Welders are among the highly skilled workers being sought by employers.

Even with today's announcement that the national unemployment rate for November has dropped to the lowest rate since March 2009, and the most recent state unemployment rate being slightly lower, it may be hard to understand why some employers are complaining about shortage of workers. The employees they need are skilled workers, and vocational high schools, technical colleges and community colleges are turning them out in record numbers. How long they will be able to sustain those numbers depends a lot on funding they receive for those students' training. Many face loss of state funding as well as loss of some federal grant funds.

In a recent interview with CBS News, the president of a global company that designs and builds high-tech equipment and devices said he is worried he will not have enough technical workers to meet his needs. More than half of his employees are skilled workers and he hires more than 500 American workers each year. He reports that some of his skilled worker positions that require two years of college or advanced certification often go unfilled for as long as a year. He estimates that over the next 10 years, 10 million more skilled workers will be needed for jobs in this country.

Medical record technicians are in high demand.

Prince promoted to DPS Region 5 regional commander post

After more than 20 years with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Rangers Major Randall Prince (pictured) has been promoted to Regional Commander for DPS Region 5. The region is based in Lubbock and includes the Amarillo, Abilene and Wichita Falls areas.

Prince began his DPS career in 1989 as a Trooper in Navasota after graduating from Southwest Texas State University with a degree in criminal justice. He was promoted to a Motor Vehicle Theft Sergeant in Conroe in 1996 and in 1997 was named sergeant with the Texas Rangers in Bay City and Tyler. He was promoted to lieutenant with the Rangers in Houston in 2002. Prince served as an inspector with the Office of Audit and Inspection in Austin and then moved to Lubbock in 2005 to serve as a captain in the Texas Rangers.

A native of Waco, Prince is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. 

Dallas city manager announces new executive appointments

Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm recently announced several executive appointments including promoting Joey Zapata (pictured) to assistant city manager.

Zapata, who formerly served as director of code compliance, has worked in the city manager's office since 1994. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M.

Other appointments include:

• Stephanie Cooper, city employee since 1990, will serve as assistant city manager for the Mayor and Council Office. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
• Jimmy Martin, who began working for the city as an accountant, will now serve as director of Code Compliance, a position he has held as interim director since July.
• Shelia Robinson, city employee since 1998, has been appointed assistant director of Communications and Information Services. She holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin.
• Jing Xaio, most recently a Dallas Police Department executive, was named assistant director of the Office of Financial Services. He holds a bachelor's degree from Capital University of Economics in Beijing, and a master's from The University of Texas at Dallas.
• Helena Thompson has been named as a senior program manager for the Department of Street Services. She holds two master's degrees from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

TxDOT seeking partnership to develop new toll road segments

The Texas Department of Transportation recently moved forward with the State Highway 99 project, which would complete the next phase of a 184-mile outer beltway around Houston.

TxDOT hopes to enter into a public-private partnership (P3) to develop about 37 miles of new toll road segments in Harris and Montgomery counties. TxDOT is seeking qualification submittals from teams interested in entering into a design-build contract and capital maintenance agreement and/or a full concession agreement. Qualification submittals are due on Jan. 18.

TxDOT officials expect to have a contract executed next winter.

Corpus Christi RTA board elects John Valls new chairman

The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) board recently elected John Valls (pictured) chairman and Vangie Chapa vice chairman.

Valls, who has served on the board for six years, is the principal for a Corpus Christi-based provider of international trade and transportation services.

Others who were sworn in as board members include new appointee Lamont C. Taylor and appointees who were reappointed: Gil Hernandez, Angie Flores Granado, Ray Hunt and Robert B. Garcia. 

Solar highway sustainable design in Green Mobility Challenge

Highway engineers, planners, architects and landscape designers recently presented their best eco-friendly ideas at the Green Mobility Challenge, hosted by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.

Six teams submitted sustainable design ideas on two particularly sensitive highway projects in Austin: the Manchaca Expressway and the Oak Hill Expressway.

First-place prizes of $15,000 each were awarded to AECOM and a team made up of LJA Engineering, Coleman & Associates, Blanton & Associates and Construction Eco Services. Second-place awards of $10,000 each went to Jacobs Engineering and a team made up of Klotz Associates, J. Robert Anderson Landscape Architects and ACI Consulting. A student team with members from Texas A&M and Rice University was also recognized with a $10,000 scholarship.

