TxDOT report: Need to correct 'acute erosion of public confidence'

Restructure Council recommends new leadership; lawmakers worry about funding

"New senior leadership" is at the top of the list of recommendations for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), according to a report from the three-member TxDOT Restructure Council. The Council this week presented its report to the Texas Transportation Commission, culminating more than six months of study of previous reports, analyses and recommendations regarding the beleaguered state agency. 

The report, which was the effort of appointees Jay Kimbrough, Howard Wolf and David Laney, noted that there is an "acute erosion of public confidence" in the agency and an "urgent need to reverse that trend." The report said that new senior leadership "must redefine the character of the organization, as well as reinforce standards of responsiveness, credibility, accountability and transparency."

"Texas urgently needs state transportation leadership that engenders the highest levels of public trust and confidence."

Earlier in the day, Sen. Tommy Williams (top), who chairs the Senate committee which deals with transportation issues, said at the annual Texas Transportation Forum that the legislature must "restore the public's confident in TxDOT as an agency." But even if there is a change in leadership, the agency will still face a serious shortfall of funding to either add new infrastructure projects throughout the state or maintain existing infrastructure.

Already, members of the state's leadership and some members of the Texas Legislature are at odds on how that funding can be increased. Some are proposing fee increases as a new revenue source, but Rep. Joe Pickett (bottom), who chairs the House Transportation Committee, said even a change in the public perception of TxDOT will not mean legislators will support fee increases.

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Combs to announce revenue estimate at Monday press conference

The news everyone with an interest in Texas state government has been waiting for - the biennial state revenue estimate - will be announced by State Comptroller Susan Combs at a Monday, Jan. 10, press conference. The press conference will be at 10 a.m. in Room 114 of the LBJ State Office Building. The estimate will give the members of the 82nd Legislature, which convenes on Tuesday, a starting point for work on the state's budget when Combs announces the amount of revenue available for the 2012-13 biennium. Live streaming audio of the Comptroller's prepared remarks will be accessible on the Comptroller's Web site.

Governor's office announces changes in key staff positions
In a bevy of key staff changes, Rick Perry campaign manager Rob Johnson (top left) has been named the Governor's senior advisor. Johnson was part of the political team that crafted Perry's successful re-election campaign.

Also, Perry named Jeff Boyd (top right) general counsel; Brandy Marty director of Budget, Planning and Policy; Milton Rister (bottom left) director of Administration; and Sarah Floerke (bottom right) deputy legislative director and House liaison. 

Prior to the Perry campaign, Johnson was chief of staff to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, and also served as his deputy chief of staff and 2002 campaign manager. He received two bachelor's degrees from Southern Methodist University. 

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Texas Municipal Retirement System hires Wattles for position
Long-time state employee Dan Wattles was recently named director of government relations at the Texas Municipal Retirement System.

Previously, Wattles served as department manager in Audit Research & Legislative Coordination in the State Auditors Office. Wattles also worked two years in the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs as well as one year at the Texas Department of Commerce.

Wattles earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona and a master's from The University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs.

Booker leaving TEA for position with nonprofit organization
Jerel Booker (pictured), associate commissioner with the Texas Education Agency, is leaving the agency to take a position with a nonprofit organization where he will advocate for students and parents.
 

Education Commissioner Robert Scott announced that Dr. Ann Smisko will assume the associate commissioner responsibilities for the educator certification, standards and investigative functions at TEA. Associate Commissioner Barbara Knaggs, said Scott, will assume responsibility for student and educator initiatives, driver training and health and safety.

Sunset Commission to meet second day of legislative session
The 12-member Sunset Advisory Commission, which identifies and eliminates waste and inefficiency in government agencies, will meet next Wednesday in Austin.

State to buy Devils River Ranch to add to protected lands
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently struck a $13 million deal that adds the nearly 18,000-acre Devils River Ranch to state protected lands.

The Del Rio area ranch, which is mostly desert scrub, borders about 10 miles of the 90-mile-long Devils River, regarded as the purest natural waterway in the state. Early next year, a panel of state workers, landowners, conservation groups and river users will begin meeting to discuss the future of the river.

