University of Texas taking second look at job consolidation plan

After meeting with affected stakeholders, The University of Texas is backing off somewhat its previously announced plan to cut as many as 500 jobs through consolidation of some of its services. The original plan was to consolidate finance, personnel, information technology and purchasing at the university. However, the plan drew criticism from students, faculty and staff.

Now, the plan is for the university to spend a year studying the schools that already have been consolidated and any that might want to participate in a pilot program before consolidations occur. That proposal will go to committee next week and then must garner the approval of UT President Bill Powers. If approved by Powers, the pilots could begin as soon as mid-March.

UT's original consolidation plan was aimed at saving the university up to $140 million over 10 years. Although the original plan would have eliminated about 500 jobs, university officials said it would not likely lead to many layoffs, as nearly that many people leave the university every year to retire or for new jobs, etc.

Selection delayed for new dean of Rio Grande medical school

Regents for The University of Texas System recently announced a delay until March or April in announcing the name of the dean of a new medical school to be operated by the newly created University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.

Because all the final candidates for dean of the medical school were required to travel to the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio and Austin rather than visit only one campus, many of the candidates are just now able to schedule and complete their interviews, noted Karen Adler, assistant director of public affairs for the UT System.

Texas Tech announces $1.8M in gifts for petroleum engineering

Gifts totaling $1.8 million have been received by Texas Tech University toward the new Petroleum Engineering Research Building. As a result, various areas of the new building will be named for multiple donors, including the Steve Heitzman Conference Room, Harvey L. Ratliff Jr. Department Chair Suite, the Walter Exploration Conference Room and the David G. Wight Courtyard.

"I could not be more pleased with the outpouring of support for our efforts to fund this state-of-the-art research and educational facility," said Al Sacco Jr. (pictured), dean of the Whitacre College of Engineering.

The new Petroleum Engineering Research Building will be a $22.8 million facility with approximately 42,000 square feet of classroom and research space. The new building will provide a facility that will integrate formal teaching environments with hands-on practical applications using cutting-edge research facilities and techniques.  

DPS reminds of identification certificates for voters needing ID

With March primary elections around the corner, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds all qualified Texas voters that Election Identification Certificates (EIC) are available at all Texas driver license offices. Voting in elections in Texas now requires a photo ID. The EICs issued by DPS can serve as that identification.

Many prospective voters already have one of the acceptable forms of photo ID needed to vote - such as a Texas driver license, a Texas personal ID card, a U.S. passport book or card, a Texas concealed handgun license or U.S. military ID with photo. These forms of ID can be used if they are unexpired or if they expired fewer than 60 days prior to Election Day. A U.S. Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization with photo also will serve as acceptable ID.

Anyone in need of an EIC can apply for one at a Texas driver license office. To apply, one must bring documentation to verify his or her U.S. citizenship and identity, must be eligible to vote (showing a valid voter registration card or completing a voter registration application at the DPS office), must be a Texas resident and must be at least 17 years and 10 months old. The EICs are free and valid for six years. The receipt for an EIC can be used for voting until the permanent card is received, as both have photos of the card holder. EICs can only be used for voting and not for personal identification.

Tulley chosen new chief operating officer for Trinity Railway Express

Tom Tulley (pictured), former passenger rail specialist for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Region 5 in Dallas, has been chosen as the new chief operating officer for the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). Tulley, who also was an FRA emergency preparedness team leader, railroad safety inspector and safety specialist for passenger railroad equipment, moved to California in 2012 to work at North County Transit District in Oceanside. There he had oversight of multiple railroads and other transit modes in the area. He was chief of safety, regulatory, compliance, risk reduction and training. He is also a former locomotive maintenance director and senior manager for Union Pacific Railroad.

Tulley's hiring was announced by the Fort Worth Transportation authority board. The agency - called the T - owns the TRE rail service with Dallas Area Rapid Transit. He replaces Bill Farquhar, who left TRE last January. In addition to overseeing TRE service, Tulley will also assist with the T's application for millions of dollars in federal funding for TEX rails, which officials hope to open by 2017. 

