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Longtime financial expert takes executive post with TAMU System
Chancellor John Sharp recommends former Deputy Comptroller Billy Hamilton
 Longtime state employee and financial expert Billy Hamilton (pictured) has been recommended to serve as executive vice chancellor and chief financial officer of the Texas A&M University System. The TAMU System Board of Regents met this week and approved Hamilton's hiring on the recommendation of TAMU System Chancellor John Sharp.
Hamilton and Sharp will now continue a longstanding professional relationship that began when Sharp was state comptroller and Hamilton was his deputy. Sharp, in making his recommendation, called Hamilton "the most respected person inside state government."
The newly created position would have Hamilton directly responsible for all departments, including vice chancellors, the chief business development officer and chief financial officers of the System components. This, according to a System press release, would reduce the number of individuals who report directly to Sharp, but would also allow for more concentrated executive oversight of the many initiatives currently under way within the system.
Hamilton is a veteran of 25 years of public service with the State Comptroller's Office under two statewide elected comptrollers. He began with the agency in fiscal policy research and later climbed the ladder to the deputy commissioner post. After retiring from the Comptroller's Office, Hamilton opened a private-sector consulting firm focusing on tax, policy research, management and government business strategy. Hamilton holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from The University of Texas at Austin.
"I have had the privilege to work with Billy directly when he was my deputy state comptroller and his appreciation of our mission, experience in managing complex entities and history of excellence will make him a great fit for our System," said Sharp.
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On your mark! Get set! SHOP!!!
Shoppers expected to save $78 million over three-day sales tax holiday event
 Texas shoppers are expected to save an estimated $78.9 million this weekend in the annual sales tax holiday. The annual event begins today, Friday, and runs through Sunday. Shoppers can expect to save over the weekend by not paying sales tax on most clothing, footwear, backpacks and school supplies priced under $100.
 The annual event has been a hit with families with children heading back to school since the program was initiated in 1999. With no local and state sales tax on those purchases, shoppers can save $8 on every $100 they spend. The purchases can be made online, by telephone or mail and the exemption also applies to lay-aways.
Among the clothing exempted from sales tax over the weekend are socks, sleepwear, jackets, hoodies, jeans, certain shoes and more. In the school supplies listing are items such as book bags, crayons, pencils, writing tablets, notebooks, construction paper and more.
A complete list is available for clothing items exempt from the sales tax and school supplies that are also exempt.
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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
 Brent Dahl, director of IT Customer Support, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Career highlights and education: After nearly 23 years of state service and all the different roads I traveled, I still fondly remember my first state job as caseworker for the Department of Human Services in Fort Worth at the old Riverside office, providing Aid to Families with Dependent Children and Food Stamp benefits to Texans in need. This was my introduction to the health and human services and computers. After this, I provided foster care eligibility services for Child Protective Services before finding my passion for computers. I left the state to pursue my computer career by obtaining a Microsoft systems engineer certification and working on the Microsoft Exchange help desk. After two years, I found my way back to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services as a regional technician in the Dallas/Fort Worth region and then moved to Austin to work on the IT Architecture team. I spent the next seven years working my way up to the Director of IT Operations. Along the way, I was part of many technology changes and saw the agency become the Department of Family and Protective Services and grow from fewer than 5,000 employees to more than 12,000. In late 2011, I accepted a new challenge with the Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) as the IT Customer Service Director in a newly reorganized IT department. I am now working on restructuring and overseeing the desk side support, help desk, client systems and IT services teams with the mission to provide support to HHSC and the state's four other health and human services agencies. We consider all of HHSC IT as a continuous learning organization and my team's mantra is "Listen, Respect, Support, Communicate." I have a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from East Texas State University and have held several Microsoft certifications including MCP, MCSA and MCSE.
What I like best about my job is: being part of the state's health and human services system and providing support to the agencies' missions to help the citizens of Texas in need. I cannot think of a more worthwhile mission than helping others and ensuring the caseworkers on the front line have the technological tools they need to fulfill this mission. This is an exciting time with the new direction in HHSC IT with the opportunity to provide my input in the future structure of IT support services.
The best advice I've received for my current job is: to be yourself and take the time to breathe. This is advice I have given myself after watching others. I feel that in order to provide the best for your team, and your health, one must maintain one's sense of self and be sure to take a moment to act instead of reacting.
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Be yourself, take the time to breathe and understand that our customers (employees) are under many pressures and our job is to provide technical services so they may do their job without additional stress due to technology.
