Session 1 Agenda

thursday, January 25

Session 1 will take place at the Texas Municipal Center, 1821 Rutherford Lane in Austin

8:00–10:30 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30-8:40 a.m.
Welcome
TCMA President-Elect Jay Abercrombie, City Manager, City of Henderson

8:40–9:00 a.m.
Making the Connection
Hear about networking opportunities, which are key elements to the city management profession.
Moderator: Matt Mueller, Town Manager, Town of Little Elm

9:00–10:00 a.m.
How Did We Get Here? A History of the City Management Profession
This session will address how the council-manager form of government evolved in the State of Texas.
Speaker: Dan Johnson, Retired City Manager, TCMA Past President and Distinguished Member

10:00–10:15 a.m.
Break/Group Reflection

10:15 –11:00 a.m.
Basic Duties of a City Manager 
Addresses ICMA Practices Groups 6 (Strategic Leadership); 7 (Strategic Planning); 8 (Policy Facilitation and Implementation); and 12 (Financial Management and Budgeting)
What does a day in the life of a city manager look like? In a nutshell, what are the essential responsibilities of a city manager? Speakers: Jay Abercrombie, City Manager, City of Henderson; and Emily Crawford, City Manager, City of Brownwood

11:00-11:15 a.m.         
Break/Group Reflection

11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Employee Experience and How It Differs
Addresses ICMA Practices Group 3 (Equity and Inclusion) 
This session discusses how the employee experience differs depending on the employee’s reference points.
Speaker: Ronnie Guest Jr., City Manager, City of Converse

12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch

12:30-2:30 p.m.
The Ethical Realities of Public Service
Addresses ICMA Practices Group 1 (Personal and Professional Integrity)
What are the basic concepts of public sector ethics? What practical, specific procedures can you establish to help make ethics an integral part of your personal and professional life? This session fulfills the ethics training requirement for new members.
Speakers: Matt Mueller, TCMA Ethics Committee Chair, and Town Manager, Town of Little Elm; and Caitlin Biggs, Town Secretary, Town of Little Elm

2:30-2:45 p.m.
Break/Group Reflection

2:45-3:45 p.m.
The Fundamentals of Budgeting and Finance
Addresses ICMA Practices Group 12 (Financial Management and Budgeting)
How do you develop a fiscally-sound budget for your city? What policies and procedures can you adopt to help you maintain 
the stability of your organization's finances?
Speaker: Sara Robinson, Assistant City Manager, City of Deer Park

4:00-5:00 p.m.
Preparing For Your First City Management Position
Addresses ICMA Practices (4) Staff Effectiveness, (6) Strategic Leadership, (14) Communication and Information Sharing
Are you wondering how to prepare for your first city management position? This session will highlight strategies and key areas you need to know.
Speaker: Sereniah Breland, City Manager, City of Pflugerville; and Micah Grau, City Manager, City of Buda

Friday, January 26

8:00-8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast

8:30-10:00 a.m.
The Political Realities of City Management
Addresses ICMA Practices Groups 4 (Staff Effectiveness); 6 (Strategic Leadership); and 14 (Communicating and Information Sharing)
How do city management professionals establish and maintain successful relationships and work effectively with the city council and city staff?
Speakers: Jeff Bickerstaff, Mayor, City of Sachse and Jeff Jones, Town Manager, Town of Sunnyvale

10:00-10:15 a.m.
Break/Group Reflection

10:15-11:45 a.m.
Municipal Law 101
Addresses ICMA Practices Groups 8 (Policy Facilitation and Implementation); and 13 (Human Resources Management and Workforce Engagement)
Which basic municipal laws do you need to know about? TML legal staff will discuss laws related to open government, ethics, employment, and purchasing.
Speakers: Texas Municipal League legal staff

11:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  
Tying It All Together
Moderator: Matt Mueller, Town Manager, Town of Little Elm

12:00 p.m.
Adjourn