TBPC names interim executive director

The Texas Building and Procurement Commission has selected Edward Johnson, TBPC's director of legislative affairs, to be interim executive director of the agency. He replaces Cindy Reed, who has taken a job at the Department of Information Resources (see article below). TBPC commissioners are preparing to take applications from those who would like to permanently fill the agency's top administrative slot.

"During my time here as interim executive director there will continue to be a focus on making this agency a model agency, and we will continue to build good, quality customer-service relationships with other state agencies," Johnson said.

Gov. Perry: Special session will be in April or May

Gov. Rick Perry said this week that he likely will call a special legislative session on school finance in April or May - just before a June court deadline for action. It's long been expected that Perry would call a special session on school funding after the March 7 party primaries. The Texas Supreme Court has found the current education finance system unconstitutional, and required that lawmakers retool schools' revenue streams by June 1.

Reed takes job at Department of Information Resources

The Department of Information Resources (DIR) has hired Cindy Reed, former executive director of the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, as its deputy director of service delivery. She will join the DIR team on February 13, and will assist in establishing the strategic and tactical direction of the division, as well as providing oversight to the division's diverse business operations. Additionally, she will be very involved in managing major transformation initiatives aimed at streamlining processes, technology and programs through the implementation of various business innovation projects.

"Cindy is a leader in Texas state government and she will be a wonderful addition to our agency and our efforts, working closely with state agencies, to transform technology in Texas," said DIR Executive Director Larry Olson (pictured).

Rep. Flynn gains seat on Sunset commission

Speaker Tom Craddick this week appointed Rep. Dan Flynn to the Sunset Advisory Commission. Flynn represents House District 2 which includes Hunt, Rains, and Van Zandt counties, and serves as vice chairman for the House Committee on Pensions and Investment, and as a member of the House Committee on General Investigation and the House Committee on Financial Institutions.

"Dan's expertise in financial matters will give the Commission much needed insight as to how we can improve fiscal accountability in our government agencies," Craddick said. "It is my privilege to appoint him to this very important Commission, which serves a vital role in Texas government."

The Sunset Advisory Commission is scheduled to review 24 agencies before the next regular session of the legislature in 2007, including the Texas Education Agency, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Office of Rural Community Affairs.

LBB staffers hear pleas from Texas A&M-Kingsville

Staff members from the state Legislative Budget Board (LBB) toured Texas A&M University-Kingsville's Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy building this week and heard presentations from the college and several other departments. Texas A&M University-Kingsville President Rumaldo Juarez (pictured) said the visit allowed the board to take a look at the $14.5 million pharmacy building that is still without the remainder of the funding necessary to open its doors by fall 2006. The LBB will decide soon whether the pharmacy building will get its oft-delayed funding.

Spotlight on State Leaders: Stephanie Richmond, HUB Program Manager

As Texas' HUB program manager, Stephanie Richmond is at the critical intersection where minority and women-owned businesses and state agencies converge. Richmond was hired to oversee the state's HUB program last year after doing similar work for Texas A&M University. She came to the agency at a critical time.

Texas' Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program, which is under the umbrella of the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, may be on the verge of changing. The program was started in 1994, and has operated based on inequality-related statistics gathered around that time. Officials are on the verge of completing a new Disparity Study.

"I expect the outcome will result, to some degree, in changes to the HUB program," Richmond said. "The extent of the changes will depend on the results of the study. The completion of the study is expected late spring."

Richmond oversees the two main facets of the Statewide HUB Program. One is the certification process which allows the tracking of state spending with historically underutilized businesses. A large part of this process entails developing policy and procedure that allows for effective auditing and outreach to those businesses that qualify to be certified. The second facet consists of working closely with agencies and higher education on policy and reporting in order to implement the program effectively including outreach and training.

When asked what traits make a good leader in government, Richmond cited strategic thinking, charisma and strong communication skills, but added: "I think a leader's effectiveness is evident in the performance of those that fall under the direction of the leader. The success of a leader is demonstrated in the overall performance, quality of work environment, career growth and the level of production of those he or she directs."

EPA approves reuse of Austin power plant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued the country's first Toxic Substances Control Act "ready for reuse" distinction to the defunct Seaholm Power Plant in downtown Austin. The 150,000-square-foot, art deco-style power plant built in the 1950s is to be the centerpiece of a mixed-use development that will include cultural, office, retail and residential components. Potential tenants include the Texas Music Hall of Fame, and public television station KLRU and its popular "Austin City Limits" show.

New partnership to give Trans-Texas Corridor a boost

The Texas Department of Transportation is joining the North America's Supercorridor Coalition Inc., a nonprofit, international organization based in Dallas. The members of NASCO, founded in 1994, aim to develop the highway infrastructure from Canada through the United States to Mexico. A press release from NASCO and TxDOT said the two will work together to ensure development of the Trans-Texas Corridor, an idea pushed largely by Gov. Rick Perry.

