March 07, 2014, Number 8 

FCC Comments: Preemption of Local Wireless Regulations 

On September 27, 2013, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), related to how wireless tower siting applications (e.g., for cell phone and similar communications systems) are processed by cities...  

U.S. House Passes Flood Insurance Reform Bill 

While city officials have concerns about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) following the implementation of the Biggert-Waters Act of 2012, frequently referred to as "BW-12," a bill passed by the U.S. House this week may ease flood insurance...

Update: Water Regulation Transfer Public Utility Commission 

The Public Utility Commission (PUC) held a workshop on February 26, 2014, to discuss the PUC staff's proposed changes to the substantive rules, procedural rules, and forms related to the transfer of the of water rate and certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) programs from the from Texas Commission on...  

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

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 cannot do.

Hear Scott Houston, TML Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, discuss the legalities of alcohol regulation during this webinar on March 31, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. The webinar is designed for city attorneys, community development directors, city managers, city planners, and other officials with an interest in regulating the sale of alcohol in their city.

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.  It's designed for city councilmembers, management, finance officers and staff, and city attorneys. 

Designed for city officials who have a role in developing and/or implementing the city budget, this one-day workshop will cover:

• Legal requirements for the budget and audit
• Your role in the budget and tax-rate setting process
• Forecasting municipal revenue
• Top ten issues discovered by the audit
• Preparing and reading the financial statement

May 9, Abilene, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.                     
June 6, Conroe, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Participants will receive a complimentary copy of the just released TML Revenue Manual for Texas Cities.

Apply for a Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Award