TxDOT proposes 'turnback program'...

Even Transportation Commission member not sold on its merit 

A proposal that could lead to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) handing over maintenance of close to 2,000 miles of state highways in major metropolitan areas of the state to local governments in those areas has set off a firestorm of commentary from local government officials. They are describing the plan as "a very crippling move," a "trading off of state responsibility" and a "massive unfunded mandate."

 

TxDOT officials say the proposal would lop off about $165 million in agency costs annually. Although that's not much in terms of the $4 billion TxDOT officials say the agency needs annually to maintain and expand transportation infrastructure. However, it would satisfy the legislature's mandate that the agency find $100 million in cuts that are

Maintenance of roadways in some Texas cities would be transferred to local officials under a proposed Texas Department of Transportation program. (TxDOT photo)

part of a transportation bill passed during the recently completed Third Called Session of the 83

Lawmakers passed a bill that will give voters in the state the opportunity to decide if nearly $2 billion per year of the state's rainy day fund should be appropriated from the state's rainy day fund. Lawmakers threw in the $100 million from TxDOT to show a "good faith" effort on the part of the agency toward stretching its dollars.

Unfortunately for TxDOT, one of the voices of opposition to the proposal is Texas Transportation

Commissioner Victor Vandergriff (pictured), who with other members of the Commission will discuss the proposal at their Aug. 29 meeting. In a recent interview, Vandergriff told the Dallas Morning News, "We're going to have a pretty robust discussion about whether this is a wise move. For me personally, I question it."

Vandergriff will not be the only one at the Commission meeting who questions the merit of the program. Many of the mayors of the affected cities have already made travel plans to attend the Austin meeting. And, Vandergriff gave the Dallas newspaper an indication of the mood of most of those government officials when he said most of the reaction to the proposal has been "generally negative."

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New Texas Water Development Board members appointed

Legislation provides for full-time, paid, three-person administration

In compliance with legislation passed during the regular session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, Gov. Rick Perry has appointed three new full-time, paid members of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The legislation provided a major overhaul of the agency's leadership, resulting in the retirement of Executive Administrator Melanie Callahan.

Perry appointed Carlos Rubinstein (top) as chair of the board. The other two new members appointed are Bech Bruun (bottom right) and Mary Ann Williamson (bottom left). The three will take office on Sept. 1.

Rubinstein is currently a commissioner with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), following his appointment in 2009. He has a background in water-related issues after being a member of the Texas Environmental Flows Advisory Group and the Texas representative to the Western States Water Council. Prior to his appointment as a TCEQ commissioner, Rubinstein served the agency as deputy executive director and as Rio Grande Watermaster. The new TWDB chair has experience in municipal government as well, having served as city manager for the city of Brownsville.

Rubinstein holds a bachelor's degree from Pan American University. His term on the TWDB board expires on Feb. 1, 2017. He serves as chair at the pleasure of the governor.

Williamson is no stranger to state government either. She is the wife of the late Ric Williamson, who served in the Texas House and later was chair of the Texas Transportation Commission. Mary Ann Williamson is owner of MKS Natural Gas Company and is chair of the Texas Lottery Commission. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Mary Ann Williamson holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas Christian University. Her term on the TWDB board will expire Feb. 1, 2019.

Bruun currently serves as director of Government Appointments in Perry's office. He is a former government and customer relations manager for the Brazos River Authority. Bruun has a history of work in the Texas House, having served as chief of staff to a House member and as general counsel to the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.

Bruun earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law. His term expires Feb. 1, 2015.

Marty selected by Perry to serve on Public Utility Commission

Longtime employee of governor's office moves to state regulatory agency

Brandy Marty (pictured), a member of Gov. Rick Perry's staff since 2007, has been appointed by Perry as a member of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Marty most recently served as Perry's chief of staff. She will now take on telecom and electric operations at the state's utility regulatory agency. She joins the three-member commission that includes Chair Donna Nelson, appointed in 2008 and named chair in 2011, and Kenneth W. Anderson, Jr., who was appointed to the commission in 2008. Marty replaces former Commissioner Rolando Pablos, who resigned in February. He was appointed in 2011 and his term was not due to expire until September.

Marty had served only six months as chief of staff, but previously served in the Governor's Office as deputy chief of staff, director of the Budget, Planning and Policy Division and as deputy legislative director as House liaison. She is also a veteran of having served in several capacities for elected officials in the Texas House.

Marty holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from St. Mary's University.

Austin Community College pushes back bond vote to 2014

Austin Community College (ACC) Board of Trustees recently agreed to postpone a planned $450 million bond election for at least a year, until November 2014. ACC administrators noted that having more voter participation during a national election could help win voter approval of the bonds.

