DSHS chooses Cole as associate commissioner of agency

Kirk Cole (pictured), a veteran of 20 years in state government - the last 11 in health and human services - has been named associate commissioner for the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). As associate commissioner, he will work closely with the commissioner regarding programs and operations of the agency and advising the commissioner on key DSHS issues.

Cole's public service career began when he served as assistant director of the Department of Student Health Services at Texas A&M University. He later was public information officer for the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and was involved in consolidation activities when TCADA and other agencies were being rolled into DSHS. When DSHS was formed out of that consolidation in 2004, Cole began serving the agency as director of governmental affairs and was later promoted to CCEA director. In 2007, he became director of consumer and external affairs, managing government affairs, communications, consumer affairs functions and other responsibilities for the commissioner's office.

Cole earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas A&M University.

Killeen voters recall mayor pro tem and four council members

Voters in Killeen, in the first recall election in the city's history, recently voted the mayor pro tem and four other council members out of office. Mayor Pro Tem Scott Cooper and council members Kenny Wells, Juan Rivers, Larry Cole and Billy Workman were recalled.

The recall will leave only the mayor and two city council members in office. With only three members, the council cannot form a quorum and cannot vote on city business until new council members are elected and sworn into office to replace the recalled members. City staff is set to canvass the votes on Nov. 17 to make the election results final. At that point, the five council members will be formally removed from their offices and a judge will decide on a new election date.

The mayor, who was not subject to the recall effort, said he and the two remaining council members plan to support the city in any way they can. He is concerned of the consequences if a catastrophe occurs or the city wins a grant award before a special election can be held. Interim City Manager Tim Hancock said city staff will continue to focus on their mission of delivering city services to residents.

Kelly to take on Information Resource Manager post at TDA

Ed Kelly (pictured), who has served as a project manager contractor with the Texas Department of Agriculture for the last two years, has been named Information Resource Manager for the agency, effective Nov. 21. Kelly brings a background in both the public and private sector to his new charge.

From 1991 to 2003, Kelly worked in the private sector, serving in a variety of technology roles from project manager facilities manager to director of operations. His first position in the public sector was as assistant chief of information management services for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) from 2003-2005, where he was also assistant CIO. He was named CIO of DPS in 2005 and served in that capacity until 2007, when he returned to the private sector. Cole returned to the public sector in 2009 in the project manager contractor post at TDA.

Cole holds an associates degree from Massasoit College in Brockton, Massachusetts, and a bachelor's degree from Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts.

Texas Lottery Commission officials recently began preparing a request for proposals from companies seeking a contract to produce scratch-off tickets.

Scratch-off tickets account for nearly 75 percent of sales for the Texas Lottery. The existing scratch-off contract is valued at $116.8 million, or about $16 million a year, a spokesman for the Legislative Budget Board said.

In 2011, overall lottery sales totaled about $3.8 billion, with about $1 billion returned to the state to pay for public education and the remaining spent for prize money, commissions for retailers and administrative expenses. GTECH Corp. last year won a nine-year contract valued at about $750,000 million, or $83 million a year, to operate the Texas Lottery.

RR Commission policy regarding employee firearms passes

Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman's recently proposed policy change that would allow employees of the Railroad Commission of Texas to carry concealed firearms while on the job was unanimously passed this week.

Employees must be in full compliance with the state's Concealed Handgun License (CHL) laws and can only carry the weapon while on state property and while in state vehicles. The policy change also allows licensed peace officers and security guards to carry their guns on state and personal property.

"During the normal course of performing their jobs, RRC employees often work alone in remote and desolate areas of the state where they may encounter criminals or dangerous wild animals," Smitherman said. "The least we can do is allow them to exercise their legal right to carry firearms in accordance with state law."

Texas Parks and Wildlife buys new 3,333-acre park

At a cost of $7.14 million, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials recently purchased 3,333 acres of land for a new state park located in Palo Pinto and Stephens counties. The purchase was made using proceeds from the recent sale of Eagle Mountain Lake State Park for $9.2 million, Parks and Wildlife officials said.

Texas A&M System officials recently announced that two top financial positions within the system are being realigned. Greg Anderson (left) will serve as chief financial officer and treasurer and B.J. Crain (right) will be reassigned as vice president for finance and chief financial officer for Texas A&M University.

