12:00 PM Pre-Conference Golf Tournament. The Biennial golf championship will be held at Buffalo Creek golf course; considered one of the top ten golf courses in Texas. Tee-times will start at 12:00pm on Wednesday April 23, 2008. The tournament organizers will assemble teams according to player handicaps. Green fees are included in your conference registration.

6:30 - 7:30 PM Welcome Reception and Dinner BALLROOM E&F

7:30 - 9:00 PM General Session: Talking Texas Taxes - Words that Work Dr. Frank Luntz, a nationally recognized pollster and political analyst, will lead the audience through an interactive discussion of the current political climate and public attitudes on issues of interest to counties. Dr. Luntz will provide a special focus on property taxes and the current initiative in Texas and similar initiatives in other states that seek to impose financial restrictions on local government officials. Dr. Luntz will provide advice on how to discuss these and other important issues in the most meaningful way with the public. Dr. Luntz is the author of the best seller: “Words that Work: It’s Not What You Say It’s What People Hear”, which delves deeply into the art and science of language creation, examining how the simple choice of words can change the course of history. (1.5 credit hours) BALLROOM E&F

Sponsored by: Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP / Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation

Thursday, April 24, 2008

8:00 - 8:30 AM Networking Breakfast BALLROOM E&F

8:30 - 9:15 AM General Session: Transportation issues in the 21st Century Senator John Carona, Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, will discuss the current status and the future outlook for transportation funding in the State of Texas. He will discuss the challenges of continued growth, revenue diversion, and rising costs in planning for mobility needs. (0.75 credit hours) BALLROOM E&F

Sponsored by: Pate Transportation Partners / Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

9:15 - 9:30 AM Break: Refreshments will be available in the foyer.

9:30 - 10:30 AM Breakout A: Update on Public Finance Alternatives Mr. Bob Dransfield, with Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., and Mr. John Martin, Senior Vice President of Public Finance at Southwest Securities, will provide an update on financial alternatives available to counties for infrastructure, transportation and other needs. The panel will also discuss current concerns in the financial markets. This session will be an interactive discussion, providing the audience with both a financial and legal point of view. (1 credit hour) CATAMARAN ROOM

9:30 - 10:30 AM Breakout B: Update on Potential Traps for the Unwary in Newsletters, Emails, and Blogs Mr. Henry De La Garza, Ethics Advisor with the Office of the Attorney General, will provide a presentation on the ethical and legal pitfalls associated with electronically stored communications. Mr. De La Garza will also discuss specific examples that illustrate the need for public officials to exercise good judgment in the use of electronic devices for both public and private communications. (1 credit hour) BILANDER ROOM

10:40 - 11:00 AM General Session: Special Guest Speaker Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst (.25 credit hours) BALLROOM E&F

11:00 - 12:00 PM General Session: The Impact of Changing Demographic Trends on Local Government Dr. Karl Eschbach, Director of the Texas State Data Center, will provide a presentation on the changing demographics of the State of Texas and provide an insight into the future in terms of the rate and sources of population growth and the aging of the population. Dr. Eschbach will also provide projections for changes in educational attainment, household income, and rates of poverty that will continue to drive the need for services in the future. (1 credit hour) BALLROOM E&F

Sponsored by: Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP / Jacobs Engineering

12:15 - 2:30 PM Membership Luncheon - Guest Speakers: Senator Bob Deuell; Representative Wayne Smith; and Representative Vicki Truitt. (1.75 credit hours) BALLROOM E&F

2:30 - 3:00 PM Extended Break: Refreshments will be available in the foyer.

3:00 - 4:30 PM Breakout C: Media Management in Crisis Situations Media relations experts Chris Gavras, of CG Group and Pat Svacina, of PAS Communications, will conduct a discussion on how to manage media communications during a governmental crisis, a natural or man made disaster or public health emergency. This session will feature real world examples of what to do during a crisis, the mistakes to avoid, and best practices to ensure that the proper information gets out to the right audience. (1.5 credit hours) CATAMARAN ROOM

3:00 - 4:30 PM Breakout D: Subdivision Regulation Roundtable Discussion Bell County Commissioner Tim Brown and Donald Lee, Urban Counties Executive Director, will host a roundtable session to discuss the problems that counties still have in terms of subdivision regulation. Participants will discuss solutions that may be needed from the legislature as well as ways that the Urban Counties can provide additional assistance in getting counties the authority needed in this area. (1.5 credit hours) BILANDER ROOM

6:15 – 8:30 pm Sponsors’ Reception - Join us on the deck overlooking scenic Lake Ray Hubbard to socialize and to thank the sponsors for their contributions. Live Music, Cocktails, & Heavy Hors d’oeuvres DECK

Friday, April 25, 2008

8:00 - 8:30 AM Networking Breakfast BALLROOM E&F

8:30 - 9:30 AM General Session: Pandemic Influenza: State and County Readiness Dr. David Lakey, MD, Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services will discuss the current readiness of state and county government to respond to a pandemic influenza emergency. Dr. Lakey will provide a historical overview of pandemic influenza, discuss existing preparations and review the need to be continually on guard should the “unthinkable” happen in the new century. (1 credit hour) BALLROOM E&F

Sponsored by: First Southwest / Schaumburg & Polk, Inc.

9:30 - 10:30 AM General Session: Medicaid Reform and Indigent Health Care Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins will discuss the implementation of Senate Bill 10, which was passed in 2007 to reform the Texas Medicaid program and reduce the number of Texans without health insurance. (1 credit hour) BALLROOM E&F

Sponsored by: Indigent Healthcare Solutions / Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP

10:30 - 10:45 AM Break: Refreshments will be available in the foyer.

10:45 - 12:00 PM Roundtable Session: Roundtable Discussion of County Issues Judge Mike Bradford will guide the attendees through a roundtable discussion of issues (including legislative issues) facing counties now and in the future. Attendees are encouraged to come prepared to discuss issues of importance in their county or region. (1.25 credit hours) BALLROOM E&F

12:00 PM Adjourn