Texas Association of County Auditors February On-the-Road Area Training

February 21 - 23, 2023

The Midlothian Conference Center
1 Community Circle Dr.
Midlothian, TX 76065

For more information, contact Janet Martin, Ellis County Auditor, at (972) 825‑5122.

The Ellis County Auditor's Office is proud to host the Texas Association of County Auditors' 2023 February On-the-Road Area Training in Midlothian! This two-day conference is a convenient way to earn continuing education credit during education sessions, as well as an opportunity to network with your peers.

Registration is scheduled to open Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Check back often for conference updates.

Registration Fees

Registration includes all education sessions and evening events.

Registration Fees Registration by Feb. 13
County auditor $150
County auditor assistants /staff $150

Continuing Education

The conference offers continuing education credit for county auditors. Please check back for updates on the number of hours offered. No prerequisites are required for this class

Payment Information

Please make checks payable to 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 event is ADA accessible to all, please contact Jackie Boone or Luz Hinojosa at (800) 456‑5974 if you need assistance.

Courtyard Dallas Midlothian at Midlothian Conference Center
3 Community Circle Dr.
Midlothian, TX 76065
(469) 672-8760

Single/Double Rate: $96 a night plus taxes
For reservations, visit the hotel website link or call (469) 672‑8760. Ask for the Texas Association of County Auditors room block.

The deadline to reserve rooms at the special rate is Jan. 30 or when the block is full. We encourage you to make reservations early. Group rates are available for the nights of Feb. 21-23.

Parking Rates
Free self-parking.

Tuesday, Feb. 21
6-8 p.m. Welcome Reception and Bingo at Courtyard Dallas Midlothian
Please join us for dinner and bingo at the Courtyard Dallas Midlothian hotel.
Wednesday, Feb. 22
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Dinner and Drinks at Battle Axes
Battle Axes (5 miles from hotel)
1704 W. FM 875 Building A, Suite 100
Midlothian, TX 76065

After a day of talking about taxes, we hope you are ready to relax and throw some axes! Attendees will compete with each other to see who the best axe thrower is. Enjoy dinner and drinks with the Ellis County Auditor team. If axe throwing isn’t your thing, then play a round of cornhole or giant Jenga. Dinner and drinks will be served.

*Agenda is subject to change.

Tuesday, Feb. 21
8 a.m.-noon Texas Association of County Auditors Board Meeting
Room: Tom E. Coleman Room (at Courtyard Dallas Midlothian)
Breakfast: 8-9 a.m.
6-8 p.m. Welcome Reception and Bingo at Courtyard Dallas Midlothian
Please join us for dinner and bingo at the Courtyard Dallas Midlothian hotel
Wednesday, Feb. 22
Location: The Midlothian Conference Center, Chaparral Room
7-8 a.m. Breakfast at The Midlothian Conference Center
8-8:15 a.m. Welcome
Hon. Cheryl Chambers, Ellis County Treasurer
8:15-9:55 a.m.

Tax Rate to Budget
Ms. Ellen Friar, Ward County Auditor

Presenter will discuss the topic of tax rate to budget.

Objectives:

  1. Determine the difference between estimated tax values and certified tax values.
  2. Discuss budget planning steps.
  3. Distinguish which tax notice is appropriate.
9:55-10:15 a.m. Refreshment Break
10:15-11:05 a.m.

How to Write an Audit Program Using Commissary as the Example
Ms. Janet Martin, Ellis County Auditor

This session will demonstrate how to write an audit program using commissary as the example. Attendees will get an in-depth look at the process including deciding who to audit, assessing risk, writing the audit program and performing the audit.

11:05-11:55 a.m.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Mr. Ted R. Harrington, Attorney, Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, L.L.P.

Through the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Treasury distributed billions of dollars to governmental units, both large and small. Some of these funds will be retained by the recipient local governments, while the rest will be given to a collection of individuals, small businesses, and non-profits to aid in the nation's ongoing recovery from Covid-19.

