TxDOT honors Mike Moncrief with its 'Road Hand' award

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials recently named former Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief (pictured) a "Road Hand," the department's highest honor for people who have bettered the state's transportation system.

Moncrief serves as a member of the I-35W Coalition, where he advocates for the highway's expansion. He also supports the North Tarrant Express and DFW Connector.

Additionally, Moncrief has worked to advance the North Texas Tollway Authority, which is slated for a ground breaking this month.

"His legacy in Fort Worth will be a quality, multimodal transportation system that supports and enhances the thriving North Texas economy," said TxDOT Commissioner Bill Meadows.

Officials of the Global Green USA's Green School Makeover Competition recently awarded $130,000 to the Texas School of the Deaf in Austin to help the facility be more energy efficient and conserve water at the 67-acre campus in Austin.

Plans call for the school, which houses as well as educates students with hearing impairments, to use half of the prize money for renovations and materials and the remaining half for technical assistance. Improvements to the 67-acre campus in South Austin are expected to begin next month and be completed in June 2012.

Upgrades include installing hands-free automatic faucets, retrofitting light fixtures with energy-efficient bulbs and adding rain barrels and motion-sensitive lights at the school. Officials also plan to switch to reusable water bottles, install hands-free hand dryers and expand recycling and recycling education programs with the $130,000 in prize money.

Texas gets waiver for cost-saving Medicaid improvements

Texas recently received a waiver from the federal government that could bring more Medicaid money to hospitals in exchange for providing better care for the poor.

"This waiver will allow us to replace an archaic federal Medicaid funding system with one built around local solutions that rewards hospitals for patient care and innovation," said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Tom Suehs (pictured).

Under the waiver, hospitals and surrounding communities will form regional health partnerships to recommend solutions to local health care issues.

Prison officials look to local hospitals for care for prisoners

State prison officials have plans to treat more inmates at local and regional hospitals, which could save up to $15 million a year.

The move comes after The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, which provides care for about two-thirds of the state's prisoners, refused to contract extensions without more funding.

Prison officials are now in negotiations for local and regional hospitals - such as UT Health Center at Tyler and Huntsville Memorial Hospital - to take over some specialty and clinical care. No agreements have been reached.

Officials at Texas Tech University, which cares for about one-third of state prisoners, agreed to extend its contract for the next two years.

Postal Service to delay previously announced closings until May

Officials of the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service, which last week announced it would close 252 mail processing centers around the country, has delayed the closings until May 2012.

The closings, including 10 Texas centers, were initially planned to close as early as March until unnamed U.S. senators requested the two-month extension.

The 10 processing centers up for closure in Texas are located in Abilene, Austin, Beaumont, Bryan, Dallas, Tyler, Lufkin, McAllen and two facilities in Waco.

Dallas County commissioners recently approved Matrice Ellis-Kirk as a new member of the board of the North Texas Tollway Authority. A managing partner of a Dallas-based executive search firm, Ellis-Kirk replaces Kent Cagle, the former city manager of Duncanville. Cagle resigned from the board to become city manager in Leander. The Dallas county judge nominated Ellis-Kirk to serve on the nine-member board of the toll road authority.

Ellis-Kirk, who is married to former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, previously served as a director of the office of budget and manager for Dallas Area Rapid Transit and as a vice president of a Texas-based investment bank. She has a degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

San Antonio's public transit agency awarded federal transit grant

San Antonio's public transportation agency recently received a $15 million federal grant, which will help pay for the city's first intermodal transportation hub.

The West Side Multimodal Center will serve as a hub for the city's first bus rapid transit line, which launches next year.

The center will also house a downtown streetcar line and a commuter rail line between San Antonio and Austin, which remains unfunded.

Port of Houston CEO cleared by DA's office, announces departure

The Harris County District Attorney's office recently cleared Port of Houston Authority Chief Executive Alec Dreyer (pictured) of accusations of misusing the Port's boat and altering records to conceal the event.

Dryer, who has held the post since September 2009, applauded the district attorney's "thorough and fair investigation." The use of the boat was requested, approved and paid for, in keeping with Port policy, district attorney officials said.