If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: at the "Old Muni" (Austin's Lions municipal golf course).
People would be surprised to know that I: enjoy and have participated in many sports either on teams or individually. These include: golf, football, baseball, softball, basketball, tennis, beach volleyball, bowling, billiards, darts and racing.
One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: While most know from visiting our Web site that "the mission of HHSC is to maintain and improve the health and human services system in Texas," what they may not know is the level of dedication the employees have in supporting this mission. In these days of ever-increasing challenges, those who devote their lives to working with the health and human services do so out of a desire to make sure their clients or customers are taken care of and have the tools they need to succeed. I am proud to be part of this team that makes up the family of the Texas health and human services system.
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TAMU System regent proposes 5 percent cuts
Officials table budget approval to allow for more discussion on proposal
 A last minute proposal on the Texas A&M University System institutions' budgets that would lead to additional cuts across the 11 universities and nine state agencies in the System led the Board of Regents Thursday to table approval of the System budget.
Regent Morris Foster's (pictured) 11th hour proposal was to cut 5 percent from each of the institutions' budgets. That cut would result in a $190 million windfall that Foster supported handing over to System Chancellor John Sharp, who would decide how the funds would be allocated. However, Sharp was not keen on the idea of being a middle man and distributing funds, saying if the regents wanted to realize a savings, they should put those projected dollars toward debt repayment at the universities.
Foster announced his proposal after it was revealed by System officials in a legislative update that there was a $100 million increase in base funding and $67 million more for A&M agencies. Concern was expressed by some of the regents regarding how much larger an impact a 5 percent cut would have on smaller institutions and agencies within the System.
With the regents facing an Aug. 31 deadline to pass the budgets that go into effect Sept. 1, they are likely to hold a telephone conference call within the next few weeks to further discuss the proposal, according to a spokesman. |
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Sales tax revenues in Texas increase again
Comptroller says figures rise for 40th consecutive month throughout state
 Sales tax revenue in Texas increased for the 40th consecutive month, according to Comptroller Susan Combs, with July figures at $2.2 billion, up 7.3 percent compared to the same month last year. "The retail trade sector bolstered the latest growth in monthly revenue, and collections from the construction and the oil and natural gas sectors continued to show strength," said Combs.
Cities, counties, transit systems and special purposed districts in the state will share $671 million as their allocation for August. That figure is up 6.2 percent compared to August 2012.
Texas cities will share $444.3 million as their August allocation, up 6 percent from August last year. Counties will share $42.7 million, a 5.3 percent increase over last August. Transit Systems in the state will share $150.5 million, which represents an increase of 5.8 percent over August of last year. And finally, special purpose taxing districts' allocation will total $34.5 million for August, up 10.6 percent over the same month last year.
Allocations can be viewed by city and by county. |
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State adds 28 new game wardens following graduation
 | | Friends and family look on as 28 new game wardens participate in graduation ceremonies this week. (TPWD photo) |
The state now boasts 28 new state game wardens following graduation ceremonies earlier this week. The new game wardens were administered their oath after completing seven months of training at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden Training Center in Hamilton County.
The graduation ceremony, attended by friends and family of the candidates, was held in the Texas House chamber. Speaker for the event was First Assistant Attorney General Daniel Hodge.
All of the new game wardens will now be reporting to stations throughout the state. Although their primary duty is enforcing hunting and fishing laws and water safety regulations, the game wardens also are fully commissioned peace officers who respond to natural disasters, assist other local and state law enforcement agencies and conduct public outreach on conservation-related topics.
The new game wardens received more than 600 hours of instruction to meet the state-mandated training requirements for their basic peace officer certification including criminal and constitutional law, firearms, self-defense, use of force, defensive driving, ethics, first aid and arrest, search and seizure. They also received another 700 to 750 hours of training related to wildlife and fisheries enforcement, the Texas Water Safety Act, wildlife and fisheries identification, public relations and communications, boat operation, ATV operation and specialized patrol tactics.
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Texas Railroad Commissioner appoints Troxclair as legal counsel
David Porter of the Texas Railroad Commission recently selected Caleb Troxclair as the new legal counsel and chief of staff. Troxclair replaces Amy Maxwell, who resigned to begin her own business.
Troxclair previously was chief of staff to State Rep. Phil King of Weatherford, and a committee clerk for the House Committee on Energy Resources. He has a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law.