Parkland selects Royer as interim CEO replacing Anderson

The board of Parkland Health & Hospital System recently named Thomas C. Royer (pictured) to serve as Parkland's interim chief executive officer, while shifting current CEO Ron J. Anderson to senior advisor to the CEO.

Royer, who starts immediately, most recently served 12 years as president and CEO of Christus Health, an international not-for-profit health system.

As senior advisor, Anderson will focus on increasing the amount of funding for uncompensated care, initiate the research and development of a community health institute and help in fundraising efforts. 

TAMU-Texarkana, Tyler Junior College officials ink agreement

Tyler Junior College and Texas A&M University-Texarkana officials recently signed an agreement that encourages the campuses to work together to ensure students complete both associate and bachelor's degrees.

The agreement aims to award TJC students an associate degree and then transfer the students to Texas A&M-Texarkana for a bachelor's degree.

"We are pleased to offer to our students another pathway toward completing a degree without obstacle," said TJC President Dr. L. Michael Metke.

In the accompanying photo, the agreement is signed by Tyler Junior College President Dr. L. Michael Metke (right) and A&M-Texarkana President Dr. C.B. Rathburn III.

Leskovar new Uvalde AgriLife Research and Extension director

Researcher and professor Daniel Leskovar (pictured) has been named resident director of the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Uvalde, effective immediately.

Since 1991, Leskovar has worked as a researcher and professor of vegetable stress physiology at the Uvalde center, which is part of the Texas A&M University System. Leskovar also is affiliated with the system's Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center and its horticultural sciences department at Texas A&M University.

Leskovar completed his undergraduate and graduate training in Argentina and Holland, earned his master's from the University of California-Davis and Ph.D. from the University of Florida-Gainesville.

Galveston County commissioners recently selected 14 infrastructure projects to be considered for funding from the next round of federal disaster aid for damages caused by Hurricane Ike. The priority projects are from a list of 37 projects with an estimated $31.5 million price tag.

Projects selected include $3.14 million for street rehabilitation and $2.29 million to install waterline and hydrants in Freddiesville, $500,000 for generators for the Bolivar Peninsula Special Utility District and $1.61 million for a waterline and $517,000 for sewer line rehabilitation in Moore's Addition.

County commissioners are still considering other projects to be funded by the federal disaster aid. These include $6.4 million for infrastructure for the Gulf Coast Water Authority and $14 million for a combined law enforcement center in League City.

After taking steps to finalize the purchase of a $3.2 million building on Loop 250, Midland County commissioners recently requested architectural firms to submit proposals to design the new library. County officials want the architect to look at the north loop location for renovation and then evaluate a downtown location, the county judge said.

Goals for the new library include integrating technology into the library through computers, e-books, interactive tables for children and other options, the director of the library said. Once an architectural firm is chosen, the architect will provide county officials with more direction on the cost range for the new library. Work on the library should begin in March at the earliest, he added.

Austin city officials recently promoted Anne Morgan (pictured) from chief of litigation to deputy director of the city's Law Department.

Morgan served as chief of litigation for seven years and for 16 months in 2010 and 2011, she also held the position of acting chief of municipal operations within the Law Department.

Before working for the city, Morgan has worked for the National Federation of Federal Employees, the Texas Office of the Attorney General and also as a partner in her own law firm, where she specialized in medical malpractice and other personal injury cases.

She holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the American University in Washington D.C. 

Galveston city officials will soon open bids for reconstruction of the main wastewater treatment plant, a project expected to cost about $60 million in federal disaster money.

The treatment plant was damaged during Hurricane Ike, which took out the plant's electrical system causing officials to close the island for 10 days.

Reconstruction projects include elevating and hardening the plant's infrastructure to avoid future shutdowns. Construction could begin in February and end by summer 2015.

President Phil Schubert of Abilene Christian University recently requested Jeanine Varner (pictured) to leave her post as provost at the end of this year rather than at the end of the academic year as previously planned. Varner, who assumed the post of provost in May 2009 under a previous president, will begin a position in the Department of English in spring 2012, Schubert said.