The purchase was mostly funded by private donations of about $10 million, with some donors giving more than $1 million each. This support shows the "depth of support for conservation issues around the state" as well as the importance of the Devils River, said Carter Smith (pictured), executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

TETF investments in four companies cited; grants awarded
Two Texas universities and four companies recently received state funding to develop and commercialize innovative technologies that will help attract top researchers and high-tech jobs to the state.

ERCOT reports $2B in transmission improvements since 2009
The state's primary electric grid operator and manager, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, is currently reviewing a five-year plan that calls for up to $9 billion in projects that could add nearly 8,000 miles of transmission to the grid.

Metro moving forward with plans to expand light rail
After major delays last year due to federal grant violations, Houston's Metropolitan Transit Authority is again moving forward with plans to expand the light-rail system.

Lone Star College-Montgomery expanding fire science program
Lone Star College-Montgomery adjunct instructor David Griffin (pictured) was recently named director of the college's fire science program.

The two-year-old program, which currently comes with a basic certificate of completion, will expand its offerings in the spring, allowing students to upgrade to an associate's degree in fire science technology.

"I have a passion and love for this career and want to see this program grow and be one of the best in the state," said Griffin, who began his career more than 15 years ago in Houston.

Brown appointed as vice dean for finance and administration
Texas A&M University alumnus Matt Brown (pictured) was recently named the TAMU Health Science Center College of Medicine's vice dean for finance and administration. Brown currently serves as the science center's assistant vice president for budgets and planning.

In his new role, which Brown began Dec. 1, he will oversee all aspects of financial administration for the college. He has previously worked in the university's Office of Budgets and Accounting.

Brown earned a bachelor's and master's degree from Texas A&M University.

Harlingen native becomes dean of the School of Business
Rio Grande Valley native Mark J. Kroll (pictured) will began serving as dean of the School of Business at The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College on Jan. 1.

TPWD partners to produce video documentary about the Gulf
A one-hour documentary about the Gulf of Mexico, "The State of the Gulf-America's Sea," will air on all state public television stations in late February.

Ridley will be next College of Education dean at Texas Tech
Texas Tech University officials recently hired a new dean to lead the College of Education. Scott Ridley (pictured) will take the reins June 1.

Austin picks former sheriff Frasier to be new police monitor
Former Travis County Sheriff Margo Frazier has been named Austin's new police monitor.

Stuifbergen appointed dean of UT-Austin School of Nursing
Internationally recognized researcher Alexa Stuifbergen (pictured) has been named dean of the School of Nursing at The University of Texas at Austin. Stuifbergen has been serving as interim dean since Dolores Sands retired in 2009.

Rockport selects design for new community center
Rockport City Council members recently approved a preliminary design for a new community center to be named "Gathering Place."

A price estimate for the new community center will be available once construction documents are complete, city officials said. The city has $2 million set aside from a 2009 bond issue to pay for construction of the community center to be built south of the community swimming pool. The project should be ready to go out for bids in about two and one-half months, the architect said.

Once construction costs for the center are determined, city officials will learn how much funding remains available to furnish the new facility, city officials said. Council members will make a decision whether to proceed with construction of the center after construction costs are available.

A&M names three finalists to pick from to fill vice president spot
The Texas A&M University regents are expected to confirm a new vice president for administration - a position that oversees non-academic units - in early February.

Travis County to whittle down list for possible November election
Both Travis County staff and commissioners are taking initial steps to put together a November bond election, which planning and budget officials say should be around $200 million.

City of Wharton moves forward with overpass project
City leaders in Wharton will move forward with plans for a railroad overpass that would provide an uninterrupted east-west route through the city. Currently, the city has three east-west crossings, but all are controlled by bars that stop traffic when trains are passing.

Kilgore group organizing to promote $55 million bond election
Kilgore Independent School District Facility Committee members recently began organizing to help win community support for a proposed $55 million bond election in May 2011.