Seguin city manager chosen

The Seguin City Council this week unanimously appointed Interim City Manager Doug Faseler to the position permanently. Faseler listed the city's growth and the individual needs of various neighborhoods as among his challenges. Faseler has been employed with the city of Seguin since 1996, when he was hired as the director of utilities and public works. After four months, he was promoted to assistant city manager - a position he maintained until the buyout of former city manager Jack Hamlett's contract in November.

Feds OK Trinity Uptown project in Fort Worth

The ambitious Trinity Uptown project in Fort Worth has essentially cleared its final regulatory hurdle. Federal regulators recommended approval of the $435 million project that promises to revitalize north Fort Worth along the Trinity River.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday released the results of a two-year study that recommends moving forward with the proposal to rechannel the Trinity River north of downtown. Based on that recommendation, the corps in Washington is expected to formally approve the project next month after a 30-day public review. Construction could begin this year.

Trinity Uptown will be one of the largest developments in the region since Dallas/Fort Worth Airport was built in the early 1970s. Project planners say the chief aim of the project is to prevent a catastrophic flood by replacing the decades-old levee system with a bypass channel, but project supporters have said it will revitalize North Main Street, sparking an estimated $1 billion in private development.

N. Texas toll road plans shelved for now

Plans to build privately run toll lanes on Northeast Loop 820 and Airport Freeway in Fort Worth were shelved this week by state transportation officials, who said the project across more than 30 miles in Tarrant and Dallas counties had become too problematic. Construction could still be under way by 2009 or earlier, pundits said.

Austin hires fire chief, director of homeland security

Austin City Manager Toby Futrell has named JJ Adame, fire chief in Corpus Christi, the new chief of the Austin Fire Department. Adame, has served in the Corpus Christi Fire Department for 32 years and as chief for the past 18 years. City leaders said they will also hire another of the three finalists for the fire chief job, Otis Latin, for a new position as director of homeland security. Latin is currently chief of the Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Department.

Greenville ISD puts privatization plans on hold

Plans to consider privatizing the Greenville Independent School District's transportation and janitorial services were delayed Tuesday to give bidders more time to submit their proposals. District director of operations Gary Sims told trustees that the companies wanting to bid on performing the work for Greenville schools had requested a few extra weeks to diagnose the needs and provide proposals for the 2006-2007 school year. He said four companies were seeking to submit proposals for the transportation services and five were investigating custodial services.

Elkhart ISD scrambling to finance growth

After the failure of a $9.5 million bond election in December, Elkhart Independent School District trustees remain worried about an expected growth in student population and the ability to accommodate that growth. Their concerns brought them to a called meeting this week to discuss immediate facility needs and the possibility of calling a second bond election. Trustees are now considering another bond election for May or November.

Garland seeks input on how to spend federal dollars

City leaders in Garland want the public to help decide how to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funds to be administered by the city next year. The city is asking residents what kinds of programs they would like to see funded in their communities, according to Elaine Emmert, the city's community development planner. An organization must be a nonprofit, a city department or some other governmental entity to qualify. The council will hold public hearings in the weeks ahead so each organization's representatives can state their case for getting money from federal programs such as Community Development Block Grants.

Jones Creek seeks funds to build city hall, expand services

Plans for a new city hall were discussed at a recent board of aldermen meeting in the East Texas town of Jones Creek. The board agreed to get a grant writer to find grants the village could pursue to help pay for a new city hall building, Mayor George Mitchell said. Village officials hope to build not only a new city hall, but also provide residents with water and sewer service. Currently, residents use septic systems. The move toward offering such city services could cost an estimated $11.6 million, he said, with funding sources that could include grants, low-interest loans and bonds.

Kaufman County planning bond election for new courts

Kaufman County commissioners met with representatives of an architecture firm this week to discuss the process for holding a bond election to build a new courts building. Commissioners Jerry Rowden and Ken Leonard have been appointed by the commissioners court to work on a new plan for the courts building, and are charged with keeping the square footage of the new building under 100,000 square feet and keeping the cost under $20 million.

Former mayor to lead panel in San Antonio

The San Antonio Water System named former San Antonio Mayor Howard Peak chairman of the water utility's Citizen Advisory Panel. The committee provides community input on SAWS' water resource plans. Peak will lead the 24-member panel, which will review long-term projects and provide feedback to SAWS.

TPWD secures grant to restore Galveston wetlands

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a federal grant to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for a more than $1.2 million project to restore wetlands on North Deer Island, the largest bird rookery island in the Galveston Bay system. The Texas grant was part of more than $15 million in grants to 12 states to help acquire, restore and protect coastal wetlands for long-term conservation benefits to wildlife and habitat under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.

