The TRBs would finance $4.1 billion in construction costs for 60 projects at 58 Texas colleges and universities.

TRBs are issued by the institutions of higher education and are backed by the institution's anticipated future revenue raised from tuition. Because the state in the past has offset the payment of the debt service on these bonds, the institutions get lower interest rates on the bond market because of the backing and credit rating of the state. And, because officials in the institutions have been successful in refinancing their TRBs with other debt financing sources, the state has in the past saved millions of dollars in debt service over the duration of the bonds.

Institutions have proven adept at refinancing their issued TRBs along with more traditional sources of debt financing, thereby saving the state millions of dollars in debt service over the life of the bonds.

"The economy is recovering, interest rates and construction costs are relatively low and Texas university enrollments are spiraling upward," said Zaffirini. "This is the perfect time to invest in these projects that would create jobs and have a dramatic economic multiplier effect on our state."

Below is a sampling of the TRBs that will be authorized if the legislation passes:

• Texas A&M-Commerce - $45 million for a library and technology center;
• Texas A&M-Corpus Christi - $75 million for a life sciences research building;
• West Texas A&M University - $12 million for the Amarillo Center;
• The University of Texas at Austin - $95 million for an engineering education and research center;
• The University of Texas at Brownsville - $60 million for a new campus;
• The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston - $40 million for a health education center;
• The University of Houston - $70 million for a pharmacy and biomedical sciences building;
• Lamar University - $40 million for a science building;
• Sam Houston State University - $9.8 million for an agriculture engineering technology building;
• The University of North Texas - $48 million for a science and technology research facility;
• The University of North Texas at Dallas - $70 million for a library and student success center;
• Texas Tech University - $78.975 million for a research building;
• Angelo State University - $16.758 million for a health and human services building;
• Texas Southern University - up to $66,017,661 for property, infrastructure, equipment, construction and renovation of the Robert J. Terry Library; and
• Texas State Technical College-Waco - $5 million for water system infrastructure replacement.

San Jacinto College reorganization nets new college president

Reorganization at San Jacinto College has resulted in Dr. Laurel Williamson (left), former vice chancellor for learning and student success, as the college's new deputy chancellor and San Jacinto College president. Dr. Allatia Harris (center), who for the last five years has been North Campus president, is now vice chancellor for strategic initiatives. And, Teri Crawford (right) has assumed the post of vice chancellor for marketing, public relations and government affairs, after serving nearly five years as associate vice chancellor for marketing.

The reorganization, according to Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer, helps further the colleges strategic goals, reduces organizational levels and enhances campus communication. The reorganization also creates the position of vice president for SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the accrediting agency of San Jacinto College) and special projects, and a provost on each of the three San Jacinto College campuses. The reorganization also includes additional responsibilities in the marketing department

Williamson has been with San Jacinto College since 2007 and has more than 25 years of experience in higher education and community college leadership. Harris, who has been with the college since 2008, previously served in a variety of roles at Dallas County Community College District, her last appointment as director for academic curriculum initiatives. Crawford has been with the College for seven years and has more than 15 years of experience in marketing/communications management. The College will seek candidates for the position of vice president for SACS and special projects. Each San Jacinto College campus now has a provost, combining the campus president and vice president for learning positions.

Schrum accepts presidency at Emory & Henry College

Former Southwestern University President Jake B. Schrum (pictured), who will retire from the Georgetown university at the end of June, has been hired to serve as the next president of Emory & Henry College in Virginia. He will assume that role on Aug. 1. Schrum will replace Dr. Rosalind Reichard, who announced last fall her plans to retire as president of Emory & Henry.

Schrum has served as president of Southwestern since July 1, 2000. Emory & Henry will be the third university he has served as president. In 1991, Schrum was elected the 17th president of Texas Wesleyan University.

Schrum received his bachelor's degree from Southwestern University in 1968. He earned a Master of Divinity degree.

Prairie View chooses Ross as director of SBDC

Bridget Ross (pictured) has been chosen as the new director of Prairie View A&M University's Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Ross joined the SBDC in March and is assisting small business owners in developing strategies, attracting customers, increasing sales and improving productivity and profitability, all free services provided by the SBDC for clients in Waller and Grimes counties.

With more than 17 years in the financial industry, Ross has served as a regional vice president for a major financial institution, loan officer for a mortgage banker and as a realtor. Most recently, she served as the Houston region loan officer for a nonprofit community development financial institution based in Austin.

