Volume 8, Issue 10 · March 12, 2010 | |
Proposals could curb, eliminate congressional earmarksAllocations often draw ire, but important to recipients in statesCongressional earmarks are in the news again, but this time it's not the usual list of which lawmakers got how much "pork" allocated for pet projects in their districts. For starters, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee this week announced that it will not approve requests for earmarks that are directed to for-profit entities. It will also require agency inspectors general to audit at least 5 percent of all earmarks channeled to nonprofits. The audit, according to Committee Chair Rep. Dave Obey, is designed to prevent for-profits from masquerading as nonprofits to garner funds. Obey said that had this rule been in effect last year, approximately 1,000 earmarks would have been culled - many of them non-competitive, multi-million-dollar defense contracts. Earmarks for universities, research organizations and other non-profit groups would still be allowed under the new rule. Additionally, the committee plans to establish a link online that will list all House members' earmark requests and make that information available to the public. And finally, a program will be set up so that businesses (especially small start-ups) with no inside-the-agency connections will have the opportunity to present their goods and services in a competitive process based on merit. Of more interest to the states is a proposal asking that the House GOP adopt an immediate moratorium on all earmarks. In the current budget alone, Texas was allocated $426 million in earmarks. [more]Some Texas Government Insider readers may have noticed a change in the formatting of the newsletter in recent weeks. We apologize for the inconsistencies and hope by next week's edition to make the newsletter more compatible with most major e-mail clients. Thank you for your patience. Gary Grief selected to head Texas Lottery CommissionTakes over at helm after nearly two decades serving agencyGary Grief (pictured), who has served as deputy executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission since October 2008, this week was named executive director of the agency. The action was by a unanimous vote of the three-member Lottery Commission. Commission Chair Mary Ann Williamson said that she and Commissioners J. Winston Krause and David Schenck "weighed our options carefully, and we are confident that Mr. Grief is the right choice to lead this agency." She said Grief has displayed the knowledge, leadership and decision-making ability necessary to take on the role of executive director. Grief has a long history with the agency since its birth in 1992. He served as statewide manager of claim centers from 1992 to 1999, and then became director of lottery operations. He was named deputy executive director in 2003 and was acting executive director in 2002 and 2005. Grief was also a member of the lottery task force that originally was assigned to research and launch the Texas Lottery. Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone StarsDrew DeBerry, deputy commissioner, Texas Department of AgricultureCareer highlights and education: While attending Texas Tech University, Sen. Robert Duncan and his excellent staff afforded me an internship that was full of experience and opportunity during the 76th Legislative Session. After graduating from Texas Tech in 2000 with a degree in agricultural economics, Susan Combs, who was then Texas Commissioner of Agriculture and national agriculture chairwoman for the George W. Bush presidential campaign, hired me as the national director of the agriculture coalition for the presidential campaign. This led to two positions in Washington, D.C., as the White House Liaison and also the Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 2001 through 2006. In 2007, newly elected Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples hired me as the Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). My wife, Gayle, and I have three children - Austin (6), Parker (5) and Jessica (3). What I like best about my job is: TDA works with a diverse array of stakeholders ranging from farmers and ranchers to parents and school teachers. This stakeholder diversity mirrors the range of responsibilities TDA has - from rural economic development and urban consumer protection to improving the health of all Texans. In addition to the invigorating energy that comes from such diversity, it is truly rewarding to work alongside such dedicated public servants who are so committed to the future of Texas. The TDA team is professional, highly competent and passionate about their responsibilities. The best advice I've received for my current job is: Listen and follow through. Before he hired me, Commissioner Staples impressed upon me the importance of following through on responsibilities. As simple as that advice sounds, it is one of the most important things for public servants to do. Accountable government is essential; and a government that's accountable depends on public servants who do what they say they will do and proactively explore opportunities to serve the taxpayer. Advice I would give a new hire in my office: Don't miss the opportunity to learn from your co-workers. The range of perspective among TDA employees is wide, which is one of the agency's biggest strengths. If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: Not that I would EVER leave work early, but IF that were to happen, I would imagine I'd be at an event with one of my three kids such as a tee-ball or soccer game, or on the golf course. People would be surprised to know that: I'm an open book. No surprises here. Book, magazine or newspaper article I've read recently that really influenced my thinking: There have been numerous articles in the last couple of years comparing the Texas economy to other economies around the world. I find an infectious and energizing pride in these reports. For example, in one such article I discovered that in California, the state and local governments spend almost twice as much per person as those in Texas (http://www.city-journal.org/2009/19_4_california.html). I am proud that Texans pay an average of $3,235 per person in state and local taxes compared