Volume 6, Issue 45 · Friday, November 7, 2008 | |
Texans approve $3.8 billion in bond fundingVoters ignore nation's financial climate to support local projectsTexans had more on their minds this week than just national politics as voters approved more than $3.8 billion in local bond elections. On Tuesday, voters across the state largely ignored the nation's financial climate and approved funding for capital improvement projects such as facilities and infrastructure construction/renovation projects, park improvements, technology and other large purchases. In total, voters approved at least one proposition in 48 of the 63 November 2008 bond proposals, or 85 percent of the total dollars. The largest and highest profile initiative on the November ballots was a $747 million bond election in Dallas County to replace Parkland Memorial Hospital (pictured) with a new, larger facility. Voters approved the measure overwhelmingly with 82 percent in favor. The bond funding will cover approximately 60 percent of the $1.3 billion facility with the remaining cost to be covered by hospital revenues and private donations. The hospital is tentatively scheduled to be completed in 2014. Here are a few additional bond proposals of note that passed Tuesday:
For a comprehensive list of bond proposals that passed or failed Tuesday, click here. Krause named to CPA's Property Tax Assistance DivisionFormer Comal County official selected as new assistant directorComal County Tax Assessor-Collector Sherman Krause (pictured) has been named assistant director of the Property Tax Assistance Division of the office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The division, formerly known as simply the Property Tax Division, has been reassembled to ensure efficiency and transparency in the agency's property tax functions and provide assistance to appraisal districts with an emphasis on service. It will move out of the Local Government Assistance and Economic Analysis Division and become a stand-alone division at the Comptroller's Office. State Comptroller Susan Combs said Krause "knows first-hand how challenging it can be for local governments to carry out complex property tax laws and state reporting requirements." She went on to say that Krause's experience will benefit the Property Tax Assistance Division's efforts to fulfill its charges "to inform and advise local governments and taxpayers about property tax issues." [more]Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone StarsJennifer Sims, director of the Center for Consumer and External Affairs, Department of Family and Protective ServicesCareer highlights and education: Responsible for government, media, consumer and stakeholder relations at the Department of Family and Protective Services for the last six years. Before that I worked for a long-serving Texas senator in both his district and capitol offices for seven years, covering health and human services issues and constituent services. Prior to moving to the public sector I worked in child psychiatry for six years at the Children's Hospitals in two major cities, Denver and Dallas. I hold a BS in psychology and a Master's degree in social work. What I like best about my job is: The opportunity to work on both big picture issues and individual cases. That connection to actual cases helps to maintain my perspective and allows me to do my part to carry out our agency's mission. The best advice I've received for my current job is: Be flexible and learn to adjust your priorities based on what the day brings. Advice I would give a new hire in my office: There are always two sides to every situation (and sometimes even more than two). So don't be quick to decide you know everything until you have heard from everyone involved. If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: Heading to Dallas to see my family. People would be surprised to know that I: am generally a bit shy although my job requires me to be outgoing and to talk to many people. One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: That while you may know us for our Child Protective Services program, we have three other programs. We protect adults through Adult Protective Services, children through regulation by Child Care Licensing and prevent abuse and neglect through our Prevention and Early Intervention program. Lastly, that we have the best mission in state Government, We Protect the Unprotected. Each week, the Texas Government Insider profiles a key government executive or decision-maker. If you would like to suggest a "Lone Star," please email us at editor@spartnerships.com. Obama picks UT-Brownsville's Garcia for transition teamDr. Juliet Garcia (pictured), president of The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, has been tabbed by President-elect Barak Obama as part of his transition team as he prepares to assume the presidency in January 2009. "I am greatly honored to have been invited to take part in the historic transition of our young democracy," Garcia said in a statement this week. Garcia is no stranger to advising presidential transition, as she was a member of President Bill Clinton's transition team. Obama met Garcia on a campaign swing through the Brownsville area in February. As the first Mexican-American female in the country to be named president of a college or university, Garcia is expected to advocate not only for Texas and South Texas but for higher education as well. $3 billion in federal counterterrorism grants availableSome $3 billion in federal counterterrorism grant funding for Fiscal Year 2009 has been announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be