Draft rules for SWIFT funding of water plan projects to be aired Groups say don't discount conservation's role in solving state water woes  The $2 billion from the state's rainy day fund that will be allocated from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) is only one piece of the puzzle that could help Texas solve many of its water woes. The SWIFT funding is geared toward providing cash-strapped cities and water suppliers with financial assistance for new infrastructure construction projects, upgrades and renovations. It becomes a water infrastructure bank to help ensure an adequate water supply for the state long-term. But, another component of the bill creating the SWIFT directs the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to apply not less than 20 percent of the funds for water conservation and reuse projects.  The state water plan dictates nearly 25 percent of the state's future water needs will be met through water conservation. Conservation groups in the state are working to educate the public on the importance of water conservation, whether that means checking outdoor faucets, water hoses and sprinklers for leaks or encouraging shorter shower times and repairing leaky faucets and toilets inside the home.
Among the groups urging conservation as a key part of the state's water plan is Texas Water Smart, which bills itself as a first of its kind public-private coalition. It is made up of nearly 300 businesses, associations, research organizations and city, state and local officials. The elected officials' membership reads like the roll call of the Texas House and Senate. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples (pictured), a member of the organization's Steering Committee, has traveled the state touting the Texas Water Smart program, raising the awareness of how both citizens and businesses can adopt habits that result in saving water. "This drought is as serious as it gets, and smart water conservation is a proven way to save money and do our part to build a stronger community," says Staples. "Some Texas cities are already at risk of running out of water, and that's even before the hot and dry summer months set in. It's time all Texans take a look at individual water use habits and find common-sense ways to conserve." [more] |
Could become statewide trend... Midland partners with company to use wastewater for fracking Midland city officials recently agreed to partner with Pioneer Natural Resources on an estimated $100 million project to reuse wastewater from the city for fracking in the oil fields in that area. The company agreed to pay for upgrades to the city's wastewater treatment plant in exchange for using the treated wastewater, noted Holly Rosas, interim director of utilities for Midland. Using treated wastewater for fracking not only saves ground water and recycles a scarce commodity, recycling that wastewater also should reduce truck traffic as the recycled water will be transported underground rather than on trucks that currently clog area roads and highways, Rosas said. Once the wastewater reuse project is completed in about two and one-half years, city officials also may use the recycled wastewater in parks and for other irrigation projects, Rosas added. "This partnership is rather unique and is an indication of a trend that could occur statewide," said John Breier, vice president of federal contracting for Strategic Partnerships, Inc. |
Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars  Nandita Berry, Texas Secretary of State Career highlights and education: I came to Texas from India at the age of 21 after receiving a bachelor's degree from Mount Carmel College in Bangalore, India. I received another bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. As a lawyer, I specialized in technology transactions as senior counsel at Locke Lord LLP in Houston. I was also formerly in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company, handling corporate and securities matters. Prior to my appointment as Secretary of State in January, I was honored to serve as a regent for the University of Houston System. Serving as Secretary of State is an amazing way to give back to the state which has provided me so much opportunity.
What I like best about my job is: Representing the greatest state in the nation, Texas.
The best advice I've received for my current job is: Previous secretaries of state have told me it's the best job in the world, it is the greatest honor, enjoy every minute of it, and be true to yourself. Since becoming Secretary of State, I have traveled to every corner of the state to raise awareness of the photo ID requirement for voting in person - from Amarillo to Austin and El Paso to East Texas. Also, my role as Texas' chief protocol officer for state and international matters has taken me to three states, Spain and Ireland as a business ambassador for Texas. There are many responsibilities that come with being Secretary of State, and they can't all be done at once, but they are all equally enjoyable.
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Remember that your work reflects on the State of Texas, and that our customers, the citizens of Texas, always deserve the best service possible.
If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: spending quality time with my sons and my husband.
People would be surprised to know that I: ran five marathons.
One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: How very serious we are about service. The Office of the Secretary of State serves the citizens of Texas in a variety of important roles. We work to make sure that every election is smooth, secure and successful, including educating Texans about voting at VoteTexas.gov. The office also works hard to promote the state's vibrant economy and business-friendly environment. We've cut red tape and made it possible in many cases to start a new business in Texas virtually overnight. To paraphrase Stephen F. Austin, Texas' first Secretary of State: "The prosperity of Texas is the object of my labors."