Dallas seeks private partner for mixed-use project on library branch

Dallas city officials recently issued a request for proposals from private developers who want to partner with the city for building a mixed-use project that would include the Vickery Meadow Branch Library.

City officials had planned to fund construction of the new library branch using revenues from a 2012 bond package, but decided to use a public-private partnership to help with the project when insufficient bond funding remained to pay for the library project.

The request for proposal requires developers to include a branch library and multi-family dwellings offering affordable housing in the mixed-use development that can range from retail stores to medical offices. The proposed mixed-use development also must be consistant with the Vickery Meadow Station Area Plan, one of five transit-oriented development plans created by forwardDallas! to address development in high-crime areas. City officials said staff has not set aside any funding to build, furnish or hire staff for the Vickery Meadow Branch Library.

Shirley stepping down as president of Clarendon College

President Phil Shirley (pictured) of Clarendon College recently announced he is retiring from that post in December.

The president of Clarendon since January 2011, Shirley was a teacher for six years until he moved to college administration 34 years ago. He was president of Southeast Arkansas College before returning to lead Clarendon, where he served as dean of instruction from 1986 to 1990.

Shirley said he has joined a project funded by grants to help colleges adopt curriculums to focus on student success.

Leander adopts priorities for possible $250M county bond election

Leander City Council members recently adopted a list of priority projects to include in a possible bond election in November being considered by Williamson County commissioners. County officials have discussed asking voters to approve as much as $250 million in bonds to pay for capital improvement projects throughout Williamson County.

Council members selected three road projects and the expansion of two trails as that city's choice of projects to include in the bond election being considered in November. City Manager Kent Cable warned council members that county officials have said they expect city officials to match funding for road and park projects located within each city if voters approve the bonds.

Road projects to make the priority list are widening of West Old FM 2243 with a final price tag of about $26 million, an expansion of Bagdad Road at an estimated cost of $9 million and extending San Gabriel Parkway estimated to cost about $9 million. Park projects selected by council are continuing the Bagdad Heritage Trail at a cost of about $900,000 and extending the Toll 183A trail with an estimated $600,000 price tag.

Texas Forest Service recruits firefighters to help in West

The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) of the Texas A&M Forest Service recently mobilized three nearby fire and rescue departments to assist with emergency response in West after the plant explosion that killed volunteer firefighters and emergency medical service personnel. The explosion also destroyed much of the city's emergency response equipment.

Firefighters, along with a command vehicle, two fire engines and a heavy-duty rescue vehicle from Waxahachie Fire Rescue, Cedar Hill Fire Department and the Red Oak Fire Rescue will cover shifts for the West Volunteer FD and supplement a regional incident management team and a team from the Texas Forest Service in recovery efforts.

Legislators created TIFMAS in 2009. The group is a collaboration of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, State Firemen's and Fire Marshal's Association, Texas State Association of Fire Fighters and Texas Commission on Fire Protection and is led by the Texas A&M Forest Service. TIFMAS offers training, equipment and vehicle grants, credentialing standards and mobilization systems to assist in using local resources in emergency responses to wildfires, weather disasters and other emergency situations throughout the state.

Kathy Bruck (pictured), executive director for curriculum and instruction at Harlandale Independent School District, recently agreed to serve as interim chief executive officer of Pre-K 4 SA, a new, full-day pre-kindergarten program in San Antonio. Voters in San Antonio approved an increase in sales taxes to pay for the new pre-K program.

City officials and board members of Pre-K 4 SA also selected Sandy Weser Chavarria, director of the Carroll Early Childhood Education Center at San Antonio ISD, to direct one of the pre-K centers that will provide 4-year-old San Antonio children with full-day, high-quality pre-kindergarten instruction.

Bruck earned a bachelor's degree from St. John's University in New York City and a master's degree from the University of Texas-San Antonio. When Bruck begins her new duties on May 8, she will be responsible for working with city staff to hire teachers and administrators, aid in development of curriculum and guide two education centers scheduled to begin operation in the fall of this year. Chavarria has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Pre-K 4 SA board members and city officials are searching for a permanent chief executive officer, the city manager said.