Anderson previously was the chief investment officer and treasurer for the A&M System while Crain worked in a shared-services capacity as the chief business officer for the A&M System and as vice president for finance and chief financial officer for Texas A&M University. Both Anderson and Crain are beginning their new duties immediately, said TAMU System Chancellor John Sharp.

As chief financial officer for the system, Anderson will oversee financial accounting and financial oversight, tax and fiscal activities, the legislative appropriations process and the budget process. Anderson has a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University and has held his CPA license since 1984. In her new duties, Crain now will work full-time for Texas A&M University, where she will focus her attention rather than dividing time with the System office, Sharp said.

Texas State University-San Marcos officials recently selected Barbara Breier (pictured) as the new vice president for university advancement. Breier is scheduled to begin her new duties on Dec. 5 and will replace Ted McKinnon, who served as interim vice president for university advancement during the past year.

Breier is a senior vice president at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and previously held administrative posts at The University of Texas System, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and Hardin-Simmons University. She holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University, a master's degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas.

A&M Regents approve construction project for WTAMU

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents recently OK'd the construction of a new $35 million residence hall at West Texas A&M University in Canyon.

Construction on the four-story, 400-bed facility is expected to start in January and to be complete July 2013.

The new hall will be the third in the University's plan to provide updated students housing. Buff Hall was completed in 2008, and Centennial Hall opened this fall.

Gainesville ISD may share science center with NCTC

Officials of North Central Texas College (NCTC) and Gainesville Independent School District recently approved a land-use agreement for a proposed outdoor agriculture and environmental center on land owned by the school district.

Plans for the new facility are still preliminary as no budget or timelines have been adopted, said Eddie Hadlock (pictured), president of the college. Plans call for the proposed center to offer courses in pasture management and create demonstration land plots. These plots would put an emphasis on plant, soil, animal and human interactions such as soil science, agronomy, wildlife conservation and forage science, Hadlock said.

The land-use agreement calls for NCTC employees to harvest hay once a year from the 75 acres north of the football stadium and to maintain a mowed path for cross country runners from the school district. The agreement also provides access for school district students and staff to the learning center for classroom uses.

UT System poised to spend $34.9 million for computer security

All 15 of The University of Texas System academic and health campuses will benefit from the planned $34.9 million that will be spent for improvements to computer security within the System. The UT System Board of Regents this week approved spending endowment funds for the project, which will pay for equipment, software and salaries and benefits for eight new information security employees.

UT System officials said the move follows a consulting firm review that pointed out the risks of information security problems within the System. They said implementation of the security upgrades will likely take two to three years. The possible security risks were said to involve mobile devices, computer network monitoring, training and other issues.

Meyers new director of Division of Statistics, Scientific Computation

Officials at The University of Texas at Austin recently named Lauren Ancel Meyers (pictured) the director of the Division of Statistics and Scientific Computation (SSC). Meyers also serves as a professor in the Section of Integrative Biology.

In her new role, Meyers will aim to create one of the most innovative statistics programs in the world.

"My highest priority is to transform quantitative education so that every UT undergraduate is equipped with the intuition and computational skills required for understanding, communicating and problem-solving in today's world," she said.

Meyers is a pioneer in the field of mathematical epidemiology, with research ranging from tracking the influenza virus to tracing the spread of a virus in lions on the Serengeti.

Texas Enterprise Fund awards $650,000 for new pipeline facility

The Texas Enterprise Fund recently awarded $650,000 to Flexsteel Pipeline Technologies Inc. for a new $94.8 million, 280,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Chambers County, near Baytown. The company worked with the Baytown/West Chambers County Economic Development Foundation and the Governor's Division of Economic Development and Tourism to bring the project to Texas rather than Louisiana. Louisiana had previously been under consideration, the Chambers County judge said.

The new manufacturing facility, which will be located in an industrial park near Interstate 10, is expected to hire 130 new employees to work at the facility, a company representative said.

The company designs and manufactures a spooled pipeline material that claims to be more cost efficient to install and more durable than traditional steel pipe used for pipelines. The spooled pipe material also is anti-corrosive and meets the demand of offshore environments because of its steel core. Company officials expect to open the new manufacturing facility in 2012.

Palo Alto College awarded five-year, $4.1 million grant

Palo Alto College was recently awarded a five-year grant of $4.1 million to boost the number of students - particularly Hispanic and low-income students - who complete degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The grant, which comes through the United States Department of Education, will be used to improve faculty development and expand its seven-acre Science Exploration Lab Center.