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Steen appointed by governor as commissioner for TABC  The governor recently appointed Ida Louise "Weisie" Steen (pictured) of San Antonio to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the agency that regulates and supervises the alcoholic beverage industry. Her term will expire on Nov. 15, 2019. A member of the board of directors and investor in Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. and the board of the Texas A&M San Antonio Foundation, Steen also is a regent emerita of the Texas A&M University System and a member of the State Preservation Board and the 2011 Texas Inaugural Committee. She also is a member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors, the San Antonio Academy Advisory Council, a former trustee for the Texas Methodist Hospital Foundation and past special liaison of the Texas Growth Fund Board. Steen has a bachelor's degree from Trinity University. |
TWDB selects Andy Saenz as new communications deputy  Longtime communications professional Andy Saenz (pictured) has been selected to become the deputy executive administrator for communications for the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Saenz is a veteran of more than three decades in the communications community in Austin. He began his communications career in the city as an award-winning television journalist and has served the last 18 years as communications director and chief spokesperson for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). He is also a former spokesperson for two Austin mayors and a former Travis County sheriff. Saenz, who holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin, worked for KVUE-TV in Austin at the start of his journalism career. In 1990, he was named chief of staff for Austin Mayor Lee Cooke and continued that job with Cooke's successor, Mayor Bruce Todd. Saenz was appointed chief of staff for Travis County Sheriff Terry Keel and was also spokesperson for the office. Saenz moved to TCEQ as communications director in 1996 and continued his career there until being tapped for the position with TWDB. |
Ramirez named director of Bullock Texas State History Museum  Victoria Ramirez (pictured), who was named deputy director of the Bullock Texas State History Museum in 2013 and has been serving as interim director for the last six months, has been named the museum's new director. Ramirez came to the Bullock Museum after working for both the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia in Athens. Ramirez already is credited with helping to expand programming at the Bullock Museum for adults, teachers and students and managing the ongoing integration of technology throughout the museum. Under her leadership, offerings for families have also been expanded. State Preservation Board Executive Director John Sneed said Ramirez has helped increase exhibit revenue by more than 40 percent as well as increasing outreach and student visits by more than 30 percent. As director, Ramirez will oversee the launch of an interactive Web site which aims to transform the way the museum tells both the historical and ongoing stories of Texas. |
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TWDB announces financing assistance for water-related projects A number of water project throughout the state have received financial assistance from the Texas Water Development Board. Most are geared at developing additional water supplies, including an emergency water supply project, a water conservation center and several other water and wastewater projects. Also included is funding for some rural water projects. The funding includes the following- North Plains Groundwater Conservation District - $620,000 to build a water conservation center by converting its agricultural research field to the North Plains Water Conservation Center. The funds will help pay for upgrades to the center's water delivery and irrigation and monitoring systems.
- City of Winters - $603,500 to finance the planning, acquisition and design for the development of a new well field to address water shortages.
- Greater Texoma Utility Authority - $1.78 million to address aging and deteriorating infrastructure at the wastewater treatment plant, including upgrading of the UV disinfection system and replacement of existing sewer lines.
- Bandera County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1 - $785,000 to finance an emergency water supply project that includes the planning, acquisition, design and construction of an emergency water well, as well as additional system improvements.
- Holly Huff Water Supply Corp. - $200,000 to construct a new well to serve Jasper and Newton counties through an additional water supply source.
- New Ulm Water Supply Corp. - $63,805 for the corporation to upgrade aging water infrastructure through the design of new storage and pressure tanks, booster pumps and water line replacement.
- City of Port Arthur - $5.96 million to finance planning and design of a new 15 million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plant.
- City of Port Arthur - $1.37 million to finance planning and design costs associated with the construction of new distribution lines to reduce the amount of water lost and address low pressure because of aging infrastructure.
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Attends infrastructure forum in NY... SPI's Mary Scott Nabers to participate in Clinton Global Initiative  | SPI CEO Mary Scott Nabers and Rodney Moss, senior vice president at Aon Risk Solutions, network during the Association for the Improvement of American Infrastructure (AIAI) gathering in conjunction with InfraAmericas Infrastructue Forum this week in New York. |
Focusing on advancing strategies that provide alternative funding options for critical public infrastructure projects across the country, Mary Scott Nabers, president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., will participate next week in the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Conference. Nabers will be attending her second CGI event as a member of the Infrastructure for Cities and States Working Group. The conference will be held June 23-25 in Denver, Colorado. "Although the nation's recovery from the Great Recession is improving, many cities and states continue to struggle financially," said Nabers. "A huge backlog of critical infrastructure needs nationwide continues to grow." The Infrastructure for Cities and States Working Group includes mayors and public officials representing some of the nation's largest cities. It also includes private-sector leaders from throughout the country. The goal is to strategize and find ways to move the nation forward toward the modernization of infrastructure in the United States. The Clinton Global Initiatives Conferences, established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, now address a myriad of issues related to global competitiveness. Through networking and building of connections and the working groups' endeavors, strategies have been developed to meet many of the nation's needs. Nabers, who also is co-founder of the Gemini Global Group, a national consulting firm that facilitates public-private partnerships, was in New York this week for the InfraAmericas US P3 Infrastructure Forum 2014. The conference was attended by contractors, investors, financiers, state and federal public officials and regional transportation authorities. In addition to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, Department of Transportation executives from five states were in attendance. Officials from the Texas Department of Transportation were on the program to discuss transportation projects and issues related to public-private partnerships and other types of alternative funding. |