Last of fire marshal's offices closes in Corpus Christi
The recently-closed state fire marshal's office in Corpus Christi was the last of six such offices that became obsolete as high-tech communications allowed for a mobile workforce that could work from home.
The lack of offices does not affect how the fire marshals assist local agencies. Plus, the state no longer has to pay for expenses related to leased office space, which is no longer necessary because fire marshals are issued automobiles, cell phones and laptops with Internet capability.

The shift to working at home began in 1997 and the Corpus Christi office only stayed open this long because of a long-term lease.

Nueces County to delay on new countywide drainage district
Nueces County officials recently agreed to postpone any attempts to win legislative approval to create a new countywide drainage district to address widespread flooding last year. A nearly $1 million study funded by a federal grant recommended the county dissolve two existing drainage districts and create a countywide district to control flooding.

Abilene planning group eyeing $1.58 million for capital upgrades
Abilene Planning and Zoning Commission members recently began prioritizing the city's five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to present a formal recommendation to city council in February.

City staff unveiled a preliminary CIP report that includes $1.582 million in capital improvement projects for the city in 2011 and a new plan for doing street maintenance. The fire chief also requested that the cost of replacing firefighting vehicles be included in the capital improvement budget instead of waiting for bond elections to be called to pay for new fire engines and ladder trucks. Because a fire engine was lost in a traffic accident last year, city staff recommended adding the $550,000 replacement cost for a new fire engine to be included in the CIP budget.

The proposed CIP plan also calls for street maintenance plans to be revised beginning in 2015 so that funding would be spread through chosen streets in neighborhoods instead of doing major work on only one street. The proposed CIP calls for spending almost $9.3 million in capital improvement projects over the next five years. Because the public safety budget increased from 9 percent of the 2010 budget to 37 percent of the budget for 2011, the proposed budget for city parks will shrink from 16 percent to 4 percent, city officials said.

Fort Worth may add new council district when redistricting
Fort Worth city staffers recently released a report that indicates city officials may need to dramatically redraw council districts or even add a new district to respond to the city's large population growth over the past decade.

Hidalgo County names stakeholders in plan for commuter rail
Hidalgo County officials recently identified cities, school districts, hospitals, economic development corporations and large employers as the major stakeholders in a feasibility study being conducted over establishing a commuter rail line in that county.

Representatives from the selected stakeholders are scheduled to meet privately with consultants performing the feasibility study. Those agreeing to attend include representatives from the cities of McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Pharr, Alamo, Donna, Weslaco and Mercedes. Others attending the commuter rail meetings include representatives from Sharyland Independent School District, South Texas College and the University of Texas-Pan American as well as the economic development corporations in McAllen and Mission and a major hospital in the area.

Stakeholders will be critical to the project as they may be requested to provide land, right-of-way, building for rail stations and to seek matching grants, according to the architect. County officials are using a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct the feasibiility study.

Joshua officials select design for new contemporary fire station
Joshua City Council members recently selected a contemporary architectural design (pictured) over two other designs for a new central fire station. Architects submitted three design schemes, a traditional building with a high arching roof structure, a contemporary structure similar to a nearby middle school and a building with rolling roof decks.

Dallas ready to accept streetcar funding Fort Worth shelved
Dallas city leaders want the $25 million federal transportation grant that was intended to fund a Fort Worth streetcar system, which city officials shelved in December.

RTC awards airport, regional governments $1.2M for clean vehicles
Select Dallas and Fort Worth area governments will soon receive $1.2 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to pay for cleaner vehicle fleets.

The City of Fort Worth, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and four area counties (Euless, Garland, McKinney and Tarrant) will finance a total of 62 light- and heavy-duty vehicles, plus five infrastructure projects. They will save an estimated 195,107 gallons of diesel and 508,525 gallons of gasoline over the life of the vehicles.

The projects are important because the nine-county Metroplex region's air quality is in nonattainment for the pollutant ozone. The area still has nearly $1 million to put toward cleaner government fleets.