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Elgin campus of ACC sets grand opening for Aug. 29
 A grand opening and dedication of the Austin Community College Elgin Campus is set for Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. The event is open to the community and will feature special guests, refreshments and musical performances. RSVP for the event at RSVP@austincc.edu or (512) 223.7595.
"I am very excited to have a campus in my hometown and to see young people grow up with a college in their community," says Betsy Erwin, the campus manager. "A community college gives all residents an opportunity to improve their lives."
The campus actually will open Monday, Aug. 12, with Student Services representatives and counselors available to help enroll students. "We offer core curriculum classes required for a college degree and workforce classes leading directly to employment," said Erwin. The Elgin Campus will feature a new noncredit program with classes this fall that capitalizes on the sustainable agriculture movementl. The college also is working to develop a veterinary technician program, which is currently in the approval process with ACC's accrediting commission.
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Austin eyeing $65 million bond proposal for affordable housing
Austin City Council members recently began discussing whether to ask voters to approve a $65 million bond proposal in November to provide, update and maintain affordable housing in that city. Voters rejected a $78.3 million bond proposal for affordable housing in November of last year.
Council members are expected to vote on Aug. 26 on whether to call a smaller $65 million bond election to pay for repairing, renovating and building low-income housing, according to the Austin American-Statesman. A $65 million bond is the largest sum that can be issued without raising property taxes, city officials said. Austin voters in 2006 last approved $55 million in bond funding to benefit affordable housing.
City staff members involved in the budget process have urged council to rely less on bonds, utility fees and taxes collected from property that has been redeveloped. Instead, staff members recommended using the general fund to pay for maintenance and construction projects for affordable housing. Reducing the use of bonds could save money by avoiding paying interest on the bonds, said Ed Van Eenoo, deputy chief financial officer for the city. Several council members and the mayor expressed concern over using general revenue funding for affordable housing because of often heated competition for funding for public safety, libraries and parks.
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Copperas Cove looking at issue of $2.2M in bond for equipment
City Manager Andrea Gardner of Copperas Cove recently urged city council members to consider issuing at least $2.2 million in bonds to pay for police vehicles, garbage trucks and computer software.
Despite a goal to shift to the use of general operating funds rather than borrowing funds to buy equipment, the city lacks sufficient operating funds to purchase the needed equipment and technology, Gardner said. The city manager estimated the use of the operating budget to buy capital equipment could take another three to five years.
Current plans are to issue the bonds in early 2014, Gardner said.
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Spring Branch ISD moving forward with three bond projects
 The superintendent of the Spring Branch Independent School District recently recommended the district enter into the design phase for a new education center, a science center and elementary school to conclude the final phase of a $597.1 million bond proposal approved in 2007.
Superintendent Duncan Klussmann (pictured) estimated the district will spend about $3.3 million for upgrades at Brentwood Elementary School that houses several special programs such as the district child care center and laboratory school and the preschool program for children with disabilities.
Plans call for the Spring Branch Education Center (SBEC) to be located in the former Spring Branch Senior High School building that was closed in 1986. Due to the work to upgrade infrastructure and systems, the cost of the SBEC project could be up to $16 million, Klussmann said. He also recommended that architects prepare options for the entire SBEC site that includes the tax office, a stadium, police station, a preschool facility and Vines Science Center.
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Lone Star College OKs $60M to build Creekside Center campus
Lone Star College System officials recently approved a $317 million budget for 2013-2014 that includes $60 million to build a campus at Creekside Center near The Woodlands. Voters in May rejected a nearly $500 million bond proposal that included funding for the Creekside Center.
The Creekside project is smaller than originally proposed and revenue from student fees will be used to repay the debt, college officials said. The new Creekside Center will focus on badly needed workforce training programs, according to the chairman of the board of trustees for Lone Star.
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Heath agrees to sell $8.175M in bonds to upgrade infrastructure
Heath City Council members recently authorized the sale and refinancing of about $8.175 million in bonds to pay for street repairs, utility and drainage upgrades and other capital improvement needs.
Projects funded include upgrading the radio system, constructing new trails, rebuilding three roads and adding an entry feature on the north side of the city.
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Bellaire moves forward with plans for bond election in November
 Bellaire City Council members recently instructed the city attorney to draft several bond propositions that could be placed on the ballot for voter approval in November.
Council members discussed asking for $16 million to rebuild the city hall, civic center, police and court buildings and $5 million for upgrades to a park.
