HR Insider Winter 2026 edition

Winter 2026

Insider Human Resources

Creativity | Collaboration | Integrity | Stewardship | Professionalism | Science-Based

PAGE 2 Health

PAGE 4 Highlights of the SE CURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement)

PAGE 6 Time to Create and Set Up Your New 2026 Records Fold ers in SharePoint Records

PAGE 7 BCBSTX Well On Target Help You Earn Wellness Rewards, and Healthier Habits All Year

Reimburse ment Account Run off Period and Claim Substantiation Re minder

Winter 2026

BENEFITS

HUMAN RESOURCES

Security In Focus Understanding Our EAA Badge Access System

HRA Runoff & Claim Substantiation Reminder

Y our 2026 Health Reim bursment Account funds became available on Jan uary 1, 2026. Your 2026 HRA amount is tied to the medical plan you selected during open enrollment or as a new hire. See table for contribution amounts. You can view your balance by logging in to your Proficient ac count at ProficientConnect.com. If you have unused funds in your 2025 HRA accounts, your funds will roll over at the end of April to your 2026 account after the 90-day run-off period has ended. The deadline to submit reim bursement claims or substation for expenses incurred in 2025 is March 31, 2026. To submit a reimbursement during the run off period, submit your claim information through Proficient Connect.com or by downloading the Proficient Connect app. Claim Substantiation If you have claims that require substantiation such as a receipt, invoice or EOB, please submit them as soon as possible. A delay in the upload of the substanti ation will cause a delay in HRA rollovers for all staff. HR will be in contact with you in March if you have claims that require sub stantiation. If the substantiation is not submitted, you will need to pay back the amount of your claims via check or money order.

I n today’s ever-evolving world, maintaining a se cure and safe workplace is paramount. Our orga nization relies on a comprehensive badge access system as a cornerstone of our security measures, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access specific areas within our facilities. How it works: Our badge access system uses individual ID badges with a unique identifier for each authorized person. When you present your badge to a reader at an en try point, such as the front door or gate, the reader communicates with a central system to verify your authorization for that area. If the credentials match, the system unlocks the door or gate; if not, access is denied. Benefits of our badge access system: • Enhanced Security: By restricting access to autho rized individuals, the system significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized entry into restricted areas outside of the EAA staff. This protects valuable assets, confidential information, and most impor tantly, our personnel. • Audit Trails: Every access event is logged, creating a detailed record of who accessed, what area, and when. This information is invaluable for investi gations, compliance purposes, and maintaining transparency within the organization. 2026 EAA Calendar and Holiday Schedule We are pleased to present the 2026 EAA Calendar and Holiday Schedule, created to provide clarity and help everyone plan more effectively for the up coming year. These calendars act as a central resource for key dates, timesheet deadlines, and organizational holidays. Both calendars are available via SharePoint or by clicking below. 2026 Holiday Schedule 2026 EAA Calendar

HDHP Plan If you are enrolled in the HDHP plan, up to $1500.00 of your medi cal 2025 HRA funds will rollover to your 2026 medical HRA. Up to $1000.00 of your 2025 dental and vision HRA

• Operation Efficiency: Compared to a traditional lock-and-key system, badge access is more effi cient, eliminating the need to rekey locks. • Visitor Management: The system facilitates secu re visitor management by allowing the issuance of temporary badges along with a sign-in sheet. Both have proven to provide a clear record of visitors’ presence. Your role in maintaining security: While our badge access system provides robust se curity, its effectiveness relies on everyone’s commit ment to security protocols. Please remember to: » Always keep your badge with you on the premises to ensure security and safety for all staff. » Never share your badge or let others use it. » Be aware of your surroundings, and do not let an unknown person “piggyback” on your badge ac cess. » Immediately report lost or stolen badges to Hu man Resources. In the event you need to be reissued a new badge, please contact Trish, Human Resources Associate as soon as possible. By understanding and following these guidelines, ev eryone can help create a safer and more secure envi ronment within the organization.