College officials plan to name an interim provost in the next few weeks and to seek faculty input when a search for a new provost to replace Varner begins in a few weeks.

Regents for Amarillo College recently approved the construction of a new $830,000 parking lot at the Polk Street Campus. The new 205-space parking lot will feature 53 trees and serve as the south entrance to the downtown area, said Regent Don Nicholson.

College officials plan to use a $68 million bond approved in 2007 to pay for the parking lot and apply for a grant to help pay for the trees, he said. Construction on the new parking lot should begin in January and be completed in May or June, he added.

Regents for Lee College in Baytown recently selected Dr. Dennis Brown (pictured) as the new president to replace Dr. Michael Murphy, whose resignation is effective in December.

Brown has served 12 years as vice president of instruction and chief academic officer at El Paso Community College, where he previously served as a faculty member and as an associate provost. He has a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University, a master's degree from Arizona State University and a Ph.D. from New Mexico State University.

Regents adopt campus master plan for Texas State University

Regents for the Texas State University System recently approved an updated campus master plan for Texas State University in San Marcos. More than 67 percent of the projects included in the 2006-2013 Campus Master Plan have been completed or are currently under way, university officials said.

New projects in the new five-year master plan include a new Engineering and Science Building, a new Music Building, an Alumni Visitor Center and an addition to the Cogen Plant. The new master plan also includes renovations to the roof and exterior of Old Main, the Alkek Library Learning Commons, Brogdon and Commons halls, the Psychology Building, the Theater Center, Jowers Center and the Aqua Sports Center.

University officials also included plans to demolish San Saba, Canyon, Sterry, Hornsby, Burleson and Arnold halls as well as the West Warehouse, the Comanche Hill apartment complex and the Campus Colony apartment complex in the five-year master plan. Texas State officials also included plans for building new student housing complexes at the San Saba/Canyon sites, the Hornsby/Burleson site and the OPACC site. Also in the plans are several transportation and parking projects that will result in more parking garages replacing parking lots that will be converted to green space. Regents also authorized the submittal of the master plan to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at a future date.

Lewis, Aguero named to vice president posts at TSC VP

Texas Southmost College trustees recently selected Chet Lewis (left) as vice president of finance and administration and Robert Aguero (right) as vice president of instruction and student services.

Lewis has served on an interim basis in the position since June. He previously was associate vice president for business affairs at the University of Texas at Brownsville. Aguero currently is the vice chancellor for academic success at Alamo Colleges.

San Antonio gets $800,000 to weatherize houses in city

San Antonio city leaders recently accepted federal stimulus funds of $800,000 to weatherize 160 homes.

In all, San Antonio has received about $17.3 million, administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, to weatherize 3,500 houses by spring 2012.

Homeowners can invest in improvements such as wall, floor and attic insulation; solar screens; weather stripping and caulking; energy-efficient lighting; and remediation efforts that address mold and carbon monoxide.

San Antonio's VIA awarded grant to purchase rapid transit buses 

San Antonio's mass transit agency recently received a federal grant of $3 million to purchase vehicles for the city's first bus rapid transit line, called VIA Prímo.

The grant, which comes through the Federal Transportation Administration's Clean Fuels Program, will buy three 60-foot buses that run on compressed natural gas, said VIA President/CEO Keith T. Parker (pictured).

VIA Primo, set to launch in 2012, provides a more modern, rail-like feel by controlling traffic signals, improving fare collection systems and using high-capacity vehicles.

The board of the North Texas Tollway Authority recently voted to seek proposals within the next year for services such as bond counsel, project delivery and developing estimates for traffic and revenue for the agency. Tollway officials paid nearly $142 million for these specialized services since 2008, said Chairman Kenneth Barr (pictured), who was recently elected to that post.

Current plans call for the board to seek proposals from companies with experience in engineering, finance and legal representation and then step aside as members of the executive staff grade the proposals and make recommendations to the board, Barr said. Board members expect to discuss a schedule for completing the contract negotiations in December. The new consultant contracts most likely will be awarded for three years, with several one-year options for renewal, he said.

