With less than a month remaining in the legislative session, bills will start moving quickly. Stay abreast of everything city-related that’s happening through the Texas Municipal League’s Legislative Update Newsletter!
Annual Request for Updated Schedules and Exposure Information
Every Risk Pool Member is required to update schedules and exposures annually to ensure proper coverage. As part of this process, the Pool requests that you log onto the portal and update all schedules so that underwriting can process your documents for the upcoming year. Timely submission ensures you have the appropriate coverages and allows us to provide timely contribution information as you prepare your upcoming budget.
Mandatory Cybersecurity Training Due August 31
Texas Government Code Section 2054.5191 mandates cybersecurity training for local government employees, elected officials, and appointed officials who have access to a local government computer system or database and use a computer to perform at least 25 percent of their duties. Get all the details, including free training options, on the Pool’s Cybersecurity Training Page. Contact Ryan Burns — the Pool’s Cyber Risk Services Manager — at rburns@tmlirp.org or 512-491-3427 with any cyber-related questions.
Do You Need a Smile Today? Don’t Miss STP Podcast Episode 41: Watch or Listen to a Brief Conversation with Risky the Armadillo!
In this episode, host Scott Houston interviews the Pool’s mascot — Risky the Armadillo! In this super-fun conversation, you’ll hear about how Risky came to be, how he got his name, and how he plans to help spread the word about the Pool’s coverages, programs, and benefits for local governments.
This special video version of Episode 41 on the “Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast” series is sure to make you smile! (You can listen as usual, but watch the YouTube Video to get the full effect — click on the video link next to the podcast or visit the TML Risk Pool’s YouTube channel at @tmlriskpool.)
STP episodes are short and informative, with short being the key — no episode is longer than 15 minutes. Check one out today on the Pool’s website or your favorite podcast app! Contact Scott (Risk Pool Intergovernmental Relations Manager) at 512-791-4158 or scott.houston@tmlirp.org with comments, questions, or ideas for future episodes.
Board of Trustees Adopts 2025–2026 Rerates
The Mission of the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool is to facilitate and empower a partnership amongst Texas municipalities (and other eligible local governments) by providing a stable and economical source of risk financing and loss prevention services. The Pool’s Board of Trustees, in alignment with that mission, has adopted rates for the 2025–2026 fund year.
A Member’s actual contributions will vary based on loss experience, limits, deductibles, and other factors. The base rate changes are as follows (these rates do not apply to housing authority Members — housing authorities will receive a direct email communication from their risk management advisor shortly):
Cyber Liability and Data Breach Response will have an increase of between $400–$600, based on Member selection. However, Members will no longer have retention and will be receiving additional mitigation services at no additional cost.
Workers’ Compensation: Due to favorable results in the Pool’s Workers’ Compensation Fund, rates for the following classifications are being reduced for the 2025–2026 coverage period. Although no classification codes will see an increase in rates, your contribution may go up based on your loss history and other factors.
Your schedules reflect changes made for the upcoming fund year. Please carefully review them to ensure efficient claims processing. Additions or deletions made prior to the effective date of coverage may result in an adjustment to your contribution. In addition, Members should report asset changes as they occur (buildings, automobiles, equipment, etc.) on the Member Portal at tmlirp.org.
Minimum Contributions: Minor adjustments were made to minimum contributions to an amount necessary to cover the administrative costs of membership. For most coverages, the amount will be $25 or less by line of coverage.
The Pool’s Bylaws and Coverage Documents have been updated and are available in the Member Portal at www.tmlirp.org. Please contact your Risk Management Advisor at 512-491-2300 with questions or for assistance with the Member Portal.
Colorado State University Releases 2025 Hurricane Forecast: Are You Prepared?
CSU has released its annual 2025 Atlantic basin hurricane forecast. Meteorologists there “anticipate that the season will have above-normal activity,” with more named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes compared to the average.
Specifically, predictions include 17–19 named storms, 9–10 hurricanes, and 4–5 major hurricanes. The season officially begins on June 1, 2025, and ends on November 30, 2025, with the peak of the season expected in mid-September. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s forecast is expected soon.
For the latest installment of “Meet-a-Trustee,” Pool Staff interviewed City of Schertz Councilmember and current Texas Municipal League President Allison Heyward, who holds Place 3 on the Pool’s Board of Trustees.
