Texas Government Insider
Volume 9, Issue 8 - Friday, Feb. 25, 2011

Public-private partnerships:

 

Fort Worth sets bar for innovative projects that benefit community, economy 

Mike Moncrief
Mayor Mike Moncrief

Public-private partnerships are not just the wave of the future. They are the wave of the present. And, according to Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief, "Partnerships equal progress."


In his last State of the City address this week (Moncrief recently announced he will not seek a fifth term), the Fort Worth mayor said public-private partnerships (P3s) "shaped our city's past and will define its future."


Thinking "outside the box" and "working for the greater good" have been the cornerstone for Moncrieff's four terms as the chief elected official of Fort Worth. P3s have helped diversity the city's economy, helped solve community problems that arose from being one of the fastest growing large cities in the nation, improved public safety and promoted a sustainable city.


Other cities are looking to Fort Worth as a model for using public-private partnerships as a way to create efficiencies, cut costs and create new revenue streams.

 

Fort Worth has found out through innovative partnerships what other state and local governments are opening their eyes to in lean economic times - that public-private partnerships work.

 

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Some Texas cities record triple digit population increases in census

CensusThere were some surprises in population figures when the results of the 2010 decennial census information was released last week in Texas. Some cities saw triple digit increases in their populations.


Frisco City had the biggest percent change in population (among cities with current populations of 50,000 or more) with a 247 percent change. The population of 33,714 in 2000 increased to 116,989 in 2010. Other triple digit percentage increases were 142.4 percent for Pearland (from 37,640 in 2000 to 91,252 in 2010), McKinney with a 141.2 percent increase (from 54,369 in 2000 to 131,117 in 2010) and Mansfield with a change of 101.1 percent (from 28,031 in 2000 to 56,368 in 2010).


The remaining top 10 cities with the largest percent change in cities with populations of 50,000 and higher were Allen with 93.4 percent, Atascocita with 84.1 percent, League City with 83.9 percent, Mission City with 69.7 percent, The Woodlands with 68.6 percent and Round Rock with 63.4 percent.


Houston held on to the top spot as the most populous city in the state with a 2010 population of 2,099,451. That figure was up from the 2000 census count of 1,953,631. San Antonio ranked as the second most populous city with 1,327,407 counted, compared to 2000's figure of 1,144,646. Dallas showed a much smaller increase to hold down third place. The city's 2000 population of 1,188,580 increased only to 1,197,816 by 2010.


Austin held down the fourth spot in the population rankings with a population of 790,390, up from the 2000 figure of 656,562. Fort Worth showed a large increase - from 534,694 in 2000 to 741,206 in 2010. The remaining top 10 in population in descending order were El Paso, which increased from 563,662 to 649,121 over the 10-year period; Arlington, whose population increased from 332,969 to 365,438; followed by Corpus Christi, with a 10-year increase from 277,454 to 305,215; Plano with an increase from 2000's figure of 222,030 to 259,841 in 2010; and Laredo, which saw its 176,576 population in 2000 grow to 236,091 in 2010. 

 

Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars

 

Laura DollLaura Doll, chair, board of directors, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) 

 

Career highlights and education: Summary: MPA from The University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs.  Public sector tenures at a large municipal electric utility, a state power authority and a state utility regulatory agency.  Private sector experience in energy management consulting, telecommunications and energy project development and governmental permitting. Energy is the common thread throughout my career, and I have been fortunate to be able to pursue opportunities I never could have anticipated after graduating from the LBJ School at UT.  Just out of school in 1978, I joined an Austin-grown energy management company, Planergy, and worked with the Texas Public Utility Commission to help develop Texas' first pro-cogeneration policies.  Next, I spent over a decade at Austin Energy as chief administrative officer as it grappled with unprecedented customer growth and built its first conservation power plant.  Later, I was part of the Grande Communications Austin-San Marcos start-up team and got my first taste of the entrepreneurial high tech world that was hitting a peak in central Texas at that time.  In 2001, I left Texas temporarily to go back into the public sector and head up a new state agency formed in the wake of the energy crisis in California, the California Power Authority, with a mission to finance needed energy infrastructure.  From there, I entered the utility regulatory sector as deputy executive director of the California Public Utilities Commission.  In 2008, I was appointed to the board of the California Independent System Operator, that state's electric grid manager, and I also joined Woodside Natural Gas to help develop a natural gas project to serve southern California.  I returned home to Texas in 2009 to provide energy and governmental affairs consulting services to public and private sector clients. While I am not an engineer, most of my professional life has operated at the intersection of technical energy issues and public policy, experience which leads directly to my new responsibilities at ERCOT.

What I like best about my job is: being able to participate in the geekosphere of electricity transmission and the Texas energy market, connecting the technical aspects of the grid with the policies that will help ensure reliability, support the inclusion of renewable energy and demand response and strengthen the Texas economy in the process.

The best advice I've received for my current job is: Strive to understand what you are voting on, and don't ever try to explain how electricity really works!

Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Listen first, and inspire trust by doing what you said you would and delivering results.  ...and RUA (resist using acronyms).

If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: on I-10, halfway to Marfa and my high desert hideout.

People would be surprised to know that I: have an undergraduate degree in French.

One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: Three things, actually. (1) ERCOT is like the air traffic controller of the transmission grid and it quietly facilitates a highly competitive wholesale and retail energy market, more wind generation than any other state in the country, and over 2 million (and growing) smart meters, all of which are making Texas a leader in the next generation of electricity management. (2) The electric grid managed by ERCOT is unique in the United States as it is the only one that is independent of jurisdiction by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  The Texas Public Utility Commission has regulatory oversight of ERCOT. (3) The Texas grid is a complex electric system that most of us never have to think about while the lights stay on.  But on Feb. 2, Texas experienced unprecedented cold temperatures and high winds that caused more than 80 power plants to shut down unexpectedly and dramatically in the early morning hours. ERCOT operators took quick action under difficult circumstances and, as a last resort, called upon local transmission and distribution companies to institute rotating outages across the state.  The emergency outages were a great inconvenience to many Texans, but they had the positive effect of preserving the security of the grid and avoiding what could have been a disastrous situation for the entire state.
  