"This grant will ease Palo Alto's funding cuts and will continue to help us provide services to our students," said college president Ana "Cha" Guzmán (pictured).

Baylor regents approve $120 million in capital improvements

The Baylor University Board of Regents recently OK'd $120 million in capital improvements, the largest investment in construction on the Baylor campus since in 2004.

The money, financed through the issuance of bonds, will go toward three projects:

• The East Village Residential Community, a new 700-bed residential complex and dining facility, will cost $70 million. Construction is expected to begin in March and open to students in August 2013.
• Renovations of the Marrs McLean Science Building are expected to cost $23 million and include adding more academic space for faculty and students plus a major update to the building's 350-seat classroom.
• Phase 2 of construction on the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC). This phase, which includes 45,000 square feet of research space, is expected to begin in early spring 2012 and be completed by spring 2013.

Lack of funding putting I-35 project in Dallas area on hold

Once again, a major transportation project has been put on a back burner because of lack of funding. The price tag for plans to rebuild I-35E from Dallas to Denton is so high - $4.7 billion - that TxDOT officials say private investors would have to be willing to shoulder probably $3 billion of that cost and it would have to be developed as a mixed project that includes toll lanes and numerous improvements. So far, officials have only identified approximately $600 million in public money for the project.

One alternative, however, is to scale back the project and build it in phases. Other options would have only toll lanes added to the project using the public money, creating a revenue stream that might be used to carry out other parts of the project.

UT officials confirm evaluation of possible new sites for offices

Officials with The University of Texas System have confirmed that they are evaluating several possible new sites to move its downtown office complex. The System currently has five buildings in downtown Austin from which its operations are run.

Among the sites under considerations, according to the Austin American -Statesman, are the Brackenridge tract in West Austin, the old Mueller airport site, the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin, the former Concordia University site on the west side of I-35 and other suburban areas.

Pampa moves forward on $300,000 grant to upgrade airport

Pampa City Commissioners took a step forward by giving preliminary approval to a $300,000 grant from the Pampa Economic Development Corporation to Gray County to pay for an upgrade to the Pampa airport.

The grant will be used to rebuild the Pampa Area Airport Aviation Administrative Building, the county judge said. The building needs upgrading to create a better impression for those flying into Pampa and Gray County, he said.

Robertson appointed as DCCCD associate vice chancellor

Officials at the Dallas County Community College District recently named John Robertson (pictured) of the Lone Star College System (LSCS) the new associate vice chancellor for business affairs. He succeeds Kim Green, who retired in August.

Robertson most recently served as associate vice chancellor-treasury at LSCS, where he oversaw debt and property tax management, cash and investments, budgeting, and state funding. He previously worked at Blinn College and Newberry College in South Carolina.

Robertson holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University and a master's degree from Houston Baptist University.

BexarMet ratepayers overwhelmingly vote to dissolve utility

Bexar Metropolitan Water District ratepayers recently voted 74 percent in favor of dissolving the utility and having it absorbed into the San Antonio Water System (SAWS).

BexarMet charges more for water and has a history of poor service and water pressure, voters said. Additionally, the utility has had a number of scandals including two general managers being indicted, employees accused of cheating on basic certification exams, money allegedly being stolen and financial records reportedly being altered.

BexarMet now will begin a process, which could take five months, to become part of SAWS. Under state law, most BexarMet jobs will be protected for two years.

Parkland board picks three candidates for interim CEO job

Parkland Memorial Hospital officials recently named the top three candidates for interim chief executive officer, a job that could last three to six months. The could name the interim CEO at their meeting today, Friday.

The trio includes:

• Otis L. Story, Sr. (left), a former CEO of Grady Health System in Atlanta;
• John A. Guest (center), president and CEO of Teaching Hospitals of Texas; and
• Dr. Thomas C. Royer (right), former CEO of CHRISTUS Health, a Catholic hospital chain based in Irving.

The interim chief replaces Ron Anderson, who has held the position since 1982. The interim CEO, who would receive Anderson's same salary of $606,070, will work with Anderson until his contract expires Dec. 31.

El Paso agrees to provide preferences for local vendors

El Paso City Council members recently agreed to allow city staff to select local vendors for contracts even if those local vendors are a little more expensive than vendors from out of town. The preferences, which were made possible by two changes in state law adopted by legislators this year, are available for construction contracts of $100,000 or less. Local vendors also must be no more than 5 percent more expensive than the lowest bidder from out of town to qualify for the preference.