When his successor is in place, Dryer plans to step down and return to the business world.

Seven candidates to be interviewed for seats on D-FW Airport board

The Dallas City Council's transportation committee recently chose seven people to interview for four vacancies on the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors.

Three sitting board members - Robert Hsueh, Forrest Smith and Bernice Washington - were selected to interview.

Additionally, interviews were set for former City Manager Jan Hart Black, former mayoral candidate Sam Coats, former council member Lois Finkleman and banker Alice Rodriguez.

Longtime Sul Ross registrar Robert Cullins planning to retire

Sul Ross State University's Robert Cullins (pictured), who has served as registrar since 1994, plans to retire Dec. 31.

Cullins has served at Sul Ross for 17 years and in higher education for 38 years. Before starting at Sul Ross, Cullins worked in a variety of institutions including Westark Community College in Arkansas, Tyler Junior College and Northwestern State University in Louisiana.

Cullins holds two associate's degrees from Tyler Junior College, and a bachelor's and master's from Northwestern State University.

$180,000 grant made to TJC, refinery to aid partnership

The Texas Workforce Commission recently awarded a $180,000 grant to stimulate a partnership between Tyler Junior College and a Tyler-based refinery that produces gasoline, diesel and other fuels.

The junior college will offer specialized training to refinery employees in areas such as communications, chemistry, equipment and safety.

In time, the training will expand into a full-fledged program where employees can earn a one-year process technology certificate or two-year degree.

Texas Tech's Shonrock new president at Emporia State University

Michael Shonrock (pictured) of Texas Tech University has been named president of Emporia State University in Kansas. He will begin in his new role Jan. 3, 2012.

Shonrock previously served as senior vice president for Auxiliary Services, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Tech. When the position was eliminated by budget cuts, Shonrock transitioned to full-time faculty.

Shonrock, who was one of four finalists for the Emporia position, will become the University's 16th president.

Stroh will replace Crigger as Collin County district clerk

Plano attorney Andrea Stroh has been named Collin County district clerk, effective until the November 2012 election.

Stroh replaces Patricia Crigger, who was immediately removed from office after she was found guilty of alleged abuse of official capacity last week. She received a two-year probated sentence.

LCRA downsizes staff, reapproves selling water system for $140M

In cost-saving measures, the Lower Colorado River Authority recently cut about 200 jobs and approved selling a water and wastewater system for $140 million.

The job cuts - 134 early retirement buyouts and 65 unfilled positions axed - are expected to save about $20 million. Many employees who took the buyouts served their last day Dec. 7.

The West Travis County Water and Wastewater Systems will be sold to the Coalition of Central Texas Utilities Development Corp. if both sides come to a final agreement.

The downsizing will allow the LCRA to keep electric rates competitive, which will help customers, said general manager Becky Motal (pictured).

Candice Lindsey appointed UT-Tyler assistant VP

Officials at The University of Texas at Tyler recently named Candice Lindsey assistant vice president of enrollment management and marketing, a position she has held as the interim since April.

Lindsey has worked at UT-Tyler since 1997, serving as financial aid director, associate dean of enrollment management and executive director of enrollment management and marketing. Previously, she served at Tyler Junior College and Texarkana College.

She holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University at Texarkana and a master's from UT-Tyler.

USDA announces $1.2 million in grants headed to rural Texas

Rural Texas agencies were recently awarded $1.2 million in federal grants to improve health care and educational opportunities in rural communities.

These grants, provided through the Department of Agriculture's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program, provide educational and medical opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to students and residents of rural communities, said Paco Valentin (pictured), USDA Rural Development State Director of Texas.

Grants will go toward video teleconferencing equipment for Education Service Centers in East Texas, South Central Texas and Mid-West Texas. Additionally, the Crane County Hospital District and 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum in Abilene were also awarded grants for radiology and distance learning equipment, respectively.

CAMPO board approves $22M in grant money for Austin projects

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) board has approved $22 million in grant funds for the City of Austin to begin or sustain multi-modal transportation initiatives. The funds are part of more than $100 million in state and federal grants for projects in five Central Texas counties.