Baytown setting bar in LED street lighting
The City of Baytown is currently replacing traditional highway lights with brighter, longer-lasting Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights.

These LED lights will be among the first installed on Texas highways, thanks to a partnership between Baytown, the Texas Department of Transportation and a lighting company.

"Baytown is proud to lead the way in such an important project as this," said City Manager Garry Brumback (pictured).

The state-of-the-art lights - which are initially more expensive than traditional lights at $2,200 per fixture and two fixtures per pole - are expected to save the city between 65 and 80 percent in the long run from decreased energy usage, replacement and repair costs. While normal lights last about two years, the LED lights will last 15-20 years, which significantly reduces relamping costs of about $140 per pole.

San Antonio's VIA pubic transport system awarded federal grant
San Antonio's public transit authority recently secured a $900,000 federal grant to move forward with projects to improve movement between the central business district and center city neighborhoods.

The project, dubbed the Downtown High-Capacity Urban Circulator System, focuses on two urban corridors, one running north-south and the other east-west.

The city's VIA Metropolitan Transit was one of 24 transportation authorities across the nation to receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The FTA awarded a total of $25.7 million through the Alternative Analysis program, which is designed to help community officials select the best ways to build or expand transit systems.

JPS launches innovative effort to combat rural doctor shortage
JPS Health Network in Fort Worth is fighting the rural doctor shortage by recruiting small communities to pay a new doctor's resident salary and medical school debt in exchange for practicing five years in the small town.

While the estimated cost to communities is $500,000 for one new family practice physician, some studies suggest the investment can pay off in better access to health care plus up to $1.5 million in economic development.

Only communities with a well-funded hospital and promise to upgrade medical equipment are being offered the deal, which is perhaps the first of its kind in the nation. So far, seven communities have expressed interest.

"Time will tell if this is successful, but we're told it is a pretty innovative approach," said JPS Chief Medical Officer Gary Floyd (pictured).

City-county consolidation proposal back on table
Recently filed legislation that would allow San Antonio and Bexar County governments to consolidate could save taxpayers money related to duplications in services and groups. Before local voters can approve a merger - which would apply to about two dozen counties with populations of 100,000 or more - two-thirds majorities of both legislative chambers would have to authorize a vote on a Texas constitutional amendment. Then, a majority of Texas voters would have to OK it.

Critics of similar legislation, which failed three times in the 1990s, have argued that mergers would lessen minority voters' strength and perhaps decrease law enforcement attention to suburbs.

San Antonio and Bexar County officials have said the consolidation is at least worth exploring for the sake of efficiency and saving taxpayer money. In recent years, three U.S. population centers have consolidated city and county functions: Indianapolis; Nashville, Tenn.; and Jacksonville, Fla.

The 12th Annual Conference of the Texas Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program and the Texas Chapters of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) will be Feb. 18, at The University of Texas LBJ School Of Public Affairs in Austin. Historian Douglas Brinkley, professor of history at the Baker Institute of Rice University will deliver the William P. Hobby Distinguished Lecture. Theme for the conference is "Fiscal Stress: Hard Choices for the Public Service." Requests are being accepted to organize a panel or submit a paper on a public policy and/or administration topic. They do not have to be related directly to the theme of the conference. Conference participants will receive six (6) hours of Continuing Education Units (CEU) or Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credit for CPAs from Texas State University for attending thisconference. For additional information on location, parking, registration fees and forms, click here.  Sponsors are Texas Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program, ASPA District IV and the CenTex Chapter of ASPA.

Texas Lyceum conference to address public pension funds
"The Future of Public Pension Funds: Why it Matters to Every Texan" will be the theme for The Texas Lyceum's 2011 Public Conference, slated for Friday, Jan. 28, at the Hilton Austin. The conference will explore the importance and impact of sound investment policies, appropriate benefit levels for pension funds and the public policy consequences for Texans. Among the speakers will be Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who will address the impact of pension funds on municipal governments. The event will also feature addresses by Britt Harris, chief investment officer for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and Bruce Zimmerman, CEO and CIO of the University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO). A panel of pension fund experts will address Finding the Right Balance of Retirement Benefits for Public Employees and two members of the Texas Legislature - Sen. John Whitmire and Rep. Vicki Truitt - will address "The Political, Policy and Regulatory Challenges of Pension Funds." For more information, click here, and to register, click here. Texas Government Insider subscribers will receive a $25 discount off the $100 cost. See the Texas Lyceum Web site for details.

