April 15, 2016
2015 Legislation Impacts City Property Tax Rate Setting Process for 2016 and Beyond
In 2015, the legislature passed H.B. 1953 and S.B. 1760. The bills, which became effective on January 1, 2016, modify certain aspects of the property tax adoption process. Of particular interest to cities, the legislation makes the following changes: ...read more

Austin Court of Appeals: City Officials' Personal Email Address May Be Public
Last week, the Austin Court of Appeals concluded in Austin Bulldog v. Leffingwell that public officials who use private email accounts to conduct official city business cannot conceal their personal email addresses when releasing public information. ...read more

H.B. 1295 Contracts Disclosure: Ethics Commission Continues to Modify Implementing Rules
In 2015, the Texas Legislature adopted House Bill 1295, which added Section 2252.908 to the Government Code. The new law states that a city, among others, may not enter into certain contracts with a business entity unless the business entity submits a disclosure of interested parties. ...read more

Local Drone Regulation in Jeopardy
The U.S. Senate is moving forward with a long-term reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (S. 2658). The bill includes a dangerous provision (Section 2142) that would allow the FAA to override state and municipal authority over when and where commercial drones operate. ...read more
Why Cities Need to Know About Annexation
Texas cities are among the fastest growing in the nation. Annexation has allowed our cities to share the benefits of growth in the surrounding areas, and is the key difference between our state's flourishing cities and the declining urban areas in other parts of the country.

Join us on May 12-13 in Austin for the Municipal Annexation Conference: Why Cities Need It, and How to Do It Right. At this day-and-a-half training event, legal experts, urban planners, and city leaders will share insight and research on annexation that can help your city manage growth, expand services, and improve the quality of life for residents.

Sleeping rooms are available at the Westin Hotel at the Domain at a special group rate through April 20, or until the room block is full.

Register and make your hotel reservation.

Be an Inspiring Leader
Seats are filling for the 2016 TML Leadership Academy - a two-part, six-day program designed to improve the leadership skills of officials who serve our Texas cities. Taking place May 18-20 and June 15-17 at the Austin Marriott North in Round Rock, the Leadership Academy features an impressive faculty of university professors and thought leaders who will teach you to assess your leadership style and actions, and develop the competencies you need to be an inspiring leader.

Attendance is limited to 75 participants for the two-part program. Learn more here.

Share Your Success Story
TML's Municipal Excellence Awards celebrate a job well done by city staff and officials, and inspire municipal excellence and innovation. The awards competition is divided into two population categories - cities less than 25,000 in population and cities more than 25,000 in population. Within each of the two population categories, there are five subject categories - management innovations, communication programs, city spirit, public safety, and public works. The deadline to submit applications is June 3, 2016. For a list of past winners and to apply, visit the TML Municipal Excellence Awards page on the TML website.

Join YouthNet Listserv
When you register for YouthNet, you are connecting to a community of city officials who are engaging their city's most critical resource - youth. Join YouthNet today to collaborate on youth-focused city initiatives, projects, and issues. The listserv is a complimentary service open to all TML member city officials.

Join the YouthNet listserv.

Handbook for Mayors and Councilmembers
The Handbook for Mayors and Councilmembers (2015 edition) 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 may order 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 ask about your city's complimentary copies, contact us by email or call 512-231-7400.

Your City Can Take Center Stage!
City Lights is a monthly feature in Texas Town & City magazine that highlights TML member cities' awards and accomplishments. Was your city named one of the best performing in the nation? Are you proud of that healthy government bid you won last week? Tell us about it! Send your city's boasts and brags with brief background details to the TML Communications Department.

TML's LinkedIn Group: A Place to Connect
If you're a city official in a TML member city, you're invited to join our LinkedIn Group. The TML LinkedIn Group will connect you with peers in other Texas cities in a private forum. You can post interesting articles, discuss city issues, and share your insights and best practices.

Join our LinkedIn Group today!
Apr 21Region 5 Meeting
Bowie
Apr 22 Region 14 Meeting
Sugar Land
Apr 28 Region 11 Meeting
Rockport
Apr 28Region 2 Meeting
Canyon
Apr 28 Region 9 Meeting
Belton
May 12-13 Region 12 Meeting
South Padre Island
Jun 14
Region 10 Meeting
Brenham
Jun 23Region 3 Meeting
Lubbock
Jun 30Region 15 Meeting
Nacogdoches
Aug 26-27Region 14 Meeting
Conroe
Sep 29Region 3 Meeting
Lubbock
Apr 17-20
Government Finance Officers Association Spring Institute
Austin
Apr 22
TML Public Officials Liability Workshop
Austin
May 4-6
Texas Municipal Human Resources Association Annual Conference
Fort Worth
May 11-13
Texas Municipal Utility Association Leadership and Management Conference
Kerrville
May 12-13
Grant Writing for Municipal Programs and Projects
Dallas
May 12-13
Municipal Annexation: Why Cities Need It and How to Do It Right
Austin
May 18-20
TML Leadership Academy - Course 1
Round Rock
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 15-17
TML Leadership Academy - Course 2
Round Rock
Jun 23-24
Public Funds Investment Act
Austin
Jul 28-29
Newly Elected City Officials' Orientation
Granbury
Aug 2-5
Building Officials Association of Texas Annual Conference
Sugar Land
Aug 12
TML Small Cities' Problem-Solving Clinic
Andrews
Aug 18-19
Newly Elected City Officials' Orientation
San Antonio
Oct 4-7
TML Annual Conference and Exhibition
Austin
Oct 26-28
Government Finance Officers Association Fall Conference
Arlington
Nov 3-4
TML Municipal Law 101: What Every Elected Official Should Know
Austin
Nov 17-18
Economic Development Conference
Bastrop
Dec 8-9
Public Funds Investment Act
San Antonio

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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