Federal grant portions for City of Austin-sponsored projects include:

• $1.2 million for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance on North Lamar sidewalks; $480,000 for N. Braker Lane extension design and engineering;
• $2.7 million for construction of sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian space on Sabine St.;
• $1.5 million for the Bike Share/Bike safety program;
• $4 million for planning and engineering work on the Austin Urban Rail studies; and
• $2 million for Phase 1 of the MoPac bicycle and pedestrian project, including conversion of an existing shoulder to a southbound auxiliary lane and construction of a separate bicycle and pedestrian bridge.

Several additional steps must take place before the federal money is released, but the board approval has been called an important first step.

Former UT president Berdahl named interim president at Oregon

Former president of The University of Texas at Austin Robert Berdahl (pictured) was recently named interim president of the University of Oregon.

Berdahl will hold the position during a search for a permanent replacement for the ousted Richard W. Lariviere, who was fired after pushing for increased UO independence from the Oregon University System.

Berdahl, who taught history for 20 years at Oregon, most recently served as president of the Association of American Universities. He has also served as chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

HISD announces 'Green School Challenge' environmental program

The Houston Independent School District has launched a new eco-friendly initiative, The Green School Challenge, which encourages schools to develop an environmental program that is specific to the characteristics of each school.

Each school will form its own "Green Team," made up of students, staff and administrators. The district will provide each team with tools to help get started, including how-to videos and each school's current energy consumption and recycling level.

The competition is designed to reduce energy and water usage and create awareness. Since the beginning of the year, the district has saved nearly $1 million in energy costs by installing energy-efficient equipment and implementing energy-saving initiatives. 

VIA Metropolitan Transit celebrates its largest-ever federal grant

San Antonio public officials recently celebrated the public transportation agency, VIA Metropolitan Transit, receiving its largest federal grant to date.

The $15 million grant, dubbed a "TIGER" grant for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery from the U.S. Department of Transportation, will help pay for the city's first intermodal transportation hub. The center will contain waiting areas for a bus rapid transit line and an upcoming downtown streetcar system, as well as a customer service area and possibly retail shops.

"We believe for the long-term future of our community as well as other urban areas around the country, that public transit is going to become more and more important as we go forward," said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff (pictured).

Austin ISD rejects all bids to buy headquarters, admin building

Austin Independent School District trustees recently rejected all the bids submitted to purchase the district's headquarters on West Sixth Street and an administrative building on Avenue B in Hyde Park.

Superintendent Meria Carstarphen advised trustees that bids received for the Carruth Administration Center and the Baker Center were far less than expected for both properties that are considered prime real estate. She advised the board to reject the bids.

League City to spend $8.25M to upgrade traffic signals, drainage

City officials in League City recently began discussion on spending $8.25 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding to upgrade traffic signals and improve drainage in the Shellside area.

City staff has proposed spending nearly $3 million to upgrade storm water drainage, about $1 million to improve traffic signals by adding backup batteries, cameras and LED lights, $1.5 million to install new wells, and storage tanks and $500,000 for new generators at lift stations, said Tony Allender, the director of planning and research for League City. Plans call for installing cameras at 59 intersections to permit police to better monitor areas during an evacuation and respond quickly to clear debris or direct traffic, Allender said.

McKinney City Council members recently instructed City Manager Jason Gray (pictured) to develop two proposals for locating a hotel at the Gateway development site at the southern entrance to the city. The Gateway project is a joint effort of the city of McKinney, the McKinney Economic Development Corporation and the McKinney Community Development Corporation that has stalled during the recent economic downturn.

Council asked Gray to submit the two proposals to council members in 120 days. One proposal is to outline how a new hotel could be built at the site, where construction began several years ago, but was abandoned after the developers declared bankruptcy. The second proposal will explore another location within the 90-acre Gateway site that could be more suitable for the facility. During the discussion, council members supported a new hotel to be built to include an attached 50,000-square-foot convention center, meeting rooms, a kitchen and other amenities.

