Cyber Corner: “Reverse Cyber Scams” and Software Security Patch Updates
CyberSecurity has become one of the largest exposures for local governments, but the good news is that conscientious employees can stop most cyber-attacks. That’s why “Cyber Corner” will be a regular feature in this and future Risk Pool Reports – please share this information with your employees each month to help keep your entity safe.
- Reverse Cyber Scams: Cyber criminals frequently pose as a vendor to send a “phishing” email to local government employees. The email seeks to trick the employee into sending money or financial information. But did you know that scammers are now impersonating local governments and creating fake purchase orders to scam vendors into making payments to them, instead of your entity? Scammers replicate an email with your entity’s logo and contact information, but with a different payment address. Because of this new threat, you may want to ensure vendors use out of band authentication (e.g., calling a designated employee to ensure the P.O. is real) prior to sending money.
- Software Security Patch Updates: Whether your entity has one laptop or 1,000 with full IT support, windows and virus scan security updates provide vital protection. But they can’t stop cyber criminals unless they’ve been installed, so make regular update checks and installations a priority.
And, as always, if you see anything in an email that makes you suspicious, DO NOT click on links, supply any type of personal or work information, send money, reply to the email, attempt to contact senders, or open attachments, without first confirming the authenticity of the sender.
Legislative Update from the Texas Municipal League: Eighty-Eighth Legislature Begins
The 88th Legislature gaveled in on Tuesday, January 10. The Texas House of Representatives re-elected Representative Dade Phelan (R – Beaumont) as Speaker of the House by a vote of 143-3, fending off a challenge from Representative Tony Tinderholt (R – Arlington). The Texas Senate selected Senator Kelly Hancock (R – North Richland Hills) as its President Pro Tem.
As the legislature kicks off, TML encourages city officials to stay engaged with their legislators. TML has created an advocacy toolkit to provide resources, tools, and training to help city officials successfully advocate at the Capitol. The toolkit contains information on: (1) the legislative process; (2) a guide to writing an effective advocacy letter; and (3) tips for testifying at the Capitol, amongst other things. The toolkit can be found here.
In addition, TML will need to mobilize our membership at key points during session. The Grassroots Involvement Program (GRIP) is one way to do so. Our GRIP survey focuses on a variety of items including your areas of expertise and involvement with other professional organizations. Most importantly, the GRIP survey asks how well you know your state legislators and if you are willing to communicate with those legislators during session. TML’s grassroots approach will be crucial to our efforts.
The GRIP survey can be found here. All city officials are urged to fill out the survey if they haven't done so already.
Editor’s Note: TML staff summarizes most city-related bills each week. Check out each week’s edition or a running list for bills of interest to TML Risk Pool Members.
Congress Gives Cities More Flexibility for Recovery Funds
Last December, Congress passed the final budget package for 2023, which set funding levels for every federal agency and grant program for the year. The package includes a significant provision the National League of Cities actively supported to make each city’s current funding from the American Rescue Plan’s State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds (SLFRF) more flexible, known as ARPA Flex.
The ARPA Flex provision provides additional flexibility for local governments to spend their allocations of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The new eligible SLFRF grant expenditures will include, among other things, spending to provide emergency relief from natural disasters, including temporary emergency housing, food assistance, financial assistance for lost wages, or other immediate needs.
*Edited version reprinted with permission from the National League of Cities.
President Biden Signs Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act
The Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act, which recently became law, directs federal agencies – including the Department of Homeland Security in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fire Administration, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health – to develop best practices, training, and educational programs to reduce, limit, and prevent exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS have been used as a fire retardant for some time.
For the purpose of making recommendations under the Act, the United States Fire Administration is directed to consult with interested entities, including: (1) firefighters and other emergency response personnel, including national fire service and emergency response organizations; (2) impacted communities dealing with PFAS contamination; (3) scientists, including public and occupational health and safety experts, who are studying PFAS and PFAS alternatives in firefighting foam; (4) voluntary standards organizations engaged in developing standards for firefighter and firefighting equipment; (5) State fire training academies; (6) State fire marshals; (7) manufacturers of firefighting tools and equipment; and (8) any other relevant entities.
