La Quinta Returnee Schedule

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Registration and Networking Reception

LOCATION: SAN JACINTO B & C

Promoting Civility in Times of Heightened Partisanship and Polarization

Institute for Local Government

LOCATION:  SANTA ROSA

In the wake of contentious elections, local officials statewide are faced with navigating polarization and partisanship at the federal, state and local levels. Local governments are working hard to balance this while also managing new board dynamics, continued uncertainty resulting from the COVID crisis and a myriad of other challenges local governments face on a daily basis. Join a panel of special district officials to hear strategies and lessons learned about how to manage relationships, increase civility, continue operations and communicate effectively with your community.

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

BREAK 

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Rules of Engagement- Are You Ready to Govern?

Richards Watson Gershon

LOCATION: SANTA ROSA C

SB 1439 imposes new requirements on local elected officials to prevent alleged “pay-to-play” schemes involving specified contributions and proceedings after January 1, 2023. Using practical examples, this session will provide guidance on the new restrictions and disqualification requirements and other campaign finance law developments.

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Networking Luncheon

1:45 – 3:00 p.m.

How to Develop Innovative and Effective Outreach That Meets the Unique Needs of Your Community

Martin Rauch, Rauch Communication Consultants, Inc.

LOCATION: SANTA ROSA C

Every community has unique budgetary limits, personalities, programs, and circumstances. This session will help you evaluate your District’s relationship with the community and develop innovative and cost-effective outreach that will work in your specific situation. We will provide tips regarding the use of a variety of outreach tools. The session will also offer examples of what has worked in different districts and time for participants to ask questions and share experiences.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Best practices for engaging with your community.
• How to build understanding and support for your District and programs.
• Tips on developing and implementing a practical and useful outreach plan.

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.

BREAK

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Special Districts Socialize

Mac Clemmens and Maria Lara, Streamline

LOCATION:  SANTA ROSA C

Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, oh my! With each new channel comes new challenges. Learn from districts leading the way. Understand how and when to use social vs your district website. Learn about the latest legal issues with public comment and archiving, and review best practice social media policy templates.

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

SIP AND SAVOR EVENING RECEPTION

Sponsored by the Special District Risk Management Authority (SDRMA)

LOCATION: SAN JACINTO B & C

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Advanced Financial Reporting and Strategies for Public Officials

Cindy Byerrum, MPA, CPA, Eide Bailly CPAs

LOCATION:  SANTA ROSA C

This session will include a deep dive into interpreting budgets and financial statements and the various methods of presentation of both. Multiple cash flow projection models will be reviewed, along with the important elements needed for an adequate cash & investment management plan. The use of debt financing in financial forecasts will be discussed, as well as the establishment of Section 115 trusts as a strategy to reduce future costs. Alternative investment options will be presented that go beyond the often-used strategy of simply investing in the State Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF). Advantages and disadvantages of the different investment strategies will be presented, along with sample treasurer reports that conform to state guidelines.

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

BREAK

10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

ESTABLISHING A BOARD CULTURE

Brent Ives, BHI Management Consulting

LOCATION: SANTA ROSA C

This session will provide an update and guidance on the new rules related to teleconferencing under AB 2449, social media engagement rules so as not to run afoul of the Brown Act and a refresher on the provisions of the public records act and conflicts of interest that all elected officials should be familiar with.

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Networking Luncheon

LOCATION: SAN JACINTO B & C

1:15 – 2:45 p.m.

Board / Manager Relationship Best Practices

Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

LOCATION:  SANTA ROSA C

This presentation will expand on the “Defining Board & Staff Roles and Relationships” that participants previously attended. The training will provide “best practices” for a positive relationship between Board members and the General Manager and staff by using real-world scenarios for participants to work through. In addition, the training will provide “hands-on” guidance for evaluating the General Manager as well as tips for drafting and reviewing employment contracts with General Managers.

2:45 – 3:00 p.m.

BREAK

Leading Challenging Board Meetings

David Prentice, Prentice Long PC

LOCATION:  SANTA ROSA C

The purpose of a district board is to provide effective governance through visionary and strategic leadership. That is the ideal but what if the board is dysfunctional and unable to reach consensus. This presentation will provide tools and insights into overcoming board dysfunction. Attendees will learn the sources of the challenge whether coming from an individual, the board structure or the board culture or a combination of these elements. The goal of this session is to provide strategies and tactics for addressing board dysfunction and returning to working as a team for good governance, regardless of differences of perspective.

4:00 p.m.

Conference Ends for Returning Attendees