available to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Numerous changes have been made regarding the requirements for securing some of the funding. The funding for next year is in line with similar amounts over the last few years. The competition for the funding will be fierce, as many states are facing financial problems related to the downturn in the national economy. DHS has loosened rules to allow grant recipients to spend up to 50 percent of some homeland security grants for personnel expenses, up from 25 percent; has eased a 25 percent local-match requirement for rail, transit and port security aid; and lifted a three-year limit on funding for intelligence analysts in law enforcement "fusion" centers, which police chiefs nationwide have requested. [more]Three appointed to state advisory panel on federal regsBryan W. Shaw (left), Barry T. Smitherman (center) and Michael Williams (right) have been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the newly created Texas Advisory Panel on Federal Environmental Regulations. The panel's charge is to assess the potential impact to Texas of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed framework for regulating greenhouse gas emissions through the Clean Air Act. Shaw, of Bryan, serves as a commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and is an associate professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department of Texas A&M University. Shaw will serve as chair of the panel. Smitherman, of Austin, has served as chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission since 2004. A former Harris County prosecutor and professor at the University of St. Thomas, Smitherman will serve as vice-chairman of the task force. Williams, of Austin, is chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas, where he has served since 1999. He will also serve as vice-chairman of the task force. Governor's Mansion renovation: more than two yearsRenovation of the historic Governor's Mansion in Austin will likely begin sometime next year, with a completion of the project expected to take more than two years. Some five months ago, much of the mansion was heavily damaged by a fire determined to be arson. Dealey Herndon (pictured), who is project manager for the mansion renovation, said she expects the structure to be restored to its original state before it was damaged by the fire. More than $1.8 million in funding has already been pledged to the renovation, although officials declined to speculate on what the renovation process total might be. First Lady Anita Perry is spearheading the fundraising effort, but Herndon expects most of the costs of the renovation to be paid by legislative appropriations. A reward of $50,000 has been offered for information that leads to an arrest of the person or persons responsible for the fire. A video surveillance camera at the mansion on the night of the fire captured the image of an individual who reportedly tossed something akin to a Molotov cocktail at the door of the mansion. The video and all leads are still being investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. TCEQ expands computer recycling Web siteAn expansion of TexasRecyclesComputers.org, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) computer recycling Web site, now features even more options for recycling computers in Texas. "Recycling is one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of computer equipment, and it is encouraging to see more participation in the program," said Mark Vickery (pictured), TCEQ executive director. The Web site is part of the new computer recycling program, created by House Bill 2714 in the 80th Legislature. The program requires computer manufacturers that sell in Texas to offer their consumers a convenient, free recycling program. Once a computer manufacturer submits a recycling plan that meets state requirements, it is added to the manufacturers list maintained on TexasRecyclesComputers.org. Those seeking to recycle a computer can go to TexasRecyclesComputers.org, find the computer brand on the list and click on the manufacturer's name. That will direct users to the manufacturer's recycling Web page. If a manufacturer is not on the list, TexasRecyclesComputers.org has other resources available to help recycle old computers. The Web site also contains additional information to promote computer recycling. Satellite technology to be used in highway tax studyAs participants in the $16.5 million Road User Charge Study, about 200 Central Texas motorists will road test a satellite technology system designed to register highway taxes, replacing the gas tax on gallons purchased. Participants' cars will be outfitted with global positioning system computers, the same satellite technology found in dashboard navigation systems. The volunteer motorists, paid $895 for their services, will receive a monthly simulated bill detailing their road-usage fees. Congress ordered the study in 2005 to test the technology and gauge motorists' reactions in six states. Even if the system passes muster, some critics doubt citizens would allow a government-monitored device in their vehicles. Jon Kuhl, the University of Iowa professor directing the study, acknowledging the hot-button privacy issue, said there was no way for the system to track individuals. Corpus Christi company to receive TETF fundsFor development and commercialization of a Cryosurgical device, CyroPen L.L.C. of Corpus Christi is set to receive $2 million from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF). CryoPen provides physicians with a