Cynthia Leon newest member of Public Safety Commission

A. Cynthia Leon of Mission has been appointed to the Texas Public Safety Commission, which oversees the Texas Department of Public Safety. Her term expires January 2016.
 
Leon, who served as a captain in the U.S. Navy Reserves, is retired from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she served as a regional director. Leon is a life member of the Naval Reserve Association, Navy League, U.S. Naval Institute and the Reserve Officers Association.
 

Leon earned a bachelor's degree from Austin College and a master's degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

San Antonio deciding how to use savings from bond issues

Lower than expected contract costs for a number of bond program projects have led to a windfall of sorts for the city of San Antonio. The city has saved more than $33 million on the bond program that is funding $550 million in capital projects throughout the city, mostly from street and drainage projects. Officials are expected to begin deciding where to spend the money later this month and next month. 

The May 2007 bond vote included improvements for streets, bridges and sidewalks, drainage, parks and recreation, library improvements and public health facilities. More than 50 of the 150 projects have been completed with an additional 61 under construction or under contract.
 

One option for the leftover funding is to hold over the debt capacity for the 2012 bond program. Assistant City Manager Peter Zanoni (pictured) said officials might want to consider selling the bonds as soon as possible because of the economy. With the city's high credit rating and low interest rates, the money would go even further, he said.

Hadley says Tarrant County College may outsource maintenance

In an effort to save money, Tarrant County College officials may decide to outsource maintenance of the Trinity River East Campus, which is expected to open to students in the fall.  

While the state makes funding cuts, the college system is continuing to grow - spring semester enrollment is 42,600, up 6 percent from a year ago.
 

"At some point, the two will collide," said Chancellor Erma Johnson Hadley (pictured).
 

The campus, which will house the allied health and nursing program, is budgeted at $203 million.

Capital Metro hires Melvin Clark as VP of rail operations

Capital Metro officials in Austin recently announced that Melvin Clark, district rail director for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transportation Authority, will serve as vice president of rail operations beginning Jan. 31. 
 

The move completes a key recommendation from the Sunset Advisory Commission, a legislative body created to identify waste and inefficiency in government agencies.
 

In his new role, Clark will oversee all rail operations and develop a long-range strategic plan for the future of rail.
 

Prior to working in Cleveland, Clark served in key railroad and signal management positions at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Norfolk Southern Corporation and the Chicago Transit Authority.

Travis to develop guidelines for public-private partnerships

In a move toward a November bond election, Travis County commissioners recently appointed four county officials to develop guidelines for public-private partnerships for building projects.

The decision is an early preparation for an election for the construction of a new civil courthouse on downtown property purchased last month. The building, expected to cost at least $300 million, would appear as a separate proposition on the ballot.

County officials are also working to narrow a $550 million wish list - which includes roads, bridges, land and park improvements - to $200 million. This could also go to voters in November.

Commissioners have the ultimate say on whether to call an election and what projects would be on the ballot.

Hines named dean of academic services for LSC-North Harris

Lone Star College System officials have named Chantell Hines (pictured) dean of academic services for the North Harris campus. Hines was previously assistant dean at the campus' satellite Greenspoint Center. 

In her new role, Hines will oversee the academic master plan and ensure efficiency between North Harris and its two satellite centers, Greenspoint Center and Carver Center.
 

Hines worked for American Intercontinental University before starting with Lone Star College in 2008. Hines earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Prairie View A&M University and holds a Ph.D. from Capella University.

ACC celebrates opening of Gallaudet University Center

Austin Community College has been named a regional center for Gallaudet University, a private school in Washington, D.C., that specializes in serving students who are deaf or have hearing impairments.
 

This week, ACC celebrated the opening of Gallaudet University Southwest Regional Center, which will serve students in Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Utah. The center, located at ACC's Riverside campus, is one of six regional centers in the country.
 

The centers offer extension courses, training workshops and a variety of support services for people who are deaf and people with hearing impairments, their families and the professionals who work with them.