Reynard confirmed as Lamar State College-Port Arthur president  After being named sole finalist for president of Lamar State College-Port Arthur last month, Dr. Betty Reynard (pictured) this week was confirmed by the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System as president. Reynard currently is vice president for academic affairs at Lamar Institute of Technology. Reynard began her career in higher education in 1979 as a faculty member at Lamar University. She later was chosen as program director and assistant to the vice president for academic affairs at Lamar Institute of Technology. She moved into the role of vice president for academic affairs in 2007. Reynard, who holds associate, bachelor's and master's degrees from Lamar University and a Ph.D. from the University of Houston, will assume the presidency on Sept. 1. |
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Part of Texas 130 tollway facing financial difficulties The concession company that built part of Texas 130, a toll road southeast of Austin, is struggling to meet its June obligation toward its payment on a $1.18 billion loan used to finance the project, according to Moody's Investor Service. However, the company - a partnership of the Spanish toll road company Cintra and San Antonio-based Zachry Construction Company - is reportedly working with the banks that financed the project to refinance the project costs. The highway is the portion of Texas 130 from southeast of Austin to I-10 near Seguin. Revenues collected so far have been only 30 percent of what was originally projected. Reserve funds established by the concession company were down to $3.3 million as of last December when the last debt payment was made. At that time, Moody's downgraded the project credit rating to junk bond status. The toll road is reportedly seeing only half the traffic that was projected when it opened in 2012. Experts say the roadway's financial success in the future is likely to depend on toll rate increases or some sort of subsidy, economic expansion and increased traffic congestion on I-35 that would drive motorists to Texas 130. |
UNT's Clower selected for post at George Mason University  Dr. Terry Clower (pictured), an economist at the University of North Texas (UNT), recently won selection as the new deputy director of the Center for Regional Analysis of George Mason University. Clower has served as the director of the Center for Economic Development and Research at UNT in Denton since 2009. He was the associate director for 12 years. Current plans call for Clower to join GMU in August as a full professor and the endowed chair for Northern Virginia to replace Stephen Fuller, who has been a leading economist in the Virginia and Washington, D.C., area for more than 40 years. Fuller plans to step down in mid-2015. Clower won selection from a field of five finalists who interviewed for the prestigious position, which was posted in January. |
Austin Community College to float $386 million bond vote Austin Community College (ACC) trustees recently agreed to call a $386 million bond election in November to pay for transforming the former Highland Mall into a campus and mixed-use development, renovating existing campuses and building a 12th ACC campus in Leander. A 25-member bond advisory committee worked with college officials to trim down a nearly $2 billion list of possible capital improvements into a $475 million list of priority projects and then into a $386 million proposal split into two propositions to be placed on the bond ballot. The first proposition will ask for approval of $225 million to pay for renovation of the former shopping mall into a campus, a new campus in Leander and a workforce facility for the ACC campus in Elgin. The second, $161 million proposition would pay for renovations to the Rio Grande campus, expansion of the campus in Round Rock and a training facility for first responders at the Hays campus. |
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Kibler sole finalist for Sul Ross State University president  Mississippi State University Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. William L. Kibler (pictured), has been named sole finalist for the president's post at Sul Ross State University. Kibler was one of nearly 40 candidates who were seeking the job. Kibler is expected to assume the presidency prior to the fall semester.
Kibler has worked in a variety of administrative and faculty positions in Florida, Texas and Mississippi. In his current role at Mississippi State, he oversees the university's enrollment, admissions, financial aid, housing and other student-centered programs. As president of Sul Ross State University, Kibler will serve as the chief executive officer of the main university campus in Alpine, as well as the three campuses of Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College in Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde. Kibler holds a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in counselor education from the University of Florida. He later earned a Ph.D. in educational administration from Texas A&M University. |
Lamar chooses McNeil as VP for student engagement division  Lamar University has chosen Vicki McNeil (pictured) to serve as vice president for the division of student engagement. Formerly associate vice chancellor for student affairs for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, McNeil began her new position at Lamar on June 16. While at UNC-Greensboro, she was involved in strategic planning, assessment, crisis response and budget management of more than $40 million.
Before taking the post in North Carolina, McNeil was vice president for student affairs at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia, and also served for 18 years as associate vice president for student affairs at Loyola University in New Orleans. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees and a Ph.D. with an emphasis in leadership, career counseling and development from Oklahoma State University. |
Huntsville ISD preparing for possible November bond election  Huntsville Independent School District trustees recently authorized Superintendent Steve Johnson (pictured) to issue a request for qualifications for an architectural firm to help district officials prepare for a bond election in December. Deadline for companies to submit qualifications is July 10. District staff plan to review the applications beginning in mid-July, interview architects the last week of July and select the winning architect in August, Johnson said. Because board members already developed a list of priority projects to include in the November bond proposal, trustees said they want to use the hiring proposal process to inquire what the architects can do within a specific budget. |
Archer City ISD outlines two options for bond proposal Superintendent C.D. Knobloch of Archer City Independent School District recently outlined two options for a bond proposal tentatively planned in November. The least expensive first option calls for upgrading technology, new bleachers in the gymnasium, replacing turf on athletic fields, updating restrooms in several district facilities, improving the high school/ junior high building and buying new buses. A more expensive option outlined by Knobloch calls for demolishing the existing high school and junior high facility and building a new high school and junior high in addition to the technology upgrades, new bleachers and other projects included in the first option. Trustees made no decision on which option they plan to place on the ballot if they schedule a bond election in November. |
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EPISD could partner with nonprofit on biomedical building  Talks are beginning between the El Paso Independent School District and Medical Center of Americas (MCA) for a possible partnership that would involve the sale or lease of land at Jefferson High School for a site to construct a new MCA biomedical engineering facility. MCA hopes to be able to secure land next to the school for its $30 million facility.