Sul Ross names 18-member presidential search committee

A recommendation on the next Sul Ross State University president will be made by a recently appointed 18-member Advisory Search Committee. The committee was appointed by Board of Regents Chair Donna Williams. The committee will make its recommendation to Dr. Brian McCall, Texas State University System chancellor, who will make the final decision on the new president. The new president will succeed Dr. Ricardo Maestas, who resigned last November. Dr. Quint Thurman, provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, is serving as interim president.

Regent Charlie Amato will serve as chair of the committee. He will be joined by other regents, Williams, Ron Mitchell and Rossanna Salazar. Other committee members include: Dr. Lorie Rubenser, professor of Criminal Justice and chair of the Faculty Assembly; Dr. Bonnie Warnock, professor and chair of Natural Resource Management; Dr. Sharon Hileman, professor and chair of Languages and Literature; Dr. Patricia Nicosia, professor of Mathematics and chair of the Department of Natural and Social Sciences, Rio Grande College; Dr. Monica Gutierrez, associate professor of Education, RGC; Dr. Paul Sorrels, professor, Associate Provost and Dean of RGC; Denise Groves, Vice President of Enrollment Management; Elizabeth Pena, director, Small Business Development Center, RGC; Anna Sandoval, president, Student Government Association; Ken Batchelor, alumnus and president, Ken Batchelor Cadillac; Dr. Hector Gonzales, president, Southwest Texas Junior College; Dave Rogers, president, West Texas National Bank, Alpine; Steve White, superintendent, Alpine Independent School District; and Raymond Richardson, board of directors, Sul Ross Alumni Association and Vice President for Advancement, Lubbock Christian University.

Moore County hospital district approves $49 million bond election

The board of Moore County Hospital District recently scheduled an election in May to ask voters to approve $40 million in bonds to pay for a new 25-bed hospital and $9 million to build an assisted living center in Dumas. The new hospital will replace Memorial Hospital because the electrical, mechanical and sewage systems for the current 60-bed hospital built in 1948 have caused issues with workflow, privacy and employee recruitment, according to the chairman of the hospital board. Plans call for the new hospital to be located on Texas Avenue and offer physical therapy services and an on-site business office. Because 70 percent of the hospital's use is for outpatient treatment, the new hospital will have only 25 to 30 beds.

The proposed assisted living facility with from 20 to 30 housing units will be built on the site of the current hospital once it is demolished, The assisted living center also will connect to the neighboring nursing home and rehabilitation center, the chairman of the board said. Dumas now has two nursing homes, but no assisted living facility, he noted.

Alpine ISD weighing new high school or renovation

After an architect told Alpine Independent School District trustees that building a new $16.5 million high school would be less expensive than renovating the current high school, board members began a discussion on the need to upgrade the high school and other district facilities.

Although voters rejected a $22 million bond proposal in May 2014 that would have paid for a new high school, new stadium and upgrades to other district facilities, major problems with the electrical system, heating and cooling system and security continue at the high school, noted Superintendent Steve White (pictured) in a presentation to trustees. The band hall and cafeteria also are too small, the building has too many entrances to provide adequate security and technology upgrades are badly needed at the high school, he said.

White urged board members to decide whether to renovate the current high school or build a new facility, but trustees took no action on the recommendation by the superintendent or group of architects and engineers who addressed trustees.

Wharton moving forward on wastewater treatment plant project

Wharton city officials recently announced plans to spend about $1.5 million to add a new clarifier to the wastewater treatment plant on South East Ave. The new clarifier must be installed to meet regulations of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, noted City Manager Andres Garza Jr.

Funding for upgrading the treatment plant is provided by a $5 million bond issue approved last year, Garza said.

San Antonio ISD approves lease to Incarnate Word for med school

The San Antonio Independent School District recently approved a 25-year lease agreement for two unused athletic fields at Fox Tech to be used by the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) to build a new osteopathic medical school. The lease is effective on Jan. 1, 2015, and UIW officials plan to open the new medical school, which would be the second osteopathic medical school in the state, as early as 2016.