Staley to delay his retirement as UT's Ransom Center director

Despite announcements of an August retirement, Thomas F. Staley (pictured) will continue to serve as director of The University of Texas' Harry Ransom Center, a research library and museum with extensive collections of rare books, manuscripts, photography, film and art. 

Staley, who has led the center since 1988, will take a year-long leave of absence starting in August. After this time, which he will use to write a book, Staley plans to return to the Ransom Center. He wants to oversee the Center for one more year, then - with two-and-a-half years notice - retire from leadership, but probably continue to teach.
 

His book will be about archive acquisition: "Finding them in the attics and storerooms of the world - real fun," he said.

Sam Houston State University provost David Payne to retire

Sam Houston State University Provost David Payne (pictured) recently announced that he plans to retire July 31.
 

During his 13 years in the position, Payne improved SHSU's academic divisions by increasing the quality and breadth of undergraduate and graduate programs, increasing the number and percent of tenure or tenure track faculty, and getting more technology into the classrooms. His leadership helped move Sam Houston into a more advanced category of the Carnegie Classification, which is determined by the amount of research done at the university.
 

Payne earned a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and a master's and a Ph.D. from The University of North Carolina.

University officials are putting together a search committee to find Payne's successor.

Concordia nursing program gets videoconference facility grant

Nursing students at Concordia University will soon have access to the nation's top health care professors and experienced practitioners while still on campus.
 

St. David's Foundation, part owner of Central Texas' second-largest hospital system, donated $250,000 to fund a new videoconferencing facility at Concordia.

Installation of the state-of-the-art technology will begin next year.

UT picks Allinson as director of technology commercialization

Officials at The University of Texas System recently announced that entrepreneur and research engineer Bryan T. Allinson (pictured) will serve as executive director for technology commercialization and new ventures. In his new position, Allinson will promote the commercialization of technology developed by UT institutions and companies associated with those institutions.

Previously, Allinson served as a technology commercialization expert at Ohio University and also worked as division director of the corporate venture arm of the nation's largest rural health system. 

Allinson earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's from Carnegie Mellon University. 

UTEP, Texas Tech form partnership on research, education

Officials with The University of Texas at El Paso and Texas Tech University recently signed formal documents stating that the schools will work together to better health research and education at both institutions.

Years ago, when the schools offered different health programs, there was no need to cooperate. UTEP had the nursing school while Texas Tech had part of its medical school.

But now that Tech is starting a nursing program and UTEP is moving into medical research, the universities wanted to tell everyone - especially the Texas Legislature -that they will be partners.

"With the state facing a deficit, Austin needs to know we are utilizing every penny we can get our hands on," said Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance (pictured).

A&M cites two finalists for open position of university's provost

Two finalists have been named for the position of provost at Texas A&M University. Karan Watson (left), current interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at TAMU, and James Coleman (right), vice provost for research and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Rice University, are both seeking the position.  

A committee recommended the two finalists, with TAMU President R. Bowen Loftin to make the final decision.
 

Coleman holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maine and a master's and doctorate from Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. He is a former vice chancellor for research and professor of biological sciences at the University of Missouri at Columbia and has been a principal or co-principal investigator on $40,000 in competitive grants or cooperative agreements.
 

Watson, who holds a bachelor's, master's and doctorate from Texas Tech, became a full-time member of the TAMU faculty in 1983 in the electrical and computer engineering department. 

Health board members agree to double size of clinic

Board members of Central Health, which provides health care services to eligible Travis County residents, recently voted to expand a southeast Austin clinic, nearly doubling both the clinic's size and patient load. The expansion will allow the clinic to see an additional 4,000 patients, as well as hire a doctor for women's health and pediatrics.
 

The clinic, which currently serves 4,563 patients, will expand into a neighboring building that needs about three months of construction work. Renovations will cost either $690,000 or $830,000 - depending on how quickly Central Health can lease the property.

Community members praised the expansion, but said it wasn't enough. A larger space is needed for more patients and other programs, such as services for the elderly and job seekers.

McAllen eyeing new theater to replace Civic Center Auditorium

McAllen city commissioners recently scheduled a meeting with a Connecticut-based consultant to discuss the Civic Center Auditorium and the possible construction of a replacement theater near the McAllen Convention Center.  

