The Government Finance Officers Association of Texas
is excited to see you all at the Fall conference on October 25-27
at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in Fort Worth. 

Topics, room assignments, and speakers are subject to change. All sessions are at the Worthington Hotel.

Wednesday, October 25

8:00 a.m.–
Bruce Testa Semi Annual Golf Outing
Waterchase Golf Club • 8951 Creek Run Road, Fort Worth, TX 76120

The Bruce Testa Semi Annual Golf Outing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25. Tee time is 8:00 a.m. with a Shotgun Start. The cost is $90.00 plus tax per person, which includes the green fee, cart, range balls, and a box lunch. This will be a Texas Scramble including a 4 par 3 contest, and a long drive holes contest for men and women. Bubba Drive and a Tiger Drive ($20 per team) playing 2 from 100 yards out. The golf outing is limited to 50 golfers so sign up right away by emailing Tony Sekaly at [email protected] or call 713-502-8575.

10:00 a.m.–Noon
GFOAT Committee Meetings
Trinity Central • Street Level

Show your commitment to GFOAT and your career; attend a committee meeting and get involved. The informal nature of these meetings allows you to experience more than one committee.  You can pick the committee that best suits you.

10:00 am- Noon
CGFO Exam Study Group
Elm Fork

Noon- 1 pm

Committee Meetings
Bar Wired • Mezzanine Level

• CGFO Committee-Post Oak Room (Mezzanine Level)
• Program Committee – The Worthington Room (Mezzanine Level)

Name badges can be picked up at the registration desk.

1:00–2:00 p.m.
Committee Meetings
Mezzanine Level

• Ethics and Internal Control Committee – Live Oak II
• Governmental Affairs Committee Live – Live Oak I
• Membership Committee – Live Oak III
• Communications Committee – Live Oak IV
• Scholarship, Fellowship, and Foundation Committee  – Live Oak V
  

2:00–3:30 p.m.
GFOAT Executive Board Meeting
The Worthington Room • Mezzanine Level

2:00–4:30 p.m.
CGFO Testing
Elm Fork

3:45–5:00 p.m.
The Future of the Public Sector Finance Department (1.5 CGFO/CPE)
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

During this session, we will discuss the landscape – historical, present and future of the public sector finance department, followed by a panel discussion on how do we attract and retain talent as an industry.

Ashley Wake, Controller, Town of Addison and Glenn Mizell, Assistant Director of Finance, City of North Richland Hills

Moderator: Rachel Russell Ormsby, CPA, Partner & Market Industry Leader  / Public Sector, FORVIS
—

5:00–6:00 p.m.
Sponsor Happy Hour
The Grand Ballroom Foyer

We will start the conference with a Sponsor Happy Hour and have adjusted the time to allow sponsors and attendees to have a meal and connect.

6:00–8:00 p.m.
TMRS Reception
Risckeys BBQ • 300 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102

TMRS is holding a reception for all attendees!

8:00 p.m.
Texas Hold ‘Em
The Worthington Room • Mezzanine Level

A donation of $25 dollars to the GFOAT Foundation will be taken at the door. Cash bar.

Thursday, October 26

7:00–8:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

This breakfast is for all conference attendees.

7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Registration
Bar Wired • Mezzanine Level

9:15–9:40 a.m.
Sponsor Networking Break
The Grand Ballroom Foyer • Mezzanine Level

9:40–10:45 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS (1.0 CGFO/CPE)

What is Troubling about our Banks? How to Avoid the Banking Risks
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level
After the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th banks failed this year it naturally brings up the question of what happened and will there be another – perhaps in my town!   There are definite risks but also some steps you can use to protect your city.  This session will look at the why-and-what of the failures that occurred and how to read the signs of a developing problem at your bank.  Then importantly, what steps you should now be taking to protect your assets and to keep your funds flowing even if a problem occurs.