 

Construction around corner for Grand Parkway in Harris County

Ned HolmesConstruction on segment E of the Grand Parkway in Harris County (SH 99) is a step closer to beginning following action Thursday by the Texas Transportation Commission. After the county rescinded its right to primary on the project, the Texas Department of Transportation now has authority to begin preparing paperwork and to enter into agreements with the county. Once funding is identified and allocated by the Transportation Commission, the project can go to contract.
 

"Development of the Grand Parkway will alleviate congestion on multiple roadway segments on the state's list of the 100 most congested," said Transportation Commissioner Ned Holmes (pictured), including six segments ranked in the 20 most congested."
 

Officials will gather and analyze public comments over the coming months before recommending the Commission allocate approximately $350 million remaining in the Texas Mobility Fund to construct segment E of the Grand Parkway. The Texas Mobility Fund is comprised of fees related to driver licenses, driver records, certificates of title and vehicle inspections. Construction costs for segment E are an estimated $355 million, with an additional estimated $64 million for engineering and right of way.

 

State group to rally against education fund cuts at Capitol

Leaders of Save Texas Schools, a group of parents, teachers, community members and business and faith organizations, recently announced plans to hold a rally and march at the capitol in Austin to protest proposed cuts in funding for public education in Texas. The march is scheduled to begin on March 12 at 11 a.m. at 12th Street and Trinity in Austin and to proceed to the south steps of the capitol for a rally to begin at noon.

 

Pedernales Electric board picks Sloan as its new CEO

The board of Pedernales Electric Cooperative has hired utility industry veteran R. B. Sloan Jr. to be CEO of the nation's largest electric distribution cooperative.

 

Sloan, who will start March 6, has more than 40 years experience in the industry. Since 2009, he has served as utilities director in Danville, Va., and prior to that he held a similar position in Vero Beach, Fla.
 

Sloan, who was hired without a contract, will earn a base salary of $300,000, plus living expenses up to $2,500 a month, a car allowance up to $1,500 a month, moving expenses up to $15,000 and benefits. He is also eligible for a bonus based on performance.


Transfer of some parks to local entities under consideration

Brent LeisureState park officials are looking to decrease their budget by transferring several small, rural parks to nearby cities or counties. The handover of property would save the state $7.8 million in the 2012-2013 biennium.
 

On paper, the parks look like money pits: Lockhart State Park collected about $224,000 in 2010 but spent more than $400,000. Yet, local communities rely on the parks to bring in visitors, who spend money. Last year, 39,661 people visited Lockhart State Park and contributed $600,354 in sales, according to a Texas A&M study.
 

The transfer would allow "the site to continue to operate where we're struggling to provide resources," said state parks director Brent Leisure (pictured). The townspeople want the parks to stay open but aren't sure they have the money to do it. They are experiencing their own budget shortfalls.

 

Dallas County names four to Parkland Board of Managers

Dallas County commissioners recently appointed four new members to the board of managers of the Parkland Health & Hospital System.
 

Debbie Branson, who was appointed by the county judge, will replace Chris Luna, while commissioners appointed L. Gerald "Jerry" Bryant, who will replace Alan Waine, and Patricia Rodriguez Gorman, who will replace Dalton Lott. County officials also appointed Eddie Reeves the new at-large member of the board to replace Chad Park, D.D.S.
 

Branson, an attorney, has a bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University, a master's degree from the University of Texas at Dallas and a law degree from the University of Arkansas. Bryant is president of a consulting company and previously served in senior positions at the Baylor Health Care System, Northwestern University, University of California at Berkeley and University of Washington. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma and a master's degree from Washington University.

 

Gorman owns a construction company and has a bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas, master's degrees from the University of Texas at Dallas and from Southern Methodist University. Reeves heads a communications consulting company in Dallas and previously served as legislative assistant to a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, as the press secretary to a former mayor of Houston and as vice president for media relations at an investment firm.

 

P3 Opportunities

Former senior curator new director of Museum of Texas Tech

Eileen JohnsonTexas Tech officials recently named Eileen Johnson (pictured) the executive director of the Museum of Texas Tech University. She has been serving as interim director since January 2010.


Johnson, museum science professor and former senior curator, will oversee all museum functions and its operating budget. She will also serve as chief liaison to the Office of the Provost and to the Museum Association.
 

As executive director, Johnson wants to enhance the museum's growth in its collections activities, public and academic programs.

 

TWU regents discuss overcrowding in on-campus housing

As Texas Woman's University continues to grow in enrollment, the need for on-campus housing has stretched to capacity and beyond.

 

To tame overcrowding problems, university officials want to offer students campus-area apartments, which the university would lease and maintain to the usual standards for security and cleanliness.
 

"We are not in a position to build new housing," said Richard Nicholas, vice president for student life. "There are no more ways to stretch the current facilities."
 

Enrollment has grown 5 percent in the last year, pushing the 1,629 dormitory dwellers closer together. Some two-person rooms now house three, and resident assistants who usually live alone now have roommates.


Hackett selected as UT-Tyler director of financial aid

MarQuita HackettThe University of Texas at Tyler officials recently announced MarQuita Hackett (pictured) the new director of financial aid.
 

Hackett has worked in the department since 1997, first serving as a financial aid officer and then, in 2004, as associate director.
 