While city and Bexar County officials have provided about $10 million for construction and infrastructure upgrades at the site of the proposed medical school at Quincy and North Flores streets, UIW officials now must raise from $25 million to $50 million in private funding to pay for building the new medical school facility, according to Denise Doyle, the UIW chancellor.

The lease agreement has an option to extend by 25 years, and after 50 years, school district officials have the option of selling, using or leasing the property to a new tenant or reaching a new agreement with the university, Doyle said. 

Bastrop eyeing $2M automated meter system for water, electricity

Following a recommendation by City Manager Mike Talbot (pictured), Bastrop City Council members recently began discussion on two options to replace the current metering system for water and electric service with an automatic metering system that would each cost about $2 million to implement.

The first option would transmit usage data to a city computer that would permit customers to check usage online as well as eliminate the task of physically reading electric and water meters. The second option would require a city worker driving a vehicle through the city to read meters using an on-board data system, he said.

The city could pay for either of the automated metering systems using revenue bonds, Talbot said. Other benefits of an automatic metering system are spending less for administrative employees, encouraging conservation and detecting and repairing water leaks more quickly, he added. Current plans are for Technology Committee members to review the two companies submitting plans to install and manage an automated metering system and make a recommendation to council in March. The new metering system is expected to take about a year to be in effect once a contract is signed, he said.

El Paso ISD auditor who helped uncover cheating scandal resigns

Joe Yanez, an internal auditor for El Paso Independent School District who played a critical role in uncovering a scheme to cheat on test scores, recently resigned following a closed session with district trustees.

Board members declined to discuss the reasons for the resignation of Yanez, who also is alleged to have followed directions to keep the public uninformed of his findings of the cheating scheme that resulted in a felony conviction of the former superintendent for the El Paso school district.

In July 2011, Yanez investigated complaints by a high school counselor that 77 student transcripts had been altered. He issued a draft report in August 2010 and a final report in May 2011. There were few changes to the earlier report although the district faced a deadline to produce records to the U.S. Department of Education for an audit. Federal investigators credited Yanez with providing the first proof that district officials had conspired on a plan to keep certain students out of the 10th grade to avoid using their standardized test scores in federal accountability measures.

Keller ISD creating new bond advisory committee

Keller Independent School District officials recently began a search for 32 residents to serve on a bond advisory committee to study the feasibility of scheduling a bond election in November. Voters could approve about $143 million in bonds without increasing the tax rate, noted Hudson Huff (pictured), director of facility and instructional needs.

Projects to consider for a bond election include building another elementary school, increasing capacity for pre-kindergarten programs and adding a technical education center, he said. Advisory committee members will study demographic projection, district facility needs and program needs along with a close look at district finances, evaluating options for projects to include in a bond proposition and making a recommendation to board members in August.

District officials are looking for committee members who have completed the Community Ambassadors program, previous bond advisory committee members, parents, teachers, students and community leaders, said Superintendent Randy Reid. 

Northside ISD sets $648 million bond election in May

Board members of Northside Independent School District recently agreed to ask voters to approve $648 million in bonds in May to upgrade existing campuses and build six new schools.

The majority of new schools would be located in the southwestern area of the district, but the majority of bond funding will be allotted to upgrading existing schools if voters approve the bonds, district officials said.

Enrollment in the district located in Bexar County adds 2,000 to 3,000 students each year and enrollment surpassed 100,000 students this fall.  

Following the recommendation of Public Works Director Bob Lowry (pictured), Colleyville City Council members recently approved a plan expected to cost about $498,000 to study underground infrastructure in an effort to upgrade water and sewer services.

City officials currently have no idea of the condition of much of its underground infrastructure, much of which was in place in 1956 when the city was incorporated, Lowry said. The study should help identify and prioritize underground infrastructure projects and help the city perform regular maintenance based on information rather than waiting for breaks and leaks in the underground lines, he added.