to $4,517 in California and the national average of $4,001. But as that statistic reveals, it's not just about our status relative to the West Coast. In 2008, as the current economic downturn began to hit its stride, Texas led the nation in job creation. Statistics like these remind me that Texas' economic prosperity is not coincidental; this good fortune is shaped by our citizens demanding low taxes and electing leaders who deliver a predictable regulatory environment and fair civil justice system in which economy-boosting investors can thrive. Reading these reports serves to re-emphasize what we've known all along at TDA - we must always listen to our constituents and create policies that will not only further the production of Texas agriculture, but also foster a healthy economy for all Texans. That's the principle upon which Commissioner Staples built his Partners for Progress initiative and it's a principle our Texas government should always live by. Each week, the Texas Government Insider profiles a key government executive or decision-maker. If you would like to suggest a "Lone Star," please email us at editor@spartnerships.com. Gavia elevated to executive director of TMRSDavid Gavia (pictured), who has been serving as acting executive director of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) since August of last year, today was named executive director. Gavia was moved from his general counsel spot to the acting executive director role last year after the departure of former TMRS Executive Director Eric Henry, who left to pursue another job opportunity. Gavia joined TMRS as general counsel in 2001. He had previously served as assistant general counsel in the benefits/tax area of the Employees Retirement System of Texas. He holds a bachelor's degree from Trinity University and his law degree from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. SBA proposes rule to help women-owned businessesWould make it easier to compete for federal contract workSmall women-owned businesses in the United States seeking to do business with the federal government have found a friend in the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA recently identified more than 80 industries in which women-owned small businesses were under-represented or substantially under-represented in the federal government contracting arena. The result is a proposed SBA rule that will expand federal contracting opportunities for those businesses. Mary Scott Nabers of Austin is president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., a woman-owned business that has been partnering public and private entities for the last 15 years. "The federal government has long had a publicized goal of awarding at least 5 percent of its contracts to small women-owned businesses," said Nabers. "Since it has never reached that goal, it seems prudent to either find ways to make it happen or to quit publicizing it." The SBA is looking for the way to make it happen. [more]Holt taking over as DIR deputy executive directorDoug Holt (pictured) has been named Deputy Executive Director for Statewide Technology Services at the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). Holt will replace Ginger Salone, who is retiring later this month. Holt previously served as the director of the e-Government and Web Services Division at DIR. He has served as an agency CIO and an IT manager. Prior to his public service career, Holt was a manager for a leading professional services organization and was superintendent for a construction-related company. Moore chosen for TYC's independent ombudsmanThe Texas Youth Commission (TYC) new independent ombudsman, as Gov. Rick Perry has chosen Denison's John Moore for that slot. His term will expire Feb. 1. 2011. Perry also appointed Toni Sykora of San Antonio to the TYC Board, with her term to expire Sept. 1, 2011. Moore is a former U.S. Marshal, having retired after 25 years of service. He also is a former Texas Department of Public Safety trooper and a former Amarillo Police Department officer. He is a U.S. Army veteran and served in the Texas National Guard and Texas State Guard. He holds a bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University. Sykora is a certified public accountant and is controller for a development firm. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Andrade to serve as Texas Census AmbassadorTo promote Texans' participation in the 2010 Census, Gov. Rick Perry has named Secretary of State Hope Andrade (pictured) the Texas Census Ambassador. Forms for the Census are being delivered this month to state residents. Andrade joins Census officials and other partners in Austin this week to encourage residents' participation. The event kickstarts a series of engagements across the state in which Andrade will speak before the April 1 Census deadline. For more information about the 2010 Census, click here. Some Water Development Board offices moveSome of the offices at the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) have moved. The Executive, Legal, Operations and Administration, Project Finance and Construction Assistance offices have been moved from the fifth to the sixth floor of the Stephen F. Austin Building. The Finance office has moved to the fourth floor with the Water Science and Conservation and Water Resources Planning and Information. The fifth floor is being remodeled and TWDB officials expect the offices currently housed on the fourth floor will be moved to that floor in October. Aldredge will serve in government relations for THCAustin advocate Vaughn Aldredge has been named government relations specialist for the Texas Historical Commission. Aldredge has served on the board of directors of Preservation Texas since 2008. Aldredge is a former lobbyist and director of government relations for a major communications company and provided media and community and public relations expertise. He is the former executive director of a Texas communications industry trade association and was information officer to the state department of education and a writer and columnist for an Austin newspaper. Aldredge holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin. CPRIT funds 12 cancer prevention programsTwelve new cancer prevention programs in Texas will share