Projects in the pipeline

By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

SPI's Research Division is constantly scouring the state for business opportunities in the public sector and uncovers dozens every day. Here are this week's hot opportunities:

• Harris County is taking bids from staffing and temp agencies that can provide temporary health care personnel to its hospital district;
• The city of Rowlett is on track to consider a $26.4 million bond package in May for parks, a library expansion and street beautification;
• The city of El Paso, in the coming months, will search for a contractor to provide red-light cameras at 20 dangerous intersections;
• The city of Dallas has plans to initiate a pilot program utilizing GPS on its garbage trucks; and
• The North Central Texas Council of Governments is taking bids from marketing firms that can develop an air quality public education program.

Tatum ISD considers bond election

Plans for a Tatum Independent School District bond election are proceeding, with a May election date targeted. Trustees would like to have $8.5 million for 21 projects, but their wish list will be pared next month during meetings.

Alpine reviewing city manager applications

The Alpine City Council appointed two of its members, Anna Monclova and Bob Brewer, to a special committee this week to begin reviewing city manager applications. Monclova and Brewer will narrow the list to a group of finalists, and will bring those names back to council for final review in the coming month.

Ask the experts

Q: There has been a lot in the news about problems with Medicare prescription drug coverage. What is happening? A:Medicare is handled at the federal level and Medicaid is handled by the states, though that is oversimplified. It just so happens that the new outsourced vendor for the HHSC Medicaid drug program began providing services on January 1, the same date that the new Medicare drug benefit program began. The reports of problems relate to Medicare, not Medicaid. The Texas HHSC prescription drug program for Medicaid was recently outsourced after several previous sourcing evaluations over the years. Earlier efforts looked at outsourcing only the claims processing functionality. However, by using a broader analysis of costs, HHSC saw an opportunity to utilize a niche industry, pharmacy benefit managers (PBM). The value proposition PBM's offer is in controlling the cost of the prescriptions, rather than simply the cost to process a claim. The outsourcing of the Medicaid drug program ultimately happened because it addressed the major cost drivers, rather than focusing on only one cost element. By understanding and addressing the big picture, a solution with meaningful benefits to the taxpayer is now possible. -Dave Horton, senior consultant at Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Have a question for one of our government affairs experts? Drop us a line!

Procurement articles online

Click here to view recent articles on government procurement authored by Mary Scott Nabers, president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships Inc., and published in the Austin Business Journal and Houston Business Journal.

[Editor's note: Mary Scott Nabers' procurement columns run regularly in the Austin Business Journal, Houston Business Journal, San Antonio Business Journal and the Dallas Business Journal]

Event Links

HUB Forums in February

Law Enforcement Regional Workshops - 1/20/06-3/8/06

Integrating Justice Information Across Texas Government - 1/24/06

2006 Courts & Local Government Technology Conference - 1/31/06-2/2/06

DIR briefing on Shared Success: Building a Better Texas through Shared Responsibilities - 2/14/06

DIR's Internet Security Forumn - 3/28/06

TCEQ's Environmental Trade Fair and Conference - 5/9/06-5/11/06

Texas Government Insider Archives

Volume 1, 2, 3 and 4 Archives - 11/7/03 - 1/13/06

Resources

Texas Fact Book '06-'07 -New!

LBB's Fiscal Size-up '06-'07-New!

2005 State Strategic Plan for Information Resources Management-New!

SAO report on full-time state employees for fiscal 2005

Texas Human Resources Management Statutes Inventory

TBPC Vendor Guide

State Budget Resources

HUB Forms Library

State Contract Management Guide

State Procurement Manual

Who Represents Me? Texas Districts By Address

Diagram of Texas' Biennial Budget Cycle

Strategic Partnerships adding more local government experts

Strategic Partnerships, Inc., is seeking additional local government affiliates in metropolitan areas of the state outside of Austin.

The ideal candidate, which will work on a part-time basis, will have spent at least 10 years working in and around local government.

Candidates should have an extensive knowledge of local government political, budgetary and procurement processes, and should have actively participated in development and oversight of major RFPs or proposal responses.

Click here for a job description. Applicants may send a cover letter and resume to pmaugham@spartnerships.com.

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services.

Founded in Texas in 1994 by former government executives and public sector experts, SPI has developed a national reputation as the premier marketing partner dedicated to helping companies secure contracts in the $1.5 trillion state and local government marketplace.

To learn more about SPI services click here or contact our sales department at 512-531-3900.

6034 W. Courtyard Dr. #100
Austin, Texas 78730

Texas Distance Learning Association Conference

The Texas Distance Learning Association will hold a conference March 6-8 in San Antonio. Attendees will have a chance to network with at least 600 distance-learning professionals along the Riverwalk. Click here for more information.

Technology Education Conference 2006

The 5th annual Technology Education Conference (TEC) Conference presented by TASSCC and the Department of Information Resources will be held March 29, 2006 at the J.J. Pickle Center in Austin. TEC 2006 will examine the recent hurricanes, as well as the best business continuity planning practices. Click here for details.