2026 HRA Contribution

Plan Name

BCBS Medical HDHP $3,499.99 BCBS Medical PPO $1,000.00 Dental & Vision $1,000.00

rollover amounts will roll over to your Retirement Health Savings Plan (RHS) account. The RHS is mandatory, and employees may not choose to opt out of this pro gram. At separation from em ployment, employees who are en rolled in the RHS and who meet the vesting period of five years of consecutive full-time service will be eligible to receive funds from their RHS account to pay for medical expenses. You can view your balance by logging in to your MissionSquare account at www.missionsq.org and clicking on plan #801871.

funds will roll over to your 2026 dental and vision HRA. Any re maining funds will roll over into a Retirement Health Savings

(RHS) account. PPO Plan

If you are enrolled in the PPO plan, up to $2,500.00 of your 2025 HRA funds will roll over to your 2026 HRA funds. Retirement Health Savings Plan Overview Any funds remaining over the

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Winter 2026

RETIREMENT

Mission Square Retirement Webinars

Retirement Savings Update New “Super Catch-Up” and Roth Rules W e want to share an important update regarding upcoming changes under the federal Se cure 2.0 Act that will impact how certain employees make catch-up contributions to the 457(b) deferred compensation plan beginning January 1, 2026. Under this legislation, any employee who earns more than $145,000 in wages (indexed annually) and is age 50 or older will be required to make all 457(b) catch-up contributions on a Roth (after-tax) basis, rather than pre-tax. This requirement applies only to catch-up contributions within the 457(b) plan and does not affect your ability to make standard contributions on either a pre-tax or Roth basis. Employees who are under age 50 or who earned $145,000 or less in the prior year will not be affected and may continue to choose the tax treatment of their catch-up contributions.

Planning for the Future: The Fundamentals of Retirement Investing - Whether you’re just starting out or need a refresher, we’ll discuss basic investing concepts, including risk, as set allocation, diversification, rebalancing, market timing, and dollar-cost averaging . February 25th Social Security: Understanding Your Options and Social Secu rity Fairness Act - As you near retirement, one of the biggest financial decisions to make is when to begin receiving Social Security benefits. With pensions disappearing, Social Security remains the major source of guaranteed lifetime retirement income for most Americans, so it’s important to explore your options and make an informed decision. March 4th Effective Estate Planning: Protecting Your Assets for the Future - An effective estate plan can help ensure your family’s fi

All webinars are held on Wed nesdays from 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST, unless otherwise noted. Register HERE to attend any of the classes. Enrolling in your 457(b) plan Learn why enrolling in your employer’s plan matters, disco ver easy steps to get started, and pick up tips to help you save for the future. Monday, February 2nd and Monday, March 2nd, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. The Medicare Puzzle: Under standing Your Medicare Opti ons - There are many pieces to the Medicare puzzle you need to be aware of. Gain insights into Medicare and the importance of knowing when you need to apply. February 4th Preparing for Your Retirement If you’re retiring soon, you probably have questions about your retirement accounts. Learn what you could consider next. February 18th

nancial needs will be taken care of and that your personal wishes will be carried out in the event of your death. March 11th Tax Planning and Your Retire ment - Taxes may be the hidden expense in your retirement plan. Take a closer look at understan ding how taxes work and how to prepare for and manage your tax liabilities in retirement. March 18th Managing your Investments: Helping to Keep your Retire ment on Track - An investing strategy is a carefully planned and prepared approach to managing and accumulating money to help meet your short-, mid-, and long-term financi al goals. Investment planning requires discipline and patience, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. March 25th

Higher “Super Catch-Up” at Ages 60-63 Employees who are ages 60–63 can contribute more than the standard age-50 catch-up. • Standard age 50+ catch-up (2026): $8,000 • New age 60–63 catch-up (2026): up to $11,250 Roth Requirments for High Earners Employees who earned more than $145,000 (indexed for inflation) in the prior year will be required to make catch up contributions as Roth (after-tax) contributions instead of pre-tax. • Regular contributions can still be pre-tax or Roth • Catch-up contributions must be Roth if prior-year wages exceed the limit • If you earn under the threshold, you may still choose whether your catch-up is pre-tax or Roth, depending on plan options. If you are affected by this change, we will reach out to you directly with information.

Webinars Tailored for TCDRS Members

Planning a Successful Retirement - Retirement is not just about the money. If you are thinking about retiring in the next five years, join TCDRS for a webinar about how to plan for a successful retirement. We’ll not only talk about the financial aspect of retirement, but the emotional transition as well. Plus, we’ll walk you through the steps for processing your TCDRS retirement. Wednesday, February 25th, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Click HERE to register. Welcome to TCDRS - If you’re a new hire and have questions about your TCDRS benefit, this we binar is for you! You’ll learn how TCDRS is unique and how it helps you save for your future. You’ll

also find out why it’s important to designate a ben eficiary and register for your online account. Then we’ll show you all the resources TCDRS offers to help you retire with confidence. Friday, March 6th, 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Click HERE to register. Envision Your Financial Future - Retirement planning begins on day one. Join TCDRS for a we binar to review how your TCDRS retirement plan works and how life changes can impact your ben efits. We’ll also discuss the importance of saving outside your TCDRS plan. The earlier you start saving for retirement, the more options you’ll have when you are ready to take that next step. Coming Soon!