simple, efficient tool to perform Cryosurgery, a non-invasive surgical technique that freezes destroyed or harmful skin tissue most often found in skin lesions. Skin lesion removal accounts for $3 billion of the yearly surgical market. CryoPen began rolling out its machine in April 2006 and has since sold more than 50 of the $8,000 units regionally. The company is now mounting a national rollout. The TETF, a $200 million initiative created by the Texas Legislature in 2005, has since allocated $115 million in funds to Texas companies and universities. Its 17-member advisory committee comprised of technology leaders, entrepreneurs and research experts recommends funding expenditures to the governor, lieutenant governor and Speaker of the House. TRC's drilling permit backlog reduction plan workingTexas Railroad Commissioners have announced that just four weeks after beginning their drilling permit backlog reduction program, processing times have been ramped up to three days for expedited permits and seven days for non-expedited permits. In early October, processing times had previously maxed out at 13 days and 40 days for expedited and non-expedited permits, respectively. Chairman Michael L. Williams said the commission's three-pronged approach to navigating the backlog of permit requests involved having staff work overtime on Saturdays, redeploying some staff to the drilling permit section and hiring outside contractors. The backlog reduction program is a short-term solution to handle the agency's drilling permits. During next year's legislative session, the commission will seek a long-term solution that includes $3.8 million to attract and retain personnel. TPWD seeks nominees for land steward awardsDeadline for this year's Lone Star Land Steward Awards is Sunday, Nov. 30. The awards, which recognize Texas private landowners who excel at habitat management and wildlife conservation, are sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Sand County Foundation. Award recipients in each of the state's 10 ecological regions receive $1,000, and the recipient of the Leopold Conservation Award receives $10,000 and the Leopold Crystal. Any individual landowner or organization may be nominated, although TPWD encourages nominations for landowners who have managed their property for a minimum of five years. Ranchers, farmers, foresters and wildlife management associations rank among past winners of the awards. TSLAC grants funds to four Texas library systemsFour Texas library systems are set to receive Library Cooperation Grants from the Texas Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC). The commission has approved more than $250,000 in grants to Texas A&M University-Commerce, University of North Texas Libraries, the Uvalde County Library System and the Weatherford Public Library. Library Cooperation Grants are geared toward developing private and public partnerships between libraries and other community-based organizations. This fiscal year TSLAC received nine grant proposals. Systems funded this year include: Texas &M University-Commerce ($74,060) for its small community libraries support measure titled "Heirloom: Something Worth Saving, Something Worth Sharing;" the University of North Texas Libraries ($60,403) for partnering with the Bartlett Activities Center and Historical Society of Bartlett to provide free online access to issues of the Bartlett Tribune between 1902 and 1978; Uvalde County Library System ($46,611) for the purchase and implementation of a library automation system; and Weatherford Public Library ($69,824) to increase resource sharing among Parker County libraries. For more information about the grants, click here. HHSC to build new call center in Rio Grande CityThe Texas Department of Health and Human Services (HHSC) recently announced the agency plans to open a new call center for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Rio Grande City. The new facility will provide 88 new jobs and should increase the ability for children in South Texas to receive the care they need by increasing outreach, providing assistance and coordinating services, state officials said. The Texas Facilities Commission plans to lease 9,988 square feet of office space for the call center. HHSC expects to announce the winning bid for leasing the facility in December and complete modification and open the facility for business in September 2009. Austin State School superintendent moves to DSHSAustin State School Superintendent Ross Robinson is stepping down to take a position at the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Robinson will join DSHS as director of the Program Services Section of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division. Robinson, who has held the post overseeing the school's residents and approximately 1,000 employees for two years, has been with the state for 23 years. Dave Ptomey, assistant superintendent at the Austin State School, will become acting superintendent, effective Nov. 17. The Austin school, operated by the Department of State Health Services, houses more than 400 adults with mental illness or disabilities. New director named for A&M's Cushing LibraryTexas A&M University libraries archivist David Chapman has been appointed director of the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives. Dean of University Libraries Colleen Cook said Chapman, who has overseen more than 30 million documents and 400,000 photographs for the Cushing Library, has long been associated with Texas A&M history and lore. She said Chapman is a natural choice to lead the library. Chapman holds a bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree from Texas A&M University. He will replace Steven E. Smith, who was promoted to Associate Dean for Collections and Services within the library system. UTEP announces two new administrative postsIrene Chavez (left) has been named Special Assistant for Human Resource Development at The University of Texas at El Paso and Robert Cole (right) has been named Associate Vice President for University Communications. Chavez has extensive experience in operations analysis, safety, recruiting, training and development and strategic planning after more than 20 years as a top health care operations executive, most recently as CEO of Providence Memorial Hospital. She holds degrees from the University of Phoenix and UTEP. Cole brings a long history of higher education marketing to his new communications position. His experience includes branding, advertising, public relations, Web site design, art direction, graphic design, crisis communications, sports information, photography and video production. He is also a former lobbyist and a former assistant women's collegiate basketball coach. He holds degrees from New York University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. UNT picks Monticino as interim dean for grad schoolDr. Michael Monticino has been named interim dean of the University of North Texas Robert B. Toulouse School of Graduate Studies, replacing Dr. Sandra Terrell, who has been appointed vice provost for academic outreach. Monticino, a mathematics professor at the university, serves as associate dean for administrative affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Biostatistics at UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth. Monticino joined the UNT faculty in 1990. Monticino holds a bachelor's degree and a doctoral degree from the University of Miami. A national search for his permanent replacement is under way. Everything's coming up 'green' at UTEPThe "green" environmental efforts at The University of Texas at El Paso - to reduce, reuse, recycle and recover - have now extended to the university's new bookstore. Much of the project includes eco-friendly design, materials and technology. The bookstore is one of the university's largest departments to participate in the UTEP campus recycling program. The store's carpet will be made of polyester carpet fibers that include 35 percent post-consumer content recycled bottles and 50 percent post-consumer recycled glass. Its fluorescent lighting will save up to 33 percent of energy used by traditional lights. Also, the smaller light size is produced with less glass, steel and phosphor. The new building's fiberboard, which is used for wall panels and furniture, will be made from a wheat straw bound by a polyurethane resin instead of formaldehyde. This will reduce formaldehyde emissions by 97 percent. The wheat straw in the fiberboard will reduce greenhouse gases because it does not heat as easily as other materials. Stambaugh named director of MSU centerJeff Stambaugh has been named director of the Munir Abdul Lalani Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise at the Dillard College of Business Administration at Midwestern State University. His first task is to organize the Lalani Distinguished Entrepreneur Speaker Series, which will match students interested in entrepreneurship with local business leaders to launch new ventures. Stambaugh said the focus will be on the key legal, financial and managerial challenges growing ventures face. Stambaugh earned a degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and is a 2001 fellow of the Weatherford Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. He is completing his doctoral degree at Texas Tech University. UTHSC-Houston announces new directors of CCTSDavid McPherson, M.D., (left) and Roberta Ness, M.D. (right), have been named director and co-director, respectively, of the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. McPherson serves as chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and Ness serves as dean of The University of Texas School of Public Health. The CCTS, created by a $36-million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health, is geared toward transforming how clinical and translational research is conducted. The center's aim is to enable researchers to provide new patient treatments more quickly and efficiently. McPherson holds a medical degree from the University of Alberta in Canada and completed his residency, internship and fellowship at Dalhousie University in Canada. Ness earned her medical degree from Cornell University School of Public Health. She serves as president-elect of the American College of Epidemiology and the Society for General Internal Medicine's 2008 Distinguished Professor of Women's Health. Galveston voters pass 4B tax extensionGalveston voters have overwhelmingly approved an extension of the city's half-cent economic development tax. The funds will give the city council approximately $4 million to allocate for infrastructure repair, beach and parks development and economic incentives. The 4B tax extension was rejected last year, and some officials feared a repeat of the defeat. City Manager Steve LeBlanc said the city needs the funds more than ever. Officials are hoping the quarter of the funds approved for beach projects - about $1 million - can be used to leverage grant money. Alone the funds will not cover a project replacing sand on beaches between 61st and 103rd streets, much of which was carved away by Hurricane Ike. SFA cites changes in staff at forestry, ag collegeDr. Michael Fountain (left) will take over as interim dean of Stephen F. Austin State University's Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture beginning Jan. 1, 2009. Fountain, a longtime professor and associate dean of the college, will replace Dr. Scott Bailey, who is retiring after 16 years with the college. He joined the SFASU faculty in 1972. Dr. James Kroll (middle) has been appointed the prestigious Henry M. Rockwell Chair of Forestry, where his new charges include developing an independently funded research program and providing leadership on national resource management issues. Kroll formerly served as director of the university's Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center (CRGSC). P.R. Blackwell (right), former assistant director of the CRGSC, will replace Kroll as the center's director. Austin task force seeks text message ban while drivingThe City of Austin's Public Task Force has approved a resolution recommending the city council broach City Manager Marc Ott about developing and vetting a proposal to ban text messaging while driving. The proposal would require motorists to use hands-free cell phone devices while driving. Council member Mike Martinez, who is leading the effort, said he has faced an onslaught of calls from motorists, pedestrians and cyclists requesting the measure. Martinez said the proposal "is just a step we can take to ensure the safety of our citizens." Task force member and president of the Central Texas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union Debbie Russell said she is wary of criminalizing another behavior, saying traffic laws already address erratic driving. UT Business Affairs picks new budget managerRon Rippe (pictured) has joined The University of Texas Office of Business Affairs as its new budget manager, replacing Eva Burnett, who has accepted a position at the university's San Antonio campus. Rippe will provide support for the budget office by preparing, developing and monitoring departmental budgets in addition to ensuring compliance by the office with UT System Board of Regents policies. Rippe holds both a bachelor's and master's degree from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. He previously served as chief financial officer of a bank in Kansas for 14 years before serving in managerial positions for a Texas book company. Metro seeks default payment waivers from bankersIn an attempt to dodge millions in default payments following of the collapse of American International Group (AIG), Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Metro) officials are meeting with several banks to seek waivers and extensions for default payments triggered by the AIG collapse. Between 2000 and 2003, Metro entered into agreements with banks to allow the transit authority to lease buses and other assets to banks, which could then permit the banks to claim depreciation of those assets as tax deductions and lease back the assets to transit agencies at reduced rates. AIG and other insurers guaranteed those payments from transit authorities to the banks. As the credit rating of AIG plummeted with the financial crisis, the lease agreements guaranteed by AIG fell into technical default because the agreements required a high credit rating. Metro officials estimate the transit authority may owe up to an additional $14 million in termination fees on the defaulted payment guarantees. A Metro spokesman also predicted that a resolution to the problem would be found as one bank already extended the deadline to Dec. 1 for Metro to find a new insurer to guarantee the lease payments. Similar agreements with AIG also impacted transit agencies in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Texas Police Chiefs Association names James presidentThe Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA) has named Chief David N. James (pictured) of the Carrollton Police Department its new president. The organization, founded in 1958, is geared to promote, encourage and advance the professional development of chiefs of police throughout the state. James served with the Dallas Police Department for 21 years before being appointed chief of the Carrollton Police Department in 1994. In 2001, James was appointed commissioner for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. He serves as vice chair of the advisory board for the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration. Wichita Falls approves five capital improvement projectsThe Wichita Falls City Council recently agreed to move forward with five capital improvement projects. The projects include:
Chair named for pediatric dentistry at UT Dental BranchSanford J. "Sandy" Fenton, D.D.S., (pictured) has been named chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. First on Fenton's agenda is to initiate an infant oral health program, expand community outreach and establish a "dental home," a place where a family can go for all of their dental health needs. Fenton said the concept driving the dental home proposal "goes beyond pediatric dental care." He said the idea is to address the whole of a child's needs by encouraging parents "to bring their child to their primary care physician for regular checkups and vaccinations." Fenton received his dental degree from New York University College of Dentistry and earned a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He most recently served as a tenured professor at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center's College of Dentistry. Tomball pulls plug on facility needs studyTomball City Council recently voted to stop a study that would have made recommendations