Hackett holds an associate's degree from Tyler Junior College and a bachelor's from LeTourneau University.

 

UT Tyler's Muntz Library picks Bianchi as university archivist

A new archivist has been tasked with ensuring that the historical significance of The University of Texas at Tyler is preserved and maintained for future generations.

 

As the new university archivist, Terra Bianchi wants to save hard documents for posterity, but also wants to digitize collections for online exhibits that can reach more students, faculty and researchers.
 

Bianchi, who most recently worked as librarian and archives assistant for Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, Inc., holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and a master's from Simmons College in Boston.

 

UTSA's Hardy to serve in distance learning post in Washington, D.C.

Darcy HardyA technology official at The University of Texas at San Antonio was recently appointed to serve one year with the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) in the U.S. Department of Labor.


Darcy Hardy (pictured), UTSA assistant vice provost for technology education initiatives, will serve ETA as an education technology expert as the group works to meet President Barack Obama's goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020.
 

Hardy plans to return to UTSA at the end of the year.

 

Baylor Executive VP, Provost Davis announces appointments

The Baylor University provost's office recently announced a number of staff changes and appointments to new positions.
 

Senior Vice Provost Naymond H. Keathley will become interim director of the Center for International Education (CIE), which oversees study abroad programs and international opportunities for students and faculty.
 

Wesley Null, associate professor of curriculum and foundations of education in the School of Education and the Honors College, will wait until mid-May to start as vice provost for undergraduate education.
 

Tiffany Hogue, assistant provost for institutional effectiveness, will be chief of staff while Michelle V. Berry takes over as director of finance and business operations for academic affairs.
 

Federal Expert Needed

Del Mar College seeks $1 million to train aviation technicians

Corpus Christi Business and Job Development Corporation recently approved a request by Del Mar College officials to provide nearly $1 million in sales tax revenue to train aviation technicians. City council members, however, must give final approval before the funding is available.


Del Mar officials plan to use the sales tax revenue to renovate an unused hanger at the Corpus Christi International Airport into a training facility for aviation maintenance technicians, said Bud Harris, executive dean for intergovernmental and business relations for the college. Plans call for converting the hanger into 14,400-square-foot aircraft storage area, adding 2,440 square feet of classroom and office space and creating 30 parking spaces. Del Mar officials propose to invest $2 million into the project if the city agrees to lease the space, worth about $900,000, at no charge to the college. Del Mar currently operates a hanger and training facility at its west campus.

 

Officials of the Corpus Christi Army Depot and other facilities in the area must look out of the area to hire technicians and the training program at Del Mar is at capacity, Harris said. The expansion would allow an increase in enrollment for training program for aviation technicians from 202 students in fall 2010 by 60 additional students. About 50 students graduate from the program each year and earn an average annual base salary of $44,000, Harris said.

 

El Paso's A.B. Fall Mansion to get $1.1 million remodeling project

The El Paso City Council recently OK'd $1.1 million toward the remodeling of the A.B. Fall Mansion, which will house the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center. Construction is to start in April and be complete by December 2011. 


When MHMR moves into the building, the first level will include a waiting area and exam room while the basement would house medical records and the second floor offices.

 

UTSA approved for degrees in mechanical, biomedical engineering

Mauli AgrawalThe University of Texas at San Antonio will have two new engineering programs in the fall - a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering.


These programs, which were recently approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, are the first of their kind in South Texas.
 

"There are many opportunities for engineering graduates in the region," said UTSA College of Engineering Dean Mauli Agrawal (pictured). "We expect there to be a great demand for these programs of study."

 

Blinn College trustees name new members to advisory panel

Blinn College trustees recently named four local leaders to their Brazos County Advisory Panel.

 

New members, who fill two expiring terms and two existing openings, are: Real estate broker Michael J. Beckendorf, local business owner Rodney McFaddin, A&M System Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Frank Ashley and Jenny Ligon, manager of external relations for Texas Engineering Extension Service.

 

Texas State releases designs for its new Performing Arts Center

Arts CenterDesigns for Texas State University-San Marcos' new state-of-the-arts Performing Arts Center were unveiled recently (see accompanying artist's rendering). The facility will feature a 400-seat theater and 300-seat recital hall. There will also be space for rehearsals, staging areas, classrooms and a grand lobby. Also included in the project is a 455-space parking garage.


The new building was facilitated by an $8 million gift from Patti Harrison in 2008. Her gift started the wheels of the fundraising wagon turning, with the university coming up with close to $43 million for the balance. Other funds came from the Higher Education Assistance Funds, other gift funding and Texas State University System Revenue Financing System Revenue Bonds.
 

"All of us are very excited about the new Performing Arts Center, but no one is more excited than Patti Harrison," said Texas State President Denise Trauth. "Patti gave us the lead gift for the project - $8 million. Her faith in the vision launched the fundraising for the facility and kept it at the top of our 'must-do' list."

 

Sam Houston chooses committee members for provost/VP search

A Sam Houston State University advisory committee was recently formed to search for a new provost/vice president for academic affairs.

 

The 11-person committee is charged with attracting applicants through advertising and then screening the initial pool.
 

The committee will select six to 10 semi-finalists before the next round of screening.

 

 
Advertise in the Texas Government Insider
 
For pricing information, contact Reagan Weil at rweil@spartnerships.com or click here.


 

NEISD picks Gottardy to serve as interim superintendent

Brian GottardyNorth East Independent School District officials recently named an interim superintendent - Brian Gottardy, (pictured) who currently serves as associate superintendent for business services and operations.


Gottardy takes over for retiring Richard Middleton, who steps down in early May. The timing will allow Gottardy to work during the busy budget-setting period.
 

Gottardy, who holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, plans to apply for the permanent superintendent position when the board begins its search.