Mayor Phil Nauert (pictured) also won support for his motion to include $500,000 for upgrades at the Nature Discovery Center.
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Greenville awaits TxDOT approval on $1.87 million sidewalk project
Greenville city officials recently selected a contractor for a $1.87 million Safe Route to School sidewalk project. City officials, however, must wait for approval from Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials before awarding the bid to build 15.15 miles of sidewalk and related upgrades to encourage students to walk or ride bicycles to school.
TxDOT awarded the city a $1.87 million grant to pay for the new sidewalks leading to four elementary schools in addition to adding ramps to existing curbs, building new curbs and gutters, installing traffic control devices and upgrading drainage. City officials plan to ask council members to approve the winning bid for the safe sidewalks project on Aug. 27 if TxDOT officials approve the project plan as expected.
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Need a job? Got a job opening?
Check out our Public Sector Job Board!
Second Court of Appeals has two openings, TABC has two new postings, DIR has three job openings related to contract/vendor issues and the Higher Ed Coordinating Board has an IT business relationship mgr. posted. View jobs here. Free job postings for state & local governments, nonprofits, public sector entities. Send to editor@spartnerships.com.
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Brownwood eyeing $570,000 in bonds to upgrade coliseum, airport
Brownwood City Council members recently began discussions on issuing about $570,000 in bonds to pay for $40,000 in upgrades to a community center and $99,000 to resurface the dome at the Brownwood Coliseum.
City officials plan to use the bond funds to provide a required $292,000 match for a $2.8 million federal grant to improve the runway at the airport, replace the roofs at a community center, the main hangar at the airport and the city maintenance facility.
Finance Director Walter Middleton said council members are expected to vote in early September on whether to issue the bonds.
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Ector County asking voters to approve $95 million bond proposal
Ector County commissioners recently voted to schedule a $95 million bond election in November to pay for a new 180,000-square-foot county courthouse. Commissioners also said they will appoint community members to a committee to help inform the public on the need for the bonds.
Members of the Courthouse Evaluation Committee previously researched the possibility of remodeling the current courthouse and creating a second building, but found that building a new courthouse was the only feasible option, said Sondra Eoff, chair of that committee.
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Lindale ISD to ask voters for tax hike to pay for technology, security
Trustees for Lindale Independent School District recently agreed to seek voter approval on Oct. 8 to increase the current maintenance and operation tax rate by two cents to generate about $275,000 for upgrades to technology and security at district facilities.
Board members also approved a four-cent tax decrease on the interest and sinking tax rate to reduce the current tax rate while still producing additional funding for the district, according to the president of the school board. Plans call for spending the $275,000 to continue major upgrades to technology and security completed last year by adding more security at elementary campuses and upgrading classroom technology.
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HISD police nation's only accredited school department in nation
 The Houston Independent School District Police Department recently became the only accredited public school district police department in the nation. HISD's PD qualified after being awarded the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation this month.
"This continuing commitment to excellence demonstrates the HISD Police Department's dedication to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world," said HISD Police Chief Jimmy Dotson (pictured).
CALEA, an independent accrediting authority developed in 1979, was established to develop law enforcement standards, and to establish and administer an accreditation process for law enforcement agencies to demonstrate that they meet professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery. There are currently 900 public safety agencies enrolled in some stage of the CALEA accreditation process. The program allows a police department to systemically review and internally assess its operations and procedures. Accreditation is awarded for a period of three years and requires a continuing commitment from the accredited agency. HISD Police Department will undergo reaccreditation in February 2016.
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Fort Worth ISD trying to reduce proposed $785M bond election
Fort Worth Independent School District officials recently began work on selecting priority capital improvement projects to include in a proposed November bond election in an effort to reduce the $785 million in projects now under discussion.
Superintendent Walter Dansby told trustees that district priorities should include safety, security and technology upgrades, new classrooms, pre-kindergarten facilities for four-year-old students and a new performing arts campus. Dansby said he plans to ask trustees to approve a reduced bond proposition for the ballot on Nov. 5. The deadline for scheduling a bond referendum this year is Aug. 26.
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 One of the most important business books you'll read in 2013...
Your business could play an integral role in providing innovative solutions as  government officials seek to reinvent government and how it delivers services. Mary Scott Nabers is an expert in government procurement and her book can help vendors understand what government executives want from vendors and contractors.
Collaboration Nation, How Public-Private Ventures Are Revolutionizing the Business of Government , by Mary Scott Nabers, President/CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
For more information and to order your copy, click here.