The facility (as seen in the accompanying artist's rendering) would be a four-story building and home for up to 90 Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center employees. It would also provide collaborative opportunities for EPISD students. The nonprofit MCA is leading efforts in medical development around University Medical Center and the Texas Tech Paul Foster School of Medicine in South Central El Paso. The goal is to improve access to quality health care throughout the region. So far, the EPISD Board of Managers has made no commitment, but has authorized the school superintendent to begin talks with MCA officials. MCA is looking at the site in and around Jefferson High because it would offer better access for Texas Tech to its main campus. The state-of-the-art building, to be named the Caldwell Collaborative, would be home to research related to diseases and human health as well as provide commercialization efforts for research projects. |
Fort Bend ISD eyes $333.4 million bond election in November A recent review of the nine-year master plan for Fort Bend Independent School District prompted board members to prioritize projects to place on the ballot for a $333.4 million bond election in November. Trustees tentatively have agreed to ask voters to approve $279.8 million for construction projects, $65.7 million to upgrade technology infrastructure, $34 million to improve security and safety and $15.6 million for transportation projects. Four new elementary schools and additions to three elementary schools top the list of construction projects, while district officials plan to ask voters to approve funding to deploy a wireless network and build security vestibules in schools that do not have this safety feature. Trustees also plan to upgrade communications devices, buy more emergency generators and additional security fencing. Cameras for buses and global positioning systems also are included in the district's wish list for bond approval. |
Montgomery County approves $2.6M to upgrade technology  Montgomery County commissioners recently approved $2.6 million to pay for new hardware and software systems for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. The technology upgrades will take place over three budget cycles with the first purchase to be about $640,000, noted Marshall Shirley (pictured), director of information technology for the county. The new system will include computer-aided dispatch, mobile and a records management system, Shirley said. IT staff also are exploring software and hardware projects to help integrate records of law enforcement agencies and courts to improve easy access to information, he said. County officials also need to increase capacity of the technology system at a cost of $1.4 million, a necessary cost not now included as a budget item, Shirley noted. |
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Education partnership to offer classes in Medina County  Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College (RGC) is teaming up with Southwest Texas Junior College and the Medina Valley ISD to offer classes in Medina County. For many students, the drive to reach RGC's Uvalde campus is 60 miles. This agreement will bring the college experience closer. Sul Ross Associate Provost Paul Sorrels (pictured) said the partnership is "a great opportunity to better meet the educational needs and aspirations of residents who can't easily reach the Uvalde campus." To facilitate the partnership, Medina Valley ISD will build a 12,000-square-foot Higher Education Center in Castroville and offer dual-credit courses that can be applied toward a college degree. The school district has asked the other partners to offer college-level courses so students can earn bachelor's and master's degrees by attending classes in the community. The RGC campus will feature face-to-face classes as well as teleconference classes. Students can earn an associate degree and then transfer those hours to RGC toward a bachelor's degree. Courses are expected to begin in spring 2015. |
City of Arlington adds $46 million to bond proposal  Two new recreation centers and fire and library projects are among a number of projects added to the city of Arlington's proposed $192.5 million bond recommendations. These and other additional projects bring a total of $46 million more to the bond recommendation, pushing it to nearly $240 million. A bond committee of Arlington citizens could push the bond program to a fifth year so more projects can be undertaken. Other projects now recommended include public works projects, parks, road rebuilding and a second dog park. Councilman Jimmy Bennett (pictured) said adding a fifth year for projects is affordable and would eliminate "some of the gaps that may have existed after the four-year program was completed." The final list of projects is expected to be completed and handed off to the city council in early August to decide if they want to call a November bond vote. Among the new additions: a $25 million recreation and aquatic center, a $25.2 million combined recreation center and library, $3 million in renovations to the Ditto Golf Course, $500,000 for an off-leash dog park and $4 million for a lighted soccer field with concession stands, restrooms and other amenities. Several road widening projects were added, along with $4.9 million to partially rebuild and remodel a fire station downtown and $3.5 million to remodel the fire training center. A $395,000 library remodeling project was also added. |
Brownwood Airport wins $75,000 grant to create business plan  Texas Transportation Commissioners recently approved a $75,000 grant to help pay for a new business plan to be developed for the Brownwood Regional Airport. The grant requires a 10 percent city contribution. The Airport Business Development and Land Use Plan Grant is needed to increase use of the airport with a long-term goal of self-sufficiency, said Assistant City Manager Emily Crawford (pictured). The grant will pay for a consultant to study how to grow support for the airport from local industries, determine how to partner with Howard Payne University, Ranger College and Texas State Technical College to expand courses in aviation-related fields and provide assistance in developing a highest/best use airport land plan, Crawford said. |
