Texas Government Insider
Volume 9, Issue 12 - Friday, March 25, 2011

Approximately $2.4 billion at stake in May bond votes

 

70 entities seek approval for projects from roadways to schools to water

Contruction BondsMore than 70 bond elections are on tap in Texas for Saturday, May 14, with the combined price tag for the bond issues at $2.4 billion. Included are school, city and county bond issues and bond elections for community colleges and a hospital district.


The largest division of bond votes is for schools, where there are 55 districts holding elections. Those elections include a total of $2 billion in bonding authority. Eleven cities are holding bond elections for a combined total of $162.4 million and the two community college votes are for a total of $118.7 million in bonding authority.


The largest amount of bonding sought is for a school district in West Texas. That district, which saw a $397 million bond vote fail in 2007, is for $297 million. Included are construction of two new middle schools, high school renovations, science lab upgrades, technology upgrades and HVAC needs.


A Gulf Coast area community college is seeking passage of a nearly $86.2 million bond package. Included are a new $7.9 million academic building, renovations and additions to a variety of other buildings, Central Plant equipment upgrades and infrastructure and parking needs.

 

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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars

 

Brent LeisureBrent Leisure, director, Texas State Parks, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
  
Career highlights and education: Growing up in the Texas Panhandle was a great thing, but my career has afforded me the opportunity to work in many areas of the state and experience the diversity of our natural environment.  My studies in Wildlife Management at Texas Tech University provided a springboard into this work and I've never regretted a moment of it.

What I like best about my job is: It is a privilege to steward the natural and cultural resources of Texas.  Some of this state's greatest treasures are in the Texas Parks and Wildlife inventory and insuring their protection is a challenge. I work with an outstanding and dedicated team that takes joy in being the guardians of our environment and cultural heritage.

The best advice I've received for my current job is: Pace yourself. I don't always do a good job of this, but just like our parks, we need to be here for the long haul and the fruits of our labor aren't measured only in the short term. Not everything can be accomplished overnight, but what is most important is to set a foundation for long-term success. I also try to not stray from a motto we have here at TPWD which is... "Life is Better Outside." I live this motto as much as possible.

Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Creativity is welcome and we need staff to harness their passion for our state's resources in such a way that we discover new and effective ways to accomplish the mission of the agency.  Keeping abreast of new technology, adjusting to changing demographics, understanding the partnerships needed to be successful and working to maintain these partnerships is critical. Whether it's a school district, community or volunteer organization, we are much more effective in advancing the mission if we have solid partners to get the job done.

If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: I have many interests, but when I do sneak out, you will likely find me on a mountain bike at one of our state parks. There is something very special about hitting the trails in parks. Trails provide an escape from the day-to-day grind. You can better experience the richness of the outdoors when you are removed from the crowds and development we are too often restricted to.  It's rare that a week goes by that you don't find me on trails somewhere.

People would be surprised to know that I: have held many positions in the agency to include: custodian, maintenance worker, water and wastewater plant operator, State Park police officer, firefighter, interpreter, Park Ranger, superintendent and director. Diversity is the spice of life, and I'm pretty spicy.

One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: Millions know already, but the staff at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is about as committed and passionate about their work as any you will find. I've seen my colleagues meet challenges head-on despite the circumstances, and this will always be the case. When folks commit to a mission that they are passionate about, obstacles to that mission become only temporary barriers.
 

 

Wilson appointed inspector general for HHSC pending confirmation

Douglas WilsonDouglas Wilson has been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to serve as inspector general of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Prior to his appointment, Wilson was deputy inspector general of operations for HHSC. He is also a former deputy director of the Office of the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

 

In his new post, Wilson will be charged with preventing, detecting and investigating fraud, abuse and waste in state health and human services programs.

 

Wilson is a board certified public accountant. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas State University. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. 

 

State Web sites ranked high regarding spending information

State of Texas Web sites were recently ranked as among the most informative regarding spending information, according to a report by the United States Public Interest Research Group.


The report found that while transparency is improving, there is still room for improvement.