Gray said he has met with hotel operators the city is considering asking to build a hotel at the site and has gathered information on their preferences. Council members will need to decide whether to continue building on the abandoned site or demolish the initial effort and begin construction at another location on the Gateway property, Gray said.

The city manager also reported that a management company in October announced construction of a three-story, 132,000-square-foot facility to serve as headquarters and for research and development on the Gateway property.

Alice city officials recently met with U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) staff to prepare for applying for a grant of up to $1.25 million to pay for a proposed multipurpose center with a natatorium.

Because the proposed facility also would be used for job training and economic growth purposes, the project is eligible for EDA grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce to promote job growth and business expansion, City Manager Ray De Los Santos Jr. (pictured) said. He advised city officials to collect more data about the proposed facility and focus on a two-pronged approach with job creation as the first emphasis and job retention as the second focus.

So far, data gathered by consultants indicate that the facility needs to offer a place to train people for employment, De Los Santos said. The deadline for applying for the grant is March 9, 2012, and a decision is usually made within 45 days, he said.

El Paso discussing privatization of public transit service

El Paso City Council members recently began discussing whether to hire a private company to operate more of Sun Metro transit services. Sun Metro already uses the services of a private company for top management positions and is considering transitioning more than 100 other jobs to the private sector, said Laura Cruz-Acosta, a spokeswoman for Sun Metro.

Council members last month requested several proposals to run various areas of the bus system. The city also is approaching the federal deadline to seek competitive bids for three or four senior management positions now being provided by an Ohio-based private company, Cruz-Acosta said.

Options for the proposals include offering the same service provided by the current management company, while another proposal is to provide the services of about 11 managers, including management positions in the dispatch operation, the fixed route bus service and LIFT service for disabled passengers. The third option is to outsource all management positions and more than 100 drivers, dispatchers and maintenance workers of the LIFT service for disabled passengers. City officials are not considering privatizing fixed-route bus services because that operation is on time from 96 to 98 percent of the time in contrast to the LIFT service that is on-time 92 to 93 percent of the time. Council members are expected to choose one of the options for Sun Metro in spring 2012, she said.

Brenham ISD trustees recently began discussion on the possibility of scheduling a $26 million bond election to pay for a new elementary school and renovations to the middle school. Citing reluctance to raise property taxes, trustees also recently began a discussion on whether to use interest and sinking (I&S) fund reserves to pay for a bond issuance until a debt for building Brenham High School is paid in full in 2016.

At an estimated cost of $14 million, the new elementary school is planned to house 670 students and replace an elementary with the capacity for 500 students, said Superintendent Sam Bell (pictured).

The district also needs to do about $12 million in renovations to the middle school that has walls that are pulling apart. District officials also hope to add a new cafeteria, choir room, band hall and offices at the middle school, he said.

The district can pay a proposed $26 million bond without an additional increase in I&S taxes by using $657,000 in fund reserves to make interest payments to maintain the I&S taxes the same during the life of the proposed bond, said Assistant Superintendent Byron McAdams.

Alto revives police department, hires Jackson as new police chief

After voting to furlough the entire police department, including the police chief and four officers, about six months ago, Alto City Council members recently selected Jeremy Jackson as the new chief of police.

Jackson previously was employed in Alto as an officer under the former police chief and as a member of the Rusk Police Department. Council members agreed to replace the police department after several businesses and residents experienced an increase in break-ins and burglaries.

While the council authorized funding for three police positions, council members currently plan to hire only two officers, the chief and one police officer, the mayor said.

James Baker III (pictured), the former U.S. Secretary of State, and John Nau, a businessman from Houston, recently agreed to lead the steering committee to support creation of a 130-mile coastal recreation area to enhance economic development and provide better protection from storm surge. Baker is the honorary chair and Nau is chairman of the steering committee.