 

Elgin agrees to buy back wastewater plant from LCRA

Keith JoeselElgin City Council members recently approved a non-binding resolution stating the city's intent to buy back its wastewater facility from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA).
 

City officials agreed that the price tag for the wastewater treatment plant will not exceed $4.5 million, said Keith Joesel (pictured), a council member. In response to the city's action, LCRA board members authorized their general manager to negotiate and execute the sale to Elgin. City officials set a goal of finalizing the agreement with the LCRA in three to four months.
 

LCRA officials said they are working with Elgin to finalize the sale and plan to continue with the process of divesting their water and wastewater systems. The board also approved the sale of the Hamilton Creek and South Road Water Systems to Marble Falls.

 

MCH in Odessa plans to renovate seventh floor of facility

Bill WebsterThe state budget deficit has caused officials with Medical Center Hospital (MCH) in Odessa to scale back on plans for a new building that was to house the school of medicine and school of nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin.
 

Now, MCH officials are considering a less expensive plan to renovate 14,000 square feet on the hospital's seventh floor, which will become vacant in at the end of the year when the maternity ward moves into a new facility.
 

"Considering the economic environment, everybody's looking for the most cost-effective option they can find," said MCH chief executive Bill Webster (pictured). "This is an option that has gained interest, (but) no final decision has been made."

 

Smith County to try one more time to pass jail bond proposal

Jeff WarrSmith County commissioners this week decided to put a jail bond issue before voters for the fifth time in as many years. The $35 million bond issue will go before voters in May. The proposal is for a 384-bed jail, which officials are hopeful will prevent the county from having to transfer inmates to other counties. Commissioner Jeff Warr (pictured) said it has been "a long road" to getting the proposal on a ballot again.


The proposal not only would add beds, but also revamp the jail system's visitation, laundry and kitchen facilities. Also included in the project is revamping the downtown jail's book-in area and making it safer for jailers and the public. The intake area would include 5,400 square feet with a holding capacity of 85.

 

More than $3.3 million of the bond funds would be spent on a visitation area, office and administrative space, a sally port and an infirmary. Another $3.5 million would go toward a 15,500-square-foot combination video visitation, kitchen and laundry area. Officials expect to save up to $800,000 by adding an in-house infirmary.

 

West Oso ISD superintendent Sandroussi will retire in June

Mike SandroussiThe superintendent of the West Oso school district, Mike Sandroussi (pictured), plans to step down at the end of June to pursue a career in the private sector.

 

Sandroussi has worked 29 years as an educator and spent the last two in West Oso. He has also led the Edcouch-Elsa and Skidmore-Tynan school districts.
 

The school board is looking for a new district leader and accepting applications through March 18.


Alief ISD picks Stafford superintendent as lone finalist for top job

H.D. Chambers

Trustees of the Houston-area Alief school district recently voted 4-3 to name H.D. Chambers (pictured) the lone finalist for superintendent. The board can make Chambers official on March 8, when a state-mandated 21-day waiting period ends.


Chambers is now superintendent of the Stafford district, which is made up of 3,100 students - a fraction the size of Alief's 45,000. 

 

Chambers has led the Stafford schools of Fort Bend County since 2006. Previously he worked six years in Aldine as a teacher and coach and 13 years in Cypress-Fairbanks as an office administrator.

 

Did you miss S&L Pipeline?

Aransas Pass approves dry dock facility at Conn Brown Harbor

Aransas Pass City Council members recently approved construction of a new dry dock facility for boating inside Conn Brown Harbor. The vote allows a private company to construct and operate the dry stack boathouse designed to store up to 277 boats up to 45 feet long. City officials agreed to keep the bulkhead intact during the 25-year lease agreement and company officials agreed to pay all construction and maintenance costs of the boat storage facility.

 

The company agreed to pay the city 6 percent of boat storage fees and other revenues collected at the new docking facility. The company estimated the city should receive from $125,000 to $150,000 annually once construction is completed. The first building will be 140 feet wide, 400 feet long and 55 feet at its tallest point. Future plans call for adding a restaurant and a visitor's shop, city officials said.
 

At the same time the dry dock facility is being built, Aransas Pass city officials also are planning to use grant funds to build transient boat docks, make bulkhead repairs and build new boat ramps at Conn Brown Harbor, with construction scheduled to begin this year.

 

City secretary for Missouri City heading to job in La Porte

Patrice FogartyThe city secretary of Missouri City, Patrice Fogarty (pictured), stepped down from that job last Friday and on Monday took over as La Porte's city secretary.


She comes to La Porte just a few months before she is to oversee city, school district and San Jacinto College elections. As city secretary, Fogarty will oversee elections, supervise municipal courts and maintain official city records.
 

Fogarty came to Missouri City in 1998 as city secretary and had served in similar roles previously in Beaumont and Dickinson.

 

Pine Tree ISD discusses yet another possible stadium location

Pat NoonPine Tree school trustees recently discussed potential sites for a new stadium, which would be paid for with funds from a possible May bond election. The board has until March 14 to call the election, which would also include technology projects and renovations.
 

Three sites for a stadium are being considered: the current site near the administration offices, another property near Lear Park and a site that had previously been deemed too expensive near Pine Tree Junior High School.
 

The junior high site originally had a $23 million price tag, but trustees now think they can reduce that by scaling back on stadium seating and using a new, cheaper asphalt product. Trustee Pat Noon (pictured) wants to keep the bond development committee updated on any changes to the plan that members have been discussing for months.

 

Gilmer council will discuss $40,000 from energy grant

Gilmer, located about 20 miles north of Longview, is eligible to receive $40,303 through a state program that funds local government projects that improve energy efficiency and reduce fossil fuel emissions.