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| Frisco pondering May 2014 bond election to upgrade infrastructure
Frisco city officials recently began discussion on whether to schedule a bond election in May 2014 to pay for infrastructure upgrades to meet the needs of rapid growth.
Council members plan to add discussions on infrastructure needs as an agenda item at their next meeting and continue discussions to prioritize infrastructure projects to determine whether to ask voters to approve a bond proposal next spring, noted Jeff Cheney, a council member.
The Frisco Community Development Corporation recently took bids for $40 million in bonds to pay for an estimated $25 million project to upgrade water and sewer lines and $15 million to add new ball fields at the Frisco Athletic Center, noted Assistant City Manager Neil Lange. These new water and sewer lines will meet the needs of current residents, but bond funding most likely will be necessary to reach new residential and business developments, Lange said. |
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Rosenberg delays proposed $12.5M bond election until May 2014
Rosenberg City Council members recently voted to postpone a bond election planned for November 2013 until May 2014.
Council members previously agreed to split the bond proposal into four propositions, with Proposition 1 asking for approval of $8.6 million for road projects and to upgrade sidewalks in the downtown area. The second proposition would ask for $2.2 million for a new baseball field, a nature center and improvements to community parks.
Proposition 3 for $900,000 would be used to add more security cameras throughout the city, update software used by dispatchers and upgrade communication for the fire department, while the fourth proposition would ask for approval of $850,000 to implement 10 quiet zones around railroad lines by installing quieter horns to reduce noise for residents living in the area.
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10th Annual CATEE Conference to be held in San Antonio
Registration is now open for the Clean Air Through Energy Efficiency (CATEE) Conference 2013, an educational conference and business exhibition to connect public- and private-sector decision-makers. Set Dec. 16-18 in San Antonio at the Hyatt Regency in San Antonio. The conference is geared toward helping communities improve decisions that determine the energy and water intensity of the built environment and reduce related emissions. This 10th conference is co-hosted by the Energy Systems Laboratory of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and the Texas Chapters of the U.S. Green Building Council. Keynote speaker for this year's event is Bill Ritter, Jr., director of the Center for New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. More information and a draft agenda are now available.
Texas Network of Youth Services plans Aug. 13-16 conference
Want to learn about innovative strategies for serving vulnerable youth, their families and their communities? Register today for the Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) conference taking place Aug. 13-16 in San Antonio! Our theme this year celebrates our history and our future: "Celebrating Our Roots and Blossoms: Planting the Seeds for the Next 30 Years." The conference offers training, information and skill building for youth workers; young people; clinicians/therapists; managers, leaders and administrators; board members and other volunteers; public agency and social services personnel; youth leaders; and community advocates. Click here for more information or to register.
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.
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.
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Have you heard about MOOCs?
 By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Call it "MOOC-mania." It's a fast-growing trend that is making its way into conversations on college campuses and with educators throughout America. MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Courses.
University financial executives love the online courses. Students clamor for more of them. And, Microsoft mogul Bill Gates must believe in them because he committed $3 million for grants to universities willing to develop free, online courses.
But MOOCs, while attracting the attention of large numbers of students who find them more convenient and certainly less expensive than traditional college classes, may not be the panacea they were originally hyped to be - or at least not yet. Their success has varied widely.
One looming question that remains to be answered is whether students who complete MOOC classes should get college credit related to a degree. Last fall, Colorado State University's Global Campus became the first institution in America to offer degree credit to students who passed these online courses.
A faculty committee at Texas A&M University recommended that the university partner with a nonprofit organization launched by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that offers MOOCs. But, TAMU officials didn't jump off into the deep water without discussing parameters for offering MOOCs through the university. Officials there urged exploration of a highly defined offering that would depend heavily on faculty involvement in how a MOOC program would be implemented.
One of the biggest benefits of a MOOC program for the College Station campus would be the ability among TAMU System member institutions to share course materials.
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Fort Worth wins $2.1 million
grant to expand Trinity Trails
 Fort Worth city officials recently won a $2.1 million federal grant to extend Trinity Trails to the downtown area from the bridge at West Rosedale St.
City officials will be required to contribute $431,000 from a 2004 bond proposition to provide matching funding, said Richard Zavala (pictured), director of parks for Fort Worth.