Linda Patterson, CTP, Director, Consulting Services
—

TxDOT State Infrastructure Bank, a Transportation Innovative Financing Tool for Local Governments
Elm Fork • Street Level

TxDOT’s State Infrastructure Bank provides a low-cost financing solution for local governments to use on eligible transportation projects. Learn how this program can be used as a tool by your community to meet your infrastructure needs. Topics covered will include:
• How local governments around the state have used the program.
• Project eligibility and uses.
• Advantages the program offers.
• Current interest rates.
• Timeline to obtain a loan

Dallas Teston, TxDOT, SIB Program Lead
—

How to Implement GASB-96 & Maintain Compliance
West Fork • Street Level

Do you have a plan for GASB-96? The new GASB-96 standard requires subscription-based IT arrangements, or SBITAs, to be reported on the face of the financial statements and takes effect for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2022. We invite you to join us for a one-hour session where we will walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to implement and comply with the new GASB-96 standard. Key Topics:
• Developing a GASB-96 implementation roadmap
• Gathering your Subscriptions
• Launching internal and external review processes

Louis Stratton, CPA, CITP, GMA, MBA, Debtbook
—

10:55–11:55 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS (1.0 CGFO/CPE)

GASB 101 Compensated Absences
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

Issued in June 2022, GASB 101, Compensated Absences is going to require governments to record a higher liability for compensated absences than the previous standard.  The presentation will help attendees to ensure a smooth implementation by explaining the basic requirements of the standard, discussing what management should consider in developing  its compensated absence policies and tips for a smooth implementation.  The standard is effective for year ends December 31, 2024 and later.

Robert (Bob) Scott, Deputy Town Manager, City of Prosper
—
7 Mistakes You’re Making in Cybersecurity as a Non-Technical Leader
Elm Fork • Street Level

How do you keep your municipality’s name out of the headlines even though you don’t understand IT or cybersecurity?  What are you doing that might unwittingly compromise your cybersecurity strength? Research shows that most leaders set a poor example for users to follow and that municipalities are 75% more likely to be breached than other organizations. So how do you lead through this?  This talk will equip with actionable steps you can apply immediately to keep your staff, data, and reputation secure.

Bill Piper, Regional VP, Sales, VC3
—

Purchasing Pitfalls Reducing Internal and External Procurement Card (P-card) Fraud
West Fork • Street Level

The p-card can be one of the best tools for employees to use.  However, if the right controls are not in place from the beginning, it could quickly backfire on an agency.  This presentation will give you tips learned from 20 years of p-card experience and answer questions on how to prevent fraud.”

Jeff Spears, CPPB, CPCP, Purchasing Coordinator, City of Friendswood
—

11:55 a.m.–12:55 p.m.
Lunch and Presentation of Awards
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

Presiding: GFOAT President, John Zagurski, Finance Director, Town of Northlake
—

1:00–1:50 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS (1.0 CGFO/CPE)

Navigating the Cyber Storm
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

Now more than ever we face the constant threat of cyber security threats. Come join us for a discussion on a global cyber threat intelligence update, what are we doing to navigate the landscape and what can we do at home and at city hall to confront cyber threats.

Casey Harris, Information Security Director, Texas Capital Bank
—

Avoiding PID-falls: What You Should Know About Managing PIDs
Elm Fork • Street Level

As entities look to different economic development tools to drive growth, public improvement districts (PIDs) have become an increasingly popular tool to stimulate developments. Finance Departments can often be tasked with the setup and management of these special districts, but are you clear on your responsibilities? Learn about how finance professionals can be monitoring and reporting on these districts, as well as pitfalls to look out for in the daily management.

Mary Petty, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, P3Works
—

Hot Topics in Public Funds Treasury Management
West Fork • Street Level

The only certainty about public funds treasury management today is that it is constantly changing.  From fluctuating investment rates to evolving banking services, the challenges are ever present.  Come to this session with questions you have about current challenges and leave with strategies to manage them.

Timothy D. Pinon, Consultant; Emily Upshaw, Associate, Valley View Consulting, LLC , and Corrine Steeger, MBA, Retired
—

2:00–3:15 p.m.
GENERAL SESSION (1.5 CGFO/CPE)

Stories on the Trail: A Fireside Roundtable with GFOAT Presidents
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

One of the few perks of a career in local government finance is outlandish stories. Come laugh with us around the fire and hear our stories of triumph, failure, and all the insanity of the in between. We will even leave a little time if you want to tell us a better one.