The study calls for analyzing the size of pipe needed, determining the condition of more than 250 miles of pipes and developing a capital reinvestment plan, Lowry said. City staff members expect to recommend a contractor to perform the study at the council meeting on Feb. 18.

Harker Heights to issue $9 million in bonds to upgrade water

Harker Heights City Council members recently voted to issue $9 million in bonds to pay for 16 capital improvement projects, including an upgrade of the city's water and wastewater infrastructure. Other projects include the addition of a left turn lane and signal lights on Stillhouse Lake Road, renovating city hall, rebuilding two roads as well as upgrading a lift station and pump station, according to Mark Hyde, the public works director. A few of the projects still need engineering and design work completed, but work on most of the capital improvement projects should begin within a year, Hyde said.  

Cass County eyeing new jail to handle rise in female offenders

Cass County officials recently began discussion on buying property to build a new jail to house a growing number of female offenders. Their numbers have grown significantly since 1996 when the existing jail was built.

The current 96-bed county jail has no separate place to hold female offenders, who must be housed separately and out of view of male offenders in the jail, according to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, noted Sheriff Larry Rowe (pictured). As a result, county officials now must transfer each female inmate to Harrison County in addition to transferring any overflow of male offenders, Rowe said.

At a cost of $39 per day per inmate, the county now pays nearly $500,000 a year to house inmates in Harrison County, Rowe said. That cost also does not include any medical costs for inmates, a cost that must be paid to Harrison County if incurred, he added. Commissioners are considering the purchase of 10 acres of property next to the new county courthouse in Linden for the proposed new jail, but took no action on the proposal by the sheriff.

Amarillo to sell $2.65 million in bonds to upgrade vehicle fleet

The Amarillo City Council recently agreed to sell $2.65 million in bonds to upgrade the city's aging fleet of vehicles and machinery.

City Manager Jarrett Atkinson said the city received 13 bids at less than 1 percent interest for the bonds to pay for replacing existing city vehicles and machinery the municipal garage leases to other city departments.

El Paso housing authority seeks tax credits for 400 housing units

Housing Authority of the City of El Paso (HACEP) officials recently requested that El Paso County commissioners withdraw any support for about $5.5 million in tax credit applications sought by local developers. Instead, commissioners were urged to divert those tax credits to the housing authority to help pay for rebuilding 400 public housing units.

Support from even one commissioner, including a letter of neutrality, can affect the process and prevent the housing authority from obtaining the funding from tax credits in an announcement scheduled in June, noted Stan Waterhouse (pictured), chief operating officer for HACEP.

The application for the $5.5 million in tax credits is part of a $500 million plan that HACEP officials developed under the Rental Assistance Demonstration Program to rebuild about 6,000 public housing units in a five-year period beginning January 2015. This program permits HACEP to partner with investors and lenders to provide private funding for capital repairs rather than depending on year-to-year funding by the government. The county judge noted that the request must be studied before any action is taken because commissioners normally do not issue resolutions or letters in support of applicants for tax credits.

Llano ISD discussing another possible bond referendum for May

The Llano ISD is studying the possibility of a bond proposal for May. Bids will be opened in February for some of the projects funded by a successful 2013 bond vote. Among those projects to be bid are a new roof for Llano Junior High, HVAC upgrades throughout the district and IT upgrades that include new Internet switches to aid connectivity. The switches contract has already been awarded through a competitively-bid state Department of Information Resources contract. The upgrades will be mostly at the high school and will include upgrades to the security camera system as well.

McKinney partnership to yield indoor athletic facility in city

Approximately 11 acres of city-owned land in McKinney will be used by a nonprofit to build an indoor athletic center in the city. The city recently approved a site plan for the two-phase project. The first phase will include an 85,000-square-foot center and phase two will provide for a 20,000-square-foot building expansion for multi-sport courts. Construction is expected to begin Feb. 10.