Top ranked Texas and Kentucky each scored 96 out of 100, while lowest ranked Maine earned a 0.  Other top-ranked states include: Indiana, Arizona, Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio and Oregon. Lowest-ranked states include: Iowa, Arkansas, West Virginia, Washington, Montana, New Hampshire, Idaho and North Dakota.

 

Results-oriented Procurements

Box elected to serve as chair of Texas A&M Board of Regents

Richard BoxPhil AdamsAustin dentist Richard Box (left) was recently elected chair of the Texas A&M System Board of Regents. Phil Adams (right), a Bryan businessman, was chosen as vice chair.


Box is a doctor of dental surgery and has a private practice in the Austin area. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M and a doctorate of dental science from The University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston. He was appointed a regent in December 2008. Box replaces Regent Morris Foster as chair.


Adams is owner and president of his own company which provides insurance products and services to businesses and individuals throughout the state. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M. He was appointed to the Board of Regents in 2001 and re-appointed in 2009.

 

Texas Commission on Fire Protection secures library grant funding

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection is the recipient of a $3,500 grant under State Farm Insurance's "Good Neighbor Citizenship Grants Program." The funding will go to the agency's library, the Ernest Emerson Fire Protection Resource Library, to support its P3 Collection Development Program - Prevention, Planning and Preparedness for Texans.

 

"This grant will assist in the purchasing of new, high-quality fire and emergency prevention audio visual resources aimed at the children and senior citizens of Texas," said Laura Bucaro, the agency's librarian.

 

Austin city manager announces Karen Kennard as new city attorney

Karen KennardKaren Kennard (pictured), who has been serving as Acting City Attorney since May of last year, was this week named by Austin City Manager Marc Ott as the city's new City Attorney. She replaces David Smith, who retired. Kennard brings to her new position more than 20 years of municipal law service, more than seven of those years with the City of Austin. She is a former general counsel for the Texas Municipal League and was an assistant city attorney in Midland. 

 

Kennard will oversee a department that includes 97 attorneys and support staff. She will also serve as part of Ott's executive team.
 

The new city attorney joined the City of Austin in 2004 as first assistant city attorney, offering legal advice to the City Council and city management and advisor on policies, procedures and protocols. She holds an undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and earned her law degree from Texas Tech University.

 

Bill would give Texas disabled veteran businesses HUB status

The Texas Legislature is considering a bill that would give disabled veteran-owned businesses a better chance of being awarded state contracts.
 

The businesses would be declared historically underutilized businesses (HUBs), a designation currently made up of minority- and women-owned businesses.
 

Agencies are given goal percentages, such as 11.9 percent of heavy construction contracts, to work toward awarding to HUBs. Last year, about $2.1 billion - more than 15 percent of state spending - was awarded through the program.
 

It's unclear how many veterans would pursue HUB status, which would add more businesses to the nearly 16,500 HUBs that are currently certified in Texas.

 

Two UTIMCO board of directors chosen by UT System regents

James WilsonCharles TateThe University of Texas System Board of Regents recently named two Houston-area residents - James Wilson (left) of Sugar Land and Charles Tate (right) of Houston - to The University of Texas Investment Management Company's board of directors.
 

The investment corporation, which was created to manage UT System assets like the Permanent University Fund, is governed by a board that consists of three UT System regents, the Chancellor of the UT System, and five outside directors with experience in investment management.
 

Tate, who was initially appointed to the Board in 2004, is the chairman and founding partner of a Houston investment firm. Wilson, a new board member, is a managing director of a Houston-based private equity firm, and had previously founded an investment management firm.

 

Senate committee OKs bill making changes to Railroad Commission

A Texas Senate Committee recently approved legislation abolishing the Texas Railroad Commission with the Texas Oil and Gas Commission. The bill also would eliminate the three-member commission that has authority over the agency with a single commissioner.

 

The Railroad Commission has not regulated railroads since 2005. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

 

TDA awards $750,000 in federal grant funds to City of Henderson

The City of Henderson has been awarded a $750,000 federal grant for infrastructure improvements through the Texas Capital Fund administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture, according to Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples. The funds will be used for road improvements that will allow better emergency access to the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System facility.
 

The Texas Capital Fund is funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant program and provides more than $10 million in competitive awards each year to assist small Texas communities with economic development projects.
 