more than $6.8 million in funds awarded this week by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The programs will be administered by clinics, health districts, community-based organizations and academic institutions. The 12 were chosen from among 56 applications. The grants will be used for services and programs that range from screenings for a variety of cancers to health promotion and educational programs to increase screening and vaccination rates. "CPRIT's prevention efforts are encouraging unique and innovative partnerships among service providers, academic institutions and community organizations that will put Texas on the map for advancing cancer prevention and control, and will improve the health of many Texans," said CPRIT Chief Prevention Officer Dr. Rebecca Garcia (pictured). The money awarded is part of $3 billion in bonds approved by Texas voters in 2007 to fund CPRIT and cancer research and prevention programs and services in the state. Combs: State sales tax revenues moderatingSales tax revenues have begun to moderate, according to State Comptroller Susan Combs. Combs recently announced that the state collected $1.6 billion in sales tax revenue in February, down 8.8 percent from the same month last year. Sales tax payments will be delivered today, Friday, to Texas cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts. Local sales tax checks will be 6.7 percent lower compared to March 2009. For the first three months of the year, local sales tax allocations are down 8.4 percent from the same period last year. Combs will send March sales tax payments of $271.3 million to Texas cities, down 6.8 percent compared to March 2009. Texas counties will receive sales tax payments of $24.4 million, down 11.2 percent compared to one year ago. Special purpose taxing districts will get $15.8 million in sales tax revenue, down 8.4 percent compared to last March. Ten local transit systems will receive $92.7 million, down 4.7 percent. To view the sales tax allocations by city, click here. To view the sales tax collections by county, click here. Three Texas projects chosen for broadband fundingTexas was among 18 states and territories announced for broadband funding that will ensure improved access to Internet services that will improve communities' local economic and educational opportunities. A total of 11 rural broadband infrastructure projects, three in Texas, were chosen for funding. PRIDE Network, Inc. had two projects funded in Texas. Its Texas South Plains Project garnered a loan of more than $22 million and a grant of more than $21 million to provide an FTTP telecommunications infrastructure, with a WiMAX service-extension overlay that will bring advanced broadband services to rural communities of the Texas South Plains region. The company's Burkburnett and Iowa Park Project received more than $12.8 million in a loan and a grant of more than $6.3 million to provide the same services to the rural communities of Burkburnett and Iowa Park (less than five percent of this network will serve an area in Oklahoma). Additionally, the XIT Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc.'s FTTP and Very High Speed DSL2 (VDSL2) Combination Application Project was named recipient of a more than $3 million grant and more than $3.1 million in private investment. The funding will provide a FTTP and Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN) advanced DSL technology within two separate service areas in and around the communities of Dalhart and Stratford. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently approved the Recovery Act funding of $254.6 million. It is part of the $2.5 billion set aside for broadband services to rural unserved and under-served communities. This recent announcement of funding will be matched by $13.1 million in private investment funds as well. As of this most recent announcement, $895.6 million has been allocated for 55 such projects. To view the complete list of projects funded and what the funding is for, click HERE and look under "Recent Reports."
Increased security coming to State CapitolIncreased security is coming to the Texas State Capitol. The state's leadership has authorized the Texas Department of Public Safety to begin a plan that will include more bike patrols, the use of bomb-sniffing dogs, a mass notification system for those who work at the Capitol and additional training for DPS troopers who are on security detail at the statehouse. Additional security equipment, security kits and emergency medical equipment were also authorized by the governor, lieutenant governor and House Speaker in a letter to DPS Director Steve McCraw. Other security measures suggested by DPS officials require coordination with the State Preservation Board, the entity responsible for the Capitol building. Metal detectors DPS sought were not addressed in the letter. The security issue arose after a gunman fired off several shots just outside the south steps of the State Capitol in January before he was apprehended by law enforcement officials. $10.4 million headed to Texas for transit projectsFour cities in Texas will collectively receive more than $10.4 million for transit projects from $600 million in recently announced Recovery Act funding grants. Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Austin was awarded $7.5 million to purchase seven buses and for operating assistance and pedestrian access walkways. San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority got $1 million for a bus and a park-and-ride lot. The City of Port Arthur was awarded $1.2 million to construct a bus support facility and the City of Tyler netted $776,031 for a bus, shelters, bus parking renovations and to improve the Tyler Transit Depot. A total of 191 projects in 42 states and Puerto Rico were funded, bringing the total number of transit grants awarded by the Federal Transit Administration to 881 totaling $7.5 billion in funding. All of the stimulus funds for transit projects have now been obligated. Contracts can now be bid, transit-related purchases such as for buses and rail cars can be made and construction on building projects can begin. To view the complete list of all of the awards, click HERE and look under "Recent Reports." Review allows lottery bidding contract to