CAPCOG to host Jan. 20 policy workshop for city officials
The Capital Area Council of Governments' (CAPCOG) Regional Training Center announces its CAPCOG Training Workshop: Advanced Policy Making for City Officials. The workshop will be from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, at the CAPCOG offices, 6800 Burleson Road, Bldg. 310, Suite 165, Agave Rom. Topics Covered Include: City Structure: General Law and Home Rule; The Role of Elected Officials; Making Policy vs. Administering Policy; Procedures for Effective Meetings and more. This course will assist elected city officials in better understanding their roles as elected officials and the tools and techniques to help put their ideas into action. The course explores some of the basic characteristics and powers of city government and in-depth discussion regarding how to effectively work with city staff, citizens and other elected officials to advance policy objectives. City officials, city staff, anyone interested in city governance, process and procedures is urged to attend. Elected city officials earn 6.9 CEU's through Texas Municipal League for completing this workshop. CAPCOG member rate is $65, non-members $75 (fee includes lunch). Attendees completing the course will receive 15% off of the registration fee for the next 2011 CAPCOG training event. For more information, contact David Partlow, Member Services Liaison, at dpartlow@capcog.org. To register, click here.

THEHRA announces dates for annual winter conference in Austin
The Texas Higher Education Human Resources Association will host its 2011 Winter Conference "Managing Through Tough Times" on Jan. 23-25, 2011, at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center at 1900 University Avenue in Austin. The conference is a "hands on" gathering that will focus on institutional survival. Experts and colleagues will offer information on "Tools You Need to Successfully Handle Reductions, Retention, Layoffs, New Laws, New Strategies, New Directions." For more information and to register, click here.

Leadership Fusion Summit taking reservations for February event

"Leading with Vision - Igniting to Action" is the title for this year's Leadership Fusion Summit, scheduled for Feb 16-17, 2011, in Houston and sponsored by the Region 4 Leadership Solutions. Extraordinary leaders from both business and education will share a variety of best practices aimed at helping accelerate learning and success in school leadership. Among the speakers is Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the 15 most influential business thinkers in the world. The first 300 to register will receive a free copy of Goldsmith's "MOJO - How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back If You Lose It." Registration is open now and there is a reduced Early Bird fee through Dec. 17. For more information, click here. For the agenda, click here.

Temple airport gets grant

for planned improvements

The Texas Transportation Commission recently approved $645,000 toward runway improvements at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Airport in Temple. The work, which is scheduled to begin in 2011, is part of a $3.55 million, three-year project to improve runways and drainage conditions.

The City of Temple must put up a 10 percent match for all grant monies awarded. In 2013, city leaders will decide if they want to pay the 10 percent toward more than $4 million in further airport improvements.

Arlington assistant city

manager stepping down
Arlington Assistant City Manager Fiona Allen (pictured) is leaving the city in February to become the northern regional manager of the Trinity River Authority.

Allen, who has worked for the city 20 years, was Arlington's first female water utilities director and third female deputy city manager. Allen, who will begin her new job March 1, said her work that helped lead to the construction of Rangers Ballpark and Cowboys Stadium are among her most memorable accomplishments while with the city. 

Nacogdoches ISD superintendent will resign post next April
Nacogdoches school district Superintendent Rodney Hutton recently announced he will retire from the district April 30, 2011. During his five years as leader of Nacogdoches schools, attendance has increased, the dropout rate has fallen and the graduation rate is at an all-time high. Hutton, who has been in education more than 25 years, has also served as superintendent of the Sherman and Bloomington districts.

He earned two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree from Texas A&M University and received a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin.