Amato, Williams elected officers of TSUS Board of Regents

The Texas State University System Board of Regents, which oversees eight higher-education institutions, recently re-elected Charlie Amato (left) as chairman of the board and Donna N. Williams (right) as vice chair.

Amato is the chairman and co-founder of a San Antonio-based company that advises financial institutions on how to manage risk and increase profitability. Amato, who serves on numerous civic and charitable boards, also owns automobile dealerships and an interest in the San Antonio Spurs franchise. Amato earned a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University.

Williams is a vice president and program manager for a global engineering and construction leader in facilities, advanced technology and management processes. She holds a bachelor's degree from Prairie View A&M University.

Veterans Administration (VA) officials recently began considering several proposals for expanding, updating and possibly relocating the Veterans Affairs Clinic in Odessa by the end of December 2012.

One of the proposals includes a bid by Medical Center Hospital to relocate the VA clinic into 15,000 square feet on the first floor of a 30,000-square-foot expansion to the Center for Health and Wellness, said Carol Durham, associate administrator of the hospital. The estimated $8 million cost of the project will be paid for with reserves that will be repaid through the capital budget if VA officials select the proposal submitted by hospital officials, Durham said.

VA officials also are considering moving the clinic in Odessa into an existing space or building a new facility. The VA also is expanding clinics in Abilene and in San Angelo.

Gray, Peddy secure new leadership positions with TEEX

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents recently named two new leaders of the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), one of the nation's largest workforce training providers.

Dan Gray (left) has been tapped to serve as the Chief Financial Officer and an Associate Agency Director of TEEX. Gray has more than 25 years experience in accident and injury prevention, as well as electric power industry training. He holds a bachelor's degree from North Texas State University and a master's degree from East Texas State University.

Ron Peddy (right) has been selected to serve as Division Director for the Infrastructure Training & Safety Institute. He previously served as associate division director of the Emergency Services Training Institute (ESTI), which provides fire training for emergency responders. Peddy holds a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University and a master's from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Both men will assume their new duties on Jan. 1.

Lubbock County commissioners recently began interviews with 17 candidates who applied to fill the unexpired term of Judge Larry B. "Rusty" Ladd of County Court-at-Law #1. Ladd died from injuries from a motorcycle accident in late September. A second round of interviews with finalists should occur in the first week of December and selection of the new judge could be made as early as mid-September, the county judge said.

Applicants to be interviewed in the first round include: Tom Brummett, a prosecutor in the Lubbock County District Attorney's office; David Nelson, a former member of the Lubbock city council and an attorney; Susan Rowley, an attorney; Jeff Nicholson, an attorney; Robert Heald, an attorney; and Ronnie Agnew, an attorney and small business owner.

Ornelas appointed coordination network director

Transportation Coordinating Network of the Coastal Bend officials recently named Martín Ornelas (pictured) director.

Previously, Ornelas served as director of the Coastal Bend Rural Health Partnership, a health policy coalition in 11 rural Texas counties. Ornelas has more than 20 years of public health and executive management experience in the public sector.

TCN is the state agency responsible for public transportation planning in 12 Coastal Bend counties.

Hawkins City Council members recently agreed to table indefinitely the sale of $3.7 million in certificates of obligation that had been planned to pay for a water and sewer system project.

Council members, however, asked officials of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to keep their commitment to the loan on record until 2013 even though the current interest rate will not be guaranteed. In November, TCEQ officials notified city officials that a request for a waiver was granted and that the new permit is good until 2015, but will not become invalid if the city's wastewater treatment facility fails to stay within code.

Despite support from the mayor to issue the certificates of obligation to pay for upgrading the water and sewer system, council members agreed to spend more time in exploring how to correct problems and use the loan at a future date to correct the problems or build new facilities.

Economist and policy advisor Ray Perryman (pictured) has been named Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference, a non-partisan organization of state business and political leaders who meet annually to discuss public policy issues.  

Perryman will receive the award at a special reception in his honor at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center in March. Previous honorees include Barbara Jordan, Laura Bush, Herb Kelleher and John B. Connally.

Perryman, who has been involved in virtually every significant state economic development initiative in recent years, is founder and president of an economic and financial analysis firm headquartered in Waco.