Allison Heyward wasn’t planning to run for city council. She just wanted her city officials to be approachable and accountable. After repeatedly attending meetings in Schertz and seeing a need for more transparency and engagement, her husband finally turned to her and said, “You know that someone should run? That someone is you.” It wasn’t long before she was walking neighborhoods and preparing for her first campaign.
That campaign in 2018 was no small feat. Schertz is a growing community, and her race coincided with the high-turnout Cruz–O’Rourke Senate election. But Heyward dove in, walking neighborhoods, talking to voters, and standing outside polling places each day of early voting. She did it all with help from her family and friends — six of whom each contributed $100 to kickstart her campaign. “It was our city, our campaign,” she said. Her commitment paid off. She won the election by 1,500 votes. (Read more)
“Risky” the Pool’s Mascot on Being R.O.A.D. Ready!
TxDOT’s district office in Wise County recently celebrated “National Workzone Safety Week” with their giant traffic drum armadillo. Risky the Armadillo, the TML Risk Pool’s mascot, couldn’t resist a road trip to say hi! (link to Facebook post)
Risky wants to remind everyone that the TML Risk Pool takes roadway safety very seriously, all year long. Check out our R.O.A.D. Ready program, which is designed to keep local government employees who work in and around roadways safe! Risky explains how in this two-minute YouTube video!
Service in Focus: ILEA Sergeant Academy Will Soon Train 1000th Supervisor!
The Institute for Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA) will soon have trained over 1,000 sworn and civilian law enforcement supervisors since 2017 through its Texas Sergeant Academy. The two-week interactive and experiential program is designed to equip and inspire new supervisors — and reinvigorate senior supervisors — for the challenges of the fast-paced and fluid world of law enforcement leadership.
The TML Risk Pool has long partnered with ILEA to offset the cost of Member city employees’ attendance by 50 percent to attend the academy. In 2025–2026, the Pool’s Loss Prevention Department again expects to host three academies across the state in cooperation with ILEA. By the end of the current budget year, ILEA will have conducted a total of 26 programs.
Evaluations and participation continue to be excellent. This comprehensive training for supervisors pays dividends because these leaders become better supervisors, leading to better outcomes in their communities.
Cyber Corner: You Are the Key to Our Cybersecurity
When most people think about cybersecurity, they picture firewalls, antivirus software, and high-tech systems catching hackers in the act. While technology has come a long way to keep us safe, the simple truth is this: it’s not enough on its own.
Cybercriminals know this. That’s why, in addition to trying to outsmart our tools, they are targeting something much easier — YOU AND ME.
Today, most cyber threats focus on the “human layer” of defense, not just systems and software. Clicking a bad link, opening a shady attachment, or sharing sensitive information by mistake can create serious problems. In fact, 85% of cyber incidents involve human factors, whether intentional or not.
Here’s the bottom line: every single one of us is part of our cybersecurity defense and has a responsibility to keep our data and systems safe. Whether you’re in finance, IT, city management, public safety, or any other department, your daily actions help protect (or accidentally expose) your entity’s data.
Even the most advanced security tools might not be able to help if we aren’t careful. That’s why it’s so important to stay alert:
Think before clicking links or downloading files.
Question anything and everything that looks suspicious — even if it seems to come from someone you know.
When in doubt, pick up the phone and verify an unsolicited email with the sender before taking any other action. Or contact IT for an extra set of eyes.
Cybersecurity isn’t just an “IT thing.” It’s everyone’s responsibility — and it’s easier to build strong habits than fix the damage after something goes wrong.
By staying aware and diligent, we create a strong culture of security where every employee is a defender. Together, we can make sure our technology and our people work hand-in-hand to keep our organization safe.
Contact Ryan Burns — the Pool’s Cyber Risk Services Manager — at rburns@tmlirp.org or 512-491-3427 with any cyber-related questions. And for more tips and real-world examples, be sure to check out the Pool’s Cyber Squad YouTube channel, featuring cyber podcasts and more!
DSHS Ramping UpTexas Hazard Communication Act (THCA) Inspections
The Texas Hazard Communication Act (THCA) is a government worker “right-to-know” law. It requires public employers — including cities and other political subdivisions — to provide their employees with information and training on hazardous chemicals employees regularly use.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) conducts THCA compliance inspections at public employers’ workplaces across Texas. DSHS has provided a fact sheet explaining what the law says, who is covered, and how to comply. The TML Risk Pool’s Loss Prevention Department has also prepared a T.I.P.S. sheet on the Act.