Officials of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evaluation from Disasters Center (SSPEED), based at Rice University and Houston Wilderness, recommended creation of a coastal recreation area as one of four storm surge protection strategies to protect the Houston area from catastrophic storm surges. Plans call for the steering committee to invite local, state and national leaders to serve on the committee charged with developing the concept for a coastal recreation area and raising support for the concept. The coastal recreation area would begin at High Island in Galveston County and extend south to the mouth of the Colorado River in Matagorda County. The proposed coastal creation area also would include the Anahuac National Wildlife Area and the Cindy Abshier Wildlife Management Area in Chambers County.

The creation of the coastal recreation area will include only willing landowners and adopt no new regulations or restrictions on coastal landowners who do not participate, Baker said. Coastal residents and business owners with a stake in the outcome will be invited to discuss how a recreation area would be governed, he said.

Members of the 1420 Committee recently discussed the need to find more financial partners for a public-private partnership to expand Interstate 35E. Recent state legislation requires the committee to be created and authorizes the use of public-private partnerships to pay for expanding the highway.

Committee members also approved guidelines to the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) that call for a balance between toll and non-toll lanes as a goal for any new construction. Possible financial partners discussed by the group include the city of Denton and Dallas County.

Along with adopting guidelines for the RTC, the committee also is expected to begin the process of hiring an engineering firm at its meeting scheduled for Dec. 19. That process is expected to continue into next year.

TSABAA Mid-Winter Conference scheduled for Jan. 11-13, 2012

The 32nd Annual Texas State Agency Business Administrators' Association (TSABAA) Mid-Winter Conference is scheduled for Jan. 11-13, 2012, at the Inn of the Hills Resort and Conference Center in Kerrville. It's a great opportunity to participate in an exciting conference program agenda and to take advantage of more personal networking opportunities during the day and after hours. Among the topics to be discussed are how to boost morale through communication, inspiring trust in unpredictable times, recognizing signs of fraud, recruiting and selection and using data analytics tools and techniques to increase program efficiencies and outcomes. For more information and to download a registration form, click here.

Bullard seeking proposals for $1.2M sewer station expansion

Bullard city officials recently agreed to seek bids for a project to expand the sewer station at an estimated cost of $1.2 million. Deadline for submitting bids to the city is Jan. 11, 2012, said City Manager Larry Morgan.

Plans call for adding another 250,000 gallons of capacity to the sewer plant with a current capacity of 217,000 gallons per day. The expansion project should be completed in a year from when construction begins, Morgan said.

Fort Bend ISD selects Holmes, Crews as new directors

Trustees for Fort Bend Independent School District recently selected two new department directors. John R. Holmes (left) is the director of facilities and Stacey Crews (right) is the director of communications.

Holmes, who was a manager for a private company in Texas and a New Jersey organization, has a bachelor's degree from Eastern University and a master's degree from the University of Phoenix. Crews worked as a teacher for the school district for five years following her employment in public affairs for an energy company. She has a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University.

Directors of the Regional Transportation Authority in Corpus Christi recently agreed to hire a project management firm to oversee all construction projects. The proposed contract is for three years and cannot exceed $375,000, and includes oversight of a proposed customer service center near the city hall.

In the past, RTA officials have hired companies to oversee construction of specific projects and this action has resulted in lower costs and more on-time results for transit authority construction projects, said the director of program development. RTA officials plan to issue a request for qualifications for the construction management contract in early 2012, she said.

Plano ISD hires search firm

to find new superintendent

Plano Independent School District trustees recently selected a Houston-based search firm to help find a new superintendent to replace Doug Otto, who is to retire from that post effective Feb. 1, 2012.

Board members appointed Richard Matkin, associate superintendent for business services, to serve as interim superintendent until a new superintendent is selected.

Trustees considered five proposals before selecting the winning firm. The contract calls for the district to pay the firm fees and expenses for overseeing search efforts. District officials set a goal to find a new superintendent by the start of the school year in 2012.

Dr. James E. Wilcox (pictured) recently notified Longview Independent School District trustees that he plans to retire as superintendent, effective Dec. 31.

Wilcox joined the district in April 2007 after a stint as superintendent for Waxahachie ISD. He holds a bachelor's and a master's degree from Lamar University and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.

Wylie ISD preparing for construction of new classrooms

The Wylie school board recently transferred about $1.3 million to its capital improvements fund, in preparation of constructing a new building for fifth- and sixth-grade classes.