After local performing arts groups complained that selling and shuttering the 50-year-old Civic Center Auditorium before another facility was available would damage performing arts in the city, city commissioners approved a $49,440 plus expenses contract with the consultant. A consulting team will meet with residents and city leaders before developing a plan, providing a cost estimate for the new theater and developing a transition strategy.
 

While selling the prime commercial property now occupied by the auditorium would generate funding for a new theater, city officials are uncertain if the 13-acre plot will raise sufficient funds to build a new theater.

City Manager Mike Perez (pictured) said no serious buyers have approached the city about purchasing the civic center auditorium property. The city also has no funding set aside to pay for a new theater, he added.

Tyler agrees to support law to raise hotel occupancy tax

Tyler City Council members recently agreed to support new legislation to raise the city's hotel occupancy tax from 7 percent to 9 percent to pay for a new or expanded convention or events center.

The extra 2 percent in sales tax revenue is estimated to bring in about $500,000 annually that would be placed into a separate reserve fund for a new or expanded facility to attract more visitors to the city, said Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel (pictured). The city has looked at building or expanding a convention center for several years and views the increase in the hotel occupancy tax as a way to get the project moving, he said. Daniel also said he envisioned the center as a public/private partnership that has the support of the Tyler Convention and Visitors' Bureau, the Tyler Lodging Association and the Tyler Museum of Art. Two state legislators from the area have agreed to introduce the legislation to allow the city to increase the hotel occupancy tax by 2 percent, McDaniel said. 

The Tyler Convention and Visitors' Bureau estimates that Tyler loses about $20,000 in income per year because the city has no adequate facility to hold large events. The city does not have a specific project, but placing the funding from the increase into a special fund will allow money to accumulate while city officials are working on the events center. Tyler city officials will consider a partnership with a developer of a 240-acre, $35 million regional park that includes an events center and other potential developers, McDaniel said.

McKinney city mgr. candidates could begin interviewing this month

The city council of McKinney, a fast-growing Dallas suburb, is scrutinizing 70 applicants, searching for a city manager who has experience in Texas, can work in a conservative political climate and, most importantly, can prepare the area for further expansion.

In the last decade, McKinney has grown from a population of 55,000 to more than 125,000 - and also gone through three city managers. The council wants to find a leader who will not only transition the city through another doubling in size, but will stick around to see it.

The council wants to narrow the field to five to 10 candidates and bring those "quarter-finalists" in for interviews by the end of the month.

Ector County ISD trustees approve new tech high school

The Ector County school board recently decided to establish a new high school that is based on a technology-heavy model that began in 1996 in California.
 

Across 14 states, there are 62 "New Tech" high schools that emphasize a positive culture, the smart use of technology and project-based learning. 
 

Ector County plans to open its school to 120 ninth-grade and 120 10th-grade students in the fall. Junior and senior classes will be added over the next two years. The school was designed to hold a maximum of 480 students. If more students want in, a blind lottery will be used to make selections.

The school will cost about $1.82 million in its first year, with about $800,000 spent toward construction costs and $65,000 in fees to the New Tech Network, which will provide curriculum, teacher training and a "coach" to help get the school going. Ector County has a four-year contract with New Tech that will cost a total of $400,000. 

The project-based learning style will be introduced to elementary schools in 2012 and to middle schools in 2013, said Superintendent Hector Mendez (pictured).

Llano ECD allots $60,000 to proposed multi-purpose center

Llano Economic Development Corporation (LECD) board members recently approved $60,000 to proceed in a staged development of a proposed multi-purpose center on SH71 rather than pursuing a more ambitious project. The funding will be used to review and plan for developing the project over a period of time.
 

While the LECD officials already have conducted feasibility and financial studies and selected an 88-acre site on SH71 for the multi-purpose event center, board members decided to scale back on the project and pursue it in increments rather than developing it all at once, said Jim Thomas, president of the LECD.
 