Lubbock eyeing creation of citizen bond committee in May

A Lubbock City Council member recently announced plans for a council work session to explore appointing a citizen's bond committee. The committee would prioritize construction and renovation projects for a proposed bond election in May 2014.

City officials are considering projects such as a new police station, several new fire stations, improvements to parks and seven community centers, library system upgrades and remodeling the utilities operation center to include in the proposed bond election. City staff earlier this year presented council with a list of renovation projects totaling $8.6 million needed at about a dozen city facilities.

Woodlands Township to work with area council on transit plan

Directors of the Woodlands Township recently agreed to work with the Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC) to develop a transit plan at a cost of about $250,000 to $300,000.

The transit plan will study current population, employment, transit services, roadway networks and economic development as well as how public transit could affect Springwoods Village and the new campus of ExxonMobil, said Don Norrell (pictured), president and general manager of the township.

A critical part of the study is to analyze how different transit recommendations will impact the development, pedestrian function and traffic operations, Norrell said. Members of the Ad Hoc Transportation Committee will oversee the process that involves the public in meetings and workshops, Norrell said.

The transit plan also will provide a prioritized list of transit improvements and strategies for tiered implementation in the community, he added. Township officials expect to hire a consultant to conduct the study and prepare the transit plan in mid-summer, Norrell said. The study, which will run parallel to a study the county is conducting with HGAC, should take about six months to complete once a consultant is hired, he added.

Tyler approves site for proposed $70M hotel, conference center

Tyler City Council members recently moved forward on a public-private partnership by approving the site for a new conference center and hotel complex expected to cost from $60 million to $70 million. Council members also selected Encore Enterprises of Dallas to build the 27,000-square-foot, 250-room hotel expected to cost about two-thirds of the total cost of the conference center and hotel complex.

Encore Enterprises, which also manages a hotel and convention center in College Station, agreed to pay for the hotel portion of the project and manage the hotel once it's open. Eight developers submitted proposals for the project to be located on South Broadway and Toll 49.

City officials expect to begin selecting an architect and contractors before council members can give final approval for the conference center, the mayor said. No timetable for the conference center and hotel complex has been adopted, but the mayor said the groundbreaking could occur as early as summer 2014.

El Paso County to seek grants for wastewater system in Vinton

El Paso County commissioners recently voted to enter into an agreement with the Public Service Board in applying for state and federal grants to bring water and wastewater systems to the Village of Vinton in the western area of the county.

Commissioners also agreed to spend up to $20,000 for a previously conducted study by the public service board and acquire all documents needed for the grant application. The 2,000 residents of Vinton now use septic tanks. The council members previously declined to apply for state and federal assistance for building a water supply system and wastewater system needed to replace septic systems prone to leakage and contamination.

County official have until Nov. 1 to apply for the grants and plan to work with the Border Environment Cooperation Commission to help secure state and federal grants for wastewater and water supply systems in Vinton, the county judge said.

Gonzalez tapped to lead Region One Education Service Center

Superintendent Cornello Gonzalez (pictured) of Mission Independent School District recently agreed to serve as executive director of the Region One Education Service Center, one of 20 service centers across Texas responsible for assisting school districts in improving student performance and school operations in addition to implementing legislative initiatives.

Gonzalez has been a teacher and administrator for school districts in Texas and with the Texas Education Agency for more than 30 years. He began as superintendent for Mission ISD in 2010.

The Region One ESC includes 37 school districts and 10 charter schools with about 400,000 students from seven counties in South Texas.

Austin eyes leasing airport to raise money for urban rail project

Austin city officials recently began considering a proposal to lease the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to pay for building and operating the first phase of a rail line between downtown, The University of Texas and the Mueller area east of downtown.

According to the Austin-American Statesman, the mayor began exploring the lease of the airport about six months ago. The mayor said the city could make as much as $700 million to $800 million from the lease and use that money to fund the first 5.5-mile phase of the urban rail from downtown to the Mueller area. The proposed 16.5-mile rail system from downtown along East Riverside Drive to the airport was estimated to cost $1.3 billion in 2010 and no new cost estimates are available, the mayor told the newspaper.

The Statesman reports that the mayor said the airport director approached him about the lease proposal last year after other cities privatized some airport operations. He said he has discussed the airport lease proposal with one council member, a small number of staff members and community leaders. A report requested by the mayor indicates the city can proceed with leasing the airport only if 65 percent of the airlines using the airport agree to the proposal.

