2023 AHMO Spring Conference
Registration extended to March 22, Wednesday
Texas has been named the fastest growing state in the United States according to the United States Census Bureau. Jobs, housing costs, and cost of living are factors that have many choosing Texas as their home. Population growths in medium to small cities will significantly impact the existing infrastructure in terms of streets, water capacity, wastewater capacity, parks, and public areas.
This conference will provide an overview of identifying municipal projects, the state of the economy, funding methods, and legal process. The afternoon will focus on “The Challenges and Opportunities Facing Latino Leaders Today.”
Date
Friday, March 24, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location
Texas Municipal League Center
1821 Rutherford Lane, Austin • Conference Room, 1st Floor Conference Room
Registration
$50 for all participants
NOTE:
Registration is limited to 70 people • Onsite registration is not available • Registration includes continental breakfast and lunch
Hotel Accommodations
The hotels listed are located within a few miles of the Texas Municipal Center.
Sponsors
Please visit our sponsor page – they make this conference possible!
Health and Safety
Please view the most up-to-date COVID public health recommendations here:
Agenda
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Welcome by AHMO President and TML Board Member Marissa Ximenez, Councilmember, City of Floresville
8:45 – 9:30 a.m.
Economic Outlook
This session will discuss what cities can expect if they plan to finance community projects under the current economic conditions. When is the best time to go to market? Will there be enough demand for our bonds in the marketplace? These and more questions will be answered, simplifying what can seem like an intimidating topic and aimed at preparing you for those important conversations with your city’s finance team.
Speakers: Blake Hastings, Chief Economist, SWBC; and Arturo Perez, Vice President of Municipal Bond Underwriting, SWBC
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
A City Manager’s Perspective
The City of Floresville has utilized numerous funding sources to provide the best possible services to its citizens. City Manager Andy Joslin will show how cities can lessen the burden on community members by funding projects through community organization partnerships, sales and use taxes, and state and federal grants and low interest loans. Charles Stephens, the United States Department of Agriculture’s assistant administrator for rural utilities service, said when talking about the work being done with federal funding in Floresville, “You are a model for what we’d like to do throughout the country.”
Speaker: Andy Joslin, City Manager, City of Floresville
10:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Break
10:15 – 11:00 a.m.
Identifying the Project
This session will focus on understanding the intricacies and challenges involved in planning, designing, and managing construction projects so the company your city hires has the information needed to make the project a success.
Speaker: Edward De La Garza, PE, President/CEO, Triūn, LLC
11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Financing the Project: Preparing for Successful Financing and the Tools Available to Texas Cities
This discussion will lead attendees through the steps to prepare for financing a project by being proactive when needing to finance infrastructure improvements. The importance of capital improvement planning, having proper financial policies in place, and the common financing tools available to Texas cities will be discussed.
Speaker: Victor Quiroga, Managing Dirctor, Specialized Public Finance, Inc.
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Lunch
12:45 – 1:30 p.m.
Performance Contracting
This session will explore how cities can use progressive design-build and guaranteed energy savings contracts to increase efficiency, improve operations, and save money.
Speaker: Greg Smith, Business Development Manager, Performance Services (TCMA Life Member/Retire City Manager)
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.
Legal Review
Cities are facing financial challenges, especially in light of the growth the state has experienced over the last several years. This presentation will examine trends in the current and recent legislative sessions and any limitations such sessions will or have had on financing city projects.
Speaker: Matt Lee, JD, Senior Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Break
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
The Challenges and Opportunities Facing Latino Leaders Today
Panelists: Councilman Roland Barrera, Councilmember, City of Corpus Christi; Jesus Garza, City Manager, City of Victoria; and Dr. Juan Carlos Huerta, political science professor, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
4:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks