The Secretary of State said the approved forms of identification that voters may use to prove their identity before voting in Texas include: a Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), a Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS, a Texas personal ID card issued by DPS, a Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS, a U.S. military ID card that includes the holder's photo, a U.S. citizenship certificate that includes the holder's photo or a U.S. passport.

All of those documents, except for the U.S. citizenship certificate, must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before the election in which the voter seeks to cast a ballot. A free election identification certificate is available only for voters who do not already have a required form of photo identification. There is no fee for the certificate, which must be obtained from DPS.

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Reno to retire as president of Northeast Lakeview College

Eric Reno (pictured), president of Northeast Lakeview College, recently notified the chancellor's office of Alamo Colleges that he plans to retire effective Jan. 6, 2014.

Reno began as a community college student 50 years ago and spent 40 years as a community college teacher and administrator.

Officials of Alamo Colleges plan to begin soon a search for a new president to replace Reno, who was president of Northeast Lakeview College for 10 years.

Lewisville approves $1.2M to expand public safety training facility

14th Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Sam Houston inactivated

Lt. Col. Kris Arnold, 14th Military Intelligence Battalion commander, and battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Finelli begin to furl the unit's colors during the battalion's inactivation ceremony June 14. (U.S. Army photo by Gregory Ripps)

The 14th Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Sam Houston was inactivated on June 14, the Army's 238th birthday. The battalion was activated on Oct. 15, 2008, under the 470th MI Brigade. On that day its soldiers already knew they would be deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom by bolstering the human intelligence-gathering capabilities of the United States and its allies in the region.

After serving in Iraq for a year, 2009-2010, the battalion retrained under new leadership and deployed again in 2011, this time to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The battalion returned home last October.

"I and the Soldiers before you can hold our heads high, knowing that this inactivation represents the closing down of a successful, lawful and very fruitful human intelligence collection organization that made a significant difference on the battlefield," said Arnold, addressing the small crowd gathered to witness the inactivation.

Arnold and battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Fanelli, with the assistance of the color bearer, performed the honors of casing the unit's historic colors to symbolize the inactivation. This marked the third time the 14th MI Battalion has inactivated. It was first activated in 1965 during the Vietnam conflict and inactivated in 1983. It was again activated in 1988 and inactivated the second time in 1997.

Tarrant County College to buy $16 million airport facility

Tarrant County College (TCC) officials recently approved the purchase of a $16 million, 161,000-square-fooot military programs facility at Alliance Airport from Bell Helicopter. TCC officials also alloted $4 million to provide any needed renovations to the airport facility.

Plans call for using the space for a training center to provide courses in aviation, aerospace and logistics and expand aircraft maintenance programs now held at its northwest campus and Meacham International Airport. The new facility features 8,900 square feet of lab space, a commercial paint station, cafeteria, conference room, parking spaces for about 400 vehicles and another 1.5 acres of unused land for additional parking or for another building.

Current plans are for the new TCC airport facility to be open for classes in aviation welding, transportation technology, pilot training, logistics and composite technology training in June 2014, TCC officials said.

Navarro County eyeing $10.6 million to restore county courthouse

Navarro County Commissioners recently began review of an almost $10.6 million estimate to pay the county's share to restore the county courthouse in Corsicana.

Commissioners are expected to vote on July 7 whether to issue certificates of obligation to pay the county's $6.124 million share to match a $4.44 million grant from the Texas Historical Commission for the courthouse renovation.

The cost estimate presented by the project architect does not include the cost of an annex building the county will need in the future. The estimate does include the cost to move employees out of the courthouse, a new telephone system, renovations to the Navarro Centre that will serve as temporary office space and the $190,000 yearly cost of rent for up to three years.

Another DISD Cabinet member announces resignation

The exodus from the Dallas ISD administrative corps continues. Rebecca Rodriguez (pictured), the district's communications head, has announced her resignation. She becomes the seventh member of Superintendent Mike Miles' Cabinet to leave the district.

Miles brought Rodriguez in last March. DISD officials say the position will remain vacant for now, and DISD spokesperson Jon Dahlander will fill in temporarily for the communications department in the superintendent's Cabinet.

Rodriguez is a former city of Arlington marketing communications manager and a former reporter and anchor for WFAA-TV and KTVT-TV. This latest resignation follows two other Cabinet members leaving last week - Operations Chief Kevin Smelker and Personnel Chief Charles Glover.

Austin mayor appoints new panel to review urban rail route

With rail supporters in Austin divided on where to locate the first tracks of a proposed electric-powered urban rail system, the mayor recently appointed a new 16-member working group to present a recommendation on the initial urban rail route by early 2014.

The initial route proposed by Capital Metro in 2006 would include a rail line along San Jacinto Blvd. that runs through to The University of Texas and on to Mueller in East Austin. Other rail supporters, however, favor a route that would run west of UT on Guadalupe St. and North Lamar Ave., claiming that the more western route would produce more ridership and serve a greater transit need than the route along San Jacinto Blvd.

University of Texas officials will have significant input into how the proposed urban rail routes impact the campus, the mayor said. Long-range plans now call for the urban rail system to include both the San Jacinto to Meuller route and the Guadalupe-North Lamar corridor during the next few decades.

Lubbock reviewing $7.4 million plan to upgrade Godeke Library

Members of Lubbock's Libraries Board recently began review of a $7.4 plan to expand the Godeke Library to 32,000 square feet with a new teen area, more meeting rooms and new computers.

The cost estimate does not include the cost of land for a new site to replace the current leased space used by the library, said Laura Heinz, chairwoman of the board. The group plans to host a series of public meetings at libraries in Lubbock through next spring to gather public opinion on the library proposal and present a proposal to council members in 2014, Heinz said.

Goerdel retiring from position at Municipal Retirement System

Nancy Goerdel (pictured), chief investment officer for the Texas Municipal Retirement System, has announced her retirement, effective Jan. 31, 2014.

Goerdel, who has served the system since 1998, has seen the retirement system's assets increase from $7.6 billion to $21 billion while serving as CIO.

Officials at TMRS note they will begin immediately looking for Goerdel's replacement, with hopes of filling the post by the end of the year. 

Dublin to buy land for new wastewater treatment facility

Dublin City Council members recently agreed to buy 2.2 acres of land at a cost of about $9,000 per acre to serve as the site of a new wastewater treatment facility. The new site is near the current treatment plant, city officials said.

City council members agreed to build the new wastewater treatment plant after being advised of several violations from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and to meet expected growth, a city official said.

San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) officials recently secured $30 million in financing to complete the third phase of San Juan apartments, a public-private partnership developing a mixed-use project to provide affordable housing. It will also include 4,000 square feet of commercial and retail space on the city's west side.

The public-private project will feature 63 apartments as public housing units, 31 voucher units for families earning 30 percent of area median income (AMI) and 158 units for families earning up to 60 percent of AMI, said Lourdes Castro Ramirez (pictured), chief executive officer of SAHA. The U.S. Department of Urban Development, City of San Antonio HOME funds and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs also provided funding for the mixed-use development that will provide 252 housing units in Phase 3.

Along with the units completed in phases 1 and 2, the San Juan apartments will offer a total of 539 new housing units. "Public-private partnerships such as this are essential to SAHA's vision to create dynamic communities where people thrive," Ramirez said.

Harris County to review plan to restore the Astrodome

Harris County commissioners recently agreed to send a $194 million plan proposed by the Harris County Sports and Convention Corp. for a review by officials in the budget office, the infrastructure department and county attorney to help decide whether to ask voters to approve bonds to help pay to renovate the Astrodome in Houston.

The corporation, which manages the county-owned facility, has urged county officials to renovate the historic stadium into an energy-efficient convention and exhibit space to become a "center piece" of Reliant Park. The county judge asked staff to analyze the financial impact of issuing bonds.

Some commissioners have expressed support for a November bond election to give adequate time for the project to be completed for the 2017 Super Bowl planned at Reliant Stadium. The deadline for calling a November bond election is in August.

Austin eyeing November bond election for affordable housing

Following the defeat last year of a $78.3 million bond proposal to fund improvements in affordable housing, Austin City Council members recently requested city staff to begin preparations for a November bond election asking for as much as $65 million to build or renovate affordable housing for the next five years.

Council members most likely will decide in August on the dollar amount of the bond proposal, whether to call a bond election and approve ballot language for the bond election. The city can issue up to $65 million in bonds without increasing the portion of property tax rate that repays debt, city officials said.

Staff members also urged council to use more funding from the city budget to help pay for affordable housing rather than issue bonds that have interest cost.

Georgetown withdraws from Lone Star Rail District

Georgetown City Council members recently voted to withdraw the city's support for the Lone Star Rail District, an alliance pushing for a 118-mile commuter rail line from Georgetown to San Antonio.

Georgetown had paid $50,000 annually since 2006 to be a member of the rail district, which one council member described as a "money pit." Supporters estimate the proposed commuter rail line would cost about $2 billion to build and about $30 million annually for operating and maintenance costs that would be divided by cities with commuter stations along the proposed route.

North Forest ISD denied restraining order on merger with Houston

A judge recently denied a request from North Forest Independent School District to issue a temporary restraining order to halt a merger with Houston ISD ordered by the Texas Education Agency.

Trustees for the troubled North Forest school district argued unsuccessfully that the decision to close the district and abolish the board of trustees takes away the rights of voters who elected the board to manage the district, which has an enrollment of predominantly minority students. The merger with Houston ISD is expected to take place on July 1.

Corpus Christi nets $4 million from FEMA for community shelters

Corpus Christi recently received about $4 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help pay for three community safe rooms at three school campuses.

The dome-shaped shelters will be located at Del Mar College, a campus at Tuloso-Midway Independent School District and a campus at Calallen ISD, Deputy Fire Chief Richie Quintero said. The 20,000-square-foot, dome-shaped safe rooms can be used for other purposes when not needed as shelters, he said.

Officials of Del Mar and the two school districts agreed to pay 25 percent of the estimated $1.8 million cost of each of the shelters, designed to withstand 185-mile-per-hour winds, Quintero said. The new safe rooms should be completed before 2015.

Public-private partnerships water conference set in Austin Sept. 11

"Public-Private Partnerships: A Solution for Texas Water Management," an interactive workshop on water issues, is set for Sept. 11 at the Hilton Austin Hotel. Information sessions featuring panels of experts will be held throughout the day. Among the moderators for panels are public-private partnership expert Mary Scott Nabers, president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. and co-founder of the Gemini Global Group, and Mark Ellison, special advisor on economic development at the Texas Water Development Board. Nabers, author of Collaboration Nation: How Public-Private Ventures Are Revolutionizing the Business of Government, will both address conference attendees regarding public-private partnerships and then moderate a panel on "When to Use a P3 in Texas." Registration is now open and the agenda is available. The event is organized by the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships.

2013 NASW/Texas State Conference set in Austin over Labor Day

Registration is now open for the 37th Annual State Conference of the National Association of Social Workers - Texas Chapter. Up to 19 hours of CE are available for social workers in Texas and bordering states, as well as for Texas LMFTs and LPCs. The NASW/Texas State Conference is the largest social work conference in the Southwest and is attended by over 1000 social workers each year. Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities available - Social Workers are Decision Makers! Visit www.naswtx.org or call 512-474-1454 for more information.

NASCO 2013 conferences series to be held in San Antonio

Make plans to join us in the historic Alamo City! The 2013 NASCO Conference series enters its ninth year while highlighting a North American Strategy for Competitiveness. The event will be devoted to "Energy, Automotive & Aerospace" and will bring together international leaders from the public and private sectors across North America. The conference will focus on the future of critical North American trading relationships, while commemorating the last 20 years of NAFTA. The event will feature cutting-edge discussions related to freight transport, manufacturing and logistics workforce and include negotiators of NAFTA, leading trade experts, Ambassadors, Ministers and leading business executives in trade and transportation. More general and registration information is now available. Discount fees for early registration are available prior to Aug. 1.

TASSCC 2013 Annual Conference dates set for Aug. 11-14

"TASSCC Lucky 13 - Betting on It" is the theme for the Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) annual conference. Registration is now open, with reduced rates for early bird registration ending July 17. The event is slated for Aug. 11-14 at the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio. A variety of speakers will provide those attending with innovative tools and insight to help them address pressing technology challenges. Keynote speakers include Mark Milliron, chancellor, WGU Texas, professional triathlete and speaker Patricia Walsh and Ken Weitzel, director, Executive Education, the Corporate Executive Board. Among the topics to be discussed are data management and analytics, application and modernization, leadership and human capital and managing enterprise services. CPE credits are also available for those attending. More information, including the agenda, is available for those seeking to attend.

TSABAA 44th Annual Summer Conference slated in July

The annual Administrator of the Year award will be presented at the Texas State Agency Business Administrators' Association (TSABAA) 44th Annual Summer Conference, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, July 25 and 26, at the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol.  The award presentation is one of a number of highlights of the annual gathering. Among the topics for the event are "Cybersecurity," "Controlling IT Costs" and "Fostering the Privacy Perimeter." An employee benefits panel including officials with the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Texas Public Employees Association is also scheduled. There will also be a session involving a legislative update. Approximately 12 hours of CPE credit can be earned during the conference. Registration forms and the agenda are now available.  

Summer Institutes on Evidence-Based Quality Improvement slated

Brownwood approves plans for new $2.9 million central fire station

Brownwood City Council members recently approved final architectural plans for a new 14,306-square-foot Central Fire Station estimated to cost about $2.925 million.

The new fire station will provide sleeping quarters for nine firefighters, a kitchen and dining area, training room and a storage area, City Manager Bobby Rountree said.

Current plans are to select a contractor in August and complete the new fire station in July 2014.

Floren leaves Parkland job

for private-sector position

Josh Floren (pictured), executive vice president of medical affairs at Dallas' Parkland Memorial Hospital, has left his position there to take a job in the private sector. Floren, who has been with Parkland for the last six years, is leaving as the hospital is undergoing an inspection by government regulators. Failure of the inspection could result in loss of federal funds.

Floren had been assisting with getting the hospital ready for the inspection. He instead has taken a position with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, where he will be vice president of professional and support services. Floren's route to Parkland was via the Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, West Virginia, where he was associate administrator. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and a master's from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Martinez announces staff

changes in his council office

Bobby Garza, chief of staff for Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez, is leaving that post to become general manager with Transmission Events in Austin, effective today, Friday. Martinez has announced that Andy Moore, policy aide, has been promoted to chief of staff. Moore has served in Martinez' office for the last seven years. He holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison University and a master's degree from Texas State University.

Other staff changes include the promotion of Martinez' longtime executive assistant Laura Williamson to policy aide. Williamson began serving in the city councilman's office in 2008 as a budget intern. She holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and is currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration from Texas State University. 

Palestine selects Herrera

as new city secretary

Palestine City Council members recently selected Teresa Herrera, previously the deputy city secretary, as the new city secretary.

Herrera has served as interim city secretary following the resignation of former City Secretary Janelle Williams earlier this year. Herrera has been a city employee since 2007.

Deborah Pullum selected

as new city attorney in Tyler

The Tyler City Council recently appointed Deborah Pullum (pictured) as the new city attorney. She replaces City Attorney Gary Landers, who announced his retirement in May. Landers, however, plans to remain as a city employee until May 2014.

Currently a senior city attorney in Tyler, Pullum joined the city in Nov. 2004 as an assistant district attorney. She also was an assistant district attorney in Smith County.

Pullum holds a bachelor's degree from Florida A&M University and a law degree from the Marshall Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

City of Tyler adopts master

plan for Stewart Park

Tyler City Council members recently adopted a master plan for Stewart Park. The master plan includes concrete and granite trails, a community garden with a barn/garden shelter, a picnic pavilion, pond and a stage pavilion for outdoor events on the lawn.

City officials plan to use a variety of public-private partnerships as well as revenue from hotel/motel taxes to pay for construction of the park that also will include an heirloom garden, playground, parking lot, windmill and restrooms.

A Tyler-based design firm developed the master plan for the site donated by the estate of Gladys and T.B. Stewart for the new community park.

Keller reviewing $10 million bond election to upgrade transportation

Keller City Council members recently began a review of a $10 million proposal to issue bonds to pay for upgrades to roads and transportation.

Some of the projects recommended by members of the Transportation Bond Program Advisory Committee include expanding Wall-Price Keller Road to three lanes along with installing sidewalks on both sides, installation of traffic signals and left turn lanes at several intersections and expanding Elm and Pecan streets east of US377.

McKinney tags Madrigal

as new deputy city manager

McKinney city officials recently tagged Jose Madrigal (pictured) as the new deputy city manager, effective July 15. In his new duties, Madrigal will oversee several city departments and a variety of special projects, said City Manager Jason Gray.

With 11 years of experience in municipal government, Madrigal now serves as an assistant city manager in Irving. Madrigal previously worked for the cities of Cedar Park, Pflugerville and Lubbock. He holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Texas Tech University.

Bulverde economic development group taps Mosier as director

The board of the Bulverde/Spring Branch Economic Development Foundation recently selected Sherry Mosier as the first executive director of the group created in November 2011 to help create jobs

Mosler previously held a similar job at the Windcrest Economic Development Corp and was employed by a law firm in San Antonio. She has a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas-San Antonio.