Arlington expects estimate

for library repairs soon
Arlington city officials are expecting to receive an estimate on how much it will cost to repair the shifting foundation of a seven-year-old branch library later this month.

Council members approved a $99,035 contract for contractors to investigate why the soil beneath the Southeast Branch Library continues to shift and cause cracks in the walls of the $4 million library built in 2003.

Since the library opened, maintenance crews have had to seal cracks that appear in both interior and exterior walls after drought or heavy rains, adjusted doors that do not open or close properly and replaced the sidewalk twice. The city has not designated funding to repair the foundation of the branch library.

Fort Worth Spinks Airport gets $110,000 from grant progam
Spinks Airport in Fort Worth was recently awarded $110,000 in grants from the Texas Department of Transportation's Aviation Facilities Grant Program. The grants will fund engineering design work for pavement improvements.

Before the end of the fiscal year in August, the state expects to give $60 million to about 275 community airports for upgrades and new projects. 

Fort Worth officials pick Higgins as new interim city manager
Forth Worth Deputy City Manager Tom Higgins (pictured) will serve as interim city manager while the city searches for a new top administrator. The position became available with the recent retirement of Dale Fisseler.

Previously, Higgins, who holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Detroit, has served as the city's assistant city manager for community development as well as president of the Texas Economic Development Council. Forth Worth city leaders will start a nationwide search after spring municipal elections.

Humble ISD delays construction of new elementary school
Citing budget concerns, trustees for the Humble Independent School District recently agreed to delay construction of a $2 million elementary school until 2013. District officials expect a decrease in total revenue and an increase in expenditures in 2011, which makes delaying some spending necessary, said Superintendent Guy Sconzo.

Madison County sheriff Douget resigns for health reasons
After six weeks of sick leave, Madison County Sheriff Dan Douget announced on New Year's Eve that he was retiring due to health problems. He was two years into his fourth term. Before being elected sheriff in 1998, Douget worked for the Department of Public Safety.

Chief Deputy Paul Cannon has been serving as interim sheriff since Douget took leave.  County officials will appoint a new sheriff in the "not-too-distant future."

Denison committee recommends nearly $80 million bond election
Denison Facilities Committee members recently agreed to recommend to Denison Independent School District board members to schedule a $79,744,591 bond election this year.

Ripple announces retirement as

superintendent of Brazosport ISD
Superintendent Joe Ripple (pictured) of Brazosport Independent School District recently announced he is retiring effective June 30.

Ripple began his employment at Brazosport ISD in 2006. He previously served as assistant superintendent for Cleburne ISD.

Alan Seay stepping down as superintendent at Van Alstyne Superintendent Alan Seay recently agreed to resign as superintendent of the Van Alstyne Independent School District after reaching an agreement with trustees. Board members appointed Assistant Superintendent Rick DeMasters to serve as the acting superintendent. Seay began working for Van Alstyne ISD in October 2006.

Trustees are expected to discuss the next step in searching for an interim superintendent or a new superintendent at their next meeting.

New rules for commercial construction begin in El Paso
After winning approval by El Paso City Council members in September, new building standards primarily for buildings with four or more units took effect on Jan. 1. The regulations apply only to new construction and not for buildings already permitted, according to city officials.

The majority of the new building regulations are aimed at buildings of 120 feet and taller. The new standards include requirements for more exits, more stairwells and larger elevators to handle fire and rescue equipment including gurneys. Another new regulation requires that restaurants with an indoor capacity of 300 or more must have sprinklers installed in the indoor space.

Also affecting contractors will be an increase in bonding and insurance requirements. The bonding requirement rose from $10,000 to $50,000 and minimum liability insurance increased from $50,000 to $100,000.

Shirley assumes post as new president of Clarendon College
Dr. Phil Shirley (pictured) recently assumed his post as president of Clarendon College, the oldest college in the Panhandle region. Shirley replaced Dr. William R. Auvenshine, who retired as president in December 2010.