for a new city hall and renovations to existing city facilities. Council in 2007 had approved a contract with an architectural firm to perform the facilities needs assessment study. The study to determine how big city hall should be and what to do with the current public works facility was almost complete except for construction and renovation cost estimates, city officials said. Because the city is not yet ready to fund such a large project, it was better to shelve the study now rather than spending resources to complete a study that would have to be updated in several years, said City Manager Jan Belcher. The study can be completed when city officials are ready to ask the community for a bond election, Belcher said. The remaining $24,000 on the contract with the architectural firm can be placed on hold and picked up when city officials decide to pursue funding for the project, council members said. Woodlands Township approves president's contractThe board of The Woodlands Township recently finalized the contract of Don Norrell (pictured) as the new president of the township. He previously had served as general manager of the Community Associations of the Woodlands and as a city manager in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He also was employed by the city of Irving. Until 2010, the president's duties include managing a staff of 25 employees focused primarily on public safety and economic development. In 2010, the president will inherit about 360 employees from the Community Associations of The Woodlands, which now provides such municipal services as recreation programs, environmental services, parks and the Neighborhood Watch. The Woodlands is transitioning from a community managed by property owners' associations to a special district in 2010 that will rely on property taxes, sales and hotel taxes rather than assessment fees. White Oak ISD seeks support for nature centerMike Gilbert, the superintendent of White Oak Independent School District, recently asked for community support for a new 23-acre nature center to enhance the learning experience for students. Students and teachers could use the nature center to be located behind White Oak Primary School for science projects such as studying aquatic life in ponds to observing animals and plants in their natural habitat, Gilbert said. The center would provide opportunity to get the children out of the classroom and doing hands-on experiments to help them apply principles they learned in books. Gilbert envisions a center with walking trails, ponds and a gazebo or pavilion area for students to use while working on projects, but gave no cost estimates. The Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Forestry Service has completed a feasibility study on how to develop the site without destroying its natural environment, Gilbert said. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Nature Center in Tyler also provided $49,992 to provide equipment and training to teachers regarding use of the nature center. He also hopes to obtain funding through donations and fundraisers and plans to form committees to help as the district has no funding budgeted for the nature center. Galveston group to hire Fred Micks as presidentThe Redevelopment Authority (RDA) of Galveston recently proceeded with plans to hire Fred Micks as the new president of the authority. Micks is a former chairman of the city's Finance and Fiscal Affairs Committee. Elizabeth Beeton (pictured), a city councilwoman and member of the RDA, supported hiring a new administrator, saying that city council members require more oversight and a new manager is critical to that task. Currently the RDA hires a consultant as its administrator. The same consultant also works for the tax zones, which has raised questions about a possible conflict of interest, she said. Tax zones use revenue from property taxes generated by new development within their borders to pay for public improvements like roads and water lines. The boards of each zone must ask the RDA for reimbursement for those projects. All four of the tax zones in Galveston are required to pay a 5 percent administration fee to the city, but only two must give 5 percent of revenue to the RDA. Beeton and Tarris Woods, also a member of the RDA and the city council, are meeting with Micks to negotiate salary and formalize the agreement. Ore City ISD buys land for new schoolTrustees for the Ore City Independent School District recently approved the purchase of 16 acres of land on U.S. 259 for a new elementary school. The property, which cost the district $142,200, is large enough to allow the district to expand in the future, said Superintendent Lynn Heflin. The new elementary is planned to accommodate up to 400 students in pre-kindergarten through third grade. The district plans to add fourth and fifth grade classrooms to the school in the future, Heflin said. Voters approved $8.5 million in bonds to pay for a new 50,000-square-foot elementary school that will include a cafeteria, a music room, computer lab, special education room, library, administrative areas and 19 classrooms. Duncanville moves ahead on Main Street planThe Duncanville City Council recently approved an $884,600 agreement with a consultant to prepare plans and specifications for Main Street improvements. While City Manager Kent Cagle said the engineering services will change the structure and character of Main Street, Councilman Paul Ford (pictured) cast the lone vote opposing the project, saying that by voting for the plan, city leaders were trading a suburban lifestyle for an urban lifestyle. Other