Preferences also are available for other city contracts valued at $500,000 or less. These contracts call for local companies to be no more than 3 percent to 5 percent more expensive than vendors from out of town to qualify for a preference. The percentage used in the $500,000 contracts will be based on the type of work and other factors of the contract, city officials said.

Any contracts paid for with federal funding, however, are not eligible for local preferences as federal policy prohibits the use of local preferences in any federal contracts. To qualify for a local preference, the company must have an office within the city limits of El Paso and have at least three full-time employees. The city spent 55 percent of its $221 million budget on goods and services from companies located in El Paso during the last fiscal year.

Texas A&M System eliminates facilities-related position

Texas A&M System officials recently eliminated the position of chief facilities planning and construction officer.

Vergel Gay (pictured), who worked for the A&M System from 1993 to 1997 and returned in 2007, has held the position since last year.

Duties of the position will be absorbed by Greg Anderson, who has been named chief financial officer and treasurer for the System.

Cedar Park warns 11 neighborhoods of need for emergency district

Cedar Park city officials recently warned residents of 11 neighborhoods in nearby unincorporated areas to establish an emergency services district (ESD) to pay for firefighting services or risk losing fire protection they are now receiving from Cedar Park firefighters at no cost.

City council recently agreed that on Jan. 1, 2012, firefighters from Cedar Park no longer will respond to 911 calls in 11 neighborhoods, unless residents agree to establish an emergency services district to pay for those services.

Residents in affected unincorporated areas are expected to pay as much as 10 cents per $100 in property valuation each year to pay for the emergency services district if voters agree to create the emergency services district. The city and officials of the newly created emergency district will need to negotiate a contract to continue emergency services to the 11 neighborhoods if voters approve of its creation, city officials said.

Longview eyeing $1 million plan to rebuild rodeo arena

Longview city officials recently began considering a $1 million plan to rebuild the 60-year-old Longview Rodeo Arena after agreeing to shutter the current facility because of structural concerns.

The closure followed an engineering report that found corrosion and structural damage to the bleachers at the arena and construction deficiencies on all five grandstands. Restoring the rodeo arena and bringing it up to code standards would cost more than building another facility, according to the engineering report.

City officials are considering a $1 million plan to tear down and replace the grandstands, lighting and announcer's booth of the rodeo arena. Council members are expected to decide in December whether to proceed with the plan calling for aluminum bleachers that will seat as many as 5,000 people, said Keith Bonds, public works director for the city. If that plan is approved, construction on the new facility should be completed by mid-April, in time for the next event scheduled for the facility, Bonds said. Current plans, however, do not contain provisions to pay for upgrades to parking, restrooms or concessions and council members must review and approve before those upgrades can occur, he said. Legislators approved a bill to permit Longview and Tyler to raise their hotel-motel tax from 7 percent to 9 percent to raise additional revenue that may be used to pay for the upgrades that remain unfunded.

Allen ISD approves $2.6 million to expand middle school project

Allen Independent School District trustees recently agreed to allot an additional $2.6 million to pay for adding 2,800 square feet of space to the Ereckson Middle School expansion project.

The project will add 16,600 square feet of additional space to the middle school campus and includes 15 classrooms, four new laboratories, a workroom, a lounge for teachers and a new 115-space parking lot, said Mark Jones (pictured), board member.

Now estimated to cost $5.8 million, voters approved a $2.6 million bond proposal to pay for the two-story expansion project. Trustees plan to use part of $10.7 million in savings from other construction projects that came in under budget to pay the additional $2.6 million cost of the larger project, Jones said. Plans call for construction to begin in January 2012 and be completed by August 2012.

Amarillo to kick off construction of $608,000 education center at zoo

Amarillo city officials plan to seek bids within a month for a proposed $608,000 education center at the Amarillo Zoo.

Plans call for the new indoor-outdoor facility to include an interactive classroom to hold 75 students, housing for animals that zoo personnel bring in for educational programs, a conference room and offices along with an outdoor classroom to seat about 75 persons.

To pay for the education facility, city officials plan to use $270,000 in admission fees collected during the last two years, $152,000 in private donations, an $86,000 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, $40,000 from the Amarillo Zoological Society, $26,000 from two energy grants, $25,000 from the Bivins Foundation and $25,000 in city funds. City officials expect to award a contract in January 2012, begin construction in March and complete the project in late summer.

