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Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast — Government
Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast

The Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool proudly introduces the Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast Series. The Pool is producing this regular podcast series, which has been dubbed STP, to help local officials (and managers and staff) understand key operational and legal concepts, and the services the Pool provides. After arming members with that information, each 15-minute episode will give easy action items to help keep your citizens, employees, volunteers, and property safe, all while saving public dollars. City council members can earn up to 19 Texas Municipal League Institute CEUs for listening to the podcasts. To receive CEUs for a particular episode, an elected official must provide a description of the episode, which must be educational in nature, pertain to municipal leadership, and should enhance your service as an elected official, for TML approval. Attorneys who listen to podcasts may be eligible for up to three hours of self-study CLE credit. Please refer to the State Bar CLE compliance rules for more information.

Copyright: © 2024 Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 3 Redux: Sewage Backups: Know Before You Go Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

Updated and Reposted December 23, 2022

Explains: (1) the law related to a local government’s liability for raw sewage backups into customers’ homes or businesses; and (2) the Pool’s opt-out and supplemental sewage backup coverage.
Further information:
Sewage Backups: Know Before You Go (Q&A)
Sewage Backups: Know Before You Go (Cheat Sheet)

Episode 12 REDUX: An Interview with Craig Barnes – the Risk Pool’s Human Resources Trainer: Top Three Human Resources Challenges and Opportunities Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

Explains: (1) the three most common human resources challenges and opportunities for local government employees; (2) training provided by the Pool to address behaviors that cause unhealthy conflict in the workplace.
Further materials links:

Risk Pool Loss Prevention Department (Training and More)

TML Risk Pool’s “Call Before You Fire Program”

Employment Law Manual for Texas Cities

Texas Municipal Human Resources Association

Episode 21: “An Interview with Board of Trustees Chair Mary M. Dennis” Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, you’ll get to know City of Live Oak Mayor Mary M. Dennis, who was recently chosen to lead to Pool’s Board of Trustees. Scott and/or Mary would love to come speak at your event about the benefits of Pool Membership.

Episode 20: Crimes and Coverage Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

Explains: (1) several criminal offenses for which a local official can be indicted; (2) criminal offenses that can be perpetrated against a local government; and (3) various crime coverages offered by the Pool.

Further materials links:

Understanding Your Liability as a City Official: A Primer

Legal Q&A – Bribery and Prohibited Gifts

Episode 19: Member Service Managers: Your Gateway to the Pool Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, special guest host Tamara Chafin, the Risk Pool’s Communications Officer, explains: (1) the role a Member Services Manager (MSM), plays at the Pool; and (2) interviews 2 of our MSMs: Linda Morvant and Marc Rodriguez.

Further information:

Episode 18: The Texas Public Information Act: “The Information Business” Aug 19, 2022

Show notes

Posted August 19, 2022

In this episode, Scott: (1) explains the basics of the Public Information Act; and (2) interviews three city secretaries and an open government analyst for practical tips and advice.

Further information:

· Texas Attorney General’s Public Information Act Handbook

· Texas Attorney General’s Mandatory Public Information Act Training

· Texas Municipal League Public Information Act Resources

· Texas Attorney General’s Charges for Public information Resources

Episode 10c: First Responder Workers’ Compensation Benefits — The Facts Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

Mentions a recent Texas Observer assertion that the Pool mistreated three first responders and explains that: (1) the Pool never tries to claw back benefits already received in a benefits determination appeal; (2) the workers’ compensation beneficiary determination process can seem calloused; and (3) appeal lawsuits are about determining who is the appropriate beneficiary.

Further information:
First Responder Workers’ Compensation Beneficiaries: The Facts

Episode 17: Temporary Custodians — Public Information on Private Devices and Accounts Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

Explains: (1) that work-related local government information held on private devices or in private accounts is public information; and (2) that a local government official or employee is a “temporary custodian” responsible for maintaining that information according to certain procedures.

Further information:
Temporary Custodian Q&A
Attorney General Public Information Act Handbook Excerpts
Texas State Library and Archives Commission Records Retention Website

Episode 15e (STP Special Video Report Series: 2022 Rerates) Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

An Interview with Executive Director Jeff Thompson

Posted June 24, 2022

In this special five-episode series, you can either watch or listen in the traditional podcast format. The series provides an explanation of the major rate drivers and their effect on your 2022 rerates.
In this episode, Scott interviews Jeff Thompson (Risk Pool Executive Director) to get Jeff’s thoughts on the state of the Pool, rerates, and more.
Further Information:
A Message from the TML Risk Pool: Increasing 2022–2023 Member Rates and Contributions

Episode 15d (STP Special Video Report Series: 2022 Rerates) Jun 17, 2022

Show notes

The Risk Pool’s Finances and Reinsurance

Posted June 17, 2022
Please join me for a special five-episode series that allows you to either watch or listen to explanations of the major rate drivers and their effect on Members’ 2022 rerates.

In this episode, Scott interviews: (1) Tito Villegas (Risk Pool CFO and Chief Investment Officer) about the structure of the Pool’s finances; and (2) Lindsey Fields (Risk Loss Deputy Executive Director and COO) about how reinsurance works and relates to your rates.
Further Information:
Risk Pool Financial Strength (including 2021-2022 Annual Report

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