"We wanted to work with the local hospital, the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, Inc., to provide a better infrastructure for the public," Henderson Mayor J.W. "Buzz" Fullen said. "There is no way this project could have gone on without the Texas Capital Fund. It enhanced this project; it has made it real."

 

Federal Expert Needed

Williams to leave Railroad Commission on April 2 to run for Senate

Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams recently announced that he plans to step down April 2 to concentrate on his 2012 bid for U.S. Senate.
 

Williams, the first African-American to be elected to a top statewide post, wants to replace the retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is not seeking another term.

 

Tech makes administrative changes to prepare for state budget cuts

Jan ChildressGreg ElkinsMichael ShonrockTexas Tech University leaders recently cut its operating budget by about $500,000 a year by eliminating three top positions, just the latest move to prepare for proposed state cuts to higher education.
 

Effective immediately, the changes call to eliminate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Michael Shonrock (left); and two of his subordinates: Dean of Students Greg Elkins (middle) and Vice President for Student Affairs and External Relations Jan Childress (right).
 

The estimated 25 departments that Shonrock oversaw will be divvied up between other university leaders. Shonrock, a faculty member, will remain at Tech while Elkins and Childress were not reported to have other positions within the university.

 

MIT's Thomas to head Rice University's engineering school

Ned ThomasNed Thomas, who has lead the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for five years, said he is eager to move to the smaller engineering school, where he will have a chance to "move the university forward."


Thomas, who will also serve as a professor in two of the school's departments, holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts and a Ph.D. from Cornell University.


He replaces interim dean Sidney Burrus, who came out of retirement for almost a year to serve while a national search for a new dean was conducted. Burrus served as dean of engineering from 1998 to 2005.Ned Thomas (pictured), the head of a No. 1-ranked department at the country's top engineering school, will take over as dean of Rice University's engineering school July 1.

 

$1M goes to UH to test technology on diesel-powered school buses

Rachel MuncriefA University of Houston research team recently received a $1 million federal grant to test technology made to decrease emissions from diesel-powered vehicles.
 

The Environmental Protection Agency grant will be used by the UH Texas Diesel Testing and Research Center to retrofit and evaluate 10 Houston school district buses.
 

"Retrofits have the potential to significantly reduce the total annual nitrogen oxide emissions, and they also provide a cheaper alternative to completely replacing dirty diesel engines," said grant lead investigator Rachel Muncrief (pictured).

 

May 2011 Tx Bond Elections

State senator files bill to change name of Texas A&M-Kingsville

A state senator from Brownsville recently filed a bill that would require Texas A&M University-Kingsville to revert to its former name, Texas A&I University. Legislators approved the highly controversial name change in 1993, after Texas A&I joined the Texas A&M University System.

 

The senator said he filed the bill because many former students, faculty and donors requested the name change to help attract more student enrollment, encourage alumni support and gain more funding and scholarships.
 

A&M-Kingsville officials declined to comment on the bill to allow the college to revert to its former name, but the president said students, faculty and staff are pleased with the current name. The mayor of Kingsville said he changed his mind and now supports the college keeping the current name. A House member who represents the Kingsville area sent a letter to House members opposing the name change and asking House members to reject the bill filed in the Texas Senate.

 

Texas A&M students may pay new fee to renovate Kyle Field

Jason CookTexas A&M officials recently began discussion on adding a new student fee to help pay for a $40 million renovation of the east side of Kyle Field.

 

The proposed improvements would be on the east side where students traditionally stand during the game, said Jason Cook (pictured), vice president for marketing and communications for the school. Texas A&M officials plan to pay for improvements to the west side of the stadium, usually occupied by non-students and alumni, using donations and luxury box license fees, he said.


College officials also are considering two strategies, with one plan having a student fee pay for upgrading the entire student section or using a combination of a smaller student fee along with increased ticket prices for students. A state representative from Bryan has filed a bill to allow Texas A&M to charge students an athletic fee of $4 per credit hour, or an additional $60 a semester for the typical undergraduate taking 15 hours of classes.

