November 13, 2015

Revenue Caps Front and Center for New Senate Property Tax Committee
Last week, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced his appointment of seven senators to serve on a new Select Committee on Property Tax Reform and Relief. ...read more

Group in Texas Challenging Cities' Sex Offender Residency Ordinances
Many general law cities in Texas received a letter this week from Texas Voices for Reason and Justice, a statewide criminal-justice advocacy group, asking those cities to repeal their sex offender residency restriction ordinance. ...read more

Fort Worth Court of Appeals Correctly Applies the Law on Demolition of Substandard Structures
The Fort Worth Court of Appeals recently held, in 1701 New York Ave., LLC v. City of Arlington , that apartment owners who failed to appeal a demolition order from a municipal court were prohibited from bringing a takings claim against the city. ...read more

Judge Dismisses Legal Challenge to Property Tax System 
Last week, a Travis County district judge dismissed the City of Austin's lawsuit challenging the property tax...read more

Payday Lending Clearinghouse Updates
The League's "Payday Lending Clearinghouse" webpage, available at www.tml.org/payday-updates, includes information related to the regulation of payday and auto title lenders. ...read more
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Section (HEPRS) will host a series of eight workshops - one in each of the DSHS Health Service Regions - for the purpose of sharing in-depth, Texas-specific preparedness and response information pertaining to high consequence infectious disease.  The workshops will provide information for attendees to review current strategies, assess levels of preparedness and response capacity, and identify gaps.  Continuing education credit for multiple disciplines will be provided for this event.  Travel assistance may be available on a limited basis.

Questions?  Email [email protected] or call 512-394-0170.

TML is offering a one-hour webinar at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 1, that will help your city evaluate and modify your drug testing policy so that it is legal and effective. You will walk away knowing who can be drug tested, when employees can be drug tested, and how to create an effective and enforceable drug testing policy.

If you're new to office, the League's December 4 Newly Elected City Officials' Workshop will answer your questions, and help you address the issues you will face in office.  You'll learn about the fundamentals of city regulation, parliamentary procedure, open meetings, ethics, and more. The one-day workshop is also a great refresher for veteran city officials.

Effective service as an elected official requires dedication, knowledge, and a substantial time commitment.  The June 2015 edition of A Guide to Becoming a City Official will familiarize candidates with the responsibilities of city elected office.  Email the TML Member Services Department to order booklets.  Please include your mailing address and the number you would like to receive. The booklets are available at no charge to TML member cities (limit 25).

Each year, TML loses contact with many veteran elected and appointed officials as they conclude their time in public service to Texas cities.  With these departures, the knowledge and experience these former city officials gained over the years are lost to the League.  The Texas Association of Former Municipal Officials (TAFMO) provides an opportunity for former municipal officials and TML to stay in touch.  Benefits include a subscription to Texas Town & City magazine, special registration rates to the TML Annual Conference and Exhibition, and the opportunity to network with former colleagues.  Visit the TAFMO page on the TML website for more information and to join.

Help TML Launch Its Instagram Account
Instagram is a free social networking app, available through the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Windows Phone Store, that is designed for sharing photos and videos.  TML is launching its community-themed Instagram account in early December. We are looking for photos taken by you that showcase your city's programs or services, unique characteristics, or community events and celebrations.  We'll feature these photos on Instagram and highlight the best each month in Texas Town & City magazine.

Send your photos with a brief photo description to Jennifer Stamps at [email protected]

 

Dec 9
Bastrop
2016
Jan 28-29
Feb 3
Texas Municipal Human Resources Association: TxPELRA
Bastrop
Feb 4-5
Texas Municipal Human Resources Association: Civil Service
Bastrop
Feb 11-12
TCAA 17th Annual Riley Fletcher Basic Municipal Law Seminar
Austin
Feb 18-20
TML-TAMCC Elected Officials' Conference
Bastrop
Feb 20-21
Texas Youth Advisory Commission Summit
Pearland
Feb 25-26
Texas City Management Clinic
Granbury
Mar 10-11
Public Funds Investment Act
Austin
Mar 31-Apr 1
Texas City Management Association William "King" Cole Session 2 - Advanced
Addison
Apr 1
Budget, Tax Rate, and Audit Workshop
Bastrop
Apr 17-20
Government Finance Officers Association Spring Institute
Austin
May 4-6
Texas Municipal Human Resources Association Annual Conference
Fort Worth
May 11-13
Texas Municipal Utilities Association Annual Conference
Kerrville
Jun 8-10
Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers Annual Conference
Arlington
Jun 9
Budget, Tax Rate, and Audit Workshop
Bastrop
Jun 9-12
Texas City Management Association Annual Conference
South Padre Island
Jun 15-17
Texas City Attorneys Association Summer Conference
Bastrop
Jun 23-24
Public Funds Investment Act
Austin
Aug 2-5
Building Officials Association of Texas Annual Conference
Sugar Land
Aug 18-19
Newly Elected City Officials' Orientation
Austin
Oct 4-7
TML Annual Conference and Exhibition
Austin
Oct 26-28
Government Finance Officer Association Fall Conference
Arlington


If you do not wish to receive the TML Exchange, please reply with the words NO TML EXCHANGE on the subject line, or email [email protected] with NO TML EXCHANGE on the subject line.

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

 

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