In addition to the city partnering on the project, the McKinney Economic Development Corp. will provide a loan of up to $3.2 million in equity funding to Plano Sports Authority (PSA) that will be repaid over five years, interest-free for the first three years. PSA will provide maintenance and operations costs for the center.

Lemuel Randolph (pictured), city parks director, said the city was "years away" from building and operating such a facility on its own, so the partnership helped speed up the timeline. The center will feature eight indoor multi-sport courts, a soccer field, a concourse, office and conference rooms and concessions. It will also have multi-sport areas for basketball, soccer and volleyball that can also be used for lacrosse and field hockey.

Murphy to seek design, engineering for $1 million sidewalk project

Murphy City Council members recently authorized work to begin on design and specifications for a $1 million project to connect schools with sidewalks. The project is part of the federal Safe Routes to Schools program managed by the Texas Department of Transportation. The design phase of the project is expected to cost about $125,000. Current plans are to connect sidewalks and enhance crosswalks serving a middle school, a high school, Central Park, the Plano Sports Authority and surrounding neighborhoods.

Johnson County to hire architect to advise on jail facilities

Johnson County commissioners will soon hire an architect to advise them whether the county should build a new jail or renovate the existing facility. With 250-300 U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) inmates in the jail, which puts a strain on the facility.

While Sheriff Bob Alford (pictured) is urging the county to perform some of the needed renovations and build additional facilities, commissioners are pushing for a comprehensive study to see what the needs are. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards has deemed the current facility to be close to the point of being decertified, according to the county judge, and if that were to happen, the county would have to pay to have inmates housed somewhere else. However, the judge said the Commission performed an analysis that did not indicate a need for immediate renovations or expansion.

The judge said if commissioners vote to go forward with renovations or building a new jail, he is hopeful they will put the issue before voters to be decided through a bond issue.

Former Parkland chief to head Chicago public health system

Dr. John Jay Shannon, previously the chief medical officer at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, recently began his duties as the interim chief executive officer of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System in Chicago. Shannon joined the Cook County health system as a clinical administrator last year and is replacing Dr. Ramanathan Raju, who hired Shannon before accepting a new job in New York.

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Lubbock approves $26.5 million

to expand, upgrade sewer lines

Lubbock City Council members recently approved $26.5 million to pay for a new 51-inch sewer line to be installed in the south and southwest area of the city and to rebuild the sewer line along 98th Street.

City officials plan to spend $21 million on the new sewer line that will extend from 98th Street to MLK Blvd and empty into the Southeast Water Reclamation Plant. The remaining $5.5 million will be used to reconstruct the line along 98th Street. Once council members select the winning bid for the sewer expansion and upgrade, the project should take about a year to complete.

Garland names Johnson

as new city auditor

Garland City Council members recently selected Jedson Johnson (pictured) as the new city auditor. His new responsibilities include risk assessments, quality control reviews and preventing fraud and waste. He currently serves as interim city auditor,

Johnson joined the city as an auditor in 2006, won promotion to senior auditor in 2008 and became assistant city auditor in March 2013.

Previously an auditor and accountant for Dallas County, Johnson also worked in the private sector before entering the public sector.

Chambers/Liberty County group

OK's up to $6.5 million levee plan

The board of the Chambers-Liberty County Navigation District recently approved a $4.5 million to $6.5 million plan to build a levee to protect the east shore of Lake Anahuac.

Funded by a Community Development Block Grant responding to damage by Hurricane Ike, the cost of building the new levee will depend on the cost of fill dirt, according to an engineer. Work on the levee construction could begin as early as this summer, he said.

Shubert selected vice president

of El Paso Water Utilities

Chief Engineer Alan Shubert of the city of El Paso recently agreed to serve as a vice president for El Paso Water Utilities. He will continue to work on a part-time basis on his former job of overseeing construction of the city's new downtown ball park until the doors of that facility are open for business.

Once Shubert begins his new duties on Feb. 3, Deputy City Manager Bill Studor, who has worked closely with Shubert on the new ballpark project, will take his place as chief engineer. City officials expect the transition to be smooth as most engineering work on the ballpark project is completed and most of the work has been placed for bids.