 

Travis County eyeing $250 million bond election in November

Sam BiscoeCounty Judge Sam Biscoe (pictured) recently repeated his plan to ask voters in Travis County to approve about $250 million in bonds to pay for several construction projects and buy additional park land. Biscoe appointed a 15-member citizens advisory committee expected to begin meeting soon to discuss and prioritize possible projects to be included in the bond proposal. 

 

County staff in January developed a list of possible bond projects that originally carried a $262 million price tag and plan to provide a revised list once the citizen's advisory committee elects a chairperson and sets a meeting schedule, county officials said. The January priority list included about $82 million in projects to widen roads and $13 million for road safety projects. County officials also expect to participate in three pass-through agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation using an estimated $61.8 million of the bonds if voters approve the proposal.
 

Other projects on the preliminary list of bond projects include $35 million to buy land for parks, $7.6 million for drainage projects, $6.5 million for bridge safety projects and $2.7 million for bicycle safety projects.

 

Abilene police ready to ask for bids for new training facility

Abilene police officials recently asked city council members to seek bids for a new police training facility featuring state-of-the-art training technology and larger classrooms.

 

The current 3,800-square-foot facility built in 1982 has two classrooms, with the main room seating only 20-25 officers when a seating capacity for 40 officers is needed, said Assistant Chief Jim Berry. The police department received a federal grant of $241,000 to buy new equipment for the facility.
 

The next step is for city council to approve the department's request to accept construction bids, Berry said. He declined to estimate the exact cost, but said the new facility probably will cost several hundred thousand dollars. The new training facility also may attract outside law enforcement agencies to send their officers for training in Abilene and bring in additional revenue to area businesses, he said. 


Smith County group to draw up five-year capital project plan

Joel BakerSmith County commissioners recently appointed a committee to draw up a five-year capital projects plan for facility and technology upgrades carrying a price tag of $100,000 or more. 

 

County Judge Joel Baker (pictured), Commissioner Cary Nix, the county auditor and representatives from the purchasing, physical plant, information technology and road and bridge departments will determine which projects are more critical, Baker said. The plan will help county officials identify projects of importance, design implementation, identify funding, maintain or improve the county's bond rating and help with intergovernmental and public-private partnerships, the county auditor said.
 

Projects under consideration for the proposed plan are to continue efforts to move personnel from the Smith County Office Building into county-owned buildings and then renovate the building to accommodate personnel remaining in that facility. Implementing a new record-keeping system and purchasing software at a cost of more than $3 million also are under consideration as a priority project, Nix said. Committee members said they plan to finalize a five-year capital project plan in May.

 

Senior Associate Needed

Kerrville moves forward with plans for new city hall

The Kerrville City Council recently authorized $187,000 to pay an architect to design a 15,000-square-foot building for a city hall on a downtown parcel of land. The new building will be located on land donated by a charitable organization and the agreement includes long-term leases on a parking garage and office buildings also owned by the charitable foundation, the mayor said.


City officials said they hope to begin construction on the new building in early spring 2012 if plans proceed on schedule.

 

Woelkers to serve as executive VP and chief of staff at UTHSCT

Joe WoelkersA senior administrator and associate professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Joe Woelkers (pictured), was recently promoted to executive vice president and chief of staff.
 

Previously, Woelkers had served as executive director of academic affairs. Before coming to Tyler 14 months ago, Woelkers was executive director and chief executive officer of the California-based National Childhood Cancer Foundation.
 

In his new position, Woelkers will oversee all strategic and business planning at the science center, as well as the organization of academic and administrative efforts.

 

Sherman wins $350,000 for transportation enhancement project

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently selected the city of Sherman for a proposed $440,000 downtown transportation enhancement project to improve pedestrian safety.


Plans call for TxDOT to pay $350,000, or about 80 percent of the cost, and for the city to kick in $90,000, or about 20 percent of the cost of the improvement project. The pedestrian safety project will begin at Highway 75 and proceed down two streets to the Grayson County Courthouse.


The project calls for reconfiguring pedestrian access points, with sidewalks and ramps to be changed to prompt traffic to slow down. Council members are expected to decide whether to move forward with the transportation enhancement project in two to three weeks.