Objectives:

  • Discuss eligibility restrictions
  • Discuss reporting and compliance.
11:55 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch on your own
Explore nearby food options here
1-1:50 p.m.

Purchasing
Ms. Karen Hershey, Grants Coordinator, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Join us in this interactive, discussion-based overview of documentation, purchasing and 2CFR200.

1:50-2:40 p.m.

Working to Live or Living to Work? How to Manage Workplace Stress
Ms. Biral Patel, Wellness Consultant, Texas Association of Counties

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.
2:40-3 p.m. Refreshment Break
3-4:40 p.m.

Public Funds Investing: Crash Course
Mr. Samuel Vaughan, Associate Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Using the Public Funds Investment Act as a lens, this session will explore ways in which your investment policies, strategies, and tactics can be arrayed to achieve a market rate of return without sacrificing the safety of your principal or your liquidity needs.

4:40-5:30 p.m.

Let's Kahoot! Roundtable Discussions
Panel

Wow! Let's play the game Kahoot. Download this app for a chance to win a prize!

Have fun while learning! We'll cover a lot of topics and our panelist will chime in with their wisdom for an exciting time.

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Dinner and Drinks at Battle Axes
Battle Axes (5 miles from hotel)
1704 W. FM 875 Building A, Suite 100
Midlothian, TX 76065

After a day of talking about taxes, we hope you are ready to relax and throw some axes! Attendees will compete with each other to see who the best axe thrower is. Enjoy dinner and drinks with the Ellis County Auditor team. If axe throwing isn’t your thing, then play a round of cornhole or giant Jenga. Dinner and drinks will be served.

Thursday, Feb. 23
Location: The Midlothian Conference Center, Chaparral Room
7-8 a.m. Breakfast at The Midlothian Conference Center
8-8:50 a.m.

Let's Keep our Elected Officials Out of Trouble
Hon. Ann Montgomery, District/County Attorney, Ellis County

Presenter will share the top ways to help your elected officials not get in trouble, including the Open Meetings Act, Public Information Act, and practical tips.

8:50-9:40 a.m.

GASB With Focus on How to Implement GASB 87,96, 84
Mr. Clayton Rogers, Audit Supervisor, Patillo Brown & Hill, LLP
Mr. Kent Willis, CPA, Audit Manager, Patillo Brown & Hill, LLP

This presentation will focus less on theory and more on the realities of implementing GASB Statements 84, 87, and 96. Using real-world examples, we'll walk through the journal entries and disclosures needed for GASB 87/96, while discussing important differences between these two standards.

9:40-10 a.m. Refreshment Break
10-10:50 a.m.

Difficult People and De-escalation
Mr. Heath Crossland, Lead Consultant, 4citellc

This class is a discussion into understanding difficult people and de-escalating personal encounters. It is also a frank conversation about self-defense both mentally and physically.

10:50-11:40 a.m.

Stop the Bleed
Mr. Brian Davis, Senior Emergency Management Specialist, Ellis County Emergency Management

Stop the Bleed is a grassroots national awareness campaign and call-to-action. Stop the Bleed encourages bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

Objectives:

  • Identify: Recognize life-threatening bleeding.
  • React: Understand what to do to keep yourself safe, to keep others safe and to ensure quick emergency personnel response.
  • Stop the bleed: Take steps to stop the bleeding through pressure, packing and tourniquets.
11:40-11:50 a.m. Closing Remarks

*Agenda is subject to change.

Upon approval, the number of continuing education hours will be posted. Please check back often for updates. No prerequisites are required for this class

Continuing Education Type Hours
County Auditors 13 hours

Conference Cancellation

Conference fees are fully transferable to other participants upon request. All conference registration refund requests must be received in writing before Feb. 13 to receive a full refund. Please email Jackie Boone at jackieb@county.org or fax notice of your cancellation to (512) 477‑1324.

Hotel Cancellation

If you must cancel a room reservation, please cancel directly with the hotel.

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