February 14, 2014, Number 5

 

More on Local Debt
Local government debt remains at the forefront of many state leaders' minds.  As reported previously in the Legislative Update,...

       

Texas Water Development Board Continues Public Input on SWIFT Implementation
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) held its first board work session in Conroe this week to solicit public input on the...

 

Constitutional Amendment Propositions: Prohibition on Using Public Funds to Advocate
This November, voters will again have the final say on infrastructure funding in Texas.  Last year, Proposition 6 was approved to...

 

Municipal Regulation of Alcohol: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beerholder 

Hear Scott Houston, TML Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, discuss the legalities of alcohol regulation at a new webinar on March 31, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Texas law limits how cities can regulate the sale of alcohol, and the state's complex system of local option elections makes it difficult to know what's allowed and where. Whether your city is about to go "wet," has recently gone wet, or has been wet for many years, you need to know what your city can and can't do.

 

Learn more and register.

  

You're Invited to Attend a Meeting on Managing the Healthcare Dollar

Join U.S. Representative Ralph Hall and the TML Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool for a concise and practical review of the healthcare reform requirements that will impact employers, payors, and providers in 2014. Topics to be discussed include W-2 form requirements, expanded benefit mandates, network availability, pay or play, and the marketplace/exchange plans.

 

The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 20, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center located at 1200 Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will conclude at noon.

 

View the full invitation for R.S.V.P. information and a list of all topics to be covered during the meeting. 

 

TML Revenue Manual for Texas Cities-2014 Edition Now Available

The TML Revenue Manual for Texas Cities is now available! The handbook covers nearly every known source of revenue available to Texas cities in a simple question-and-answer format. You'll find in-depth discussions of the major sources of city revenue like property taxes, city sales taxes for general and dedicated purposes, and right of way rental fees, in addition to lesser-known sources of municipal revenue.

 

The Revenue Manual is a collection of new revenue ideas, as well as a basic how-to guide for each source of city revenue. It's designed for city councilmembers, management, finance officers and staff, and city attorneys.

 

TML members can order the 2014 TML Revenue Manual for Texas Cities now for just $10.

 

Handbook for Mayors and Councilmembers

The Handbook for Mayors and Councilmembers (2013) presents an overview of the functions, powers, and responsibilities of mayors and councilmembers. Topics include policy development, goal-setting, council meetings, conflicts of interest, standards of official conduct, budgeting, personal liability, and media relations.

 

TML member cities can receive one copy of the handbook at no charge for each elected official, plus a reference copy for staff. Additional copies are $20 and can be ordered on the Publications page of the TML website. To inquire about your city's complimentary copies, contact us by email or call 512-231-7400.

 

Legal Q&A Index

In each issue of Texas Town & City magazine, a TML attorney addresses common or emerging legal topics in the Legal Q & A feature. An index of this popular feature can be accessed online in the Legal Research section of the TML website. If the index doesn't answer a question you have, TML member city officials can always contact the TML Legal Department for help. For information on contacting a TML attorney and to explore other online legal resources, go to the Ask a TML Attorney page on the TML website.

Feb 28
Region 4
Odessa
Mar 20
Region 3
Location TBD
Mar 21
Region 7
Uvalde
Mar 27
Region 16 
Orange
Mar 27
Region 11 
Kingsville
Apr 10
Region 8 
Euless  
Apr 17
Region 2
Canyon
May 16-17
South Padre Island
Feb 20-21
Feb 22-23
Feb 27-28
Feb 28
Mar 10
Mar 31
Apr 4
Apr 11
Whitewright
Apr 14-15
Government Finance Officers Association of Texas Spring Institute
Austin
Apr 24-25
Austin
May 7-9
Texas Municipal Human Resources Association Annual Conference
Galveston
May 9
Austin
May 9Budget, Tax Rate, and Audit Workshop                         
Abilene
May 14-16Texas Municipal Utilities Association Annual Conference                        
  
May 30 Budget, Tax Rate, and Audit Workshop
Schertz
    



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Texas Municipal League
1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400
Austin, Texas 78754
Phone: 512-231-7400
Fax: 512-231-7495

 

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