 

Manvel Mayor Delores Martin elected board chair for H-GAC

Delores MartinMembers of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, an association of local governments that promotes the efficient use of tax dollars, recently elected new 2011 officers including board chair-elect Delores Martin (pictured), mayor of Manvel.


Other new officers include: Montgomery County Commissioner Craig Doyal as chair, and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett as vice chair.
 

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is a division of the Gulf Coast Planning Region, a 13-county association that represents more than six million people.

 

Elgin to negotiate for building to be used for city offices

Elgin City Council members recently authorized City Manager Greg Vick to negotiate for the purchase of a funeral home building to renovate into city offices. Council members also agreed to issue $600,000 in additional debt along with bonds to finance the city's purchase of a wastewater plant to buy the building, which is closing soon.


Additional projects council members authorized to be funded with the new debt include relocating the public works department, new lighting at Thomas Field and a cover for the Burleson House. A previously approved project list includes buying office space for city staff, stabilizing the Burleson House and purchasing the Veterans Park property the city now leases from Union Pacific Railroad.

 

Wipf appointed new TWIA acting general manager

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) board of directors recently fired General Manager Jim Oliver, effective immediately.

 

Randy Wipf, vice president of underwriting, has been named acting general manager of TWIA, which acts as the windstorm insurer of last resort for homeowners and businesses in the state's 14 coastal counties.

 
The move comes just weeks after a state investigation found that the privately-run insurer had reportedly paid adjusters for work they didn't do and paid claims based on their falsified reports. The investigating agency, the Texas Department of Insurance, is also investigating the severance packages of top claims officials who resigned last year.


San Angelo may join Midland and Abilene to secure water supply

Alvin NewThe San Angelo City Council recently approved an interlocal agreement that calls for joining with Midland and Abilene to conduct a joint search for a long-term water supply and, in the meantime, share available water.
 

If council members in Midland and Abilene approve the proposed agreement, the three cities will form a committee comprised of the water utility director of each city, who would then select lawyers and engineers to analyze the existing and pending water sources of each city, identify methods to share water in the short-term and explore the feasibility of using a pipeline or other method to move water between the three cities, said Mayor Alvin New (pictured) of San Angelo. Council members also approved an amendment that sets a limit of $100,000 on the city's contribution to the first phase of the study. 

 

S. Texas development council to help police secure federal funding

Seeing the need for better police protection in the area, Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council officials recently increased efforts to help smaller police departments secure more federal grants. The council is responsible for distributing federal grant funds to police departments in the Rio Grande Valley, noted Manuel Cruz of the development council.
 

While some police departments in the area, such as the Edcouch Police Department, received thousands of dollars in federal grants, other departments in Progreso, La Villa and Palmview received no federal funding, Cruz noted. The federal grants often require the departments to have an emergency management plan, to provide adequate training to officers to respond to emergency situations and to join the Texas Regional Response Network, he added. Many of the smaller police departments currently do not meet these requirements and council staff are trying to contact each city to encourage officials to apply for a homeland security grant and offer assistance with that task, Cruz said.

 

Texas Enterprise Fund investing to create 125 jobs in Cuero

Texas state leaders recently announced that $360,000 in state funding will go toward bringing idX Corp., a St. Louis-based manufacturer, into Cuero.
 

The company, a retail fixture manufacturer, is expected to create 125 jobs and generate $5.1 million.
State funding will be provided through the Texas Enterprise Fund, which was created in 2003 to help ensure business and job growth in the state.

 

Corpus Christi eyeing $129 million sewer upgrade

Oscar MartinezConfronted with sewage overflows and a series of sinkholes that threaten property damage, Corpus Christi city officials recently began creating a plan calling for spending $129 million during the next decade to repair sewer lines and upgrade six pumping stations.

 

A consultant reported to Corpus Christi city officials that the city would need to spend about $1.5 billion to replace about 1,200 miles of sewer lines in the city, noted Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez (pictured). City crews documented 324 cave-ins or sinkholes in the past 14 months and responded to more than 14,700 work orders during that same time, answering calls to about 1,165 overflows into streets, yards and ditches, he said. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has urged the city to reduce the number of overflow incidents or face stiff fines, Martinez said.

