User:TAC2020/sandbox

Intro
The Texas Association of Counties (TAC) serves as an educational, legal, legislative and professional resource for Texas' 254 county governments. Established in 1969, TAC acts as a liaison between Texas counties and the Texas Legislature, state agencies, members of the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress and the media, and works to improve the public’s understanding of county government.

Operating as a nonprofit, nonpartisan member service organization headquartered in Austin, the Texas capital, TAC provides benefits and programs that help county governments function more effectively and efficiently.

History
The Texas Association of Counties was founded in 1969 after the Texas Legislature approved its formation. TAC was created to provide a unified voice for all 254 Texas counties in the legislative process and to inform counties of issues that affect them. Dallam County Judge W.D. Henson and Gregg County Commissioner Bill Owens were instrumental in TAC's creation. Henson was unanimously elected TAC's first president at the association's inaugural meeting in Dallas in 1969, while Owens was appointed TAC's first executive director. The TAC constitution details the purpose of the association:
 * To coordinate and augment the efforts of county officials to provide a responsive form of government to the people of Texas;
 * To further the interest of local government for the people of Texas; and
 * To assist the people and the counties in accomplishing their goals toward meeting the challenge of modern society.

Leadership
TAC is led by current Executive Director Susan M. Redford, who served as Ector County judge from 2007 to 2015. A board of directors sets TAC's policies, the scope of its services and its budget. Each county office in Texas -- county judge, commissioner, sheriff, district attorney, justice of the peace, to name a few – is represented on TAC's board. The current board president is Renee L. Couch, Comal County treasurer. Glasscock County Judge Kim Halfmann is president-elect.

Member Services
TAC serves counties by offering a range of member-driven services and resources. Education and Training. TAC schedules a variety of training programs and events to help county officials and employees meet mandatory educational requirements and the needs of county residents. Legal Information. TAC's Legal Services Division helps county officials navigate state laws and regulations. It also offers a helpline to answer legal questions and provides numerous online legal resources and publications. Legislative Support. TAC's Legislative Services Division connects county officials with state officials in Austin and federal officials in Washington, D.C. It produces briefs, reports and videos and offers other resources important to county interests. Benefit and Risk Pools. Counties began pooling their resources through TAC in 1974 with the creation of the Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Pool. The pools now include the TAC Health and Employee Benefits Pool, TAC Risk Management Pool and TAC Unemployment Compensation Group Account Fund. Each is governed by a board of directors made up of county officials. Technology Services. TAC’s County Information Resources Agency provides email and website hosting, technology and cybersecurity training, and electronic payment capabilities to Texas counties. Communications. TAC publishes County magazine six times a year. A communications staff works with other association departments to keep county officials and their employees informed about issues that affect them through TAC's website, emails, social media platforms and other communication channels. The Communications Division is also responsible for maintaining TAC's public profile and responding to media inquiries. Media information is available on TAC's website.