move forwardA recent review of consultant group Gartner Inc. and Texas lottery operator GTECH Corp. found no evidence of improperly shared information, allowing bidding on a lucrative new lottery contract to move forward. Deadline for bidding submissions is May 27. The winning company could reap as much as $100 million in state payments. GTECH has served as the Texas lottery operator for 10 years. Games generate about $3.7 billion in sales per year, of which operators keep a portion. Last fiscal year, GTECH commanded $101 million from the state. Texas Tech Health Sciences Center picks presidentDr. Ted Mitchell (pictured) has been named sole finalist for the position of president of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He replaces interim President Elmo Cavin, who will return to his position as executive vice president for finance and administration. Mitchell currently serves as president and chief executive officer of the Dallas-based Cooper Clinic, a renowned preventive medicine center. In 2002, he was appointed to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by President George W. Bush. He went on to become a member of the American College Sports Medicine Board of Trustees in 2007. Border Coalition seeks funding for ports of entryOfficials from areas along Texas' border this week visiting with congressional members, seeking $6 billion for infrastructure needs and additional personnel. The group is also asking for an additional 5,000 customs and immigration port agents for both the north and south borders. Texas lawmakers with border districts and others from Arizona, California, Wisconsin and New York signed a letter to the U.S. House Speaker seeking the funding. While the president's FY 2011 budget includes large amounts for border port improvements in El Paso, Madawaska, Maine, and Calexico, California, Texas border officials say some of the smaller ports in their areas are desperately in need of repairs. The Texas Border Coalition argues that ignoring these needs of smaller ports - in both employee needs and repair needs - makes them more susceptible to drug cartels using them to smuggle contraband into the United States. UH names liberal arts, social sciences deanJohn W. Roberts (pictured) has been named dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) at the University of Houston. Roberts serves as dean of arts and humanities and professor of English at Ohio State University, where he helped establish a faculty-mentoring program designed to improve the retention of minority and women faculty in the arts and humanities. He joined Ohio State's faculty in 1996 as a professor of English. Two years later he was appointed chair of the department of African-American and African Studies. During a two-year leave of absence, he served as chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. He has also taught at the University of Pennsylvania. Roberts holds a bachelor's degree from Tusculum College, a master's degree from Columbia University and a doctorate from Ohio State. Texas A&M forms group to find VP for administrationPresident R. Bowen Loftin recently appointed an eight-person committee to search for a new senior vice president for administration for Texas A&M University. The new vice president will act as a senior advisor to the president and will oversee non-academic operations such as the facilities division. Loftin appointed Jeffrey Seemann (pictured), vice president for research, to chair the committee. He also selected Ron Carter of the University Staff Council, Michele Breaux from student government, Clint Magill of the Faculty Senate, Silvester Mata of the Graduate Student Council, Richard Mercier from the Council of Principal Investigators, David Parrott, the executive associate vice president for student affairs, and Jorge Vanegas, dean of the College of Architecture, to serve on the search committee. Higher education community service honors announcedThis year's President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, launched in 2006, boasts a number of Texas colleges and universities. The honor roll aims to increase public awareness of contributions these institutions and their students make to their communities. The following Texas institutions were recently recognized with this year's distinction: Abilene Christian University; Baylor University; Blinn College; Brookhaven College; Collin County Community College; Hardin-Simmons University; Lone Star College, Montgomery; Lone Star College, Tomball; Northwest Vista College; Alamo Community College District; Our Lady of the Lake University; Ranger College; Rice University; Richland College; Saint Edward's University; San Antonio College; Southwestern University; St. Mary's University; Stephen F. Austin State University; Tarleton State University; Texas Christian University; Texas Tech University; Trinity University; Tyler Junior College; University of Houston, Clear Lake; University of Houston, Downtown; University of North Texas; University of Texas at Arlington; University of Texas at San Antonio; University of Texas at Tyler; University of Texas Health Science, San Antonio; and West Texas A&M University. ACC set to open Round Rock campus in five monthsClasses are set to begin in five months at Austin Community College's Round Rock campus. Construction is more than 65 percent complete, including building of ACC Round Rock Building 1000 (pictured right). Phase I of the new campus project encompasses approximately 275,000 square feet, about a third the size of all existing ACC campuses combined. The campus will eventually expand to 10 buildings and 575,000 square feet. Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow (left), ACC president/CEO, said the recent merger of Round Rock Independent School District and the ACC District represents "a significant investment in the future of Round Rock and Williamson County," adding the campus will contribute to the economic prosperity of the region. The new ACC campus will offer a full-range of instructional programs, including core curriculum classes, specialty workforce training, computer science, welding and health sciences. Dallas Regional Mobility Council selects Rider ScottRider Scott (pictured) has been named executive director of the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition (DRMC), the leading advocate for transportation policies, funding and solutions. Before returning to Dallas to enter into private practice, Scott served as first assistant district attorney for Dallas County, as general counsel and chief of staff to Gov. William P. Clements Jr. and as a special assistant to U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr in Washington, D.C. He currently serves as partner of a Collin County law firm, where he specializes in transportation, land use, zoning, condemnation, subdivision development, water and municipal and county representation. Scott replaces John Carpenter, who recently resigned from the post to pursue other business consulting opportunities. Austin backs away from November election on railCiting too many unanswered questions, Austin City Council members recently decided to no longer push for a November bond election asking voters to approve an urban rail system. The mayor and several council members previously said they would schedule a bond election this year to ask voters to approve an electric light rail system or streetcar system. The mayor and council members said they now plan to wait until at least 2011 to call a bond election to fund an urban rail system. Council members, however, said they continue to support a bond election in November for transportation projects other than a light rail or streetcar system. Austin's Chief Acevedo among DPD chief finalistsDallas City Manager Mary Suhm has named six finalists for Dallas police chief, including three internal candidates and the current Austin chief of police. Finalists include: Art Acevedo (pictured), Austin chief of police; David O. Brown, Dallas first assistant chief; Robert L. Davis, San Jose, Calif. chief of police; Daniel V. Garcia, Dallas assistant chief; Floyd D. Simpson, Dallas assistant chief; and Robert Crump White, Louisville, Ky. police chief. Acevedo said he did not apply for the position in Dallas, but that he was contacted by officials there. He indicated to Austin officials that he was interested in the job if offered. Austin City Manager Marc Ott folowed up with an offer from the City of Austin in an attempt to keep Acevedo in Austin if he were to be offered the DPD job, but Acevedo declined the offer and will continue with the interview process. Dallas approves $4.75M for flood control study of TrinityMembers of the Dallas City Council recently approved taking an advance of $4.75 million in bond funds intended for construction of the Trinity Lakes Park project to pay for a study to determine how extensive damage is to levees along the Trinity River. Council members rejected a suggestion to take the funding from the $84 million in bonds approved for the Trinity Toll Road Project rather than from the park project. The levee feasibility study is needed to ensure the Trinity River levee system is sound enough for the proposed $1.8 billion Trinity Toll Road Project to proceed with construction, supporters said. The levee study, due to be completed in April, should provide more information on the number of leaks to be repaired. Once the estimated cost is determined, city officials may consider asking voters to approve more bonds to pay for levee repairs or use some of the funding voters approved for the Trinity Toll Road Project. Del Rio Mayor Valdez to lead Texas Border CoalitionDel Rio Mayor Efrain Valdez (pictured) has been appointed chair of the Texas Border Coalition (TBC). He replaces Eagle Pass Mayor Chad Foster, who is ineligible for reappointment since he is not seeking re-election as mayor. The TBC represents Texas-Mexico border cities and counties from Brownsville to El Paso. Its charge is to focus on border security initiatives and issues, but the agency also covers issues related to healthcare, workforce training and transportation. Hidalgo Mayor John David Franz will serve as vice chair of the coalition. Acting Houston chief among applicants at HPDActing Police Chief Charles McClelland (pictured) is among more than a dozen who have applied for the position of Houston Police Department chief. McClelland has been serving as acting chief since former Chief Harold Hurtt resigned in December. HPD insiders Capt. Victor Rodriguez and Capt. Douglas Perry have also applied for the position as well as 10 applicants from outside the department, including a private investigator, a former sheriff's deputy and a Houston electronics store employee. The job, which commands a $150,000 to $210,000 annual salary, calls for the creative deployment of officers, increased community dialogue, a renewed focus on technology in policing and increased accountability in HPD's troubled forensic division. Tarrant County, Birdville ISD team to offer free tuitionTarrant County College is partnering with the Birdville Independent School District to offer free tuition at the two-year college this fall for the district's high school graduates. More than 1,000 students are expected to graduate from Richland, Haltom and Birdville high schools this year. Some $7 million in funding from the district's oil and gas proceeds have been set aside to create the scholarship, which will cover a year's tuition for students at any Tarrant County College campus. The districts are expected to sign an agreement March 8. Birdville school district board President Dolores Webb (pictured) said the board hopes to "impact young lives for years to come" with continued oil and gas proceeds. San Antonio Alamodome names operations headAmerican Bank Center General Manager Marc Solis has resigned to head operations of the Alamodome, San Antonio's 160,000-square-foot, 65,000-capacity event center. He begins his new job March 29. Assistant General Manager Jim Salamenta will supervise operations until Solis' permanent replacement is found. Michael Sawaya, director of convention and sports facilities for the City of San Antonio, said Solis "has the right kind of experience to lead" the facility. HISD resolves dispute freeing up technology fundingHouston Independent School District officials say they have settled a long-standing dispute with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), clearing the district for nearly $90 million in technology funding this year. FCC funding was frozen