Shirley previously served as president of Southeastern Arkansas College in Pine Bluff. He also served as the Dean of Instruction at Clarendon College from 1986 to 1990. Shirley also said he will temporarily assume the duties of the Dean of Instruction until July, when he hopes to fill the position to replace Debra Kuhl, who resigned.

Potosi VFD wins $50,863

grant to upgrade radios
The Federal Emergency Management Agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently awarded the Potosi Volunteer Fire Department a $50,863 grant to buy new radios and accessories.

The Potosi VFD is required to provide $2,677 in funding to qualify for the grant that will be used to replace handheld radios, batteries, battery conditioners and buy new cases for the handheld radios, said Fire Chief Aaron Maxwell. The department also received a $144,875 federal grant in December to buy a new brush truck to replace the department's 44-year-old brush truck, Maxwell said.

Galveston County hires new housing, facilities directors
Galveston County commissioners recently selected Brenda Bock to replace James Wilson as the director of the county's Hurricane Ike disaster housing program and Jim Gentile as the assistant director for the housing program. County commissioners also hired Lanny Brown as the director of community services and Freeman Mendel as the facilities director. After taking office, new commissioners terminated nine county employees, including the director of human resources.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Bock most recently served as an accounting manager for a contracting firm. Gentile served as an executive with a market sensor supplier in Houston and Brown was a field director for the Boy Scouts of America. Mendel is a former employee of the county auditor's office.

Bonham approves plan for

new $1.1 million city hall
Bonham City Council members recently approved a contract with an Irving-based construction company to build a new $1.1 million city hall.

The new 11,000-square-foot city hall is designed to provide better security, be more efficient and have a council room large enough to accommodate more than a hundred citizens, said City Manager Corby Alexander. Once the new city hall is completed, police department employees will expand into the space once used as the city hall, Alexander said.

Hardy to retire as assistant

city manager in Grapevine
Assistant City Manager Tommy Hardy (pictured), who led development activities in Grapevine for almost 30 years, recently announced he is retiring from that post on Feb. 1.

Hardy, who in the 1980's created the city's master plan, has helped attract major developments such as a discovery center, an aquarium, a resort and a lodge to the city during his tenure. Hardy previously worked as a building inspector for Terrell before accepting a similar position in Grapevine.

City officials do not plan to fill the second assistant city manager position because of budget constraints, the city manager said.

Harris County Awards $9.7

million in grants for port security
Harris County officials recently awarded $9.7 million in grant funds to organizations to improve security at the Port of Houston and the Port of Galveston.

Littlefield hopes for new tenant for closed detention center
Littlefield city official recently began keeping a close eye on a proposal to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to reopen the Bill Clayton Detention Center as an intermediate sanction facility. A private operator closed down the detention center in January 2009 after the Idaho Department of Corrections canceled a contract with the operator and moved prisoners to Oklahoma.

Since the detention center closed, city officials have struggled to maintain payments on revenue bonds the city issued to build the facility that opened as a juvenile detention center in 2000.

TDCJ officials issued a request for proposals in June to operate an intermediate sanction facility, which offers short-term housing to offenders who violate terms of their community supervision or paroles. The proposal has been on the agenda several times, but TDCJ officials have made no decision on the proposals, said City Manager Danny Davis of Littlefield. A decision could be made at the end of this month or in February, Davis said. If a contract is awarded at that time, the facility could be open in March.

Kendall County eyeing bond vote for $10 million road expansion
Kendall County Commissioners recently agreed to stage a series of five public meetings in January. Their goal is to raise public support for a $10 million countywide bond election in May to expand Herff Road.

An advisory panel created by the county and the city of Boerne urged the upgrade of Herff Road to ease congestion in downtown Boerne by diverting traffic traveling east on SH46 to IH10 to avoid the business district. The road expansion also would help the flow of vehicles exiting IH10.

Boerne city officials had requested county commissioners to issue certificates of obligation, but commissioners decided to ask voters to decide whether to proceed with the project. The public forums, which kick off today at the Kendalia Community Club and continue through Feb. 3, also will be held in Boerne, the county courthouse, the Bergheim Firehouse and at Comfort Park.