council members, however, argued that by moving forward with the Main Street master plan, city officials are positioning the city in a good place when the economy improves. The city will be ready to take engineering bids in approximately 10 months, Cagle said. Mansfield delays expansion of activities centerThe Mansfield City Council recently delayed a $6.2 million expansion of the Mansfield Activities Center due to concerns that the center might not earn enough revenue to pay for the expansion because of the weakening economy. Until the project can be re-evaluated next year, Mansfield officials said they will negotiate with the school district to share athletic facilities. City officials had planned to begin construction on the expansion in early 2009. With the 20,000-square-foot expansion, the center, which opened in May 2001, would double in size and permit more features such as weight and cardiovascular training rooms, an aerobic dance area, a multipurpose room and more space for the senior center and attract more users. The postponement prompted Councilman Greg Kunasek (pictured) to remind the council of his support for the city to negotiate an agreement with the school district to allow more public use of gyms, athletic fields and other recreational facilities operated by school districts. Such an agreement could cost less than paying for an expansion of the city's activity center and the additional maintenance and personnel that would be required. Mansfield ISD Superintendent Vernon Newsom said the district would be open to discussion of such an agreement. TEA Commissioner co-hosts dropout summitEducation Commissioner Robert Scott, along with State Farm Insurance, is hosting the America's Promise Alliance Statewide Dropout Prevention Summit from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Austin Hyatt at Town Lake. Some of the nation's leading experts on dropout prevention will speak at the summit. For more information, click here. Howard Payne University gets $1M pledge for facilityHoward Payne University recently received a $1 million commitment to help pay for renovation of the school's historic, two-story former Coca-Cola bottling complex into a facility for its art program. Ed "Beezer" Day and his wife, Virginia, of Brown County, pledged the contribution to honor his mother, Doakie Day, a homemaker and artist who was a lifetime resident of the area. Dr. Lanny Hall (pictured), president of Howard Payne University, said the new art department facility will be named the Doakie Day Art Center in recognition of the family's gift to the university. The renovated center will house the Art Department and provide space for art exhibits and other community events, Hall said. Renovations on the bottling plant built in the 1920s are scheduled to begin by the end of the year. Get your free copy of the Texas Government InsiderThe Texas Government Insider is a free weekly newsletter. If you are not a subscriber, or if you would like to tell your friends or co-workers how to receive a free copy, click here. Permission to reproduce, reprintThis newsletter may be reproduced, and all articles within may be reproduced and/or reprinted without permission when credit is given to the Texas Government Insider, a publication of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Note to media:Need expert commentary on procurement issues relating to state government, city and county government, K-12 public schools, higher education or healthcare? Our consulting team has more than 300 years of high-level experience in decision-making among these government entities. Give us a call at 512-531-3900 and we'll arrange an interview for you with one of our experts. |
New service should interest local governmental entities in need of funding...By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. A rapidly swelling population continually puts more pressure on local governments to provide more services and expand infrastructure. The increased demands and needs come at a time when the nation is experiencing an historic economic downturn. Local property values and sales tax revenues are dropping. As cities, counties, public and higher education and other local government entities attempt to stretch their funds, some face the likelihood of deep budget cuts, layoffs, postponement or elimination of special initiatives and cutbacks in delivery of services. This week, Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) announced a new Community Resources Division, whose single objective is to deliver grant funds to government entities whose revenues need a boost. The new division will target the $2.5 billion that comes from the state and the $100 billion that is available through the federal government. [more]Corpus Christi's Noe contender for Kansas postFormer Corpus Christi City Manager Skip Noe (pictured) has been named a finalist for the same post in Wichita, Kan. After nine years with the Gulf Coast city, Noe stepped down in September after five years as the city's chief administrator. Noe, along with four other candidates from states as widespread as Iowa and Florida, will be interviewed by the Wichita City Council next week, according to a city news release. Rusk County VFDs get equipment upgradesThree of Rusk County's volunteer fire departments are set to receive new equipment, including 14 self-contained breathing apparatus units. Eastside VFD will receive six of the apparatuses, and Church Hill and New Salem will each receive four. Firefighters wear the air packs when entering a house fire or other hazardous situations. Emergency Services District President Travis Prior said the units came from a grant to the manager of Rusk County's Office of Emergency Management. The units cost more than $7,000 each, according to Prior, and were obtained through a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Cedar Park eyeing its