in 2006 after three former HISD employees allegedly accepted unauthorized gifts from vendors. HISD school board President Greg Meyers (pictured) called the move to end the dispute "a sound business decision," and said it will "help level the digital playing field for our students." Richard Patton, HISD's new compliance officer with 30 years of audit and compliance experience, began his new charge Feb. 11. El Paso proceeding slowly on regional command centerEl Paso police officials recently began looking for an old supermarket, warehouse or other large building to convert into the proposed Far East Side Regional Command Center. City officials hope to find a 30,000-square-foot building located on four to five acres of land to accommodate about 300 vehicles located within a triangle formed by Zaragoza Road, Joe Battle Boulevard and I-10, said Bill F. Studer Jr., deputy city manager for finance and public safety. The estimated cost of the command center project is $4 million to $5 million, he said. In the past, the city has been successful in converting old buildings into command centers, Studer said, noting that the Pebble Hills Command Center, the Northeast Regional Command Center and the Police Headquarters in Five Points were formerly department stores. City officials are expected to ask voters to approve bonds to pay for quality of life projects next year. Bromberg expects to leave Fort Bliss post later this yearMajor Gen. Howard Bromberg (pictured) recently said he expects to be transferred to another assignment later this year as his two-year tour of duty at Fort Bliss ended in January. During his most recent two-year tour of duty at Fort Bliss, Bromberg oversaw nearly $5 million in construction for base expansion. The base is expected to grow from 22,000 active-duty soldiers to 34,000 active-duty soldiers by 2013, due in part to the relocation of the 1st Armored Division from Germany to Fort Bliss. Army officials have not yet announced where Bromberg will be reassigned or who his replacement will be. Comal County relocating offices during renovationComal County commissioners recently agreed to relocate their offices along with 20 more county employees to a former school when work begins in April on an $8 million renovation of the Comal County Courthouse. Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Comal Independent School District to rent seven vacant classrooms at the former Goodwin Primary School to use as office space and to store equipment at a cost of $800 per month. Besides the commissioners and county judge, employees of the emergency management, human resources, veteran services and purchasing departments also will relocate to the primary school. The county court-at-law, along with its clerks and the elections department, will move from the courthouse into the Commissioners Court building on Main Plaza. The courthouse renovation should be complete in the spring of 2012. Corpus Christi to spend $1.1 million upgrade to seawallCorpus Christi city officials plan to spend about $1.1 million to improve the levee system that helps prevent flooding in the downtown area. The project also includes an evaluation of the need for additional seawall upgrades, said Councilman Mark Scott (pictured). The city is using a one-eighth-cent sales tax to pay for the seawall improvements. Voters in 2000 approved the sales tax dedicated to seawall improvements. Since its inception, the city has completed $43.4 million in projects rebuilding and restoring the bay front seawall since 2007. The seawall tax will expire in 2026. While a list of potential projects includes a proposed $7.1 million plan to repair bulkheads near the Art Museum of South Texas, Scott said he has questions about that project and is interested in using any money left over in the seawall fund to pay for street repairs. Voters would need to approve the transfer, which Scott said may not be legally possible. Other projects under consideration include an $8.7 million project to raise the elevation of the barge dock, $7.3 million for a new breakwater at McGee Beach, $3.3 million for a 300-foot gap closure on the breakwater near Sunfish Island, $2.7 million to raise the Salt Flats levee system by two feet, $2.4 million for marina breakwater improvements and $1.6 million for beach restoration at McGee Beach. Ranger group selects Fredericksburg for museumOfficials of the Former Texas Rangers Foundation recently selected Fredericksburg as the site for a proposed new $6 million heritage center to honor Texas Rangers. Foundation officials also considered Kerrville and San Antonio as possible sites before choosing land along US 290 after Fredericksburg city officials agreed to offer the nonprofit group a low-cost, 99-year lease on the 7-acre site and extend utilities to the heritage center. City officials also offered the foundation 120 days to complete a feasibility study on the proposed site for the proposed 41,350-square-foot educational center that will have five galleries featuring interactive displays and a library before a final agreement is signed. The Kerrville-based foundation has raised more than $4.6 million of the $6 million cost estimated to build the facility. The Former Texas Ranger Foundation, which currently displays artifacts at a gallery in cooperation with the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum in San Antonio, is not affiliated with the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco. Lewisville police to seek three training grantsLewisville City Council members recently granted approval to police officials to apply for three grants to improve investigative training. The first grant application will be submitted to the Texas Criminal Justice Division (TCJD) to request as much as $89,851 to pay for 15 portable radios, forensic examination and testing and criminal investigative training programs to help officers better solve criminal cases, said Police Chief Russell Kerbow (pictured). The department also will apply to TCJD for a second grant of $101,045 to continue funding for one family violence investigator and a third grant for $99,014 to pay for a victim's assistance officer to coordinate and manage services for victims of crimes, domestic violence, substance abuse, traumatic injury and death. If the