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Winter 2026

RECORDS

WELLNESS Start Your Year on a Strong Note Earn Rewards with BCBS Well OnTarget A new year is the perfect time to focus on your health—and Well On earn points for completing lessons.Immediately report lost or stolen badges to Hu man Resources. • Personalized wellness recom mendations based on your Health Assessment

Open Records Requests In-Person Form T he Texas Public Infor mation Act (PIA) (Texas Government Code Chap

request form) to a governmental body, such as the EAA. Requests can be submitted through the EAA Open Records Center , but any written request is considered official. If you have an in-person meet ing, you may use this printed or PDF-fillable form to complete an information request. Once finished, please forward both the completed form and your re sponse to the Records Coordina tor.

ter 552) and the Freedom of In formation Act (FOIA) provide the public with the right to access government information. Un less a specific exception applies, all government information is presumed open. As public infor mation officers and providers, we cannot ask requesters why they are seeking information. Infor mation may exist in any format, including paper, audio, micro film, video, or email. However, the Act does not require the EAA

Target makes it rewarding! By participating in wellness activi ties, you can earn points that add up to real rewards, including $25 gift cards to places like Cracker Barrel, Cheddar’s, Outback, and retailers such as Bass Pro. How Rewards Works: • 5.000 points = $25 gift card • 8,772 points = $50 gift card • 17.544 points = $100 gift card • 35.088 points = $200 gift card Points can be earned throughout the year by completing simple wellness activities. Easy Ways to Earn Points • Health Assessment – 2,500 points. Available if you ha ven’t completed one in the last 6 months. • Self-Management Programs – 1,000 points per quarter. Learn at your own pace and

Featured Wellness Programs • Improving Your Cholesterol – 1,000 points per quarter • Managing Your Stress – 1,000 points per quarter. A self-gui ded, six-week program with practical tools and tips. Start Your Wellness Journey Today Access the BCBSTX Well OnTar get program by logging into Blue Access for Members (BAM) or via the BCBSTX App. Navigate to the “My Health” tab and select “Wellness” to reach the Well On Target portal. New users should register their account, while existing users can immediately access tools like the Health As sessment and Fitness Program. Take the first step, earn points, and turn healthy choices into rewards in 2026!

• Fitness Enroll ment – 2,500 points per year Enroll through BAM under MyHealth → Wellness, or call 1-888-313-5643 (Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. CST). Fitness & Activity Tracking • Connect a fitness device or download the AlwaysOn Well ness mobile app – 2,675 points per year. The app powered by Onlife Health is available in both Apple and Google Play. • Daily activity tracking – 55 points per day • Weekly tracking entries – 10 points per entry (up to 7 per week) • Fitness center visits: - 100 points for your first visit each week Ongoing Progress • Monthly Progress Check-In – 250 points Program

to create new information, con duct research, or answer ques tions. The Act is triggered when a per son submits a written request (such as an email or open records

New Year, New Folders Happy 2026! As we kick off the new year, it’s time to add 2026 folders to your records and active areas in SharePoint. Creating new folders at the start of the year helps keep records organized, easy to locate, and compliant with retention requirements.

To get started, follow the step-by-step in structions for creating new folders in Share Point: New Folders Guide If you receive or manage public information requests, remember to use the tools below:

EAA Open Records Center

Open Records Request Form (printable or fillable PDF)

Thank you for helping keep our records ac curate, organized, and up to date as we start the new year!