ACC trustees previously trimmed a $2 billion list of capital improvements down to $475 million to pay for the continued conversion of a former mall in Austin into a new campus, renovation of the main building at the Rio Grande campus, construction of a new campus in Leander and upgrades to electrical and plumbing systems at other ACC facilities.

University of Houston OKs new graduate school of public policy

University of Houston regents recently approved a resolution to authorize fundraising to begin to establish a new graduate school of public policy to be named for former Lt. Gov. William Hobby (pictured).

Recent legislation sponsored by a state senator from Houston set aside $400,000 in the state budget to help with the effort to seek donations for the new graduate school to be created from the existing UH Hobby Center for Public Policy.

The progress of fundraising and the process of accreditation will determine when the graduate programs at the new school of public policy will begin accepting graduate students, according to UH officials.

TPWD budget OK'd; funding should keep parks open for two years

No state parks in Texas will close for lack of funding over the next two years, says Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Executive Director Carter Smith (pictured). That is barring any "catastrophic event like a hurricane, extreme drought or wildfire," said Smith as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Thursday approved TPWD's 2014 budget.

The FY 2014 operating and capital budget totals approximately $380 million, according to Smith, which includes about $272 million for salaries, benefits and operating expenses, about $30 million for grants and approximately $75 million for capital items.

The department will benefit from numerous exceptional items approved by the Texas Legislature during the 83rd session. Included are $17.9 million for state park operations, $10.4 million for capital budget items such as replacement of vehicles and computers, $8 million for capital repairs and construction for Fund 9/fisheries and wildlife facility capital construction and $11 million in bonds for repairs at existing TPWD facilities, $13 million for fish and wildlife funding; $15.5 million for local park grants to Texas cities and counties and $1 million for state data center cost increases and IT needs.

State invests $800,000 from TEF into Fritz Industries

The state of Texas has invested $800,000 in Texas Enterprise Fund monies into Fritz Industries Inc. toward its expansion and job creation. Fritz Industries Inc. manufacturers products used in drilling and cementing and stimulation fluids used in the daily operations of oilfield service companies.

The company is opening a manufacturing and office facility in Greenville, creating 250 jobs and $37.5 million in capital investment. The company conducts research and development to improve productivity in new oil and gas wells and extend the life of existing wells. Employees at this facility will fill production, supply chain, quality assurance, engineering, maintenance, information technology and human resources positions.

Greenville Mayor Steve Reid praised Fritz Industries President and CEO Dan Montgomery and his team at Fritz Industries, who he said "filled a major void in our tax base and employment base."

Paul Foster elected chair of UT System Board of Regents

After having been reappointed to a second six-year term in February, El Paso's Paul Foster (pictured) this week was elected the new chair of The University of Texas System Board of Regents. Foster, executive chair of Western Refining Inc., is a former member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and has also served on numerous local and statewide boards.

He succeeds former regents Chair Gene Powell of San Antonio, who had served as head of the board since February 2011.

Elected to serve as vice chairs of the board were Regents Powell and Steve Hicks. New Regents Ernest Aliseda and Jeffrey Hildebrand, who were both appointed to six-year terms in February, were introduced at this week's meeting, along with Student Regent Nash Horn, who will serve a one-year term.

A&M's Easterwood airport director retires amid outsourcing talk

The first casualty of Texas A&M's announcement of its plans to continue outsourcing efforts throughout the university is longtime Easterwood airport director John Happ (pictured). Happ, who is a veteran of 17 years with the airport, the only university-owned and operated airport in Texas, has announced his retirement. The longtime airport employee said the university's move to outsource management of the airport was a contributor to his decision to retire.

Happ spent the last 13 of his 17 years with the airport as director. His retirement was effective immediately. Happ had only recently been awarded the 2013 Excellence in Aviation Transportation Award, recognizing the top aviation leader in the state, at the Texas Transportation and Infrastructure Summit. Happ is a graduate of Texas A&M and spent nearly three decades in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1996 as a colonel.

In October, the university and the Texas A&M System issued requests for qualifications for airport management and fixed-base operator services such as fueling, parking and aircraft maintenance for Easterwood.

Seguin approves almost $20 million bond election in November

Seguin City Council members recently agreed to ask voters to approve two bond propositions totaling almost $20 million to build a new library and upgrade city parks.

The first proposition on the Nov. 5 ballot will ask for approval to issue $14.8 million in bonds to build and equip a new public library on a 3.9-acre tract on Nolte Street.

The second bond proposition will seek approval of $5 million to upgrade parks, including developing a community park south of San Antonio Avenue featuring a splash pad, large playscape, multiuse recreation and sports fields, nature trails, skate park, basketball court, picnic pavilions, a concession stand and storage building for equipment. Proposition two also seeks approval to build a new, $330,000 playscape accessible to people with disabilities, a $50,000 group pavilion and $15,000 disc golf course at Starcke Park East as well as allotting $70,000 to replace two filters at the wave pool.