grants are awarded, the city will be required to contribute as much as $39,310 to qualify for the first grant, up to $36,828 for the second grant and $19,389 for the third grant, Kerbow said. San Antonio trying solar-powered parking pay stationsSan Antonio City Council members recently agreed to acquire 134 solar-powered parking pay stations for the downtown area. The pay stations will replace the existing single-space, coin-operated parking meters now located in the city's busiest parking zones. The new parking kiosks are designed to reduce sidewalk clutter and improve pedestrian mobility, city officials said. The new parking kiosks, which comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, will accept coins, a debit card or a credit card. Installation of the parking pay stations is expected to begin in early May and be completed in June. Some existing parking meters will remain in the downtown area, but may be upgraded to the pay stations later, city officials said. Bellmead names Karl to oversee public safety dept.Bellmead city officials recently selected Fire Chief James Karl (pictured) to head the newly created Bellmead Public Safety Department, which includes the city's police and fire departments. Karl, who has served as fire chief for 26 of his 30 years of service with the department, began his duties following the retirement of Police Chief Robert Harold, who retired on February 26. The two departments will remain in separate buildings adjacent to each other in the downtown area. Karl will make administrative, procedural and budget decisions for both the fire and police departments, city officials said. City Manager Victor Pena suggested using the public safety model after Huntsville used it successfully while he served as an assistant city manager in that city. Karl said he plans to send three police officers to the McLennan Community College firefighters academy to cross-train as firefighters to assist in large structure fires. The police officers will carry their firefighting gear in their police vehicles, he added. The city also plans to hire four new firefighters to bring the total firefighting force to 16. Grants will install solar panels in San AntonioApproximately $3.7 million in federal stimulus funds has been allocated to install solar panels at three San Antonio area locations. They will be placed at The University of Texas at San Antonio, St. Philip's College and the Mission Verde Center at Cooper. The grants were awarded through the Texas State Energy Conservation Office. The three sites are expected to triple the city's large-scale solar generation capacity. Denton Co. OKs six new sheriff's office positionsDenton County commissioners have approved the creation of six new posts for the sheriff's office with the goal of improving communication and response times. The county and several cities will split the costs associated with the measure. Other departmental improvements include a new computer-aided drafting system and the purchase of a program designed to aid dispatchers with 9-1-1 calls. Designs for a new communications center are also under way. Officials hope for construction to begin in 2012. Round Rock approves $4.6 million for land purchaseRound Rock City Council members recently approved $4.6 million to purchase 43 acres of land that could be used for a new convention and special events center. The city will have 60 days to inspect the property and ensure it is appropriate for the city's anticipated use, said City Attorney Steve L. Sheets (pictured). Preliminary plans call for the proposed convention and special events center to have a rectangular floor and feature between 40,000 to 50,000 square feet of space at a projected cost of $12 million to $18 million. Supporters said the convention/special events facility will serve as a multi-use center and host events too small for the Austin Convention Center, but too large for the Dell Diamond or area hotels. A study projected a major event facility could provide economic stimulus by hosting a wide range of events such as youth athletic tournaments, regional sports, consumer shows, concerts, graduations, wedding receptions and corporate events. The proposed convention and special event center will support the "Sports Capitol of Texas" theme, city officials said. Possible partners in the facility include the Round Rock Express, Round Rock Independent School District and corporate partners. If city officials find problems with the proposed 43-acre land tract, city officials can cancel the contract. Funding for the land purchase is provided by hotel occupancy tax funds. City officials have announced no time frame for the proposed convention and special events center. El Paso continues four-day week for some employeesEl Paso City Council members recently approved a four-day work week for certain city employees for the period between May 1 and Sept. 30. The three-month pilot program in 2009 saved the city about $160,000 and the five-month schedule approved by council could save the city as much as $225,000 a year, said City Manager Joyce Wilson. Harris Co. upgrading security along ship channelHarris County recently began using $31 million in federal grants to improve security on the Houston Ship Channel. The Houston Ship Channel Security District, a public-private partnership created with funding from the grant, is charged with protecting the chemical plants and petrochemical refineries that line the channel as well as protecting the Port of Houston. The county also expects another $100 million in federal grants to increase surveillance, enhance security and establish a command and control center for the Harris County Sheriff's Office, a spokesman for the sheriff's office said. Most of the grant funding will focus on protecting the waterways. The U.S. Coast Guard and Houston Police Department also help the sheriff's office patrol the ship channel. Houston ISD looks to eliminate more than 250 postsAs Houston Independent School District officials restructure for the upcoming school year, at least 269 positions will be eliminated, saving the district more than a projected $8.2 million. HISD's five regional offices will be closed in the shuffle, shifting most employees to campuses or the central office. The move, designed to