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Winter 2026

TRAINING

Motivation & Building Healthier Habits Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 10:00 - 11:00 LOCATION/PLATEFORM: Virtual/Zoom A representative from All One Health (our EAP provider) will dive deeply into what motivates us to change and move from wanting to doing. This pre sentation explores the hierarchy of needs and where mindfulness and action can move us in the right di rection towards better habits. Registration is Required. To Register for this event, click HERE . After registration, you’ll receive an email confirmation to add the event to your calendar. NEOGOV Service Desk Plus Training Wednesday, March 25th LOCATION/PLATEFORM: VIRTUAL/NEOGOV

Fleet Management Training Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 10:00 - 10:30 LOCATION/PLATEFORM: Virtual/Zoom This training will discuss the responsibilities for staff who have EAA vehicles assigned to them. Topics in clude: care of vehicle, driver responsibilities, routine/ non-routine maintenance and other tasks. While this training is open to all staff, it is mandatory for those who have been assigned an EAA vehicle and their supervisor. A meeting invite with link to attend this Access Service Desk Plus. When to Use Service Desk Plus. A review of Service Desk Plus Categories and the Service Desk Plus team/roles within the application. On this date, staff will have access to this training via NEOGOV and may view this training on an as needed basis. event will be sent to designated staff. Click to JOIN ZOOM on day of event

The 2026 Training & Development Catalog is now available in SharePoint! We hope you find this catalog helpful as you plan the year ahead. Since all events for 2026 will be conducted through various platforms, information, includ ing appropriate links to register and/or attend the event, are posted to the HR Calendar of Events in SharePoint. Infor mation will also be sent out to staff on a regular basis, as is our custom. If you have any questions regarding an event or need assistance, please contact Margaret Ross (210) 477 5110. 1st Quarter Training Opportunties 2025 Training & Development Catalog NEOGOV Intacct Refresher: Requisitions, POs and Reimbursements Wednesday, January 28th LOCATION/PLATEFORM: VIRTUAL/NEOGOV This mandatory pre-recorded presentation will discuss the process for requisitions, purchase orders and staff expense reimbursements through Intacct. Topics include: how to submit a requisition, how to upload docu mentation, and how to monitor your own expenses. Human Resources will assign the course to staff in NEOGOV on the date specified above. Staff will have 14 days to complete the course and submit an Acknowledgment Form. Mandatory For All Staff

This pre-recorded presentation will discuss an over view of Service Desk Plus. Topics include How to LEARNIT Manage Projects with Confidence Workshop Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 10:00 - 12:00 LOCATION/PLATEFORM: VIRTUAL/NEOGOV

Learn to better manage projects with essential skills taught in this project management training. Whether you are starting a new project or currently executing an existing project, this course will help par ticipants better understand essential information and best practices that will improve project performance. This course helps project teams align on terminology, roles & responsibilities, and provides techniques for breaking project deliverables into manageable tasks.

What We’ll Explore : Methodologies and project phases; the project management triangle; task management and task lists. Course Outline : Project and project management defined; project roles defined; an introduction to project management methodologies; project management triangle; the five project phases; project objectives; deliverables; and requirements; task management and creating a task list. Skills covered : Project Management Who Should Attend: This workshop is designed for leaders, people managers, project managers, and individual contributors that want to improve project performance. Training is limited to 20 participants. Registration is required via Eventbrite. Click HERE to register.

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Winter 2026

ANNIVERSARIES / BIRTHDAYS

NEW HIRES

Service Anniversary Spotlight

Akhil Varma Sakhineti Web Developer II

Elizabeth Daniela Bartels Regulatory Inspector II

While there are no employee anniversaries to recognize this quarter, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate a special milestone from last month. Ben Urbanczyk, Roger Andrade, Roel Loera and Joe Gonzales reached an incredible 20-year anniversary, marking two decades of dedication, growth, and commitment to our organization. Over the years, they’ve seen changes, tackled challenges, and helped shape where we are today. Check out the “then and now” photos! Proof that while hairstyles and fashions may change, great people stick around.

Varma joined the Information Te chnology Services department on October 27, 2025. Varma re ceived a Bachelor of Technology degree from Gitam University and a Master of Science degree in Information Technology from Clark University. He comes to the EAA with three years of experience as a full stack web developer. Varma is responsible for the design, development, configura tion, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of the organi zation’s websites, web infrastructure, and both mobile and web applications.

Daniela joined the Regulatory department on January 5, 2026. Daniela received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Texas at San Anto nio. She comes to the EAA with over three years of experience in environmental regulation and assess ment, soil consulting, and mining remediation services. Daniela is responsible for coordinating and performing work activities related to the continued development and implemen tation of regulatory programs to carry out the mission of the Edwards Aquifer Authority.