The resolution calls for the board to review the possibility of developing the facility in a partnership with the county, the Llano County Community Center Board and the City of Llano, and by helping in developing a master plan for parks and community facilities near Robinson Park. LECD also will focus on the 88-acre site across from the current rodeo arena, Thomas said. Plans call for building a covered arena, and eventually building a new community center and an outdoor music venue, he said. LECD officials also terminated a contract with a consultant who had helped with marketing and funding for the formerly planned multi-purpose center project. They agreed the LECD will no longer pursue the former site on SH71 proposed for the multi-purpose center.

Alamo Area COG elects Quinney as new chair, vice chair

The board of directors of the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) recently elected Wilson County Judge Marvin C. Quinney as chairman of the board for 2011.

Directors also elected Katie N. Reed, a board member for the Northside Independent School District, as the vice chair for the 2011 term.

Former Comal County Commissioner Jay P. Millikin (left), who served as chairman in 2010, swore in the new chairman and vice chair.

Austin group urges closing nine campuses, building new facilities

The Facility Master Plan Task Force of the Austin Independent School District recently recommended district trustees merge some campuses, close nine campuses, build new facilities and redraw school boundaries to meet an expected $60 million budget deficit.

The 72-member task force urged Austin ISD officials to close eight elementary campuses and one middle school campus. Task force members also recommended redrawing boundaries for one high school and one elementary school, building three new elementary schools, one new middle school and one new high school in areas of the city with heavy student growth.

Task force members began studying facilities needs in March 2010 by touring campuses and holding public meetings and discussions with district personnel. The group found some schools, such as Mollie Barrington Elementary, are overcrowded with enrollment more than double what the facility was designed to handle, while other schools such as Blackshear Elementary, with a capacity for 638 students, has only 243 students enrolled.

Bastrop library hoping grant will help upgrade computers

The Bastrop Public Library will likely receive a federal grant to fund new desktop and laptop computers, beginning and intermediate computer classes, and a workstation for disabled users.
 

Library officials have received a verbal, unofficial confirmation that Bastrop will participate in the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, a $9.6 million grant program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Bastrop is one of six sites in Bastrop County that has been selected for the grant program, said library director Mickey DuVall (pictured).

The library has requested: 28 computer workstations, 10 laptops, a workstation for disabled users and funds for three to four computer classes each month.

Willacy County to hire special projects coordinator for grants

Willacy County commissioners recently agreed to hire a special projects coordinator to oversee a $2.28 million grant application from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The county is applying for the grant to rebuild streets and make drainage improvements in Sebastian and Lasara.
 

The special projects coordinator will monitor the progress of county grant applications and help cities and school districts in the county with grant applications. He or she will notify city and school district officials when state or federal funding is available, the county judge said. The county is advertising the position to find qualified applicants.
 

A consultant said the USDA already has approved the pre-application for the grant and has reserved funding, but the county must now submit a full application. The consultant also warned county officials that federal budget reductions could cause the USDA to make some of the funding available through loans as well as a grant.

Judge raises question of Hidalgo County Courthouse being moved 

At his swearing-in ceremony, Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia (pictured) suggested that the county courthouse could be moved out of Edinburg, the county seat, if city officials don't help fund a much-needed new facility.

The 56-year-old courthouse can no longer serve the residents of Hidalgo County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation and the seventh most populous in Texas.
 

Edinburg officials have authorized a downtown revitalization plan that calls for a new 20,000-square-foot courthouse that would cost county taxpayers about $75 million. Garcia applauds the vision, but wants to work out an agreement that ensures Edinburg will build infrastructure to support a new facility.

 
If the county and city can't come to an agreement, Garcia might try to repeat a controversial event in county history: In the early 1900s, Edinburg became the county seat when county records were removed from the City of Hidalgo, the previous county seat, during a covert, nighttime feat.

Denison selects four finalists for city manager position

Denison City Council members recently selected four finalists to be considered for the city manager position to replace City Manager Larry Cruise, who has held that position for 26 years.
 

The four finalists chosen from the 80 applicants are Kilgore City Manager Jeff Howell, Sachse City Manager Alan Barnes, Terrell Assistant City Manager Mike Sims and Weatherford Assistant City Manager Robert Hanna. Council members plan to interview the four finalists the last week of this month. Each candidate will have dinner with a different council member and tour the city and city facilities. Council members plan to interview each of the four candidates following the city tour.
 