Comal ISD looking at $3.7 million plan to upgrade technology Comal Independent School District trustees recently discussed a $3.7 million plan to upgrade technology throughout the district in time for the beginning of the next school year. Superintendent Andrew Kim urged trustees to consider upgrading the Wi-Fi network, improving network security and adding more online storage capacity to handle increased use of technology. Currently, the district has about $13.7 million in revenue in reserve to pay for short-term capital projects, district officials said. These include funds remaining from earlier bond issues, money transferred from the general operating budget in 2011 and the pending sale of a facility to a Catholic high school. Board members also included discussions of options for incorporating personal devices into the district's technology network or developing a program to provide students with an electronic device such as a laptop computer or tablet device. |
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Longview approves $20K to evaluate hotel/conference center  The city manager of Longview recently approved $20,000 to hire a consultant to review the benefits and risks of a proposed public-private partnership to build a new hotel/conference center on Interstate 20. Council members need more information to assist in determining the best way to proceed with that project, noted Assistant City Manager Keith Bonds (pictured). After reviewing qualifications, city staff members are negotiating with a Houston-based consultant to complete a study to help determine the demand for a conference center, he said. City officials first sent out proposals for the hotel and conference center in December 2012, but have not found a qualified and willing developer to proceed with the project under the city's proposal. The consultant also is expected to identify and recommend the best configuration and size of the conference center and hotel, the impact on the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center, review and evaluate more sites along Interstate 20 and prepare estimates for the investment needed for the project and operating costs of the conference facility, he said. |
Sherman approves $20M to expand water treatment facility Sherman City Council members recently authorized city staff to kick off a three-year plan to double the size of the city's water treatment plant. City officials are financing the project over a 20-year period with a loan from the Greater Texoma Utility Authority. Population growth in Sherman and surrounding areas is pushing the city's drinkable water supply close to its limits on peak days, noted Robby Hefton, chief financial officer for the city. Hefton estimated construction could begin on the plant expansion when the planning process is completed in early 2016. The expansion is expected to be completed in summer 2017. Current plans are to build more warehouse space into the facility to house a multitude of tubes containing micro-filters to remove large debris in addition to reverse osmosis filters to remove salt and other minerals. The wastewater also will be treated with microbes to remove fertilizers, viruses and hormones, Hefton said. Engineers are now working to determine the best types of filters to use in the brackish water of Lake Texoma, he added. |
Burnet CISD looking at $26M bond vote to upgrade facilities  Superintendent Keith McBurnett (pictured) recently urged board members of the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District to ask voters to approve at least $26 million in bonds to pay for upgrading facilities and improving security at several schools.
Among the larger projects recommended by McBurnett are a $10.6 million project to upgrade Shady Grove Elementary, a $4.7 million upgrade of Burnet High School and a $2.3 million renovation of R.J. Richey Elementary School. The upgrades include new roofs, air conditioning and heating systems, replacing plumbing and electrical systems, creating new entrances at schools and adding more fire alarms and security cameras to increase safety, McBurnett said. Other projects include upgrades to the central office, $1.8 million to improve Bulldog Field and $2 million to provide access points at the middle school, install new switches at the high school, purchase 10 new buses and create a storage area network at the central office. |
Bellmead eyeing $8.5 million to rebuild roads, infrastructure Bellmead City Council members recently began discussing whether to issue about $8.5 million in certificates of obligation to pay for upgrading roads, adding sewer lines and building a new facility for the municipal court. Council asked staff to review the pros and cons of issuing debt and report back in August before making final decisions on projects to fund. City officials estimate a cost of about $1 million to repair four roads and propose to install a sewer interceptor line and a master line near Texas State Technical College to accommodate growing industrial businesses, City Manager Bo Thomas said. The Texas Department of Public Safety is requiring the municipal court to move out of the police headquarters to allow the addition of a new evidence room by closing in a loading bay, Thomas said. The building housing the fire department also needs to be expanded to add a new truck bay and the area used as living quarters must be renovated to accommodate women, he added. |
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Abilene approves four-year capital improvement plan A new pedestrian bridge and repairs to the golf course clubhouse are among the projects approved recently by Abilene City Council members to be included in the Capital Improvement Program for 2014 through 2018. Council members, however, delayed a vote on a proposed $8.5 million airport improvement plan until they could gather more information. |