Chase Lubianski

Trinity Espinoza Communications & Engagement Intern Trinity joined the EAA on January 20, 2026. Trinity is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Curricu lum and Instruction at the Univer sity of Texas at San Antonio, with an expected graduation date of Decem

Groundwater Regulation Intern Chase joined the EAA on January 20, 2026. Chase is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio, with an expected graduation date of

Jessica Quintanilla Brennan Romero Bryan Anderson Jewell Lee Cozort Mike De La Garza Charles Bradshaw Matt Schwarz

January 4 January 6 January 9 January 9 January 14 January 16 January 20 January 20 January 22 January 30

Logan Schmidt

March 1 March 3 March 3 March 3 March 5 March 7 March 8 March 9 March 11 March 11 March 17 March 21 March 21 March 22 March 23 March 26 March 30

May 2026.

ber 2027.

1st Quarter Birthdays

Elizabeth Gutierrez

Jewel Uzquiano

Samuel Cardenas Modeling Intern

Jade Permenter Water Resources Intern

Paul Bertetti Kristy Smith

Samuel joined the EAA on January 21, 2026. Samuel is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and Data Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio, with an expected graduation date of

Jade joined the EAA on January 20, 2026. Jade is pursuing a Ba chelor of Science degree in Envi ronmental Science at the Univer sity of Texas at San Antonio, with an expected graduation date of May

Elizabeth Posada Samuel Cardenas

Destiny Valles

Patricia Mick

Mia de los Santos Mounika Dereddy

Jennifer Wong-Esparza

May 2026.

Rebecca Nunu Isabel Martinez Laura Hernandez Maryam Samimi

2026.

Emily Thompson February 7 Jade Permenter February 10 Julian Reyes February 15 Sandra Haglund February 17 Jose Gonzales February 18 Rob Esquilin February 23 Jes Sterzenback February 26 Erica Martinez February 26

Drew Pemelton

Mikaela Garcia EAHCP Intern

Communications & Engagement Drew joined the EAA on January 21, 2026. Drew is pursuing a Ba chelor of Science degree in Public Relations at Texas State University, with an expected graduation date of December 2026.

Mikaela joined the EAA on January 21, 2026. Mikaela is pur suing a Master of Science degree in Geoscience at the University of Texas at San Antonio, with an ex pected graduation date of May 2027.

Laurel Torres

Savanah Headen

Maggie Veliz Sarah Valdez

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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

New EADM Web Application

Be Alert For Deepfake Based Social Engineering

I T is currently developing a new Edwards Aquifer Data Management (EADM) web application designed to support well, timeseries, and site data entry for the Data Management Team. This application will integrate with EAGIS and provide users with intuitive graphical displays to support data review and analysis. Development is underway, and more updates will be shared as the project progresses.

C ybercriminals are increasingly using AIgenerated audio and video—known as deepfakes—to imper sonate coworkers, supervisors, or vendors. These attacks are designed to trick users into sharing sensi tive information, approving financial transactions, or granting system access. Deepfakes are becoming more realistic and harder to detect, making user awareness more important than ever. What staff should do: ⚠ Verify unexpected requests through a separate communication channel. ⚠ Be cautious of urgent or unusual instructions, even if the voice or video appears familiar. ⚠ Report any suspicious communication to IT.

IT Automation Initiatives IT is partnering with the Modeling Team to automate several manual processes involved in generating graphi cal reports. Our goal is to expand automation across the agency to streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and improve overall efficiency. By leveraging tools such as GitHub Actions and Power Automate, IT plans to help staff enhance and automate manual processes..

2025 System Uptime Thanks to proactive system monitoring and resilient infrastructure, our average uptime has remained above 99% throughout 2025 . This level of availability is a direct result of our IT team’s diligence and our continued focus on service reliability.

Online Reporting Portal Rebuild Coming Q2 2026

I T plans to rebuild the Online Reporting Portal in Q2 of 2026. This update will align the portal’s design and func tionality with the agency’s website, creating a more consis tent and streamlined user experience. The redesigned portal will offer improved performance, modular architecture, and a more userfriendly menu and layout to support reporting activities and tank registrations. If you have any suggestions or feature request, please speak with the IT team or email itgroup@edwardsaquifer.org.

New Security Tools Implemented

IT has implemented new cybersecurity tools, including Abnormal AI and Rapid7. These tools help us better manage the high volume of phishing emails received and reduce vulnerabilities across agency devices. We have already seen significant improvements in our overall security posture and look for ward to introducing additional cyber security enhancements in 2026.

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