facilitate services, will help eliminate employment redundancies, according to Superintendent Terry Grier (pictured), who said the district has more employees "than we think is necessary." The restructuring will scale back some of the autonomy campuses have under the district's current decentralized arrangement. HISD leaders are considering setting minimal staffing standards for schools as opposed to the carte blanche system currently in place. They look to have the reorganization in place by June 15. Lubbock Co. OKs $26.3M in bonds for medical centerLubbock County commissioners recently authorized the University Medical Center to issue $26.3 million in bonds to pay for expanding the facility. The bonds will pay for a little more than half of a $46 million expansion of the East Tower of the medical center, which is scheduled for completion in 2012. The expansion includes new labor and delivery space, neonatal intensive care, postpartum units and creating space in the main hospital for the region's rapidly aging population, medical center officials said. The bonds will be repaid with hospital revenues or reserves, said medical center officials. Corpus Christi port considers three for base propertyCommissioners for the Port of Corpus Christi recently reviewed proposals from three groups, including the Texas General Land Office, that are interested in leasing or purchasing Naval Station Ingleside property. Two private companies also submitted proposals to port officials or to the master developer, the Texas A&M University System. The General Land Office expressed interest in buying 30 acres for a wind energy center that could produce renewable revenue for the Texas Permanent School Fund. A Houston-based company proposed a 99-year lease and a maritime fire and security training with a role for Texas A&M as well as research and development for military branches. A spokesperson for the Texas A&M System noted that the system is not interested in acquiring or leasing the property. A second private company also submitted a proposal. The Port of Corpus Christi will assume control of 576 acres of the former Navy station in Ingleside on May 1 and has hired the A&M University System to oversee redevelopment of that property and 433 acres of neighboring port-owned property. |
Everyone should do something to help ensure Texans get counted...billions of $$ are at stake!By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. "Snapshot of America" - the official 2010 U.S. Census - begins next week. Millions of forms are being mailed and public officials throughout Texas are hoping for a record response. It is critically important that Texans remember the importance of this process. The data will be for the next decade to determine how government funds are distributed. Every governmental entity stands to benefit. Ten years ago, only 68 percent of the people living in Texas responded. The state fell below the national average and Texas was denied billions of dollars in much-needed funding. An accurate count is even more important today. Many communities rely heavily on federal funds for public works projects, transportation infrastructure, education and health care. Texans must respond better in 2010. [more]Debbie Billa to retire
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AACOG to host benefits counselor trainingThe Alamo Area Council of Government's Area Agencies on Aging will host Statewide Benefits Counselor 1 Training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, April 13-15, at Courtyard San Antonio Northwest at The RIM. Topics will include Medicare Basics and Coverage Options, Social Security, Appeals/Administrative Law, Medicaid, Long-Term Care and Other Health Insurance and Veteran Benefits. For more information, click here. To register online, click here. Deadline to register is March 10. Texas notary law, procedures seminar setThe State Notary Commission will offer a Texas Notary Law and Procedures Seminar from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, March 24, at the Alamo Area Councils of Governments Homeland Security Classroom Six, 8700 Tesoro Drive in San Antonio. The class will cover new legislation, current notary laws, avoiding official misconduct, administering oaths and acknowledgements, legal procedures and processes of notarization, liability protection practices for notary and employer and applying for commission. For more information, click here. Parts of Conference on Aging to be on webcast"Deep in the Heart of Aging," the 2010 Texas Conference on Aging, will be held Sunday, March 21, through Wednesday, March 24 at the Inn of the Hills in Kerrville. Since the Conference has sold out, individuals may still participate by signing up for the webcast on the Conference Web site. Portions of the Conference will be webcast, including the Sunday Ethics intensive and all day Tuesday. The conference is designed for professionals with both administrative and direct service responsibilities who work with seniors in a range of community-based settings. The 2010 Conference will feature a variety of workshops and education sessions organized into the following tracks: Issues in Aging, Senior Safety, Aging in Place, Professional Development and Health and Wellness. The keynote address, "Care at Life's End: The Unintended Consequences of Health Policy in America," will be presented on Monday, March 22, by Jerald Winakur, MD, CMD, FACP. Last two BOP sessions with TxDOT are announcedThe last two sessions of the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Business Outreach and Program (BOP) Services Small Business Briefing conferences have been announced for April 1, 2010, in Dallas and June 15, 2010, in Texarkana. The conference goal is to provide small and minority-owned business communities an opportunity to learn more about contracting opportunities with TxDOT. Information will be available to help them 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 allows them to learn more about the economic development opportunities in their regions. It also allows the agencies to show the myriad of opportunities available for small and minority businesses in the state. For more information, click HERE or call 1.866.480.2518, Option 2. |
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