City leaders would use money from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, part of the federal Recovery Act, to purchase HVAC units and retrofit lighting at City Hall. 

 

Arlington City Council supporting bond proposal for flood relief

Fiona AllenThe Arlington City Council will likely spend $41 million to fund flood-prevention projects and buy dozens of homes and condominiums that were damaged or left uninhabitable by Tropical Storm Hermine last year. 

 

The projects would be paid for through a bond package that would be repaid with storm water fees from water utility customers. 

 

If approved, about $16 million would be put toward buyout offers on flood-prone housing. 

 

"This will be a voluntary acquisition. We are not proposing eminent domain to be used to purchase any property," Deputy City Manager Fiona Allen (pictured) said Tuesday.

 

Cedar Park officials will make offer on land for new city hall

Mitch FullerThe Cedar Park City Council recently gave city administration permission to make an offer on land for a new City Hall.
 

If the offer is accepted, city officials will sell some property including the current City Hall, which recently went through several years of repair work.
 

"The current City Hall is not going to work for our current city staff, but we have increased the market value of that structure because of what we put into it," Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Fuller (pictured) said.

 

Friendswood to seek grant for lake improvements

Friendswood officials are seeking a state grant that would pay for the majority of improvements to Lake Friendswood, which is not open to the public.
 

The $493,000 project would include new fencing, restrooms and roads. The Texas Parks and Wildlife grant, which has an application due date of March 1, would cover $434,000 of the price.
 

The city has no timeline for the project.

 

HISD selects Viramontes as chief technology information officer

Arnold ViramontesDallas school district chief of staff Arnold Viramontes (pictured) will step down soon to take a position overseeing all technology operations in Houston schools.

 

As Chief Technology Information Officer, Viramontes will oversee a major security system upgrade and a department that helps ensure all district policy decisions are based on reliable data.
 

Viramontes, who has worked at DISD since 2005, previously served as executive director of a state agency responsible for advancing technology for other state agencies. He will begin his duties at HISD in April.

 

Kendall commissioners put Herff Road bond issue on May 14 ballot

Kendall County commissioners recently agreed to let voters decide May 14 if they want to pay for Herff Road upgrades.
 

A $10 million bond issue would pay to widen, straighten and extend the road to South Main Street. Officials say the $10 million in bonds would require a one-cent increase in the county tax rate.
 

If passed, the project could be designed in about eight months, and it will take 16 months to make the improvements.

 

Kerrville, Kerr County officials spar over shared-service pact

David WamplerKerrville and Kerr County officials recently reached an impasse in negotiations when county officials objected to a city proposal to combine billing to the county for fire and EMS services in one shared-service agreement.


City officials terminated old service agreements with the county and set a March 31 deadline to complete negotiations for new shared-service agreements on fire, EMS, animal control, airport operations, library services and road repairs, said Mayor David Wampler (pictured). Fire and EMS services are co-joined and should be covered by one contract, he said. Wampler claimed city taxpayers subsidized the county about $1 million a year under the old agreement and the city needs the discretion to send a fire truck on ambulance calls in unincorporated areas and to bill for the fire crews, the mayor said.
 

Kerr County officials, however, reacted in early February by agreeing to explore the creation of an emergency services district to levy a tax to fund ambulance services and also began soliciting proposals from ambulance services to provide coverage in unincorporated areas. Combining fire and EMS into one contract is a deal breaker, the county judge said. Kerrville city officials can submit a proposal to provide ambulance services to unincorporated areas in Kerr County, he added.

 

Bexar Met application period for general manager closes

The scandal-ridden Bexar Metropolitan Water District of San Antonio closed the application window for a new general manager on Tuesday.

 

More than a dozen people have applied for the job, which comes with a six-figure salary and benefit package. However, it also comes with ongoing financial, operational and service problems, which have prompted a legislative committee to appoint a conservator to keep an eye on the public utility.
 

The position has been vacant since December after the departure of former GM Victor Mercado, who was indicted on federal charges of racketeering, extortion and obstruction of justice related to his time as GM of the Detroit water system. 

 

Beaumont ISD withdraws hotel plans, proceeds with event center

Carrol ThomasTrustees for the Beaumont Independent School District recently decided to scrap plans for a public-private partnership to build a new hotel. Trustees, however, said they plan to proceed with plans to build a new event center, said Superintendent Carrol Thomas (pictured).
 

Withdrawing from the hotel project was the result of examining proposals from possible investors and had nothing to do with bills filed by area legislators to prohibit public school districts from building and operating hotels, Thomas said.
 

The proposed legislation, filed in both the Texas Senate and House of Representatives, would ban school boards from imposing taxes, issuing bonds and authoring the use of school district employees, property, money or other resources to acquire property to build and operate a hotel. Both bills also ban school boards from entering into any type of lease agreement for hotels.

 

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Lamar CISD looking for bids for two fire safety contracts

Trustees for the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District recently agreed to accept bids through March 7 from companies wishing to provide fire safety services to the school district.

 

District officials expect the two-year contracts to begin April 1 with provisions for renewing the contracts for two additional one-year periods. One contract is for providing inspections and servicing fire extinguishers and the fire suppressant systems while the second contract is to provide inspections and servicing to the fire alarm systems in the district's four high schools, four junior high schools, three middle schools and 21 elementary schools.

 

Athens ISD to ask voters to approve $6.525 million bond issue

Steve McElhanyTrustees for the Athens Independent School District recently called a $6.525 bond election for May to pay for facility improvements. Voters in November 2010 defeated a similar proposal. 

 

A majority of the proposed $6.525 million in bond funds, about $4.5 million, will be used to build a 12-classroom addition to an elementary school, to enlarge and renovate the library and cafeteria and to create a more secure entrance to the school, said Steve McElhany (pictured), president of the board of trustees.
 