Plans call for the 3,500-foot trail extension to be routed under bridges on Interstate 30, Chisholm Trail Parkway, Vickery and West Rosedale and include on-street parking at the trailhead, stairs, lighting, bike racks and benches as well as ramps to provide access to bike and pedestrian lanes on Vickery Bridge, Zavala said.
City officials expect to seek bids for the trail extension project in spring 2014, begin construction that summer and complete the trail extension in early 2015.
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It took four sessions, but transportation bill finally passes
It took one regular and three special sessions of the 83rd Texas Legislature, but at long last, the fate of additional proposed transportation funding aimed at bridging the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) reported $4 billion annual funding gap is in the hands of Texas voters. TxDOT officials told lawmakers before the first regular session that the agency needed an additional $4 billion per year to meet the state's growing transportation infrastructure and maintenance needs.
What passed requires dedicating a portion of the state's rainy day fund to transportation needs. But, Rep. Joe Pickett added language to the bill that requires TxDOT to find $100 million in efficiencies over the 2014-15 biennium and apply that toward the agency's debt. The House and Senate couldn't come to terms over a floor of how much must remain as surplus in the rainy day fund. The version of the bill that passed requires a select group of legislators to recommend the minimum balance for the fund before each regular session of the legislature. Both chambers would then vote on whether to approve that amount. But ultimately, the voters of Texas will have the last word, deciding if the proposal should be enacted.
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City-owned utility in San Antonio announces reorganization
Officials of CPS Energy, the city-owned utility in San Antonio, recently announced a reorganization of their corporate structure to increase efficiency and streamline operations. The changes include realigning rates and budget planning with financing and moving responsibility for regulatory compliance to audit services.
Under the new reorganization, Chris Eugster, executive vice president and chief generation and strategy officer, is now overseeing power generation, energy supply, market operations, environmental planning, nuclear operations, corporate planning and business development. Jelynne LeBlanc-Burley, the executive vice president and chief delivery officer, is managing customer interactions, including electric and gas delivery, customer service and military facilities services.
John Benedict, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, is heading corporate support services, including information technology, vehicle fleet and supply chain operations, corporate facilities and security. Jenna Saucedo, previously a senior manager, won promotion to chief of staff and will oversee corporation business planning and analysis while continuing her current duties of managing stakeholder engagement and corporate affairs, board meeting and administrative functions for Chief Executive Officer Doyle Beneby.
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Whitehouse taps Huckabee
as its new city manager
Whitehouse City Council members recently tapped Kevin Huckabee, a former police officer for the city, as the new city manager. Huckabee will replace former City Manager Mike Peterson, who is retiring.
Huckabee has been the assistant city manager since January 2011. He begins his new duties as city manager on Oct. 1.
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Berzina stepping down as
interim city manager in Corinth
 After serving as interim city manager in Corinth since 2009, Jim Berzina (pictured) recently informed city council members he is stepping down from that post.
Previously the city manager in Wichita Falls from 1983 to 2008, Berzina also was an assistant city manager in Springfield, Missouri, and a city manager in Warrensburg and Joplin, Missouri.
Berzina has a bachelor's degree from the University of South Dakota and a master's degree from the University of Kansas.
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Dallas ISD appoints Flores to head teacher evaluation commission
Dallas Independent School District trustees recently selected Edwin Flores, a former board member, as chairman of the newly created teacher evaluation commission that is tasked with helping create a new pay-for-performance system for teachers.
Commission members plan to study teacher evaluation programs at other school districts and meet with teachers from the Dallas school district to help determine their needs and concerns before making recommendation to the board. The goal is for trustees to adopt a teacher pay-for-performance program to begin in the 2014-2015 academic year.
The performance evaluation program will use observation of teachers, student test scores and other data to determine a teacher's performance rating, which will then be used to determine teacher salaries that could range from $43,000 for a teacher rated as unsatisfactory to $92,000 for a master teacher.
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Joslin resigns his position
as Floresville city manager
 City Manager Andy Joslin (pictured) recently resigned as city manager in Floresville.
Joslin previously served as a commander of a narcotics task force for the 81st Judicial District, an assistant chief of police chief in Floresville and as interim city manager twice before being selected as city manager in 2010.
A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Joslin earned a bachelor's degree specializing in law enforcement from Wayland Baptist College.
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Chapa resigns as director of human resources for Victoria ISD
Eloy Chapa recently resigned as director of human resources for Victoria Independent School District after 22 years with that school district.