Plans call for the 65,000-square-foot building to have about 30 classrooms and be located west of the junior high school.

Consultants are expected to provide further plans for the building next week.

Texas Forest Service wildfire responders honored at Fort Hood

The Texas Forest Service and other wildfire responders were recently recognized for their help suppressing fires on Fort Hood Army base this year.

Fort Hood fire chief Billy Rhoads said the state's resources - air support, two task forces, fire engines and dozers - were invaluable.

A total of 19,000 acres of Fort Hood burned this year in three large wildfires, which ignited in late August.

Crowley City Council members recently narrowed a list of applicants for city manager to six candidates. The new city manager will replace City Manager Truitt Gilbreath, who is retiring on May 1, 2012.

City officials plan to interview the six candidates on the first and second Saturdays in January and have a new city manager on the job in March, the mayor said.

Trustees for the Elkhardt Independent School District recently selected Dr. Ray DeSpain (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. Currently superintendent at Alto ISD, DeSpain will replace former Superintendent Mike Moon, who retired from Elkhardt ISD on Nov. 30. DeSpain plans to begin his new duties immediately after trustees finalize his contract on Jan. 3, 2012.

Grapevine's city secretary

Linda Huff retiring in February

Grapevine City Secretary Linda Huff plans to retire after serving 25 years in the position. She plans to step down Feb. 29.

Huff will be replaced by her assistant, Jodi Brown, who has worked for the city 29 years.

Before taking the city secretary job in 1987, Huff worked at the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau for five years.

Rhome taps Minter as its

new municipal judge

Rhome city officials recently appointed Jim Minter as the municipal judge. Minter worked 24 years for the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office before earning a law degree from Texas Wesleyan University and opening his own law practice.

Minter replaces Judge Bill Burdock and will serve as municipal judge through May 2012 when city council members are expected to revisit the appointment.

McNabb retires from post

as El Paso City Attorney

A career quietly came to a close early this month as City Attorney Charlie McNabb retired on Dec. 3. Laura Gordon, who worked in McNabb's office, is currently serving as the interim city attorney while Mayor John Cook says he believes he will have a proposal for who he would appoint by Dec. 20th.

McNabb, who began a second stint working with the city in 2005, had been planning his retirement for several months, according to Cook.

"I knew about six months ago that he would be leaving before the end of the year," said Cook.

Galveston council narrows

city manager list by one

The Galveston City Council recently narrowed the search for a permanent city manager from four candidates to three finalists.

The trio includes:

• Michael Kovacs, assistant city manager for Park City, Utah, a popular ski resort of about 7,550 residents;
• Derek Todd, a management consultant for Greeley, Colo., a city of about 92,000 residents; and
• Kenneth Williams, the city manager for 7,200-population Buda, which is located just south of Austin. 

The finalists will interview Dec. 19 and the council could make a decision that same day. Galveston, a city of about 47,000 people, has been run by an interim city manager since April when the embattled council fired longtime manager Steve LeBlanc.

Long-time Northside ISD superintendent stepping down   

Northside school superintendent John Folks (pictured) recently announced he will retire at the end of the school year.

Folks, who has served as Northside's top executive for 10 years, said the decision was particularly difficult during a funding crisis that forced the district to cut nearly 1,000 jobs following the last legislative session.

The school board will discuss how to replace Forks at its next meeting.

Police Department gets new building, thanks to volunteers

New Summerfield community members donated their time and money to transform an old fire station into the city's new police department building.

The renovations were made possible with $3,000 from the city, ceramic floor tile from an anonymous donor and three months of donated labor from city staff.

The building fits the chief, two officers and one constable.

"We redid it and made it our own," said New Summerfield Police Chief Paul Hammack.

Austin school district approves design for performing arts center

Board members for the Austin Independent School District recently approved the design for a new performing arts center to be built in the Mueller neighborhood. The new center will feature a 1,200-seat auditorium, a 225-seat black box theater, a 400-space parking garage and offices for the fine arts department.