Orange reappoints four to key positions in city government
Orange city officials recently reappointed personnel to four key positions in the city. City officials reappointed Sherry Tisdale as city secretary, Paul Fukuda as city attorney, Jimmy Scales as associate municipal judge and Don Peters as municipal judge.

Frisco approves $257,250 for design of new fire station
Frisco City Council members recently approved $257,250 to pay for architectural and engineering services for a new fire station near the Frisco Lakes community.

Delaying construction on the new fire station could impact homeowners and business owners on the insurance policies if the city does not maintain two- to five-minute response time in the region west of FM 423, said City Manager Ron Patterson (pictured). Council members are expected to approve a construction management contract and equipment for the new fire station in late April, Patterson said.

Council members also approved their intent to sell about $8 million in bonds, with part of that funding to pay for the new fire station, a new fire engine and ambulance. 

Blinn College, Sealy officials

to discuss satellite campus
Officials of Blinn College and the city of Sealy are scheduled to meet on Jan. 12 to discuss the decision by college officials to allow their lease at a former outlet mall in Sealy to expire in May. Blinn officials are eyeing trimming up to $8 million from the college budget.

The director of the satellite campus in Sealy said the college will continue to operate at its current location until the end of the spring semester. Sealy officials are working on a plan to keep Blinn College operating in Sealy, the mayor said. The chairman of Blinn College also said college officials are looking at a way to keep the campus open and believe college officials can find a lease for less than the current $100,000 lease that expires in May.

• ERCOT Report on Existing and Potential Electric System Constraints and Needs
• Long-Term System Assessment for the ERCOT Region
• Texas Dept. of Insurance Biennal Report to the Legislature
• TxDOT Restructure Council - 'A Revitalization of TxDOT'

Rio Hondo trims down size

of proposed water plant
After deciding to scale down plans for a new water plant, Rio Hondo city officials recently agree to request a $2 million federal loan instead of the previously requested $3.6 million loan to pay for the new water plant.

Beeville taps DeLeon as city's new municipal clerk
Beeville City Council members recently appointed Elie DeLeon as the new municipal court clerk. DeLeon replaces Zenaida Silva, who will be the new district clerk in Bee County.

DeLeon began her career with the city in 1989 and left her position with Beeville in 1994 when she joined the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. She also worked at the Beeville Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety before her most recent employment with the Bee County District Attorney's Office.

Grayson County to seek

bids for new jail expansion
Grayson County Commissions recently agreed to seek bids for construction of a new $7 million jail addition and upgrades to the current facility. The deadline for submitting bids for the 96-bed jail addition and renovations is Jan. 26. County officials will then have 60 days to choose the winning bid.

Plans call for the new addition to be built first so that prisoners can be moved into the new facility while renovations are being done to the existing jail, county officials said.

Longview group begins street tours to study bond election
A Longview task force on city streets recently began touring streets and intersections to develop a priority list of road improvements to be included in a recommendation for a possible bond election this year.

Task force members last month trimmed down a list of recommended projects from $162 million to 10 projects totaling $66.1 million.  Among the projects still on the list is upgrading about 45 miles of oil-dirt roads that do not meet municipal standards.

The task force has scheduled two more meetings before reporting their findings to council members.

Pharr applies for funding

for three hurricane shelters
Officials in Pharr, located three miles east of McAllen in Hidalgo County, are seeking state and federal funds to build three shelters in time for the 2012 hurricane season.

Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have allotted money to pay for up to 12 shelters in Hidalgo County. The state and federal governments will pay for about 75 percent of costs, leaving Pharr's share at about $550,000.

Pharr officials want to build shelters to the maximum size, 20,000 square feet, so that each can fit 3,000 people during a short-term crisis and up to 750 people for longer periods of time. State plans for the shelters call for a dome shape, but Pharr Mayor Polo Palacios (pictured) wants to know if other, more attractive, shapes are possible

Money for the shelters, which Pharr would use as gyms and a community center during non-emergency times, must be awarded by April. If funded, the city must finish building by May 2012.