Nolan County, Sweetwater study shared law enforcement center  Sweetwater city commissioners and Nolan County commissioners recently gathered for a joint meeting to discuss a partnership to build a new shared law enforcement center. Both county and city officials agreed to move forward by gathering more information about the proposed project. Tougher jail standards promoted city and county officials to explore the possibility of building a shared law enforcement center and jail that would meet new state standards as well as house both the Sweetwater Police Department and the sheriff's office, City Commissioner Ricky Castro (pictured) noted. City and county officials agreed it was critical to begin public hearings to educate voters on the need for the law enforcement center. City and county officials already have visited other jails and met with architects and jail officials to help determine features that must be included in a new jail facility. Law enforcement officials also have identified four potential sites for the law enforcement center, three of which have room to expand the jail if necessary. |
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Katy looking at 100 projects for possible bond election this fall  Members of a bond committee appointed by trustees for Katy Independent School District recently began examining district facilities to prepare for a bond election in November. The goal of the bond election is to provide adequate facilities to meet growing enrollment in the next three to four years, said Tom Gunnell (pictured), chief operating officer of the district. To accomplish this, the 200 members divided into 15 subgroups that developed bond packages to be studied by five larger subgroups. That number would be narrowed to five options for a bond proposal to recommend to trustees by the end of July. Gunnell said. So far, the bond committee has focused on new schools and renovating existing schools to meet district standards, he said. Trustees must decide by Aug. 18 whether to schedule a bond election in November. |
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HCC, Jacobs networking event, workshop for small businesses Houston Community College and Jacobs Program Management are hosting a "GameChanger" small business networking event and workshop on Friday, July 11. HCC's small business engagement program is called GameChanger. The event, which is free, will be from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Houston Community College West Loop Center Auditorium, 5601 West Loop South in Houston. Those attending will have an opportunity to meet the prime contractors who will be involved in Houston Community College's bond program projects. HCC officials note that 35 percent of the overall construction work will be going to small business enterprises (SBEs). Industry experts will also be on hand to provide advice to SBEs about bonding, banking and insurance.Breakout sessions will be held on related topics that will be helpful to SBEs. Partners are currently being sought for construction that will result from the passage of the bond issue. Small businesses are encouraged to attend and join in for networking, breakfast and the opportunity to become part of the prime contractors' and HCC team. Desalination Summit planned for Aug. 5 in Corpus Christi Three statewide hearings regarding water desalination are planned in June by the Joint Interim Committee to Study Water Desalination, co-chaired by State Rep. Todd Hunter and Sen. Craig Estes. The three hearings will lead up to an Aug. 5 Desalination Summit in Corpus Christi at the Town Club. The remaining two hearings are set for June 23, 10 a.m., Ortiz Center-Nueces Room, Corpus Christi; and June 30, 11 a.m., the Kemp Center for the Arts, Great Hall - Wichita Falls. The Corpus Christi summit is designed specifically to discuss local issues and solutions. The half-day event will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is organized by the local task force on water in Corpus Christi and Rep. Hunter. The event is free, but registration is required. |
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| | | | Budget, planning season for government  By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. It's budget season in the government world. And, because of a slower-than-anticipated recovering economy, most public officials will again reduce spending and find ways to do more with less. That's a tough order because the reality is, for many, there is little left to cut. In spite of budget woes, spending will continue and public services will be provided. There will be new construction projects, technology upgrades, energy retrofits and purchases of all types. That's because governmental entities must continue to function. Plans for spending are documented in Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and these reports provide a comprehensive outline of what government leaders plan to do in the near future. Unlike annual budgets, CIPs outline multi-year spending plans. They generally include a "wish list" of non-funded items and then they look for ways to fund the projects. Most rely on federal, state and other grant monies, public-private partnerships and leftover bond funds. CIPs provide valuable information because they include descriptions of the projects, estimated costs and anticipated timelines. The Houston City Council met this week and passed a $5 billion budget. While the mayor proposed a $5.2 billion budget, council members filed more than 60 amendments seeking to allocate city funds for other projects. Some of these projects that didn't make the new budget will likely show up in the next version of the city's CIP. One CIP under consideration currently is that of The University of Texas of the Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). This new university is being created by consolidation of the UT Brownsville and UT-Pan American campuses. Already, the UT System Board of Regents has recognized the need for an academic building on one campus and a science building on the other. Here are some other examples of other projects that can be found in Texas CIPs: - The city of Hutto's CIP addresses parks and recreation, municipal facilities, water and wastewater, transportation and drainage and development projects. The city also has a 10-year utility capital improvement plan.
- The city of Houston's capital improvement plan reveals that the city would like to spend more than $189 million to purchase fleet equipment, $128 million for police facilities and $42.1 million for construction related to wastewater projects.