Lamb resigns his position

as city manager in Fritch

City Manager Bobby Lamb of Fritch recently resigned from that post. City officials said the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission is helping find a new city manager to replace Lamb.

Hunkapiller resigning as superintendent at Floresville ISD

Superintendent Jerry Lee Hunkapiller (pictured) of Floresville Independent School District recently said he plans to resign from his job by the end of June.

Hunkapiller, who had led the South Texas school district for less than two years, said he is resigning to return to North Texas to be closer to his family.

Commerce ISD selects Alderman as new curriculum director

Commerce Independent School District board members recently selected Charles Alderman, currently a principal with Sulphur Springs ISD, as the new curriculum director.

Alderman will replace Julia Robinson, the current curriculum director and high school principal, who resigned to serve as curriculum director for Royse City ISD. Trustees also selected David Welch to serve as the new principal of Commerce High School, a post also held by Robinson in addition to her duties as curriculum director.

Overton ISD appoints DuBose

as interim superintendent

Trustees for the Overton Independent School District recently appointed Stephen DuBose as the new interim superintendent.

Previously the principal at Overton High School, DuBose replaced former Superintendent Alan Umholtz, who resigned to become the superintendent at Yorktown ISD. In addition to his five years as principal, DuBose also served four years as athletic director for the school district.

Mercedes EDC sorting through applications for director job

The Mercedes Economic Development Corp. is going through 60 applications for its executive director. The new director will replace Albert Gonzalez, who was placed on administrative leave early in the year, leaving in February. The entity is currently operating with only one employee.

City Manager Richard Garcia said he expects to call a special meeting to narrow the number of candidates and hopes to have a new executive director named by the end of the summer.

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

• DPS boosts DWI patrols for July 4th holiday

• Texas Attorney General's Office wins national award for legal excellence

• PARD again announced as finalist for National Gold Medal Award

• Overall major crime rate in Texas drops in 2012

Ruddell seeking position

with Pittsburgh transit agency

Dick Ruddell (pictured), Fort Worth Transportation Authority president, has confirmed that he is a candidate for the chief executive officer position with the Port Authority of Alleghany County in Pittsburgh.

Ruddell has been the director of the T for 10 years, having come to Fort Worth from Toledo, Ohio. If hired for the Pittsburgh spot, he would manage an agency with 700 buses and 83 light-rail vehicles as well as the Duquesne Incline cable car.

Wood named as interim superintendent at Hedley ISD

Trustees for Hedley Independent School District recently named Bill Wood as interim superintendent to replace former Superintendent Bill Sanders.

Wood, an educator for 43 years, served as superintendent at Cisco ISD for almost 13 years as well as long stints as the interim superintendent at school districts in Claude and Silverton. Wood said he plans to remain with the Hedley school district as long as a year while board members search for and hire a new superintendent.

Wharton ISD selects Davis as lone finalist for superintendent

Wharton Independent School District board members recently selected King R. Davis as the lone finalist for superintendent. Currently an assistant superintendent at Crosby ISD, Davis will replace Superintendent Kay Shoppa, who is retiring on July 1, once the required 21-day waiting period expires and trustees approve his contract as expected on July 16.

TCOG board seeks to create affiliated nonprofit organization

The Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) Board has approved the articles of incorporation for an affiliated nonprofit that will allow TCOG to seek grant funding from organizations that don't provide grants directly to governmental organizations such as TCOG. The Foundation Board members are TCOG board members Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd, Cooke County Judge John Roane and Bill Lindsay.

The TCOG Board also voted to elect its new officers, electing Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter as president, Roane as vice president and Denison City Council member David Spindle as secretary/treasurer.

Mission CISD selects Solis

as interim superintendent

Trustees for Mission Consolidated Independent School District recently selected Mario Solis, the assistant superintendent for human resources and student services, as the interim superintendent.

Solis replaces Superintendent Cornelio Gonzalez, who resigned to become director of the Region One Education Service Center. District officials hope to select a new superintendent as early as August, according to one board member.

Kaufman ISD taps Clopton

as assistant superintendent

Kaufman Independent School District trustees recently tapped Kell Clopton as the new assistant superintendent. Clopton replaces Lori Blaylock, who served as assistant superintendent and interim superintendent before being appointed as superintendent in May.

With 13 years experience in public education, Clopton previously served as a high school principal for Quinlan ISD.