor-Collector, Navarro County

Getting More of the Behavior You Expect - North Exhibit Hall A
Speaker: Mr. Jim Bearden, Bearden Resource Group
Moderator: Hon. Allison Nathan Getz, Tax Assessor-Collector, Jefferson County

During this session, you will define three characteristics so you can get more of the behavior you expect. Mr. Bearden will describe three specific steps you can take, and to facilitate retention, adaptation and implementation of the material covered, a series of free follow-up pieces will be available for those interested in receiving them.

Breakout Sessions

Funds Adjustments - Regency Room B
Speaker: Hon. Becky Robles, Tax Assessor-Collector, Tom Green County
Moderator: Ms. Sandy Cline, Property Tax Supervisor, Collin County

During this session, we will discuss why fund adjustments happen and how to create a ticket with the help desk. We will then look at funds adjustment documentation sent from TxDMV and how to post it to ledgers.

Truth-N-Taxation Refresher - Part 1 - North Exhibit Hall A
Speaker: Ms. Connie Rose, Director of Education, McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C.
Moderator: Hon. Karen Lane, Tax Assessor-Collector, Madison County

This session will serve as a summary of the truth-in-taxation process and will facilitate a refresher on Truth-N-Taxation and discuss the ETR and RTR worksheets, the best place to get data and how to work with your entities to be successful.

Title Fraud Training* - Part 1 - Regency Room A
Speakers: Mr. Charlie Escobedo, Manager, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Moderator: Mr. Jason Ortiz, Quality Assurance Coordinator, Dallas County

This session will provide instructions for detecting vehicle fraud, including title, odometer and tax fraud. This is a TACA-approved course for certification. Preregistration required.

*Preregistration required

Breakout Sessions Secretary of State Update - Regency Room B
Moderator: Hon. Donna Willis, Tax Assessor-Collector, Lynn County

This session will provide an update from the Texas Secretary of State's Office regarding voter registration updates and how and when you can use Chapter 19 funds.

Truth-N-Taxation Refresher - Part 2 - North Exhibit Hall A
Moderator: Hon. Karen Lane, Tax Assessor-Collector, Madison County
Speaker: Ms. Connie Rose, Director of Education, McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, P.C.

This session will serve as a summary of the truth-in-taxation process and will facilitate a refresher on Truth-N-Taxation and discuss the ETR and RTR worksheets, the best place to get data and how to work with your entities to be successful.

Title Fraud Training* - Part 2 - Regency Room A
Speakers: Mr. Charlie Escobedo, Manager, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Moderator: Ms. Amanda Andrews, Quality Assurance Coordinator, Dallas County

This session will provide instructions for detecting vehicle fraud, including title, odometer and tax fraud. This is a TACA-approved course for certification. Preregistration required.

*Preregistration required

Fraudulent Forgeries Findings From Fiends - North Exhibit Hall A
Speakers: Hon. Tammy McRae, Tax Assessor-Collector, Montgomery County
Hon. Wendy Burgess, Tax Assessor-Collector, Tarrant County
Moderator: Hon. Crystal Cedillo, Tax Assessor-Collector, Gonzales County

Remember when you were young and getting mail was a thrill? Now as a tax assessor-collector, not receiving mail is more like a scary movie? Learn how identity theft happens through mail fraud.

TxDMV Update - North Exhibit Hall A
Speakers: Mr. Charles Bacarisse, Chair, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Mr. Daniel Avitia, Interim Executive Director, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Moderator: Hon. Michelle French, Tax Assessor-Collector, Denton County

This session will provide an overview of Texas Department of Motor Vehicle operations affecting tax assessor-collector offices and the programs and transactions processed by counties on behalf of the department.
Speakers will provide updates on current department activities, legislative implementation, and motor vehicle program changes over the past year.

Roundtables
County Population Under 40,000: TxDMV - North Exhibit Hall A
County Population Between 40,000-200,000: Property Tax - Regency Room A
County Population Over 200,000: State Agencies - Regency Room B

Share your knowledge, questions and suggestions during these roundtable discussions. Learn how other counties your size handle unique situations and share how your office works.

Roundtables
County Population Under 40,000: State Agencies - North Exhibit Hall A
County Population Between 40,000-200,000: TxDMV - Regency Room A
County Population Over 200,000: Property Tax - Regency Room B

Roundtables
County Population Under 40,000: Property Tax - North Exhibit Hall A
County Population Between 40,000-200,000: State Agencies - Regency Room A
County Population Over 200,000: TxDMV - Regency Room B

Establishing a Media Relationship - North Exhibit Hall A
Speaker: Mr. Greg Kerr, Evening Anchor, KFDA Amarillo
Moderator: Hon. Randy Riggs, Tax Assessor-Collector, McLennan County

Having a strong relationship with your local media outlet is as helpful as any other relationship you have within your county. Getting the word out early about an office closure or changes helps your customers know what to expect when they come in or try to contact you. This session will explain how to establish a relationship with the media and the benefits this relationship can have.