Howell, who also served as city manager in Bridgeport and worked for the city of Fort Worth, has a bachelor's degree from West Texas State University and a master's degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. Barnes, who previously served as city manager in Liberty and in Whitesboro and was a deputy sheriff in Collin County, has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and a master's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. Sims, who has a bachelor's degree from the University of Indiana and a master's degree from The University of Texas at Arlington, previously served as a manager at the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Hanna previously served as city manager in Hudson Oaks and as assistant to the city manager and head of airport operations in Denton. He has a bachelor's and a master's degree from the University of North Texas. City officials hope to select a new city manager in time to begin his employment in early March, the mayor said.

Grant solves Hondo shelter funding dilemma

A rundown 67-year-old women's shelter in Hondo will be rebuilt and expanded thanks to a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Construction bids will soon be sought for the new 2,560-square-foot shelter, which will serve the residents of Medina, Uvalde and Frio counties. The shelter, which will expand from three bedrooms to four, now houses an average of two women and three children each night.

 
The shelter, which has a faulty electrical system, stained ceilings and peeling floors, has needed repairs for years, but none of the local cities or counties could afford a new facility.

"We assist in the operations, but when it comes to brick and mortar, we just didn't have any funds to help them," said Uvalde County Judge Bill Mitchell (pictured).

Group gives Odessa College money for new scholarships

Friends of Odessa College recently awarded more than $11,000 to Odessa College to create a perpetual scholarship program with the Odessa College Foundation.
 

The scholarship funding remained from more than $100,000 raised by the group to help the college win passage of a $68.5 million bond package for campus improvements, including a $14 million student service center, a $16 million addition to Wilkerson Hall and an $8 million vehicle technology center.
 

As a "perpetual" program, the scholarship will target Ector County high school graduates in any major with a requirement that students perform 10 hours of community service each semester, said Lorraine Perryman, co-chair of Friends of Odessa College.

Horizon City moving ahead on master plan for improvements

Horizon City leaders are pushing to win adoption of the Vision 2020 Master Plan that calls for improvements and upgrades to the city.

One critical need for the community which nearly tripled its population this past decade is more parks, especially during troubled economic times, said Willie Gandara Jr. (pictured), an El Paso County Commissioner who represents the Horizon City area. Parks offer opportunities for families to gather for almost no expense, Gandara said.

More structural developments also are planned if the master plan is adopted, said City Planner Robert Coleman. City officials also plan to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy, increase mobility, improve the street scene and use landscaping to beautify the downtown area, he said. Council members are expected to vote on the proposed master plan in May.

Longview task force ends road tour with bond talk

A Longview task force recently concluded a tour of city streets discussing a possible $60 million bond election this year, how to market the bond proposal and raising taxes. Committee members are charged with prioritizing the city's wish list of road projects into a 10-project list. Council members will review the list and decide whether to call a bond election to pay for the road improvements. City officials have discussed a $60 million bond proposal.
 

The 80-minute street tour by the dozen task force members and city officials included several oil dirt roads that do not meet city standards, three intersections, Hawkins Parkway and Magnolia Lane.

Tennessee Colony VFD nets $39,520 federal grant

The Tennessee Colony Volunteer Fire Department recently won a $39,520 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency of U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
 

The grant funds will be used to buy eight self-contained breathing apparatuses at a cost of about $5,000 each, said Chief Eddie Crockett. The breathing apparatus improves a firefighter's ability to breathe when fighting structure fires and vehicle fires, he added.

Grant funding has been an attractive revenue stream for public entities for decades. It is even more attractive today because of the economy.

Cities, counties, school districts and special districts are all scrambling for federal grant dollars. Although many state agencies administer grant funding, most of the money comes directly from the federal government.

And although many of the grants require recipients to "match" some of the funding, matching funds of 10 percent on a two-year $250,000 project is still very attractive. The $25,000 in matching funds is often paid into a project monthly over 24 months.