Cooper tapped as new director of student success at UH-Victoria

University of Houston-Victoria officials recently tapped Mara Cooper (pictured) as the new director of student success. Her duties include helping increase student retention and overseeing tutoring, testing, supplemental instruction and career services.

Cooper previously worked the Southeast Florida Literacy Network at Miami-Dade College in Florida, the University of Miami and College of the Mainland in Texas City.

Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Lamar University in Beaumont, Cooper has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Florida International University.

Canyon looking at new $4 million to $6 million water park

A citizen's group recently urged Canyon City Council members to build a new water park costing from $4 million to $6 million to replace the existing public swimming pool built in the 1950s.

The proposal calls for the new water park to include slides and other water features to attract local residents and visitors from neighboring communities to the new water park, said City Manager Randy Criswell. The city could charge an admission fee ranging from $5 to $6 to pay for the new facility, Criswell said.

City officials most likely will ask voters to approve a bond proposal to fund the new water park, the city manager said. A survey taken at the municipal pool last year indicated 92 percent of those surveyed supported construction of a new facility to replace the aging pool.

Jasper County to seek bids for courthouse annex renovation

Jasper County commissioners recently agreed to seek bids to expand and remodel the courthouse annex (as seen in accompanying artist's rendering) to serve as an emergency operations center, emergency shelter and event center.

The Hurricane Ike Disaster Program provided a $4.5 million grant to pay for the renovation of the annex and to expand an adjacent parking lot.

Commissioners also approved updated designs and renderings of the annex and shelter facility project and authorized the engineering firm to publish the request for bid proposals. County officials plan to award a construction contract for the project by late September or early October.

Abilene ISD bond panel recommends $87.7 million bond proposal

Members of the Master Facilities Planning Committee for Abilene Independent School District recently urged trustees to ask voters to approve $87.7 million in bonds to build new facilities and tear down other facilities.

After studying district facilities for more than 250 hours since June, committee members said the district deferred so much maintenance that it would be more feasible to tear down older buildings and replace with new facilities in a phased effort based on the greatest needs.

Trustees plan to vote Monday on whether to schedule the bond election on Nov. 5. Construction on the first of the capital improvement projects could begin as early as May 2014, district officials said.

College Station ISD calls $83 million bond vote in November

Trustees for College Station Independent School District recently set an $83 million bond election for Nov. 5.

If approved, the bond funding will be used to construct a new $20 million elementary school to meet enrollment growth, build a new $15.5 million center for alternative learning and perform $12 million of deferred maintenance on existing facilities.

Trustees also proposed spending $6.1 million on technology upgrades, $7.5 million for a purchasing and warehouse center and $6.5 million to renovate the current center.

Mineral Wells ISD to ask approval of $25 million bond proposal

Mineral Wells Independent School District trustees recently agreed to schedule a $25 million bond election in November. The ballot will feature two proposals, one for $25 million to pay for construction, renovation and equipment and the second to authorize the board to levy and collect taxes to pay for the bonds.  

Board members plan to spend about $23 million to replace an existing elementary school, renovate the junior high building, upgrade security throughout the district and replace the existing high school track, Superintendent Gail Haterius (pictured) said.

District officials expect to spend about $850,000 to replace the track at Mineral Wells High School and have already paid for geotechnical engineering to help solve foundation problems, Haterius said.

Katy ISD seeking approval of $99 million in bonds for new stadium

Katy Independent School District trustees recently agreed to ask voters to approve $99 million in bonds on Nov. 5 to pay for a new football stadium, agriculture complex and science and technology center.

The new 14,000-seat stadium is expected to cost about $68 million and will be located next to the district's existing football stadium to serve seven high school football programs. The remaining $32 million in bonds will pay for the agriculture complex and science and technology center if voters grant their approval.

Construction on the three capital improvement projects would begin in spring of 2014 and be completed by fall 2015, district officials said.

Clark leaving as chief of government relations for TASB

Catherine Clark recently left her post of associate executive director of government relations for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), but will remain as associate executive director of Governance Services for that nonprofit association created in 1949 to serve local school board members.

Having served as the interim chief of government relations since December 2012 when she replaced Jackie Lain, Clark will continue to be responsible for legal services, policy service, executive search services, governance consulting services for school districts in addition to conferences and training programs for school board members. TASB officials plan to begin immediately to search for a new associate executive director of government relations.

Clark previously was employed as director of research at the Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin and as director of the Texas Center for Educational Research.

North Texas Central College to ask voters to OK $14.8M in bonds

Regents of North Texas Central College (NTCC) in Gainesville recently agreed to schedule a $14.8 million bond election in November to pay for capital improvement projects.