In a series of public meetings, Nolan County Sheriff David Warren (pictured) recently led the charge to convince the public to support a new $11 million, 41,000-square-foot county jail with 96 beds.

A new jail is needed, Warren said, because of the lack of space, the cost of housing some prisoners out of the county and outdated facilities. The current jail, built on the second floor of the courthouse in 1977, has had no major improvements since it was built, he said. Because of its location, adding space to the jail is not possible, Warren said. The sheriff also urged the county judge and county commissioners to consider issuing certificates of obligation or ask voters to approve a bond proposal to pay for the new jail.

Llano City Council members recently approved issuing $2 million in bonds to pay for building a new community center that will feature a covered rodeo arena, show barn, community center, amphitheater and soccer fields.

The Llano Economic Development Corporation is directing the community center project to be located on 88 acres of land on RR152, west of the city.

Liberty city officials recently agreed to apply for a $1 million grant from the Texas General Land Office to help pay for a $1.5 million, 9,965-square-foot police facility. Also in the planning stages are a project to replace the air conditioning and heating system at a cultural center at a cost of $200,000 and installing a $50,000 awning to the public works center to shelter vehicles and equipment.

The grant is for a second round of federal disaster aid directed through the state to be used for public safety projects related to natural disasters. Hurricane Ike destroyed the police station in Liberty in 2008 and city officials have rented space for the police station since then.

City Manager Gary Broz said city officials also are deliberating whether to issue $1.8 million in certificates of obligation to pay for the capital improvements and administrative bond costs.

Bandera City Council members recently began seeking applicants for city marshal after eliminating positions previously held by the police chief, a police lieutenant and a patrol officer. This action left the police department with only two employees.

The new city marshal will be appointed to a term of two years to run concurrently with the term of the mayor. A majority vote of council members will be needed to remove the marshal at the end of any term, but council will need a supermajority to remove the marshal in mid-term, city officials said.

Cone new interim director of Corpus business innovation center

Officials at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi recently named local banker Bill Cone (pictured) interim director of the Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center.

Previously, Cone served as executive vice president and business banking manager at a Corpus Christi bank. He has also held positions as regional president overseeing the Heart of Texas region for a national bank, and as president and chief executive officer of a New Braunfels bank.

Cone earned his bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and went on to the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

A bond committee for Tatum Independent School District recently expressed support for asking voters to approve as much as $25 million in bonds to build a new elementary campus. Committee members inspected district facilities and then agreed a new elementary campus is needed because of a growth in enrollment, said Superintendent Dee Hart. Members of the bond committee are expected to ask board members to schedule a bond election in early 2012.

Trustees for the Brenham Independent School District recently moved forward on a proposed $26 million bond election in May 2012 by adopting a timeline to issue debt and an overview of the projects on which the bond funds will be spent.

If approved by voters, district officials plan to use bond proceeds to build a new elementary school and renovate a middle school, said Superintendent Byron McAdams (pictured). While state law requires the board to adopt a timeline for a bond proposal and an overview of projects, trustees have the option of adopting a different timeline or overview of projects, McAdams said.

Among the projects included in the overview are building more classrooms, a new cafeteria, library, band hall, choir room and offices, district officials said.

Mineola expecting big expenditures for water storage, treatment

Mineola city leaders are expecting to invest up to $1.65 million to update water storage and water treatment facilities in the next two years.

An unused pond at the wastewater treatment plant could cost up to $1.2 million to remove or about $300,000 to cover. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will determine which move is necessary.

Additionally, two water storage tanks need to be updated. One tank will cost $325,000 and $125,000 for the other.

Houston County court appoints von Doenhoff as new judge

Houston County commissioners recently named R.C. von Doenhoff (pictured) interim county judge from Dec. 6 until a new judge is elected in November 2012.
 

Current County Judge Lonnie Hunt is resigning to accept a position with the Texas Association of Counties in Austin.
 

Von Doenhoff, who served as county judge from 1995 through 2006, has said he will not run for the office in next year's election.

 

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

Similar to the nation's dire need to update and expand its transportation infrastructure, the country's water infrastructure is equally in need of attention. Population explosions are forcing communities throughout the country into major water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Texas is no exception.

The result is a variety of water-related contracting opportunities that address new construction, expansions and additions, conservation, flood control and security.