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Another bond election may be in Lone Star College future Lone Star College (LSC) System officials recently discussed asking voters to approve a bond referendum in November after failing to win voter support last year for a nearly $500 million bond proposition. LSC System officials examined seven campuses to prioritize the repairs and renovations needed to decide by mid-August whether to schedule a bond election. Only 44 percent of the approximately 18,800 votes cast supported the 2013 bond referendum with opposition centered in Montgomery County, according to Ray Laughter, vice chancellor for external affairs for Lone Star College. |
Hidalgo County approves $157M for design of new courthouse Hidalgo County commissioners recently approved $157 million to pay an architect to prepare a schematic design for a new county courthouse.  Commissioners, however, have not yet approved funding to build a new courthouse or determined how to pay for the proposed courthouse, noted County Judge Ramon Garcia (pictured). Preliminary plans call for building a 460,000-square-foot, 10-story building to house up to 24 courtrooms. The next step in the process, Garcia said, is for commissioners to analyze the design plan and discuss how to pay for a new courthouse. The $157 million includes $30 million for architectural, engineering and consulting fees and $127 million for construction costs in addition to a $13 million contingency fund in case the cost of materials increase in price. The goal is to complete the new courthouse by 2020, he added. |
Corpus Christi selects director of facilities, new business liaison Corpus Christi City Council members recently selected Carlos Gonzalez as the new director of facilities along with appointing Belinda Mercado as the deputy director of municipal information, Alyssa Michelle Barrera as the business liaison and Miles Risley as new city attorney. Gonzalez, who has more than 20 years in managing commercial, public sector and industrial facilities, has a master's degree from the University of Central Arkansas. Barrera, who has worked two years in development services and business support services for the city, has a master's degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Mercado has worked 28 years in information technology, including stints with the city of McAllen, an oil company and an insurance company. She has a master's degree from The University of Texas - Pan American. |
Mendez to serve as new parks, recreation director in Harlingen  Javier Mendez (pictured), a former Cameron County parks and recreation director, recently agreed to serve as the new parks and recreation director for the city of Harlingen. A county employee for 30 years, Mendez succeeds the former director of parks and recreation, who resigned to accept a post as director of planning and development in League City. |
Rockdale appoints Holly as interim city manager Rockdale City Council members recently appointed a former city manager, Randy Holly, to return temporarily to serve as acting city manager. Holly replaces former City Manager Kelvin Knauf, who resigned on June 2. Holly retired in 2012 as the city manager in Bartlett and served as city manager in Rockdale for about a year beginning in 2008. Holly said he is semi-retired and not interested in pursuing the permanent job in Rockdale. |
Fairfield ISD names Edwards lone finalist for superintendent  Trustees for Fairfield Independent School District recently named Rick Edwards (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. He will replace former Superintendent Katie Ryan, who resigned to become a deputy superintendent at Copperas Cove ISD. The associate superintendent for technology services for Kennedale ISD since 2006, Edwards began working for the Tarrant County school district as a high school principal in 2001. He also has been an assistant principal in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and for Arlington ISD. He began his career as a teacher in North Carolina. Edwards has a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University and a master's degree from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. |
Sinton plans $3 million in plant, street improvements Wastewater treatment plant improvements and street improvements are in the not-too-distant future for the city of Sinton. The city council this week approved $3 million in certificates of obligation to upgrade the treatment plant and to purchase a generator for a water well. Also included is a four-year construction plan for street improvements. The $1.5 million in upgrades to the wastewater treatment plan will ensure it complies with state standards for the next 15 years, according to city officials. Another $1 million in bond funds will be used to replace seal coating on 18 streets in the city and widen Willow Street. The backup generator for a city well water pump is expected to cost $156,000 and the remainder of the funds - $400,000 - will be used for planning, surveying and construction inspections. |
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A&M announces Healthy South Texas 2025 program Promoting preventative health care for Texans is the goal of the Healthy South Texas 2025 program announced this week by officials of the Texas A&M University System. Officials are hopeful the program will be so successful that it will also cut billions of tax dollars spent on Medicaid. The program was announced this week by TAMU System Chancellor John Sharp and will combine A&M's AgriLife Extension Service and the A&M Health Science Center. Expected to start with a two-year pilot program, the program involves health educators from Texas A&M traveling to community centers to offer educational information on prevention of diabetes, asthma and infectious diseases. Sharp said preventative efforts can keep Texans healthy and prevent trips to the hospital at a cost to taxpayers. The chancellor said an appropriation of $7.5 million, which has not yet been appropriated, has the potential to cut state health care costs by $2.5 billion by 2015. The pilot program would be launched in South Texas, home base for Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa of McAllen, who has helped launch the initiative and is aware that many Medicaid dollars are spent in that area. |
Pilot Point ISD superintendent Byron Terrier resigns  Superintendent Byron Terrier (pictured) recently resigned after board members approved a voluntary resignation agreement after he was on the job only one year of a three-year contract with the Pilot Point ISD. His resignation is effective on June 30. Trustees also appointed Assistant Superintendent Dan Gist as the acting superintendent, effective immediately, and agreed to hire a consulting company to assist trustees in finding a new qualified superintendent. |
Save the date! The Ninth Biennial Legislative Communications Conference is set for Oct. 1. More information will be made available as we get closer to that date. |
Terry Lucas retiring early as city manager in Alvin Alvin City Manager Terry Lucas recently met with the city council and agreed to begin his retirement after helping the new interim city manager transition into the new post. Council members also appointed Junru Roland, the chief financial officer for the city, to take over the duties of interim city manager. Lucas notified council on June 5 of his plans to retire, effective on Dec. 31. |