Bangs may use wastewater to irrigate city and school facilities

Bangs City Council members recently approved a $5,000 contract with an engineering firm to assist with applying to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for a permit for the use of effluent wastewater to irrigate city and school facilities.

Between 2 million and 4 million gallons of treated wastewater is released each month into a nearby creek that could be better used to irrigate the city's baseball field, the city park, the school district football field and the school district baseball field, said City Administrator Leo Smith. Plans call for installing transmission lines to carry the treated wastewater to the city and school district properties, Smith said. The project, which would reduce the amount of water withdrawn from Lake Brownwood, could be done in phases over several years, he said.

School district officials have expressed interest in buying the wastewater for irrigation at about half the cost of using treated water, he added. City officials plan to seek a state grant to pay about 90 percent of the cost of the project that could range from $135,000 to $800,000, Smith said.

North Texas water district mulling $300 million water pipeline project

Officials of the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) recently began discussions on whether to build a $300 million, 42-mile-long pipeline to transport water from Lake Texoma to a water treatment facility at Lake Lavon. It would ensure an adequate water supply for residents of Royse City and other area cities.

Tom Shipp, the city manager of Royse City, said plans for the proposed water pipeline are being accelerated because of the extreme drought threatening area water supplies. The drought has reduced the water supply capacity at Lake Chapman to 35 percent and to 52 percent at Lake Lavon.

The water pipeline also is needed because a new lake is being built near Bonham, Shipp said. If officials decide to proceed, the pipeline project should be completed in about 22 months. NTMWD board members most likely will make a decision in March or April when the results of preliminary engineering are available, he said. 

Kerrville city officials recently began reviewing eight bids submitted to build a new 15,000-square-foot city hall on donated land at the intersection of SH16 and SH27.

The lowest of the bids received for the two-story city hall project is $2.4 million, which is within the spending limit set by council, said Mayor David Wampler (pictured). The new city hall will replace the current small and outdated municipal office two miles west of the new site, he said.

Officials of Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) recently handed out awards to five groups and individuals for their efforts in promoting clean air through energy efficiency. ESL is a division of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station and part of The Texas A&M University System. Officials announced the awards at the annual Clean Air Through Energy Efficiency (CATEE) conference in Dallas.

Receiving the CATEE awards were:

• City of San Antonio for outstanding government organization;
• Sen. John Carona for outstanding governmental official;
• CLEAResult for outstanding commercial enterprise; and
• Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity for outstanding nonprofit organization.

ESL officials also presented The Gregg Cooke Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership to State Rep. Rafael Anchia. The CATEE conference is held with the cooperation of the EPA/DOT/HUD Partnership for Sustainable Communities and the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

A new landscaping ordinance recently approved in El Paso requires more trees and shrubs to be planted along streets and parking lots to reduce dust, shade concrete and help lower energy costs.

The new landscaping rules should create more attractive outdoor spaces that will welcome shoppers and tourists, said Susie Byrd (pictured), a city council member. The new code, which increases the amount of required landscapable areas in new development from 7.5 percent to 15 percent, is similar to landscape codes developed by several Arizona cities, she said.

The new code requires developers to plant more trees on parkway strips between sidewalks and streets and increases the number of trees required on the frontage landscape buffer, the number of plants that must be planted for landscaped areas within the property and the number of trees required per parking space, Byrd said.

Brownsville port trying again for $20M TIGER grant for new dock

Following two previous failed attempts, Port of Brownsville officials recently agreed to apply for a third time to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a $20 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. The funding will be used to pay for a $28.7 million project to build a new cargo dock, buy a mobile harbor crane and equipment for moving shipping containers for the port.

The Brownsville & Rio Grande Railroad and port officials plan to contribute $6.7 million in matching funds as required by the terms for TIGER III grants for transportation-related projects to help stimulate the economy. The dock project is ready to go and could break ground as early as the second quarter of 2012 if the federal grant is approved, port officials said.

Officials of The Fort Worth Transportation Authority and the Regional Transportation Council of the North Central Texas Council of Governments recently began talks on a $2.3 million plan to test commuter rail service from downtown Fort Worth.

The pilot program for commuter train service from downtown to the Alliance area is expected to operate on an existing railway line. The proposed commuter trail will provide transportation services to unemployed workers in Fort Worth to find and maintain employment with businesses in the Alliance area looking for employees, said the director of transportation for the city. The proposed commuter rail line also could provide transit to special events at the nearby Texas Motor Speedway, supporters said.