Texas voters have recognized the need for additional funding for water projects in both urban and suburban communities. They approved a constitutional amendment authorizing the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to increase its bonding authority to $6 billion. Proceeds from the bonds will be used through a variety of programs to help local governments defray the costs of water and wastewater projects. The funds will be made available to qualifying cities, counties, water districts, river authorities and nonprofit water supply corporations.

[more]

Biscoe to retire as Travis

County judge in 2014

Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe (pictured) recently announced he will not seek re-election in 2014, when his term expires.

Biscoe, a Democrat, will have served on the Commissioners Court for 25 years - nine years as commissioner for Precinct 1 and 16 as county judge.

"I'm moving on," Biscoe said. "It will be time for some fresh blood, some fresh ideas in county government."

Monzingo appointed to new

post in Pflugerville ISD

The Pflugerville school board recently appointed middle school principal Denise Monzingo (pictured) executive director of organizational and professional development.

In her new position, Monzingo will oversee systems that support continuous improvement in instruction and teacher effectiveness. Monzingo has served at Park Crest Middle School since 2008, and the previous four years as principal of Dessau Elementary.

Monzingo holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's from Texas State University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Texas A&M University.

Galveston City Council members recently selected four candidates for city manager to meet with city officials and community members before a final selection is made. The four finalists are:

• Rick Conner, a former public works director and city engineer in Galveston retired as city manager in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, after serving as city manager in Marble Falls and Portland and as a city engineer in El Paso;
• Michael Kovacs, an assistant city manager for the Park City Municipal Corporation in Utah, who previously was a city manager in Port Aransas, a city administrator in Presidio, and a town administrator in Surfside Beach, South Carolina;
• Derek Todd, a management consultant for Greeley, Colorado, who previously served as town administrator in Frederick, Colorado, and the assistant to the chief administrative officer for Renton, Washington; and
• Kenneth Williams, a city manager in Buda, who previously was a city manager in Diboll and an assistant city manager and public works director in Lufkin.

The new city manager will replace Steve LeBlanc, who left that position earlier this year.

Pflugerville selects Tom Word

as new assistant city manager

The Pflugerville City Council recently appointed engineer Tom Word (pictured) as the city's third assistant city manager.

Word, who has more than 35 years of engineering experience in the public sector, will oversee the Public Works Department, Parks and Recreation Department and special projects. The other assistant city managers, Trey Fletcher and Lauri Gillam, oversee other departments.

Smithville airport in line for $550,000 in grant funding

Texas Transportation Commission officials recently announced that the Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport will receive $557,610 for improvements. The funds would be used toward resurfacing the 4,000-foot runway, taxiways and rehabilitation of aircraft parking. The growing airport recently added four new hangars. Project costs will be funded by TxDOT's Aviation Facilities Grant Program.

Superintendent Randy Hancock (pictured) recently announced he plans to retire from Royce City Independent School District in June 2012. Hancock has spent 34 years as an educator.

Ramiro Garza (pictured) recently told Edinburg city officials that he plans to take a temporary unpaid leave as city manager to run for election to represent Congressional District 27 in Cameron County. A federal court recently redrew the district that includes no incumbent representative.

Prior to becoming Edinburg city manager in 2009, Garza organized and led economic development efforts in Port Isabel and in 2000, he became executive director of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. Garza holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas-Brownsville.

City council members are expected to name an acting city manager to replace Garza as soon as he submits a letter of intent to city officials.

Smithville airport in line

for $550,000 in grant funding

Texas Transportation Commission officials recently announced that the Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport will receive $557,610 for improvements. The funds would be used toward resurfacing the 4,000-foot runway, taxiways and rehabilitation of aircraft parking. The growing airport recently added four new hangars. Project costs will be funded by TxDOT's Aviation Facilities Grant Program.

Longview ISD board chief may retire, then be put on contract

The Longview school district rumor mill is chattering about the possible retirement of Superintendent James Wilcox - and subsequent rehire on a contract basis.

School board president Sam Satterwhite isn't denying the gossip.

Wilcox, who has an annual salary of $207,500, could retire June 30, when his contract expires. At that time, he could be rehired under conditions set by the state's Teacher Retirement System.

