Treasurers compare notes at training session in Austin

Kelley

More than 250 county treasurers gathered in Austin for the 35th annual continuing education seminar the first week of April.

Newly-elected Jasper County Treasurer Rene' Kelly said the most valuable experience for her was the roundtable discussions with other county treasurers.

"When you can talk to other counties that are about the same size, same situation as Jasper, then you can compare notes and see how others do things," Kelly said.

She said all the treasurers are learning to keep up with new technology like direct deposits. A treasurer can scan a payment, put money in the bank and post it to the proper account all in one step, without leaving her desk.

"Texas is one of a small number of states that requires all elected county officials to earn continuing education credits," according to Richard O. Avery, director of the V.G. Young Institute.

The institute is part of the Texas Cooperative Extension, which helps elected county officials with information and technical assistance.

The program this time included fraud protection, human resource laws, and workshops on identification theft, jury reimbursement and IRS laws.