While infrastructure grants are the largest and usually the most competitive, governmental entities also are working hard to secure other grants as well.  Energy efficiency grants, renewable energy project grants and grants for law enforcement, parks, housing and community and economic development are all very competitive. 

Travis County approves $140,000 to study emergency services

Travis County commissioners recently approved $140,000 to pay independent consultants to study emergency medical services in county areas outside of Austin.
 

The study will address response times, staffing, equipment, agreements the county has with cities and other emergency districts and STAR Flight helicopters. The consultant also will examine EMS ambulances responding to calls in areas outside of Austin and the performance of emergency service districts. County officials soon will solicit proposals from consultants to conduct the study.

Young County, Olney to share emergency dispatching

Young County commissioners recently approved an agreement with the city of Olney to take over the duty of handling 911 emergency dispatch duties on nights and weekends after the Olney police chief said he no longer has the manpower to operate dispatch around-the-clock. 

Commissioner Jimmy Wiley (pictured) said the agreement is a "win-win" situation for both the county and city as the county now will be able to have two dispatchers on duty during peak hours.
 

The Olney Police Department will pay the county up to $40,000 a year to dispatch emergency calls during nights and weekends, Police Chief Steven Wheeler said. This should pay for one full-time and one half-time dispatcher, said Wheeler. He plans to keep a full-time dispatcher on duty in Olney during the day on Monday through Friday and then forward the calls to county dispatchers on nights and weekends.

Grayson County accepts building donation from Sherman ISD

Grayson County commissioners recently agreed to accept the donation of the old administration building in downtown Sherman from the Sherman Independent School District.

Temple ISD closing in

on $55 million bond election

Temple Independent School District trustees are considering a recent proposal by a bond exploratory committee to ask voters to approve $55 million in bonds to build a new school and renovate existing facilities.
 

District officials previously created a 10- to15-year plan calling for $154.5 million in renovations and the proposed $55 million in bond funding would respond to the most critical of those needs, said Kent Boyd, assistant superintendent of finance and facilities. Board members have until March 14 to schedule a bond election for May 10.

Palestine exploring placing

ads on new water tower

Instead of using the city logo on a new water tower, Palestine city officials are considering a proposal by a council member to seek long-term advertising to place on the tower and use that revenue to benefit "Keep Palestine Beautiful" or other beautification projects.
 

Councilman Steve Presley told council members who were considering four possible logo designs recommended by the Palestine Economic Corp. that advertising on the new water tower could generate between $500 to $1,000 per month for beautification projects if it would consider a long-term contract of 10 years or more. Council members decided to further explore the proposal to decide if the proposal is feasible.

Big Spring allocates $44,500 for airport improvements

Big Spring City Council members recently allocated $44,500 to pay the city's share of a $450,000 project to improve Big Spring Airport.
 

The majority of funding for upgrading the apron surface near the air terminal came from a grant awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration, city officials said.

Belton eyeing lower costs

on two road projects

The cost of a $1.5 million project in Belton to extend Commerce Drive and provide storm drainage facilities and water and sewer extensions recently came in almost $100,000 under the estimated price tag, city officials reported. City Council members also approved a contract with the Belton Economic Development Council (BEDC) for a street improvement project at the Belton Business Park with a smaller-than-expected cost.
 

This cost saving on the Commerce Drive project most likely will result in a $70,000 reimbursement to the BEDC on its original allocation once the project is completed, said City Manager Sam Listi. The Arbor Park project, which calls for providing a connection from the existing entrance street north of US 190 to Powell Ave., also came in under the estimate of $250,000 with a $201,107 bid, Listi said.

Grapevine police chief

calls police station unsafe

Grapevine Police Chief Eddie Salame (pictured) recently told city council members that his cramped, 33-year-old police station has led to a few unsafe jail conditions. He asked council members to seriously consider new jail facilities.

The current jail, located in a former office building, does not have adequate space for arraignment hearings, for visitation with inmates or storage, Salame said. As many as two to four employees share an office with file boxes stored under desks and in hallways of the 25,000-square-foot police station also occupied by the municipal court, he added.