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TWC hosting annual Workforce Conference Dec. 3-5The 12th annual Texas Workforce Conference will be held Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 3-5, at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio Hotel on the Riverwalk. The conference will feature nationally known speakers, workshops, exhibits and networking opportunities. The conference offers the opportunity to strengthen partnerships among employers, local workforce development boards, economic development professionals, educators and other state and federal workforce partners. Among the topics to be discussed are the changing face of the Texas labor market, rural community and economic development, regional collaborations, public-private partnerships and more. To view the agenda, click here. For a registration form, click here. TSABAA planning 29th Mid-Winter ConferenceThe Texas State Agency Business Administrator's Association (TSABAA) 29th Mid-Winter Conference is slated for Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 3-5, at the Inn of the Hills Resort and Conference Center in Kerrville. Registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 14. This year's conference will feature speakers from the State Comptroller's Office, the Legislative Budget Board and the Employees Retirement System of Texas. Among the topics to be discussed are how the economy is affecting pension plans, how to prepare for legislative hearings and presentations and an overview of the upcoming Texas legislative session. CPE credits are available. To view the conference agenda, click here. For a registration form, click here. 'Putting America Back to Work' conference plannedThe Texas Workforce Commission will host its "Putting America Back to Work" conference on Jan. 15 and 16, 2009, at the Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark. The two-day conference topics include: The Texas Economic Model, Lessening our Dependency on Foreign Energy, Rebuilding Our Manufacturing Base and Challenges of our Business Tax Structure. Among the confirmed speakers are former Texas Secretary of State Phil Wilson and Barry Smitherman, chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. For a registration form and agenda, click here. TxDOT hosting small, minority business briefing in AustinThe Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will host a series of briefings throughout Texas to provide small and minority-owned businesses with information on how to do business with TxDOT. The briefings will offer information regarding how TxDOT procures services and purchases products. General Industry Sessions will include an overview of TxDOT toll projects and contracting opportunities on toll way projects, professional services consulting contracts and state contracting for information technology products and services. Several breakout sessions will be conducted on Small and Minority Business Certifications, Resources for Small Business Development and Marketing Your Business to the State. Each briefing will conclude with an industry networking session and reception. The first briefing will be held in Austin on Nov. 18 and 19 at the Omni Southpark Hotel. For more information, click here or call the Business Opportunities Programs Office toll free at 1-866-480-2518, option #2. Texas Lyceum hosts annual public conferenceThe Texas Lyceum will host its 23rd Public Conference, "Transportation Infrastructure: Establishing Public Policy Priorities" from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Reliant Center in Houston. Elected officials, transportation policy experts and stakeholders from throughout the state will attend to discuss and prioritize transportation policy issues prior to the 81st Legislature convening in January 2009. Those attending will hear from four panels and participate in interactive sessions after each panel. The event provides an opportunity for the Lyceum Directors, its alumni and the public to interact with policy makers, policy advocates and each other and actively engage in the discussion. For more information and to register, click here. Executive Women in Texas Government set conferenceThe Executive Women in Texas Government 22nd annual Professional Development Conference will be Monday, Nov. 24, at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort in Lost Pines, Texas. Hailed as a meeting of "ideas, solutions and connections," this year's event will feature keynote speakers Dr. Tina Dupree (AKA as the Chicken Lady) and Major General K.C. McClain, Commander Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, and workshops relating to development of executive level management skills, expanding leadership capabilities and networking and mentoring. The event will begin with a 7 a.m. registration. The first keynote speaker will be heard during the opening general session at 8:30 a.m. followed by two morning workshops and breaks for exhibits and networking. The EWTG Woman of the Year presentation will be made during lunch, with another afternoon workshop on tap and the closing general session and second keynote speech at 3:15 p.m. Sponsorships are available and exhibitors are also being accepted. For more information on the conference and registration, click here. |
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