The Houston Independent School District significantly lowered its costs for construction and maintenance while improving service to schools by reducing overtime for employees, restructuring contracts and cutting back energy consumption, said Leo Bobadilla (pictured), chief operating officer for the district.

The Construction and Facility Services (CFS) Department reduced overtime for maintenance and operations by 60 percent, resulting in a savings of $5.2 million, while restructuring contracts brought in $3 million in savings, Bobadilla said. The district also realized $2.8 million in savings by reorganizing departments and $935,000 in savings by installing energy-efficient equipment and instituting a four-day work week during the summer, he added.

To accomplish these savings, CFS staff worked with district personnel to develop more teamwork and adopted a no-excuses policy to increase customer satisfaction ratings by more than 50 percent, Bobadilla said. Additionally, CFS personnel are overseeing or completed construction on 85 projects and are managing another 64 projects in the design or bid phase during the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The district also expects 29 additional projects to enter the design phase during the next year. CFS oversees more than 29 million square feet of property for HISD.

Beeville to begin work on new baseball park complex

Work is scheduled to begin in December on a proposed $3.2 million park improvement project, a consultant for the city recently told Beeville Economic Improvement Corporation board members.

The project will begin with soil testing and finding the location for new football fields to be built on the property of Moreno Middle School, the consultant said. A meeting with city council, board members for Coastal Bend College and Beeville ISD officials is planned to discuss some changes in athletic facilities for A.C. Jones High School and the college, he said.

While the city has about $3.2 million allotted for the project, some items are so expensive that work on some projects may be postponed, the consultant said. Officials allotted $200,000 for a proposed skate park, but have not yet selected a location, he said. Building a proposed water park also may be placed in Plan B until city staff determines if funding is available. The goal is to finalize the agreements between the city, school district and college by Nov. 29, he said.

Eagle Ford Shale Forum slated in San Antonio for Dec. 6

In a recall vote in Jasper, voters recently ousted two of the three African-American members of the city council. Voters cast ballots to recall Willie Land and Terrya Norsworthy as council members, but Tommy Adam will remain on the city council. The U.S. Justice Department monitored the election to ensure federal election laws were observed.

The recall drive was led by voters who accused the three African-American council members of incompetence and misconduct for hiring the first African-American to serve as police chief in Jasper. Supporters of the council's decision filed suit in federal court to stop the recall election, but failed in that attempt.

Trustees for Del Valle Independent School District recently selected Kelly Crook (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. Crook has served as interim superintendent for that district since June, following the retirement of former Superintendent Bernard Blanchard.

Crook, who has been with the Del Valle district for nine years, also has served as the assistant superintendent for finance and previously worked as an assistant principal at Leander ISD and a teacher at Dallas ISD and Frisco ISD and at the Texas Education Agency. She has a Ph.D. from The University of Texas.

After setting a goal of selecting a new superintendent by the end of October, trustees for the Lake Travis Independent School District recently delayed making that decision for a few weeks to ensure the most qualified candidate from the 59 applicants for the job is selected.

The new superintendent will replace former Superintendent Rocky Kirk, who left in July. The new superintendent should begin work in early January 2012, the president of the board said.

Corpus Christi to decide on design contract for project

Corpus Christi City Council members are expected to decide this week on a proposed contract with a San Francisco-based company to design Destination Bayfront. The project is a 27-acre entertainment attraction to be developed on city-owned space along Shoreline Boulevard in a public-private partnership between the city and the Destination Bayfront organization.

City officials expect to use part of $4 million in funds remaining from a 2008 bond issue to pay for the design contract that includes how the project will be completed and its estimated price tag. Destination Bayfront officials plan to use the design plan to find private funding for the entertainment facility.

Hitchcock ISD to kick off

search for new superintendent

After failing to convince interim Superintendent Lee Knapp to assume the post permanently, trustees for the Hitchcock Independent School District recently agreed to begin a search for a new superintendent.

Board members appointed Knapp to serve as interim superintendent after former Superintendent Michael Bergman retired in March 2011. Several board members asked Knapp to remain on the job. A former principal and teacher with the district, Knapp urged trustees to begin the search for a new superintendent soon and agreed to help board members select the new superintendent.