Barajas resigns as chief financial officer at Dallas ISD

Rene Barajas (pictured), chief financial officer of Dallas Independent School District, recently resigned after only 92 days in that job. He is returning to Garland ISD to serve as deputy superintendent.

Barajas will be responsible for managing the administration, business operations, school facilities and technology departments at the Garland district. He previously served as the assistant superintendent for business operations in Garland before joining the Dallas school district.

Dallas ISD officials appointed Jim Terry, the current budget director, as the interim chief financial officer, Barajas is the fourth high-ranking staff member at the Dallas district to resign since Mike Miles became superintendent of that district last year.

Lampasas to kick off airport renovation project in May or June

Lampasas city officials recently approved an engineering firm to manage renovation of Lampasas Municipal Airport. The project will be funded primarily from a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Aviation Capital Improvement Program of the Texas Department of Transportation.

The first phase of the airport project is to repave asphalt around hangars at a cost of about $125,000, said Micky Tower, airport manager. The second phase, expected to cost about $480,000, includes plans to build new hangars and extend the runway by 800 feet. The first phase of the airport project should begin in May or June and be completed in August or September, Tower added.

Future plans for improving the airport include a courtesy car or shuttle for pilots using the airport, renovating the area used for a pilots' lounge and providing full-service, fixed-base operations and aeronautical services, airport officials said.

Victoria Co. seeking $105,000 grant to upgrade computer system

Victoria County commissioners recently agreed to apply for a $105,000 grant from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission to help pay for upgrading the electronic processing system used by the district clerk.

County Judge Don Pozzi (pictured) said the goal is to create a Web-based system for determining and processing indigent representation, which has become an issue with commissioners because of the $600,000 annual cost of court-appointed attorneys. If the grant application is approved, the county will be required to pay $21,000, or 20 percent, of the total cost of the new software, Pozzi said.

The administrative services director for the county said the proposed online system features portals for judges, clerks, the county auditor and attorneys to access information on each case. The new Web-based system also should eliminate most manual labor now required once the new system is in place, the administrative services director said.

Live Oak County Airport to expand to attract larger aircraft

Live Oak County Airport officials recently agreed to expand the length of the runway by 1,200 feet and widen the runway by 15 feet.

The runway will expand from its current 3,800 feet long and 60 feet wide to 5,000 feet long and 75 feet wide. That is being done to accommodate the larger jet aircraft used in business involved in the Eagle Ford Shale projects and other business users, said L.T. Davis, president of the board of directors of the airport.

Airport officials currently are collecting donations to meet the $500,000 in local contributions needed to apply for a grant from the Aviation Capital Improvement Plan of the Texas Department of Transportation. Construction on the airport expansion will not begin until local funding is available and the grant is awarded, Davis said. The airport expansion could take as long as five years before completion, he added.

Edinburg to use grant to help build $2 million hike and bike trail

Edinburg city officials recently agreed to use a $960,000 grant to complete a $2 million hike and bike trail along Jackson Road that will eventually connect with similar trails at The University of Texas-Pan American campus and in McAllen.

Preliminary plans call for the design to be similar to trails in McAllen and provide sufficient room for bicyclists and runners to exercise away from traffic, the mayor said. City officials plan to provide the remaining $1.06 million to build the trail that also will feature rest stops and parking areas to allow better access to the hike and bike trail, he said.

Early voting begins Monday

Early voting for the May 11 uniform elections begins Monday, April 29, and runs through Tuesday, May 7. The last day to apply for ballot by mail is Friday, May 3.

In addition to deciding the fate of more than $4.6 billion in bond elections in Texas cities, community college districts, school districts and hospital districts, Texas voters will also decide city, local school district, water district and other special purposed district membership.

Port of Houston approves $700 million upgrade to terminal

Commissioners for the Port of Houston Authority recently selected a contractor to build four new dockside electric container cranes at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal as part of a $700 million modernization project.

Port officials also plan to add new lighting and dock improvements at the terminal to allow more efficient handling of cargo and the ability to handle larger ships.

Glynn to resign as assistant

city manager in Sugar Land

Assistant City Manager Karen Glynn (pictured) of Sugar Land recently told city officials she plans to resign on April 26 to accept the post of city administrator for Bunker Hill Village.

Glynn joined Sugar Land as city engineer in 1996 and won promotion to assistant city manager in 2005. 