Gainesville ISD to begin

search for new superintendent

Gainesville school district Superintendent Bill Gravitt will leave the top position two years before his contract ends, allowing district officials to find a replacement by June. The school board and Gravitt met to re-negotiate his contract, which was originally good until 2013. Under a new agreement, Gravitt, who has been superintendent since September 2007, will begin serving the district as a consultant this summer. He will continue at his current salary.

The school board members felt it was time to find a superintendent who could serve the district for the next five to 10 years, board president Phil Adams said.

Fate to sell $7.29M in bonds

for water, sewage projects

Fate City Council members recently agreed to sell $7.29 million in bonds to pay for improvements to the water and sewer system.
 

Part of the bond funds will pay for repairs to a pump station, which the city expects to begin soon, said City Manager Vicki Mikel.

Throm joins consulting firm

in Austin after leaving DISD

Larry Throm, former chief financial officer for the Dallas Independent School District, recently joined an Austin-based consulting group focusing on education consultation. Throm also has been the CFO for the Austin and Lubbock school districts.
 

Throm became chief financial officer for Dallas ISD in fall 2007 shortly after the district discovered a huge budget shortfall. School district officials credit Throm with improving finances in the district during his tenure there. Throm plans to specialize in school district financial planning at the consulting firm.

Waddell being considered for superintendent spot in Lewisville

Birdville Superintendent Stephen Waddell has told school officials he is in consideration for the superintendent post at Lewisville. Waddell is one of three finalists for the post, but the lone finalist has not yet been named and will not be until later this month.
 

When chosen, the new superintendent will replace retiring Superintendent Jerry W. Roy, who will be leaving Feb. 28. A new superintendent could be in place as early as March 1. Birdville officials already are looking for an experienced public school administrator to serve in the interim if Waddell leaves. 
 

Convention center, hotel complex talk ends in Kerrville

Talks with a potential partner have ended as far as constructing a convention center/hotel complex in Kerrville, said city officials. The city voted to end negotiations with the developer, but Mayor David Wampler (pictured) added the city is "not closing the door on that forever."

The city had capped what tax money earmarked for economic development it would spend on the project. The annual debt service on the facility, which was estimated to cost close to $49 million, would exceed the $650,000 cap the city set.

Corpus Christi OKs $264,000 for design of new park, nature trail

The Corpus Christi City Council recently agreed to spend $264,000 for a design contract with an Austin-based company to develop plans for a new $2.4 million, 162-acre nature park and trail near Oso Bay.
 

Plans call for construction of the trails to begin in May and be completed in about two years. The park will feature a conservation center, bicycle racks, wetland and habitat enhancements, a teaching garden amphitheater and sites for birding and paddling trails.

Royse City to revamp digital education by leasing computers

The Royse City school district will soon begin leasing all of its computers through a national technological corporation that will bring in new PCs every four years.
 

Although the move won't save the district much money, it does ensure that all students are working on the same computer. Now, there may be three or four different models on a campus, said Theo McDonald, director of technology.
 

The district will also change Internet service providers. The new company will provide a much faster connection, McDonald said.

as new city manager

Granite Shoals city officials recently selected Judy Miller as the new city manager. Miller, who retired as city manager in Marble Falls in April 2009 and most recently served as city manager in Sonora, also advised Granite Shoal officials when the city made the transition into a Home Rule city in 2008.

Texas Forest Service administers insurance program for VFDs

Volunteer fire departments can seek state grants to pay for workers' compensation and death and disability insurance bought from Texas companies.
 

The insurance program, administered by the Texas Forest Service, provides grants to more than 400 fire departments and 11,000 firefighters each year. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 31, 2011.
 

Contact the Texas Forest Service Emergency Services Grants Unit at (979) 458-5540 for more information.

Sugar Land city manager withdraws applications for posts

After applying for city manager positions in Plano and Corpus Christi, Sugar Land City Manager Allen Bogard (pictured) recently reconsidered and informed council members he had withdrawn those two applications. 