Paris EMS asks city for new, larger EMS station in north area

The director of the Paris Emergency Medical Services recently requested Paris City Council members to build a new EMS station to replace an EMS station in the north that is too small to accommodate current operations.

The EMS director asked council to hire an architect to design and develop bid specifications to replace the current EMS station attached to the North Campus of the Paris Regional Medical Center. Council members said as long as it is determined that no other buildings exist in the city that can be used as an EMS station, they are willing to proceed with the request.

Judges appoint Rea as

new DeWitt County Auditor

Three district judges recently appointed Carrie M. Rea to serve as DeWitt County Auditor. She will replace Barbara Foegelle, who retired from that post. Foegelle, who served as assistant auditor for the county for 17 years, assumed her new post on Nov. 1.

Killeen mulling creating position of child safety coordinator

Killeen city officials are considering creating the position of child safety coordinator to oversee a network of volunteers to protect students between home and school. The vote came following the abduction and sexual assault of two students in the last year.

The new child safety coordinator would earn about $35,000 annually and work with the police department on other programs. The decision resulted from meetings with school, city and police officials to improve safety at school bus stops and while traveling between school and home, said former council member JoAnne Purse. She estimated the city will need more than 2,000 volunteers to monitor the 1,400 bus stops used by the school district. 

Possible upcoming bond issue part of Brazosport forum

Brazosport school district officials are considering a bond issue of up to $40 million to finance building repairs and technology improvements.

The money would pay to fix leaky roofs, make buildings more energy efficient, and move toward online textbooks.

"We must be accountable for our students," said Superintendent Karin Holacka (pictured). "We need to listen to their needs."

Killeen ISD reviews revised plans for $6 million science lab project

Killeen Independent School District trustees recently reviewed revised design plans for a $6.6 million project to build 16 new science laboratories at four high schools.

District officials plan to use a $5 million grant from the Texas Education Agency that requires that the labs be completed by June 2013 to pay for the 16 new science laboratories.

Midland approves $170,000 contract to help reduce water use

As the drought in Texas continues to threaten water supplies, the Midland City Council recently approved a $170,000 contract with a consulting company to help the city convince residents to conserve water. The company has successfully worked with other areas in water conservation efforts and developing water incentive programs, said Jim Nichols (pictured), assistant city manager.

Plans call for the consultant to provide council members with recommendations tailored to Midland on ways to reduce water consumption that can be implemented within the next year, Nichols said. The consultant is scheduled to deliver the water conservation recommendations this spring.

Alpine ISD picks White as lone candidate for superintendent

The Alpine school board recently named Sul Ross graduate Stephen White (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. The board can officially hire White on Nov. 24 under state law.

White, who has served as superintendent of the Granger district for three years, succeeds Jose Cervantes, who stepped down for the top job at the Edgewood district.

White previously served as superintendent in Aspermont and as principal in the Grandfalls-Royalty and Fort Stockton school districts.

Champion principal selected

to be next BISD superintendent

The Boerne school board recently named high school principal David Stelmazewski the lone finalist for superintendent. The board will meet Nov. 28 to officially name Stelmazewski superintendent to succeed John Kelly, who resigned to become Pearland superintendent.

Stelmazewski, who has more than 30 years education experience, has served as principal of Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School since 2008. Before to coming to Boerne, Stelmazewski served as principal of a high school and middle school in Harlandale.

Stelmazewski holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Eastern Illinois University.

South San board votes to fire Superintendent Durbon

The South San Antonio school board recently voted to terminate Superintendent Ron Durbon (pictured), who came under fire for his handling of allegations that his son, athletic director Gary Durbon, viewed pornography on a district computer.

The superintendent has been on paid administrative leave since April.

The decision to fire him comes a week after a state-appointed examiner found the board has just cause to fire Durbon, who has been superintendent since 2005 and also from 1993 to 1998. The examiner said Durbon should have launched an investigation into how pornography is accessed on district computers, and also that Durbon breached his contract when he secured a restraining order against two board trustees.

Rockwall takes step to terminate Couch as city manager

Rockwall City Council members recently authorized the drafting of a resolution to terminate the contract of Julie Couch as city manager, a position she held for 18 years. Couch began her employment with the city as an administrative assistant in 1979. Council members expect to vote on the termination of Couch at their meeting on Nov. 21.

Council members also named Assistant City Manager Rick Crowley as interim city manager. Crowley began his employment with Rockwall in 1984 as an administrative assistant. 