Remaining bond proceeds will be spent to replace roofs, install new air conditioning units and repair parking lots at other district facilities, he said. Trustees said they plan to work harder to educate taxpayers that the district can issue Qualified School Construction Bonds and use federal stimulus funds that will save the district an estimated $2 million in interest over 15 years without raising taxes if voters approve the bonds.

 

Sugar Land eyeing partner to redevelop prison land

Sugar Land city officials recently set a March 4 deadline for proposals for developing 330 acres of land now occupied by the Central Prison Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) into a business park.

 

Texas legislators in 2007 required TDCJ to do a feasibility study on relocating and redeveloping the Central Unit and the adjacent facility for housing guards that recommended the state and local community would benefit from the relocation. The proposed budgets in the Texas House and Senate and the budget submitted by the governor recommend closing the Central Prison Unit, but legislators have not yet approved a final budget.
 

City officials also are supporting recent legislation that facilitates business park development as its existing business park is nearing capacity and city officials are looking for a development partner who will then work on a joint feasibility study.

 



15th Annual HUB/Vendor show slated in Huntsville on March 22

The 15th Annual HUB/Vendor Show, sponsored by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University (SHSU), the SHSU Small Business Development Center, the City of Huntsville and Walker County, is slated for Tuesday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to noon in Huntsville. The event will be at the Veterans Complex, 455 State Highway 75 North. Registration and setup begin at 7:30 a.m. The event will feature vendor training sessions - "Procurement Cycle and Tips on Doing Business with the State" with Rachel Snell, Statewide HUB Program Marketing Director, and "How to Do Business" with Billie Smith of the City of Huntsville. All purchasers and end-users from the sponsoring entities as well as state agencies will be in attendance. To register, contact Stephanie Sheffield at 936-437-7067 or Lani Maness at 936-437-7061. There is no charge for booths, but space is limited, so register early.

 

Texas Emergency Management Conference set for San Antonio

The 2011 Texas Emergency Management Conference will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio April 26-29. The conference is sponsored by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management. The conference combines presentations, training and workshops normally associated with the Texas Hurricane Conference and the Texas Homeland Security Conference into one premier event. Representatives from more than 30 agencies on the Governor's Emergency Management Council will attend, along with public officials from local, state and national governments, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, Texas Military Forces, voluntary organizations and private sector partners. Officials from higher education, public education, health and medical care, border security and port security, transportation and cyber security also will attend. For more information and to register, click here

 

Governor's Commission for Women Legislative Luncheon noted

Actress Janine Turner will serve as mistress of ceremonies and will join Gov. Rick Perry and Texas First Lady Anita Perry on Tuesday, April 26, in honoring the women of the 82nd Legislature while enjoying lunch overlooking Austin. The luncheon will be at the Sheraton Austin at the Capitol from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Beacon State Fund, a nonprofit organization established to support the goals of the Governor's Commission for Women. Tickets are $60 each and sponsorships are available. For more information, please contact the Governor's Commission for Women at (512) 475-2615 or women@governor.state.tx.us.

 

TACDC planning conference on 'Going Green Affordably' in March

The Texas Association of Community Development Corporations has announced its 18th Annual Texas Community Economic Development Conference - "Going Green Affordably" - for March 6-8 in Austin. The event will be at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Austin. Some of the breakout sessions will feature topics such as Green Building, PR for Nonprofits, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Tax Credits. Sponsorships are available and there will be exhibitors at the event. Keynote speaker for the Monday event will be Mary Gordon Spence and keynote for Tuesday will be Mark Pinskey with Opportunity Finance and Sam Yoon with the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations. Early registration will be held through Feb. 18. For more information, click here. To register, click here.

 

TxDOT Fort Worth Small Business Briefing conference

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Business Outreach and Program (BOP) Services reaches across Texas to provide small and minority-owned business communities an opportunity to learn more about contracting opportunities with state entities. The Fort Worth Small Business Briefing conference is set for April 20. Information will be available to help small business owners better understand how to do business with the agency and the State of Texas.  The sessions not only allow small businesses to be introduced to TxDOT and other state agencies, but also allow them to learn more about the economic development opportunities in their regions. It also gives agencies a chance to show the myriad of prospects available for small and minority businesses in the state. The final conference is planned for San Antonio on July 20, 2011. For more information and to register, click here or call 1.866.480.2519, Option 2.

 

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P3s gaining popularity to
cut costs, increase revenue  

 

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

 

The popularity of public-private partnerships (P3s) in the United States has not yet paralleled that of European countries, where P3s have been used successfully for years. However, given the current financial crisis facing state and local governments, governmental institutions like the option of using P3s as an innovative way to cut costs and create new revenue streams.
  
American P3s have been common for critical infrastructure projects and it has been easy to make the business case for them. Partnering with private sector firms that can provide financing, labor and management has been attractive because funding constraints have been significant. Transportation P3s have taken many forms and most have been successful. Some are small and others are extremely large. In Ohio, for instance, the governor is seeking to lease the Ohio Turnpike for a staggering $3 billion. That would be a huge new revenue source to his cash-strapped state.
  
In Indianapolis, airport officials are seeking a developer to build a large solar farm on 30 acres of airport land. The solar farm would be able to produce enough power for 6,000 homes. The plan is for the airport to generate revenue from leasing the property to the developer and then the developer could either operate the solar plant or sell it to a power company.
  
  
At&T

Waco selects Fisseler as new assistant city manager

Dale FisselerWaco City Council members recently selected Dale Fisseler (pictured), who recently retired as city manager in Fort Worth, to serve as an assistant city manager in Waco.