Grant funds to be used to upgrade Longview FD radios

The Longview Fire Department was recently awarded $40,000 in federal grants to replace mobile radio equipment and provide training and supplies for a team that educates the community about disaster response.

The new radio equipment, funded with a $30,711 Homeland Security grant, will enable the department to better communicate with neighboring fire agencies.

A second Homeland Security grant of $9,288 will go to the city's Citizen Emergency Response Team, which trains and educates residents in fire safety, search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

Seguin officials announce

hiring of new planning director

Seguin city officials recently named William Couch to serve as the planning director, effective Dec. 19. He replaces 16-year veteran Don Smith, who is retiring.

Previously, Couch worked for the city of San Marcos as project development coordinator. In his new role, Couch will oversee the planning, permitting, inspections, code compliance and health divisions.

Couch holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Texas State University in San Marcos.

Plano ISD taps Houston-based search firm to find leader

Plano Independent School District trustees recently selected a Houston-based executive search firm to help find a new superintendent to replace Doug Otto, who is retiring on Feb. 1. District officials agreed to pay $27,600 in fees and expenses to the company to help in the search for a superintendent.

Board members also appointed Richard Matkin, the associate superintendent for business services, to be interim superintendent until a new superintendent is in place.

Brownsville ISD selects

Montoya as new superintendent

Trustees for the Brownsville Independent School District recently formally selected Carl A. Montoya as superintendent. Montoya, who has served as interim superintendent for the district since June, replaces Brett Springston, who resigned from that post to be superintendent at Bartlett ISD.

Corpus Christi search for finance director narrowed to three

Corpus Christi city officials recently narrowed their search for a new finance director to three final candidates. The three finalists are Alan E. Guard, the finance director in Davenport, Iowa; Constance P. Sanchez, now serving as interim director of finance for Corpus Christi; and Carl E. Wessels, the chief financial officer for a DeSoto-based contracting company. The finance director oversees a $12.2 million annual budget and 121 employees who perform financial reporting, accounting, operate the utility business office, utility field operations, operate the treasury, cashiering and purchasing for the city.

Graves announces retirement

as superintendent of Elgin ISD

Superintendent Bill Graves of Elgin Independent School District recently told trustees he plans to retire in June of 2012 from the post he has held for seven and one-half years.

Superintendent Alfonso Obregon (pictured) recently told board members he plans to resign at the end of this school year even though his contract was extended for another year and one-half. Obregon joined the district in 2009 as the interim superintendent. He said he is resigning because he accomplished his goal of stabilizing academics and finances at the district.

Lampasas presents plans for new fire station to county officials

The Lampasas Fire Department, which serves both the city and county, recently presented plans for a new $1.2 million fire station to county officials.

The city has already purchased land for the new station and offered $750,000 toward its development. Fire department officials hope the county will also provide funds toward the station.

The current station is infested with bats and is too small. The fire trucks barely fit into the bays, often scraping the sides when leaving or returning from calls.

Grapevine hires Laster

as public works director

Grapevine City Council members recently selected Stan Laster as the director of public works. Laster, who is serving as interim public works director, replaces Matt Singleton, who retired from that post in September.

City officials also appointed Scott Dyer as the deputy director of public works and John Robertson as manager of engineering development and construction for the public works department, which has 112 employees and a $28.3 million operating budget.

Laster has a master's degree from the University of Arkansas and has been employed with the city since 1985. He previously was employed by the city of Little Rock.

Trustees for the Dripping Springs Independent School District recently selected Bruce Gearing (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent.

A superintendent at Marshall ISD since 2009, Gearing previously was an assistant superintendent and teacher at Mount Pleasant ISD. He will begin his duties at the Dripping Springs district after board members finalize the contract on Jan. 5, 2012, following the required 21-day waiting period.

Pflugerville names Bowlin as choice for parks, recreation head

The Pflugerville City Council recently announced Jim Bowlin as its pick for the city's new parks and recreation director, expecting a mid-January date for hiring.

Bowlin currently serves in the parks and recreation department of Edmond, Okla.

He would replace Amy Atkins, who resigned in September for a position in College Station.