County Magazine

This year’s County Management & Risk Conference brought together more than 400 people from across the state in Round Rock, along with more than 150 that attended virtually.

Hosted by the TAC Risk Management and Health and Employee Benefits Pools, the three-day conference focused on helping county leaders strengthen workplace practices, manage risk and support employee well-being, with sessions covering risk control, risk management, cybersecurity, human resources and health.

Pool members received practical training on preparing for and responding to disasters, addressing challenging workplace behavior, preventing burnout and workplace injuries, managing crisis communications, and navigating First Amendment retaliation claims.

Cybersecurity was among the topics discussed at this year’s conference, as the rise of artificial intelligence has heightened threats facing counties. Texas ranks second in the nation for reported cybercrime complaints, and counties remain frequent targets for attacks.

TAC staff members and experts shared guidance on protecting against cyber threats, planning and budgeting for cyber incidents, and using new tools available to members with cyber coverage.

“I think anyone would tell you here that’s been in the business for a long time, counties are facing more and more challenges every day,” said Lamar County Sheriff Scott Cass. “The risk is real, so anything you can do to learn how to mitigate, how to help your staff be better, that’s the good thing about the Risk Management Conference — they offer those trainings that deal with what we deal with every day.”

TAC HEBP staffers gave presentations on a range of topics important to Pool members and county employers. Attendees received expert guidance on Medicare, healthy aging and women’s health, along with practical tips for improving overall well-being, including a live healthy cooking demonstration. For county employers, sessions focused on risk management and the impact of wellness programs, highlighting how workplace practices can influence employee health and organizational outcomes.

The County Management & Risk Conference is also an opportunity for county leaders to network with one another and exchange ideas, during sessions but also during its evening events, including a welcome gathering and an unforgettable silent disco that brought members to the dance floor.

Award-winning author and storytelling expert Kindra Hall talked about the power of storytelling in county government during her opening keynote. Master of ceremonies Danny K. Adams had everyone on their feet during an interactive closing keynote, showing that laughter is truly the best medicine and important for county employees who work hard every day for their constituents.

The conference ended with a live mediation between the infamous Lone Star County and a fictitious sovereign citizen as attendees weighed in on who they felt had the strongest argument in a mock use-of-force case.

“We are grateful to everyone who attended this year’s conference,” TAC Risk Management Services Senior Director Michael Shannon said. “Our members are at the heart of everything we do, and providing a space where they can connect, learn from one another, and grow together is truly one of the highlights of our year.”