 

Fisseler is scheduled to join the staff of City Manager Larry Groth as an assistant city manager in April.  He previously worked as a superintendent for the city of Dallas and began his career in Fort Worth in 1990 as a water production superintendent before becoming city manager in 2007. Fisseler has a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University.

 

P3 Opportunities

Alpine ISD sets $22 million bond election for new high school

Alpine Independent School District trustees recently agreed to ask voters in May to approve $22 million in bonds to pay for a new high school and athletics facility.
 

A bond committee urged trustees to replace the current high school, built in 1972, with a new school featuring multi-purpose classrooms, stage and athletic facilities, including two competition gymnasiums, football field, a practice field, a softball field and a track facility. The citizens group urged that the new high school complex be built on district-owned land next to the middle school.

 

Port Lavaca to seek $62,350

state grant for water line, marina

Port Lavaca City Council members recently agreed to seek a $62,350 state grant to help pay for a water line project and to rebuild a marina destroyed by a storm surge.

 

City officials plan to use a state community development block grant to pay the city's required 25 percent match for a $161,250 grant awarded to the city by the Federal Emergency Management Administration to rebuild Dock A at Nautical Landing Marina.

The city also plans to add 400 more feet of water line and connections to a $183,500 project to replace water lines on Center Street because the planned project came in under budget and grant funds are still available.

 

Clifton Gunderson LLP

Fredericksburg to build

new $3.2 million aquatic center

Fredericksburg City Council Members recently agreed to spend $3.2 million to build a new family aquatic center at the Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park.
 

Plans call for the new aquatic center to feature a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool separate from the facility. It will be designed to serve as a site for competitive swimming meets and to meet recreational needs of the community, city officials said. Council members plan to issue $3.2 million in certificates of obligation to pay for the new aquatic facility.

 

La Joya ISD approves new deputy superintendent position

Despite concerns over possible budget cuts, trustees for the La Joya Independent School District approved adding a new position of deputy superintendent at a cost of $110,000 annually.

 

The board president noted that other large school districts in the county, the Edinburg and Pharr-San Juan-Alamo districts, each have from three to five assistant superintendents, while La Joya has only two assistant superintendents. The superintendent needs more help, the board president said.

 

Northrop Grumman

Sands CISD sets bond election to upgrade school, buy new buses

Wayne BlountSands Consolidated Independent School District trustees recently scheduled a bond election on May 14 to ask voters to approve bonds for facility upgrades and to buy three new school buses.
 

If voters approve, the bonds will be used to pay for a new heating and air conditioning unit, buy three new buses, repair the football field, track and parking lot at the school and renovate a district-owned residence currently being used by a principal in the district, said Superintendent Wayne Blount (pictured).

 

Huntsville ISD tags Johnson as lone finalist for superintendent

Huntsville Independent School District officials recently selected Dr. Steve Johnson as the lone finalist for superintendent. Johnson has served as interim superintendent for the school district since December He assumed the duties of Dr. Richard Montgomery, who retired as superintendent in January 2011.

 

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     Jill Griffin known by her 

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Griffin is dedicated to helping clients get the most return from their customer relationships. She helps identify key factors that drive customer and staff loyalty and defection and refine sales, service and marketing strategies for greater loyalty. She is widely sought as a keynote speaker to address loyalty strategies. For a complete portfolio of SPI experts and the services they have to offer, to inquire about specific services or to inquire about becoming a part of SPI's Special Services division, contact Reagan Weil at 512-531-3917 or rweil@spartnerships.com. For information on other individuals in our Special Services division and their areas of expertise, click here.

 

 
LeFleur Transportation

Margie Rose appointed as interim city manager for Corpus

Margie RoseThe Corpus Christi City Council has named Margie C. Rose (pictured) interim city manager until the end of March, when the council expects to name the next chief administrator.

 

Rose, an assistant city manager who oversees community service departments, is the first woman and first African-American to serve in the interim position. She was one of 53 applicants who applied for the top job, but wasn't chosen as a finalist.

 

City Council has narrowed the field to two finalists, Ron Olson and Floyd T. Johnson,

and expects to have a new city manager in place by late March.

 

Halff

Central Texas COG elects Theodosis as president

The board of the Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG) recently elected Judge Byron Theodosis of San Saba as president of the executive committee. Headquartered in Belton, the CTCOG includes Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Milam, Mills and San Saba counties. With an annual budget of a little more than $49 million primarily from federal and state programs, the CTCOG has 147 professional employees.

 

Corpus Christi selects two finalists for city manager

Ron OlsonCorpus Christi City Council members recently narrowed the field of city manager candidates from six to two final candidates, Ron Olson (top) and Floyd T. Johnson (bottom).


Olson is now a county administrator for Polk County in Iowa and previously worked as a city manager in Middletown, Ohio; Belding, Michigan; and in West Jordan, Utah; and as a deputy city manager in Arlington, Texas. Olson has a bachelor's and a master's degree from Brigham Young University.
 

Floyd JohnsonJohnson currently serves as a management consultant for the Northwest District Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency in Florida. He previously served as executive director of the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency in Florida, was a county administrator in Broward County and was city manager in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Richmond, California. Johnson has a bachelor's degree from Hampton Institute in Virginia and a master's degree from Occidental College.

 

Fort Stockton selects Rodriguez

to serve as new city manager

Fort Stockton City Council members recently selected Raul Rodriguez as the new city manager. Rodriguez, who now serves as director of public works and as city engineer, will remain as city engineer when he assumes the duties of city manager on March 1.
 

Rodriguez will replace Interim City Manager Doug May, the director of tourism and executive director of the Fort Stockton Economic Development Corporation, who took the position following the resignation in August 2010 of former City Manager Rafael Castillo.