Texas City Independent School District trustees recently selected a Dallas-based search firm to help find a new superintendent to replace Bob Brundrett, who resigned in June. Since that time, four co-interim superintendents have led the school district.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded El Paso a $1.5 million grant. The grant will be used to purchase 12 new paratransit buses for Sun Metro. The energy-efficient buses will provide transit services for people with disabilities.

Cindy Gee (pictured) recently retired as assistant superintendent for Pflugerville Independent School District. Gee previously served as a teacher for Northeast ISD, Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD and at Pflugerville ISD.

Gee earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University and a master's degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio. She gained certification as an administrator from Texas State University.

Nederland principal Noble

wins school leadership award

Karen Noble (pictured), principal of Hillcrest Elementary School in the Nederland district, recently was named one of just seven educators nationwide to win the Terrel H. Bell Award. The award, named for the former U.S. Secretary of Education, recognizes outstanding school principals. Hillcrest Elementary has earned an exemplary rating, the highest rating awarded in the state's accountability system, every year since 1996. The school was also named a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School.

Brenham nets $275,000 grant

for local airport upgrades

The Texas Transportation Commission recently approved a $275,000 grant to pay for improvements to the Brenham Municipal Airport. At least some of the grant funds will be used for land acquisition. Work on improvements to the airport should begin in about two months, city officials said.

Quitman Independent School District board members recently agreed to accept applications only from internal candidates after opening a search for a new superintendent.

Rick Flanagan, who is currently the interim superintendent for the district, has applied for the permanent post, district officials said. The deadline for applicants was Nov. 28 and trustees expect to name a lone finalist for superintendent on Dec. 19.

Board members also are accepting applications for a business manager to replace Holly Hague, who is retiring from that position.

Kyle officials hire new

planning director, engineer

Kyle city officials recently hired two new department heads: Sophia Nelson will serve as director of planning and Steven Widacki will become the city's first in-house city engineer. Nelson previously worked in San Marcos and Leander as a senior planner. Widacki has 27 years of engineering experience. His new position is expected to save the city thousands in contract costs for outside engineering services.

Neffendorf retiring as Fredericksburg manager

Long-time Fredericksburg City Manager Gary Neffendorf (pictured) plans to retire, effective Dec. 31.

Neffendorf started with the city in 1973 as assistant finance director and rose in rank until he became the top administrator in 1988. The City Council has begun searching for a successor. Neffendorf will continue to serve on a contract basis until the post is filled.

Pampa approves $300K grant

for airport improvements

Pampa city officials recently granted approval to the Pampa Economic Development Corporation to provide a $300,000 grant to Gray County to pay for a new administration building at the Pampa Area Airport.

Gray County officials also won a $300,000 grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to help pay for the new administration building. County officials also agreed to pay for removing the current building and relocating electric lines for construction planned to begin in March.

Debbie Rawls recently announced she plans to retire as Orange County Auditor on Jan. 18, 2012. Rawls joined the county as assistant auditor in 1994. The district court directs the office of the county auditor and will appoint a new auditor at a later date.

San Marcos airport to gets federal funds for improvements

The San Marcos Municipal Airport will receive about $380,000 in federal funds for lighting improvements and pavement design. A consultant will be selected in the next few months.

The federal money comes through the Texas Department of Transportation's Aviation Facilities Grant Program, which preserves and improves the state's general aviation system.

About 275 Texas community airports are eligible for the funding.

Longview ISD assistant superintendent Scott resigns

Longview school district assistant superintendent Jennifer Scott, who oversees administrative and pupil services, has stepped down from her position.

Scott, a grant writer who brought millions to the district, was among the primary officials working to have a 40-year federal desegregation order lifted. Scott worked an average of 60 unpaid days each year.

Her replacement has not been selected, but her staff has covered all necessary duties, a district spokesman said.

Pflugerville hires private law

firm for city attorney duties

Pflugerville officials recently hired a San Antonio-based law firm to handle the city's legal work. The city has used an in-house attorney for more than four years, but made the change because outsourcing was affordable and provides a broad range of services. The San Antonio firm serves more than 100 government entities including 17 cities. Previously, Floyd Akers served as in-house city attorney.