Update From the Texas Comptroller's Office - North Exhibit Hall A
Speaker: Ms. Taliea Pocaigue, Program Specialist V, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Moderator: Hon. Jenifer O'Kane, Tax Assessor-Collector, Hays County

During this session, attendees will learn about recent and upcoming changes on the motor vehicle sales tax and about updates that affect tax assessor-collectors. We'll also hear answers to some of the most frequent questions asked of the Texas Comptroller's Office.

Deputy Session: Emergency Preparedness - North Exhibit Hall A
Speaker: Mr. Isaac Garcia, Risk Control Consultant, Texas Association of Counties
Moderator: Ms. Cydney Norton, Chief Deputy, Randall County

We've all know that if you don't like the weather in Texas, wait 10 minutes and it will change. There are various perils that counties face throughout the year, such as fires, wind, hail, thunderstorms, snow and hurricanes. In this session, you will hear about reducing the risk of disaster striking your office and discuss best practices for before, during and after an emergency that can mitigate short- and long-term effects to your office.

TACA Business Meeting - Regency Room B
The TACA Business Meeting is for tax assessor-collectors. Deputies and staff members should attend the deputy sessions in the HG Ballroom AB for additional continuing education.

Deputy Session: Active Shooter - North Exhibit Hall A
Speaker: Hon. Christopher Forbis, Sheriff, Randall County
Moderator: Ms. Cydney Norton, Chief Deputy, Randall County

What would you do if someone walked into your office pointing a gun? The civilian-response-to-active-shooter-events (CRASE) course is 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.

Building a Team Relationship With Your Region - Grand Plaza
This session will focus on building relations within the regions of TACA. Each region will meet and discuss concerns they are facing and generate ideas to help solve problems.

Breakout Sessions

Records Retention - Regency Room B
Speaker: Ms. Kim Roe, Chief Deputy, Montgomery County
Moderator: Hon. Kim Rinn, Tax Assessor-Collector, Austin County

What qualifies as a record? Who decides how long to keep a record? During this session, learn how to reference the retention schedules and how to do inventory audit. We will also discuss when and how to do dispositions.

Filling Up Your Deputy Dance Card - North Exhibit Hall A
Speaker: Hon. Bruce Elfant, Tax Assessor-Collector, Travis County
Moderator: Hon. Dawn Vieth, Tax Assessor-Collector, Archer County

Let’s Talk About It! Communication 101 - North Exhibit Hall A
Speakers: Hon. John R. Ames, Tax Assessor-Collector, Dallas County
Ms. Peggy McCormick, Chief Deputy, Dallas County
Moderator: Hon. Leslie Burks, Tax Assessor-Collector, Polk County

Have you ever read something and thought: "That can't be right. Why would they say that?" Or have you said: "That's not what I said. I said …." Using one word over another can change a whole message you are trying to get out. Learn how to send a clear message to employees and customers so your message is understood.

Building Relationships With Your Local TADA and TIADA Members - North Exhibit Hall A
Speakers: Mr. Jeffrey Lee Martin, Executive Director, Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association
Mr. Rob Braziel, Chief Executive Officer, Legislative Affairs, Texas Automobile Dealers Association
Moderator: Hon. Randy Riggs, Tax Assessor-Collector, McLennan County

The Texas Automobile Dealers Association and Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association members cover the state. Discover how active communication with your local members can improve everyone's customer relations.

Legislative Update - North Exhibit Hall A
Moderator: Mr. Ronnie Keister, Tax Assessor-Collector, Lubbock County

This moderated panel discussion will focus on laws from the last legislative session that have been implemented and on how TAC can continue to work with the Legislature in the future.

Breakout Sessions

Ethics for County Tax Assessor-Collectors - North Exhibit Hall A
Speaker: Mr. Jim Lambeth, Partner, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
Moderator: Hon. Tammy McRae, Tax Assessor-Collector, Montgomery County

County tax assessor-collectors, deputies and their staff members must continuously work to promote an ethical environment in the county tax office to avoid negative perceptions. This course defines ethics and reviews basic terms, ethical conduct and the consequences of unethical behavior. This is a TACA-approved course for certification.

Special Inventory Taxation - Regency Room B
Speaker: Mr. James Guest, Attorney, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
Moderator: Hon. Ida Turner, Tax Assessor-Collector, Refugio County

Join us as we discuss the special vehicle inventory tax and how the funds should be accounted for within the tax office. Additionally, details on how penalties and fines can be assessed and collected will be explained to maximize dealer compliance with deadlines and filings. This is a TACA-approved course for certification.