Chapa, who also was a guidance counselor and principal before becoming human resources director eight years ago, has accepted a post as director of personnel for the Goose Creek Consolidated School District in Baytown.
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Chapa retiring as city secretary
for city of Corpus Christi
 Armando Chapa (pictured), city secretary in Corpus Christi since early 1985, recently retired from that post after 35 years on city staff.
Chapa previously served as director of employment and training programs. During his tenure, he has worked with seven mayors and 48 members of city council to automate the process for preparing the council agenda and minutes and to transition from the former system of manual filing into digital storage of information.
Council members are expected to appoint a new city secretary soon to conduct city elections, oversee the process for appointments to boards and commissions, to manage city records and provide support for meeting of city council.
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Athens ISD selects Campbell,
Caffey as curriculum leaders
Athens Independent School District trustees recently selected Matt Caffey as the district coordinator of elementary and secondary curriculum and instruction. Board members also tapped Renee Campbell as the coordinator of elementary curriculum and instruction.
Caffey previously served as a teacher and assistant principal for Mabank ISD and as an assistant principal for the College Station school district. He has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Texas A&M University.
Campbell served as a principal for the Athens district and as a teacher for Garland ISD. She has a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
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Chandler selects Taylor
as new city administrator
 Chandler City Council recently selected John Taylor (pictured) as the new city administrator to replace City Administrator Jim Moffeit, who is retiring in October to accept a part-time job at the Chandler Economic Development Corporation.
Previously an assistant city administrator in Chandler in 2011, Taylor resigned as director of development services in Midlothian on July 26 to return to Chandler. Plans call for Taylor to work alongside Moffeit to assist in his transition as the new city administrator.
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Jorge appointed as new TxDOT district engineer in San Antonio
 Mario Jorge, P.E. (pictured), has been appointed district engineer in the San Antonio district of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). A veteran of nearly three decades with the state's transportation agency, Jorge will oversee the planning, designing, building, operation and maintenance of the 12-county San Antonio district.
The longtime TxDOT employee moved to the Pharr Area Office in 1990 and was a project engineer before being named area engineer. Jorge holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and earned his professional engineer's license in 1988.
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Texas Government Insider Archives
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Houston ISD superintendent selects Bost chief of high schools
Superintendent Terry Grier of Houston I ndependent School District recently appointed Dana Bost (pictured) as the new chief of high schools, the fourth person in four years in that job.
Previously the assistant superintendent of college and career readiness for the school district, Bost will be replaced in that job by Orlando Riddick, who has served as chief of high schools at the Houston district since January 2012.
Bost previously served as a principal for the Henrico County school district in Virginia and as an adjunct professor at five universities.
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Ferris approves master plan
for parks and recreation
Ferris City Council members recently adopted a master plan for parks and recreation to help guide future development of parks and recreation facilities.
The master parks and recreation plan was adopted following meetings and informal surveys with residents about the recreational facilities they would like in the community, noted City Manager Dennis Burns. The new plan prioritizes Mutz Park as the potential site for upgrades, but does not make recommendations for competing projects, Burns said.
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Sealy ISD names Poenitzsch as new assistant superintendent
 Trustees for Sealy Independent School District recently named Nicole Poenitzsch (pictured) as the new assistant superintendent, effective in January 2014. She will replace Assistant Superintendent Mary Hiozek, who is retiring in January.
Poenitzsch began her career in public education as a teacher and has served as a principal at an elementary school since 2011.
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Pessink to resign as police
chief for Kilgore College
Police Chief Martin Pessink recently told Kilgore College trustees he plans to resign as police chief effective on Aug. 31 after serving in that post since June 2009.
Pessink previously spent 22 years with the Waco Police Department before serving as police chief for the city of Pittsburg in 2002. He plans to join the private sector once he retires from Kilgore College.
College officials selected Lt. Tony Means as the acting police chief until a new police chief is hired.
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Travis County District
Clerk to retire next year
 Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza (pictured), Travis County District Clerk since elected in 1990, has announced she will retire next year at the end of her sixth term.
Prior to seeking elected office, Rodriguez-Mendoza served as director of the Voter Registration Division of the Travis County Tax Office from 1982 to 1989.
The retiring district clerk holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree from Antioch College. She is a former president of the County and District Clerk's Association of Texas and is a previous District Clerk of the Year.
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The Texas Government Insider is a free weekly e-newsletter detailing important happenings throughout the state and summarizing current political issues relevant to individuals interested in government.
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