Snyder to serve as new city manager in Plainview  Jeffrey Snyder (pictured), currently an assistant city manager in Plainview, recently agreed to serve as the new city manager for that city beginning July 1. Previously a city administrator for Idalou and a program specialist for the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, Snyder will replace City Manager Greg Ingham, who is retiring. Snyder has a bachelor's degree from West Texas A&M and a master's degree from Texas Tech University. |
Seguin selects Centeno as city's new planning director Seguin City Council members recently selected Pamela Centeno, who has been acting planning director, to serve as the new, full-time planning director for the city. Centeno began her duties with the city as a planner and also worked as an assistant planning director. |
Keith resigning as director of Waxahachie ISD tech operations  Robert Keith (pictured), director of technology operations at Waxahachie Independent School District, recently resigned, effective on May 30. An eight-year school district employee, Keith said he is looking at other job opportunities with Duncanville ISD. District officials credit Keith with ensuring that each school in the district has equal access to the same technology resources. |
El Paso County allots $730,000 to replace roof on jail annexEl Paso County commissioners recently allotted $730,000 from certificates of deposit issued in 2012 to pay for the second phase of a project to replace the roof of the East Side Jail Annex. Thee three-phase roof replacement project is expected to cost about $3 million once the third phase is completed. Commissioners set aside $1.6 million from certificates of obligation last year to begin replacing the roof of the administration building in the first phase of the project. That phase, which is behind schedule, now should be completed by September, noted Ernie Carrizal, public works director for the county. Carrizal requested funding for the second phase of the project earlier than planned when he received notice from a vendor that the price of roofing materials is due to increase up to 15 percent by July 1. That price increase in materials that represents 77 percent of the cost of the entire project would add another $62,000 to $94,000 to the price tag of the second phase of the project, he said. |
North Lamar ISD interviewing finalists for new superintendent In their effort to find a replacement for Superintendent James Dawson, trustees for North Lamar Independent School District recently interviewed three semi-finalists for the job. Dawson plans to retire at the end of this school year. Board members also have an option of visiting the school district of the finalist prior to selecting a lone finalist for superintendent on June 23, district officials said. |
Sevak resigns as assistant superintendent for Dallas ISD  Assistant Superintendent Milan Sevak (pictured) of Dallas Independent School District recently resigned to accept a new job as a faculty member at Southern Methodist University. Known as the architect developing a new teacher performance pay plan for the district, Sevak is leaving shortly before the Teacher Excellence Initiative, the performance-pay system, is being put into place. Sevak previously was an assistant superintendent for Chicago Public Schools. Sevak is the fourth of five assistant superintendent hired by Superintendent Mike Miles in 2012 to leave the Dallas school district. Mauricio Dominguez is the remaining assistant superintendent hired by Miles. |
U.S. Department of Agriculture to award $3.9 million in grants U.S. Department of Agriculture officials recently encouraged qualified organizations to apply for a total of $3.9 million in grants from the Housing Preservation Grant program. The grants can be used to preserve and repair homes of very-low and low-income families in rural areas during fiscal year 2014. The grants will be awarded to municipal or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Native American tribes, nonprofit groups and faith-based organizations to assist in making repairs to homes to help resolve health or safety issues, increase energy efficiency and to help rural residents remain in their homes, noted Tom Vilasack, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. |
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Tyler ISD selects six applicants for superintendent interviews Tyler Independent School District trustees recently selected six applicants for superintendent to travel to the city for personal interviews. The plan is to evaluate and rate the applicants once the interviews are completed. Trustees then will decide if another round of interviews is needed, the board president said.
Board members also expect to announce at their next board meeting on Monday the selection of a new interim superintendent. |
Pflugerville ISD selects Frantzen as program director  Joanne Frantzen (pictured), who currently serves as academic dean at Smithson Valley High School in the Comal Independent School District, has been named executive director of special programs for the Pflugerville Independent School District. In addition to working in the Comal ISD, Frantzen also was previously employed by the Dallas ISD and was instructional administrator at Del Valley Middle School. In her new role at Pflugerville ISD, Frantzen will be involved in state and federal programs, career and technical education and college readiness. |
Texas Government Insider Archives |
Governor's appointments Governor Rick Perry has announced the following appointments: - Robert Trapp of Coldspring, San Jacinto County Criminal District Attorney;
- Alicia Franklin of Houston, judge of the 311th Judicial District Court in Harris County;
- Ernie McClendon of Livingston, judge of the 258th Judicial District Court in Polk, San Jacinto and Trinity Counties;
- Lorina Rummel of San Antonio, judge of the 144th Criminal District Court in Bexar County.
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Dickinson ISD eyeing 'village' concept for two new schools Trustees for Dickinson Independent School District recently began discussing a proposal to use the "education village" concept to build a new elementary school and middle school approved by voters in a $56 million bond election in May. The concept calls for building the two campuses close together to share a cafeteria and other common areas, noted Tammy Dowdy, director of communications. Current plans call for building a 105,000-square-foot elementary school and 115,000-square-foot middle school on property owned by the district located near FM 517 and Calder Road. District staff members are working with architects to design the campuses and must win approval from trustees before beginning the bidding process, Dowdy said. The goal is to begin construction on the two new schools by the end of this year and complete the two new facilities by August 2016. |
Houston Convention Bureau merging with Houston First Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau officials recently agreed to merge into Houston First, a quasi-public entity created in 2011 to operate 10 city-owned buildings, including the downtown convention center. The convention and visitors bureau is charged with scheduling conventions and tourism to the Houston area.The consolidation, which becomes effective on July 1, calls for current convention and visitor bureau employees to become employees of Houston First and for both boards of directors to remain in place. No layoffs of staff from either organization are expected. Merging the two groups was needed to streamline the decision-making process and operate more efficiently, according to a statement issued by both organizations. |
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