Saying he had responded to invitations by search firms to apply, but after discussing the decision with his family, Bogard decided he would rather remain as city manager in Sugar Land until he retires. He is 56 and has worked in Sugar Land since he was hired as deputy city manager in 1995 and became city manager in 2001.

Expansion plans approved

at Dawson and Eubanks

Despite some opposition, the Southlake City Council recently OK'd plans to expand two middle schools in the Carroll Independent School District. At least two homeowners opposed the plans, explaining that the schools' larger footprints will come too close to neighboring homes.

The district had to get a waiver to start construction on Eubanks Intermediate because the building is closer to homes than a city ordinance requires - 81.3 feet instead of 129 feet.

The expansion, which adds more than 22,000 square feet to the two schools, plans for six new classrooms at Dawson Intermediate and 12 new rooms at Eubanks. The new rooms, expected to be ready for the 2011-2012 school year, will allow for the removal of portable buildings at both campuses. 

Longview tags Rees

to lead municipal courts

Longview city officials recently appointed Sally Rees to oversee the city's municipal court division while temporarily continuing her current duties in public safety communications. Rees replaces Sharon George as municipal court administrator. George, whose resignation from the city is effective on Feb. 25, currently works as community services coordinator.
 

Rees will continue with her duties in public safety communications for an interim period as the public safety division needs her expertise in communications, said a city spokesman. No timetable has been established for the dual role, he added.

Erath County to use grant funds for upgrades, improvements

Erath County recently received a grant that will help workers in different departments communicate with each other.

The interoperability grant will fund 24 handheld radios for emergency medical services, county fire departments and the sheriff's department.

Bullard moving forward on

$1.6 million sewer expansion

Bullard city officials recently agreed to discuss issuing bonds to pay for a proposed $1.6 million expansion of the city's sewer system. Council members are scheduled to discuss the bonds to pay for the sewer expansion at their meeting on Feb. 21, said Mayor Teresa Adams-Wilks (pictured). 

Construction on the sewer expansion is expected to begin in April if city officials are successful in the bond issue, Adams-Wilks said.

Texas Lyceum elects Dathan Voelter as new president

 Austin securities law director Dathan Voelter was recently named the 2011 president of the Texas Lyceum, a nonprofit leadership organization in the state. Voelter works at a semiconductor firm in Austin and is active in several nonprofit groups including the American Lung Association and Heroes for Children. Voelter earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas and a law degree from Baylor University.
 

Lyceum officials also named John Dickson of San Antonio the new president-elect and selected 22 new directors to join the organization. To become a director, applicants must show that they have been consistently recognized in their community for both professional achievement and civic contribution.

Sherman FD wins $125,000 federal grant for technology

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently awarded a $125,000 grant to the Sherman Fire Department to upgrade technology.
 

Fire officials plan to purchase computers and software for all department vehicles. The computers will provide those in fire department vehicles with a detailed map of the location of the emergency, any history of that property, any hazardous materials that may be stored on the property, any special needs of citizens at the emergency scene and all locations of fire hydrants and other hazards in the area, said Chief J.J. Jones.

Mattox-Hall to lead Department of Education's Special Schools

Harris County Department of Education officials have named Dee Mattox-Hall (pictured) senior director of the Special Schools division. She succeeds Deborah Johnson, who recently retired. In her new role, Mattox-Hall will oversee four schools. Two schools serve 5- to 22-year-old special education students who can't get all the help they need in their home districts. The other two schools serve expelled and adjudicated youth in sixth to 12th grade.

Prior to joining Harris County last summer, Mattox-Hall served as assistant superintendent for educational support services in the La Marque school district. She has also taught math and directed math initiatives in the Galena Park district. Mattox-Hall earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Prairie View A&M and a Ph.D. from Texas Southern University.

Beeville to seek $500,000 in grants for park improvements

Beeville City Council members recently agreed to revise the city's parks master plan and to apply for up to a $500,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to help pay for several park projects.

City officials are seeking the grant funds, in part, to pay for construction of a new skate park and other park improvement projects. Council members also asked senior citizens to comment on the need for parks and recreation facilities as including input into the master plan from senior citizens could improve the number of points the state awards when considering applications.