New Edition of the Public Finance Handbook for Texas Counties Available Now
The new edition of the Public Finance Handbook for Texas Counties, prepared by Tom Pollan and published by the Texas Association of Counties (TAC), has been posted on the TAC site, a link to which is included under “Details” at the bottom of this article. The Handbook is designed to explain the bond issuance process, especially for counties that do not issue bonds on a frequent basis. Among other topics, it addresses the ways in which a county can finance projects, the roles of the financial advisor and bond counsel, the documents used in a county bond issue, bond elections, and public finance for economic development.
A partner at Bickerstaff Heath, Mr. Pollan has represented numerous counties, cities and special districts throughout Texas in the issuance of general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, certificates of obligation and tax notes. He is a frequent speaker at public finance seminars and training programs, including those sponsored by the Texas Association of Counties, the V.G. Young Institute, and the Texas Leadership Institute. In addition to serving as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel and issuer’s counsel, he also has successfully tried several bond validation lawsuits.
Mr. Pollan is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and is listed in the Bond Buyer’s Municipal Marketplace (the “Red Book”). He serves as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel and as special counsel in connection with local government financings and has personally served as bond counsel to over fifty Texas counties. Prior to joining Bickerstaff Heath, he was Chief of the Insurance, Banking and Securities Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.
The depth of Mr. Pollan’s experience is ably demonstrated by the introductory remarks written by TAC General Counsel Karen Gladney in the Handbook’s latest edition:
“Tom Pollan is an Austin attorney in private practice who has served as a willing and able external resource for the Legal Department of the Texas Association of his Counties for many years. In fact, he provided much of the early organizational guidance for the Association before there was a staff legal department at TAC. The Association will always be in his debt for the counsel he has provided through the years. The user of this publication will easily perceive Pollan’s gift for insightful and practical guidance through a maze of a very technical field of law and practice. We believe that this publication is unique and will become an essential tool for county officials.”
A copy of the Handbook also appears in the “Publications” area of this site.