City Council votes Vossmer out

as Angleton city manager

Angleton City Council members recently agreed to end the city's contract with City Manager Melissa Vossmer (pictured) with a "unilateral severance" package that includes an agreement to pay $64,000 on the remaining six months of her contract. Previously a city manager in Angel Fire, New Mexico, Vossmer became city manager in Angleton in May 2010.

Clear Creek ISD awarded

for fueling a greener future

The Clear Creek school district recently captured an award for transitioning its bus fleet to compressed natural gas, which is the cleanest burning of the conventional fuels.

The district, which has 54 compressed natural gas buses, was one of four districts in the Houston area to win the award given by the Houston-Galveston Area Council.

The district paid to convert the buses from diesel to cleaner fuels with grants from the Houston-Galveston Area Council and BP.

City taking bids to demolish old El Paso Saddleblanket building

El Paso officials have OK'd the demolition of an empty downtown building with hopes that the space will become an arts development.

The city will accept bids until Nov. 23 for demolition of the 30,000-square-foot building, which abuts the DoubleTree Hotel. City officials want the building gone by early 2012.

A Minneapolis nonprofit group has plans to build an artist community in the space, which would feature galleries on the ground floor and up to 70 apartments with workspaces on top floors, Mayor John Cook (pictured) said. 

Llano approves $2 million loan for community facility project

Llano City Council members recently agreed to allow the Llano Economic Development Corporation to borrow up to $2 million to pay for construction of the Community Facility Project.

The council also agreed to appoint a marketing committee or planner to help with marketing the facility. Plans call for building an arena that can host various events, said Doris Messer of the LECD board. The facility should be completed in April 2012.

Lake Travis school trustees name Lancaster for superintendent

The Lake Travis school board recently named Brad Lancaster (pictured), head of the Midway district, the lone finalist for superintendent. State law mandates that the board wait 21 days to sign a contract.

The Midway district, located in the Waco area, is similar to the Lake Travis school district in size, demographics, growth and academic and extracurricular success. Lancaster comes to the district after voters approved a $158 million bond issue that goes toward campus renovations and two new schools.

• Scott Fisher of Bedford, chair, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• John Brieden III of Brenham, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Joseph Brown of Sherman, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Carol Bush of Waxahachie, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Jane Anderson King of Canyon, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Rob Kyker of Richardson, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Michael Meade of Simonton, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Mary Lou Mendoza of San Antonio, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Rene Olvera of San Antonio, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Laura Parker of San Antonio, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Jimmy Smith of Midland, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Calvin Stephens of Dallas, Texas Juvenile Justice Board;
• Melissa Weiss of Bellville, Texas Juvenile Justice Board.

Burnet CISD continues search

for interim superintendent

Trustees for the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District recently agreed to continue their search for a new interim superintendent after one of the four applicants for the job withdrew to accept another position.

Trustees are continuing interviews with three of the candidates and may select one of those applicants or continue the search for an interim superintendent, district officials said.

Fort Worth school board own worst enemy in leader search

Consultants for Fort Worth's superintendent search recently told board trustees that their bickering could prove the greatest obstacle to finding the best leader.

The best candidates are likely successful in their current district and would not want to move into a fractured and politically-charged environment, said consultant Rod Paige (pictured), former U.S. Education Secretary and former Houston ISD superintendent.

In recent months, the board has argued about gas drilling, the delinquent tax collection contract and redistricting.

Air Force will cut civilian jobs

at San Antonio bases 

Following a strategic review, the Air Force plans to cut about 9,000 civilian jobs - 1,058 of those at three San Antonio installations - and add 5,900 positions in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, nuclear enterprise and purchasing.

Most of the eliminated jobs are in areas such as management, staff and support elements.

Air Force officials don't yet know where the new jobs will be located.

Mitchell County voters recently approved the issue of $8 million in bonds to pay for construction of a new jail, but rejected another bond proposal to pay for a new district courtroom. County officials plan to begin construction on the new jail in spring 2012, the county judge said.

Missouri City selects Broussard

as its new city manager

City council members in Missouri City recently selected Edward A. Broussard (pictured) as the new city manager to replace Frank Simpson, who resigned to be an assistant city manager in College Station.

Broussard now serves as city manager in Hutto. He previously was city manager in Navasota and an assistant city manager in Woodway and College Station. Broussard has a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and a master's degree from Texas Tech University.