John Zagurski, Finance Director, Town of Northlake, Katina Hampton, Director of Administrative Services, City of Friendswood and Adrienne Lothery, Assistant City Manager, City of Colleyville

Moderator: Martie Simpson, Executive Director, GFOAT
—

3:15–3:45 p.m.
Sponsor Networking Break

5:30–8:00 p.m.
GFOAT’s Evening Under the Stars!
The Grand Ballroom Foyer (Mezzanine Level)

Buckle up and shine up your boots for a night under the stars in Sundance Square on the roof top of the Renaissance Worthington Hotel for our Thursday night social. There will be food, drinks, a photo booth and Dalton // Torres will be performing an acoustic session. Visit Dalton Torres Music to check him out.

Friday, October 27

7:00–8:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

This breakfast buffet is for all conference attendees.

8:00–8:50 a.m.
GENERAL SESSION (1.0 CGFO/CPE)

GFOA Best Practice – Rethinking Budgeting:  Fort Worth’s Journey
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

The budget is arguably the most important document a local government produces. Yet, budgeting has been done the same way for decades and that may not prepare local governments for today’s needs. At this session you’ll hear how GFOA and Fort Worth have been working together to “Rethink Budgeting”.

Laura Allen, CPFO, ICMA-CM, Budget Analyst III, Capital Budgeting, Maryland Department of Budget and Management and GFOA President and Mark McDaniel, Interim Chief Transformation Officer, FWLab, City of Fort Worth
—

9:00–9:50 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS (1.0 CGFO/CPE)

Introduction to Fundamental Credit Analysis: Perspectives on Corporates and Banks
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

The presentation will provide attendees with a deeper look into how credit analysts conduct research and how fundamental analysis is used to develop understanding and make recommendations both on corporate issuers and banks.

Patrick Edler, CFA, Senior Credit Analyst, Public Trust Advisors, LLC
—

Easier Said Than Done – How to Attract and Retain Public Finance Talent in the New World of Work
Elm Fork • Street Level

Demand for municipal and county finance jobs increases while the supply is decreasing.  To address this phenomenon, we need to adapt and find creative ways to attract new workers and retain existing workers.  Come join us for ideas on how to address this problem.

Ebony Roundtree, Budget and Compensation Administrator, City of Irving, Danny Martinez, CPA, CGFM, Managing Director, Government and Public Sector Accounting, Cherry Bekaert

Moderator: Cayce Lay Lamas, Finance Director, City of Westlake
—

Repeating COLA Options
West Fork • Street Level

TMRS will discuss the new repeating COLA option available to cities. Staff will explain why the new non-retroactive COLA is a less expensive, more equitable and simpler option for cities than TMRS’ traditional retroactive COLA.

Anthony Mills, Director of Education Services, Texas Municipal Retirement System
—

9:50–10:10 a.m.
Sponsor Networking Break

10:00–11:00 a.m.
GENERAL SESSION (1.0 CGFO/CPE)

What you Have Always Wanted to Know but Were Too Afraid to Ask your Chief Appraiser
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

Come join us for a discussion property appraisal and tax rate setting process from the eye of a chief appraiser.

Alvin Lankford, Chief Appraiser, Williamson County Appraisal District
—

11:00–Noon
CLOSING GENERAL SESSION (1.0 CGFO/CPE)

Read the Headline Don’t Be the Headline, Small Cities and Ethics and Internal Controls
The Grand Ballroom • Mezzanine Level

Turns out there is such thing as bad press, especially when it involves public tax dollars.  Hear stories about government employees and leaders making poor, unethical, and/or criminal choices.  These stories may be too crazy to believe but they’re true and could happen anywhere without the proper internal controls.  After hearing the headlines, learn ways to help prevent similar situations and put an emphasis on ethical decision making.  

Meg Jakubik, Strategic Services Manager, City of Bedford, and Aaron Rector, Director of Administrative Services, City of Keller
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Noon
Adjourn