 

Health Information Designs

Dublin ISD board agrees to call $5.4 million bond election

A $5.44 million bond election will go before voters in the Dublin school district in May. The bond proceeds would be used for improvements to Dublin Middle School and other areas of the district. Some $3.5 million of the fund would go toward the middle school project. The bonds are low-interest Qualified School Construction Bonds for which the district qualified last year. The interest rate on these bonds is expected to be less than 1 percent. If the bond issue fails, the district will lose the opportunity to use the QSCB bonds and the next bond issue would likely carry an interest rate as much as five times as high.

 

Robstown ISD Superintendent Obregon will not seek contract

Robstown school district superintendent Alfonso Obregon recently announced that he will not ask school trustees to extend his contract, which expires next year.
 

Obregon was appointed interim superintendent in November 2009 and then made superintendent in July 2010. Previously, he had served as an administrator in the Asherton, Progresso and Dilley districts.

 

VIP Consulting

Llano ISD calendar to be

absent of days for spring break

Llano school district officials recently decided to abolish spring break 2012 in favor of spreading the five days away from school over two long weekends. Students spend the same number of days in school, but won't have the entire week off in mid-March - just a couple weeks before taking the state assessment test.
 

Educators hope the change will keep students focused for the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test, which was created to be more difficult than the current Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test.

 

McKinney selects Gray

as new city manager

Jason GrayMcKinney city officials recently selected Jason Gray (pictured) as the new city manager to replace former City Manager Frank Ragan, who resigned in June 2010.

 

Gray, who previously served as city manager in Celina and Frisco, topped a field of 70 candidates. He begins his new duties on March 21.

 

SPI on Twitter

Richardson ISD sets $170

million bond election in May

Kay WaggonerRichardson Independent School District trustees recently agreed to ask voters to approve $170 million in bonds on May 14.


District officials propose to spend $90 million to improve facilities throughout the district and more than $50 million to improve technology, said Superintendent Kay Waggoner (pictured). Plans call for the purchase of about 16,000 devices such as laptop computers and iPads for students, teachers and staff members, Waggoner said. About $30 million of the bond funds will be used for repairing heating and air conditioning systems, district officials said.

 

Recent Reports
Texas Government Insider Archives

 

Volume 1-8 Archives -1/8/04 - 2/18/11 
  

Andrews ISD sets $33 million election for facility upgrades

Bobby AzamTrustees for the Andrews Independent School District recently approved a $33 million bond election in May to pay for upgrades to technology, facilities and transportation.


Superintendent Bobby Azam (pictured) told trustees that using bond funds to offset funding normally included in the district's operating budget will allow those operating funds to be used to respond to proposed cuts in state public school funding rather than for technology, facility upgrades and transportation that can be paid for with bond funds without raising taxes. The bonds will be sold in small amounts every four or five years instead of all at once, Azam said.

 

Governor's appointments
Governor Rick Perry has announced the following appointments:
  • Lori Henning Crutchfield of Austin, Rehabilitation Council of Texas;
  • Michael Halligan of Georgetown, Rehabilitation Council of Texas;
  • Mark Schroeder of Wichita Falls, Rehabilitation Council of Texas;
  • Alan Sandersen of Missouri City, Veterans' Land Board;
  • Kenneth Wise of Humble, Judge of the 334th District Court in Harris County;
  • Joe Colonnetta of Dallas, Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board;
  • Yvonne Batts of Abilene, Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation;
  • Frank Houston "Skip" Landis of College Station, Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation;
  • Michael Savoie of Northlake, Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation;
  • Steven Tays of San Antonio, Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation;
  • Margarita de la Garza-Grahm of Tyler, Correctional Managed Health Care Committee;
  • Harold Hahn of El Paso, vice chair, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
  • Carlos Garcia of Brownsville, Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority;
  • Kenneth Ross of Houston, Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority;
  • David Alders of Nacogdoches, chair, Texas Department of Rural Affairs
  • James Rush of Odessa, judge, 244th District Court in Ector County
  • Kerry "Dan" Woodson of Mount Pleasant, judge, 76th District Court of Morris, Camp and Titus counties
  • Aaron Pierce of Temple, Council on Sex Offender Treatment
  • Ronnie Fanning of Waco, Council on Sex Offender Treatment
  • Rissie Owens of Huntsville, Texas State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision
  • Ben Raimer of Galveston, Health Disparities Task Force
  • Norman Darwin of Benbrook, Injured Employee Public Counsel
  • Blake Ingram of Sunnyvale, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board
  • William "Marvin" Rush of Seguin, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board
  • John Walker of Houston, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board
Job Board

Brenham committee recommends school bond vote

Byron McAdamsA Facility Needs Assessment Committee in the Brenham School District has recommended that a bond issue to build a needed elementary school and make numerous improvements at other schools be put before voters. Committee members estimate that $30 million will be needed to add another elementary school in the district, repair structural problems at Brenham Middle School and upgrade Krause Elementary's plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems. Assistant Superintendent Byron McAdams (pictured) said the district only wants "to do things we need to do," in spite of an ailing economy.

 

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City of Temple, high school will partner to build tornado shelter

The City of Temple and Holy Trinity Catholic High School are partnering to build a community tornado shelter, which will be funded through a state grant.

 

The Texas Department of Public Safety will give more than $1 million to the project through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The shelter, which will be located at the Holy Trinity campus, consists of a community safe room.

 

The Texas Government Insider is a free weekly e-newsletter detailing important happenings throughout the state and summarizing current political issues relevant to individuals interested in government.
  
Publisher: Mary Scott Nabers
 
The Insider is published by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), a research and consulting firm. Founded in Texas in 1994 by former government executives and public sector experts, SPI has developed a national reputation as the premier marketing partner dedicated to helping companies secure contracts in the $1.5 trillion state and local government marketplace.
 
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