Travis County sets aside $200,000

for study of minority contracting

Travis County commissioners recently approved $200,000 to pay for a study to determine if enough minority and woman-owned contractors are selected for construction and other projects.

County officials plan to partner with the city of Austin, which is performing a similar study, said Sylvia Lopez, coordinator for the Historically Underutilized Business program for the county. The county also expects to hire legal counsel at an additional cost of about $100,000 for the study, she said.

City officials currently are deciding between two unnamed finalists to conduct the study regarding minority- and women-owned contractors and expect to make that decision later this year, Lopez said.

Midland eyeing new sponsor tor baseball stadium naming rights

After Citibank executives declined to renew a contract with the City of Midland for naming rights to the baseball stadium at the city's sports complex, city officials agreed to seek a new company or organization to buy those naming rights.

Council authorized the director of community services to issue a request for proposal for the naming rights contract set to expire on Dec. 31. A recommendation on the winning proposal for naming rights is expected to be presented to council in about six weeks, said Tina Jaus, director of community services.

Miller-Kopp new director of school improvement for Plainview ISD

Plainview Independent School District trustees recently selected Karen Miller-Kopp (pictured) as the executive director for school improvement and professional development.

Currently a principal of an elementary school in Lake Travis ISD, Miller-Kopp will be responsible for working with principals throughout the district on improving education, supporting secondary-level academics and assisting with implementing staff development for teachers and staff.

Miller-Kopp previously served in the U.S. Air Force and was a teacher for Austin ISD until she joined Lake Travis ISD in 2008 as an associate principal for curriculum and instruction. She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Texas State University and is working to complete a Ph.D.

Dickey named as medical director for nonprofit health care clinic

Officials of Health for All recently appointed Nancy Dickey (pictured) as the new medical director of the nonprofit, free medical clinic serving the Bryan/College Station area.

Dickey previously served as director of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and was the first woman elected as president of the American Medical Association.

Health for All was established 27 years ago and operates clinics providing free doctor visits, medications, specialist examinations, lab tests, disease management, X-rays and education and counseling services for low-income patients.

Hutto economic group selects Grisham as new president

Officials of the Hutto Economic Development Corp. recently selected Joey Grisham as the new president and chief executive officer.

Previously, the director of the economic development corporation in Granbury, Grisham also worked on economic development projects in Keller as well as in Arizona, Alabama, Indiana, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Mississippi. He is expected to begin his new duties in Hutto on May 23.

Check the GOVERNMENT NEWS section of the SPI Web site for these and other press releases.

• Richardson Fire Station #4 earns LEED NC certification

• HISD has top schools in eight-county region

• TAMU Forest Service, Bastrop to celebrate hope on Arbor Day

• Beutler elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Johnson County looking for new public works facility manager

At the urging of Public Works Director Erik Dumas, Johnson County commissioners agreed to launch a search for a new public works facility manager to replace the public works project manager who is retiring from that post.

Because of the many issues related to maintenance of county-owned facilities, Dumas said he needs a facility manager rather than a project manager because most county construction projects are almost complete. Properly maintaining county buildings and facilities on a regular basis should save the county money in the long term, Dumas told commissioners. The public works facility manager is expected to supervise 14 employees.

Hays CISD selects Hartz as assistant superintendent for HR

David Hartz (top), associate superintendent for human resources for the Little Rock School District in Arkansas, has been named the new assistant superintendent for human resources at the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, replacing longtime Hays CISD employee Carolyn Hitt (bottom). Hitt is retiring after nearly four decades of working in public schools.

Hartz brings to his new position more than a decade of work in higher education senior positions at Texas State University. He also served more than 14 years as the director of human resources and personnel evaluation for the Fayetteville School District in Arkansas and in his current position in Little Rock. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees and an education specialist certification in public school administration from the University of Arkansas.

Hitt began her career in education in 1973 as an English teacher at Munford High School in Tennessee. For 15 years, she worked in the classroom in high schools in Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Texas. In 1995, she moved to Kyle and started working in Hays CISD, where she has served in a number of leadership positions.

Gregg County to hire consultant

to expand courthouse parking

Gregg County commissioners recently agreed to hire a consultant to explore the cost and feasibility of building a multi-level parking garage in downtown Longview near the county courthouse.