NTCC officials will use the bond funding for building a larger facility for the nursing program and upgrading the Health and Science facility by adding technology required for the radiological technology program, said Dr. Eddie Hadlock (pictured), NTTC president. Improvements to the career technical center to expand courses in welding and hydraulics with simulator experience should help students find good employment with companies expanding in that area, he said.

Hadlock also advised college officials when explaining the bond proposal to voters to stress the economic benefits to the region that would result from upgrading the nursing, radiological, hydraulics and welding programs and the ability to enroll more students.

Lubbock library board urged to build new $7.4 million library

Lubbock Libraries Board members recently received a recommendation by an architect to build a new 32,000-square-foot library in the southwest area of the city. The new library would house the Godeke Branch Library now located in leased space that costs the city about $25,000 each month.

To be located on three to five acres of land, the new branch library facility also would accommodate about 89,000 books and other items for patrons to check out, an expanded computer lab and separate areas for teens and children, the architect said.

The next step for the board is to develop a master plan for libraries to present to city council members, the chairwoman of the libraries board said.

Amarillo to ask voters to approve $37 million recreation complex

Amarillo city commissioners recently scheduled a special bond election in November to ask voter approval of a proposed $37 million recreation facility. The facility will use a public-private partnership to help raise funding for the new sports complex.

City officials are working with 12 agencies and private companies to raise funding for the proposed Amarillo Recreation Complex that will have indoor aquatic features and other sports facilities, said Mayor Paul Harpole (pictured).

The partnership already has raised $3 million of its $6 million goal during the first six weeks of its fundraising efforts, he noted.

Salado pulls plug on $6M bond vote for new sewer system

The Salado Board of Aldermen recently agreed to pull the plug on plans for a proposed $6 million November bond election. Board members requested more research and a clearer vision be available before seeking voter approval for the bonds. The mayor had strongly supported the proposed $6 million bond proposition to upgrade the sewer system.

Williamson sets $315 million bond election for roads and parks

Williamson County commissioners recently scheduled a $315 million bond election on Nov. 5 to ask voters to approve two separate propositions. The first proposition will seek approval of $275 million to upgrade roads and the second proposition will ask voters to approve $40 million to improve parks and recreation facilities.

Included in the road projects on the ballot are drainage upgrades for Forest North Estates and an area near Pond Springs Road, expanding and extending North Mays Street, and safety upgrades and extending RR620.

Parks and recreation projects included are an extension of the Brushy Creek Regional Trail, upgrades to the Williamson County Expo Center, land acquisition for new parks and trails expansions for pedestrians and bicyclists.

El Paso council approves $139 million in airport renovations

El Paso City Council members recently included a five-year capital improvement plan for the El Paso International Airport.

The upgrade includes a new $45 million rental car facility (see accompanying artist's rendering) and other improvements.

Other projects planned for the airport are a $16.8 million runway reconstruction project, $15.9 million for a new taxiway and $14 million for loading bridges. Funding for the airport upgrades includes $55 million from the Federal Aviation Administration, $20.1 million from airport revenue and $18.2 million from the passenger facility charge fund. Plans call for the consolidated car rental facility to be open for business in 2016.

Kaufman County sheriff ends effort to privatize county jail

Sheriff David Byrnes of Kaufman County recently told county commissioners he has decided to end his efforts to privatize the county jail to save money. Kaufman County commissioners, however, agreed to seek requests for proposals for jail privatization with no protections for current jail employees.

Byrnes began researching privatization of jail operations in December 2012 after stipulating that current jail staff members must retain their employment status and benefits for privatization efforts to succeed.

Following the commissioner's action of deleting provisions to protect current jail employees, the sheriff alleged that a commissioner sabotaged jail privatization by removing employee protections and said he has halted all efforts and negotiations to privatize the county jail.

El Paso County commissioners to discuss building new jail

El Paso County commissioners on Aug. 26 will discuss whether to build a new county jail or invest millions for maintenance items and upgrades at the existing facility. The current jail facility is in the throes of upgrades so that it will comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The facility, if not replaced, is also in need of maintenance of plumbing, domestic water source and climate control systems.

The county auditor has estimated that a new jail could result in a savings of $9 million per year although there is no estimate yet available on the cost of a new jail. Officials say the downtown jail costs about $33.7 million per year for 1,000 beds, while the annex costs $36.9 million a year for 1,450 beds.

El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles (pictured) said the downtown jail is necessary because the county and federal courthouses are nearby. He said he thinks the county can save money by running a smaller downtown jail. Officials are hoping to see estimated costs and projections to run the jail system for the next several years during their Aug. 26 meeting.

• An Audit Report on the Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program at the Department of State Health Services
• Vetoes of Legislation: 83rd Legislature, House Research Organization