Hutto selects Karen Daly

as its new city manager

Hutto City Council members recently selected Karen Daly (pictured) as the new city manager. She begins her new duties on March 3.

Currently an assistant city manager in Sugar Land, Daly also has been a city manager in Greenville, an assistant city manager in Longview and an assistant to the city manager in Arlington.

Fort Worth to narrow down

finalists for new city manager

Fort Worth City Council members recently met in executive session to continue their efforts to select two or three finalists from a field of 35 applicants for city manager. The goal is to select the finalists for city manager in February and make a final selection in March, according to the mayor.

Once the finalists for city manager are chosen, city officials plan to release the names and resume information to the public who may wish to comment on the selection. Council members hired a consulting firm to assist in a national search, which conducted interviews with employee groups and local chambers of commerce to learn more about the qualities they seek in a city manager, the mayor said. 

Huntington approves $125,000

toward wastewater plant project

Huntington City Council members recently approved the issue of $125,000 in bonds to help pay for renovations and upgrades to the wastewater plant. The bonds will pay for planning and design for the plant renovation, city officials said.

Smith named as director

of curriculum for Salado ISD

Salado Independent School District officials recently named Burt Smith (pictured), currently a principal at Salado High School, as the new director of curriculum for the district.

Smith previously served in administrative positions at Plano ISD, Jasper ISD and as a teacher for Wichita Falls ISD and a school district in Del City, Oklahoma.

He has a bachelor's degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a master's degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Killeen appoints Kimball

as new municipal judge

Killeen City Council members recently appointed Mark D. Kimball, a former prosecutor in Bell County, to serve as the presiding judge of the municipal court. He begins his new duties in mid-February.

A prosecutor for 20 of his 32 years in the legal profession, Kimball replaces former Judge William Gibson, who is retiring as the presiding municipal judge. Kimball also served as an interim municipal judge in 2009 to replace former Municipal Judge Barbara Weaver when she retired.

City of Paris to begin search

for new public works director

City Manager John Godwin of Paris recently agreed to begin a search for a new public works director to replace Ron Sullivan, who retired almost a year ago.

Godwin responded that the city saved money by leaving the position vacant and he had no current plans to hire a new public works director considering the high cost of a December ice storm. Several council members expressed concern that the current situation would cause Godwin and other department heads to suffer from burnout. Council members then instructed Godwin, who also is the acting public works director, to begin a search for a public works director.

Pantego selects Matt Fielder

as new city manager

Pantego City Council members recently selected Matt Fielder (pictured) as the new city manager and as director of the Pantego Economic Development Corporation.

In his most recent post, Fielder served as director of economic development in Rosenberg for the last six years. He also served in administrative positions in Sugar Land and served one year in Iraq as a captain with the United States Army Reserve.

Fielder has a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Brackmeyer resigns as superintendent of Manor ISD

Superintendent Kevin Brackmeyer of Manor Independent School District recently announced his resignation following a three-and-one-half-hour closed session meeting with board members. He won appointment as interim superintendent in June 2012 and was selected as superintendent in January 2013.

The announcement of his resignation was followed with a joint statement issued by Brackmeyer and board members that indicated Brackmeyer plans to pursue other opportunities and trustees plan to begin a search for a new superintendent.

Trustees also appointed Steven Zipkes, the principal of Manor New Tech High School, as the temporary manager until an interim superintendent is appointed.

Coulson announces retirement

from College Station ISD

After close to eight years as superintendent of the College Station ISD, Superintendent Eddie Coulson (pictured) is stepping down in June as leader of the district. It marks the end of a 17-year career with CSISD. Coulson did not announce what his plans are, but did say he will remain in College Station.

Coulson has been with the CSISD since 1997, and has served as a principal, assistant principal and middle school teacher. He was head of the human resources department for the district prior to being named deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction and then being acting superintendent and later named superintendent.