The federal agencies have one year from the law’s enactment to develop the guidance. The Pool will monitor and report on their progress.
2023 Rerates/Contributions Process: Update Your Information!
The 2023 rerate season (when the Pool calculates Member contributions for the next fund year) is right around the corner. The Pool begins preparing for the next fiscal year, which begins October 1, by requesting updated information from Members. The process is as easy as one-two-three:
- We ask you for updates: Over the next several weeks, Pool staff will contact Members by email seeking information they need to calculate contributions. The information may vary based on the type of local government, but the following are typical examples: (1) current line-item operating budget (if applicable); (2) projected number of law enforcement personnel (if applicable); (3) updated automobile schedules; (4) updated real and personal property schedules; and (5) any new or planned operations to ensure appropriate coverages.
- You submit updates timely: The process begins early so underwriters have sufficient time to review and process changes prior to October 1. Members who submit updates promptly will have contribution amounts in time for budget preparation. Underwriters who receive updates prior to April 1, 2023, will include those in the 2023/24 contribution calculations. Updates received after that date may be handled via endorsement, which could result in additional contributions after the October 1 billing statement.
- Through the Member Portal or what’s best for you: The most efficient way to update your schedules is to submit them through the Member Portal. The Portal is available to update as you have changes or all-at-once prior to renewal. Another way is to email spreadsheets with updated schedules.
Contact your Member Services Manager with questions about the Member Portal, the rerate process, or anything at all!
Workers' Compensation Resources
The TML Risk Pool provides workers’ compensation coverage for more than 200,000 local government employees and receives around 10,000 claims per year. The Workers’ Compensation Department is the largest of all the Pool’s departments, largely because the workers' compensation process is highly-regulated by the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Texas Department of Insurance.
To help Members understand the process, the Pool has prepared several resources. Episodes 10a-10c of the “Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast” provide a quick overview of workers’ compensation in general and the first responder disease presumption. Of course, some Members need a more in-depth program, and that’s available now. Parts one and two of “Workers’ Compensation: Navigating the Process” provide – in 50 minutes – much more detail about the process and how it’s administered.
Member Spotlight: City of Mission Mental Health Unit
The City of Mission, with the help of a $229,963 federal grant awarded to the Mission Police Department from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance, has created a mental health unit and hired two additional mental health officers.
“The main goal is to support our citizens who are combating mental health, who are dealing with mental health, who are suffering with mental health,” Police Chief Cesar Torres said. “So, it’s important to bring awareness to let them know they’re not alone.”
Green decals replace the blue one would normally see on a Mission police unit. There’s an additional green ribbon near the rear of the vehicle and the words “We can beat Mental Health” on the front passenger side panel. “Mental health awareness is a priority for the city of Mission,” said Torres.
Service in Focus: January is R.O.A.D. Ready Month - Let’s Roll!
R.O.A.D. Ready (Recognize the Hazards; Observe People, Processes, and Equipment; Assess the Risk Level; and Determine the Safest Course of Action) is a Risk Pool program designed to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property by raising Member awareness of dangers on and near roadways. The Pool provides participating Members with: (1) specifically designed resources and training to mitigate roadway risks; and (2) promotional materials to show they are R.O.A.D. Ready.
To participate, your organization should: (1) make a commitment to becoming R.O.A.D. Ready by providing internal roadway safety training or using the Pool’s resources to do so; and (2) participating in national roadway, vehicle, or work zone programs.
Go to the R.O.A.D. Ready webpage to download posters and learn more about this month’s safety themes: (1) distracted driving/road rage; (2) heavy equipment operations; and (3) line strikes; (4) mower operations; and (5) right-of-way operations.
Contact your Loss Prevention Representative or Member Services Manager for more information.
T.I.P.S. Sheet: Groundskeeping
Groundskeeping work can be hazardous. Mowers and other landscaping equipment have cutting surfaces, rotating parts, and hot engine parts, and they can expel rocks and debris. Protect your employees from injury by considering these tips.
Our Latest Blog
Brownsville: Strategic City on Texas Border Enjoys Clean Air, Low Crime and more!
Upcoming Loss Prevention Training: Resilience Strategies for Law Enforcement and more!
Here’s a list of upcoming loss prevention training. The events calendar has registration details.