After exploring other options such as renovating a nearby building, commissioners agreed to the study in response to numerous complaints about the lack of parking near the Gregg County Courthouse. The proposed parking garage would be open for use by the public as well as those visiting the courthouse, county officials said.

County officials have approved funding a courthouse parking solution in their five-year capital improvement plan and commissioners have set aside more than $24 million for capital improvement projects.

• Milton B. Lee II of San Antonio, University of North Texas System Board of Regents;
• Michael Landrum of Houston, judge of the 113th Judicial District Court in Harris County;
• Joseph P. DeWoody of Fort Worth, Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists;
• Charles Thomas Hallmark of Hearne, Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists;
• W. David Prescott II of Amarillo, Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists;
• Olen Underwood of Willis, presiding judge of the Second Administrative Judicial Region of Texas;
• Lloyd Garland of Lubbock, Risk Management Board;
• John Youngblood of Cameron, Risk Management Board;
• Jack "Dan" Bremer of New Braunfels, Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities;
• Kevin Jackson of Austin, Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities;
• Beverly Jackson Loss of Wolfe City, Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities;
• Alfred "Al" Matson of Tyler, Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities;
• Richard L. Ball of Mineral Wells, Brazos River Authority Board of Directors;
• F. LeRoy Bell of Tuscola, Brazos River Authority Board of Directors;
• Peter G. Bennis of Fort Worth, Brazos River Authority Board of Directors;
• William "Bill" Masterson of Guthrie, Brazos River Authority Board of Directors;
• George "Dave" Scott III of Richmond, Brazos River Authority Board of Directors;
• Raleigh White IV of Temple, Brazos River Authority Board of Directors;
• Salvatore Zaccagnino of Caldwell, Brazos River Authority Board of Directors.

Brushy Creek utility authority taps Gallier as new general manager

Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority officials recently named Tom Gallier as the new general manager of the authority. The cities of Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock created the utility authority to treat and deliver water from Lake Travis to those cities.

Gallier replaced the former manager, Chris Lippe, when he began his new duties at the utility authority on April 1. He has worked 30 years managing water utilities in Arizona, Colorado, California and Texas.

The authority currently is in the process of building a permanent deepwater intake at Lake Travis and expanding the distribution system and water treatment facility.

Chaplin named as lone finalist for superintendent of Falls City ISD

Falls City Independent School District trustees recently named Tylor Chaplin (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent.

Chaplin previously served as principal of Huckabay School, which serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The DETCOG-Regional Housing Authority's 2013 Annual Housing Plan (Draft) is now available for review and comment during the period April 19-June 6, 2013. This plan contains goals and strategies to promote adequate and affordable housing to low income families in the deep east Texas region. Input and support are solicited from communities.

A Public Meeting is scheduled on June 6 in Lufkin, Texas. For a draft copy of the 2013 Annual Housing Plan contact: Jasper DETCOG Office, Ethel Bluitt, 210 Premier Drive, Jasper, Texas 75951 (409/384-5704, Extension 5257); or Lufkin DETCOG Office, Velma Coutee, 118 South First Street, Lufkin, Texas 75901 (936/634-2247, Extension 223).

Campbell-Husband steps down as city administrator in Hudson Oaks

Sheri Campbell-Husband (pictured), city administrator in Hudson Oaks, recently stepped down after city council members in November declined to renew her contract. The terms of her contract allowed Campbell-Husband to remain as city administrator until May 12.

Council members also appointed Patrick Lawler, who had served as assistant city administrator, to become interim city administrator until a new city administrator is hired.

Austin ISD eyeing school

bus ads to raise revenue

Austin Independent School District trustees recently agreed to further study a proposed contract with a company to manage a program to add advertising to school buses in the district.

The current proposal with Steep Creek Media, LLC calls for the company to find advertisers, pay all production and installation costs, bill and collect from advertisers and provide the school with its share of the revenue. The venture is expected to bring in about $43,000 during the first year and about $388,000 in five years when 80 percent of the district's 400 buses would carry advertising.

Austin ISD officials plan to retain final approval for any ads to ensure the advertisements stay within district guidelines and will reject any ads that appear to be disruptive, libelous, obscene, inflammatory, sexually explicit, inappropriate or endorse actions that could cause harm to the health and safety of students. Board members delayed a vote on the bus advertisement proposal, citing the need to spend more time studying details.