A 29-year veteran educator, Coulson holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and earned a master's and doctorate from Sam Houston State University.

Bastrop County adopts $28M

capital improvement plan

Bastrop County commissioners recently approved a new five- ear, $28-million capital improvement plan that includes road improvements and new county facilities.

The newly adopted plan includes $16 million for road and building projects, $10 million for county roads and bridges, $1.5 million to buy 21 new patrol vehicles, two trucks and two transport vehicles for animal patrol in addition to $504,000 to upgrade information technology.

Among the projects approved are building a new law enforcement administration building, a court complex, two precinct annexes and expanding the county jail.

Pflugerville group selects

Madison as assistant director

Directors of the Pflugerville Community Development Corp. recently tapped Amy Madison (pictured) as the assistant executive director.

Madison previously served as president of the Greater San Marcos Partnership, owned a consulting business and was an executive director for Schertz.

She replaced Mary Poche, who left as assistant executive director of the community development corporation last December.

Longview group eyeing newly unveiled $1.7M pedestrian plan

Longview Public Transportation Advisory Committee members recently got their first look at a new $1.7 million pedestrian transportation plan developed by a consultant based in Fort Worth.

The proposed pedestrian transportation plan includes recommendations to add 37,000 feet of new sidewalks, improve intersections and install signals at crosswalks that are triggered by pedestrians.

Committee members now plan to present the proposed pedestrian plan to the technical and policy committees of the Metropolitan Planning Organization in February and then to city council on Feb. 27.

Irving sells $35M in bonds

for $149M entertainment complex

Irving city officials recently sold $35 million in bonds to pay for a scaled-down $149 million entertainment center in Las Colinas. The bonds are backed by a 40-year special hotel tax.

Because officials had estimated the bonds would net $40 million to build the concert hall and restaurant complex, a change in interest rates along with a change in the type of bond prompted the developer to scale back the budget for the new entertainment complex from $165 million to $149 million. In addition to the bond funds, city officials also plan to reimburse another $44 million to the developer after construction of the entertainment complex is completed.

Pearland selects Pearson

as new city manager

The Pearland City Council recently tapped Clay Pearson (pictured) as the new city manager. He replaces interim City Manager Jon Branson, who is returning to his previous job as assistant city manager when Pearson begins his new duties on March 10.

Most recently a city manager in Novi, Michigan, Pearson previously served as an assistant city manager Elgin.

Pearson has a bachelor's degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota and a master's degree from the University of Kansas.

• Bret Griffin of Friendswood, judge of the 212th Judicial District Court in Galveston County;
• Lindsey Scott of Nederland, judge of the 252nd Criminal District Court in Jefferson County;
• Cory J. H. Crenshaw of Beaumont, Jefferson County criminal district attorney.

Greg Ingham to retire as

city manager in Plainview

City Manager Greg Ingham (pictured) of Plainview recently told city council members he plans to retire at the end of June. Ingham has worked 10 years for Plainview out of the 38 years he has worked in municipal government.

Ingham also told council members he would agree to continue to work with the city after June and assist with the budget process for next fiscal year if council members decide his assistance is necessary.

Kyle approves $2.2 million in tax notes to upgrade water system

Kyle City Council members recently agreed to use short-term loans to pay for $750,000 in upgrades to the city's water and wastewater system. The action followed a recommendation by Finance Director Perwez Moheet to withdraw a $750,000 loan application to the Texas Water Development Board to pay for the water system upgrades and instead use short-term financing to upgrade the water and wastewater systems.

The 20-year loan from TWDB was for $450,000 to rehabilitate four water storage tanks and $300,000 to buy software to evaluate existing and future capabilities of the water and wastewater system. The loan from TWDB would have required the city to begin making payments this fiscal year on the principal and interest, Moheet said. By contrast, the tax note could be paid off in seven years at a low interest rate using $2.2 million in tax notes approved in August by council members, he said. The upgrades to the water and wastewater system only have an estimated useful life of seven to 10 years, Moheet added.