 

Two huge sink holes that developed near the Crosstown Expressway and Port Avenue following a hurricane were caused when a wastewater treatment plant overflowed, causing two sewer lines to collapse and create the sink holes, he said. That flooding incident cost the city about $1.4 million in emergency repairs, he added.

 

Sewer service to be expanded in Alton thanks to loan

The city of Alton, located in Hidalgo County, recently received a state loan of about $9.6 million to expand sewer service to low-income households with septic tanks, which can leak when the ground is saturated after heavy rains.

 

The loan, granted by the Texas Water Development Board under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, was awarded with 100 percent principal forgiveness, meaning the city won't have to repay the state.
 

City leaders, who have not yet asked for construction bids, hope the state funding will finance service for about 530 homes in 10 low-income subdivisions. If the project costs more, the city will either scale back or go out for a loan.

 

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South Texas schools seeking grants for disaster shelters

About 60 school districts in South Texas are expected to apply for federal grants to help pay for disaster shelters that also can be used as gymnasiums or other facilities.


The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program under its Texas Safe Shelter Initiative will reimburse school districts for 75 percent of the cost of building a disaster shelter, said a spokesman for the state's emergency management division. The FEMA program requires school districts to join with cities and counties to build the shelters. The goal is to reduce loss of life and property in natural disasters and other emergency situations.


School districts receiving the grants can use the funding to demolish existing structures in hazard-prone areas, renovate facilities to provide more protection and build new shelters. The new facilities must be built to withstand winds up to 200 miles per hour with square footage ranging from 5,000-15,000 square feet, he said. The superintendent of Banquete Independent School District is working with Nueces County officials on a proposed $1.7 million facility to provide a safe shelter for many of the elderly residents of the area as well as an indoor space for graduation ceremonies and other activities.

 

Harker Heights to use $8 million loan for six capital projects

Steve CarpenterHarker Heights city officials recently agreed to spend an $8 million loan for six capital improvement projects. The projects include a sewer line extension, a new U-turn bridge, upgrades to Indian Trail Road, two park improvements and building three new soccer fields and restrooms, said City Manager Steve Carpenter (pictured).


City officials allocated $3 million from the certificates of obligation to pay for engineering and construction of sewer lines to an area east of FM2410 to serve about 800 residents, Carpenter said. The project to build a U-turn bridge west of FM2410 will take about $2.5 million of the loan funds, he added, while the city plans to spend about $1.5 million for resurfacing a portion of Indian Trail. Construction on the Indian Trail road project should begin by early summer.
 

Building the new Purser Family Park is budgeted to cost about $1.2 million, of which $250,000 will be paid with the certificates of obligation. Renovating the Summit Soccer Complex by building three soccer fields and restroom facilities will cost about $500,000, Carpenter said. City officials also allotted $250,000 for $500,000 in upgrades planned for Goode Connell Park. That project should be seeking construction bids in about one month, he added.

 

Escobares uses federal grant to build city's first fire station

Escobares city officials plan to use a grant from the Texas Department of Rural Affairs to pay for a new $531,000 fire station to serve the Starr County community incorporated in 2005.
 

The 2,931-square -foot fire station will feature a truck bay, kitchen, recreation area, dormitory and dispatch office, the mayor said. The new fire station is the first in a city complex that city officials plan to build, the mayor said. City offices, including the police department, now occupy a portable classroom donated to the city. The new fire station is expected to open in April, the mayor said.

 

Did you miss S&L Pipeline?

Hutto city leaders authorize bonds for water project design, build

Hutto city leaders recently OK'd the issuance of bonds totaling more than $4.7 million, most of which will go toward waterline design and construction near the future Eastern Williamson County Higher Education Center.

 

More than half the funds, $2.52 million, were issued through the Texas Water Development Board as a low-interest loan. That money will pay for water lines that allow growth around the future education center, which is a joint venture between the city and the Hutto Economic Development Corporation.
 

The remaining funds, $2.225 million, will go toward waterlines as well as interim City Hall and park designs and renovations.

 

Cooperative agreement get Collin County toll road in fast lane

Bill MooreCollin County and the North Texas Tollway Authority have agreed to work together on the planning, constructing, maintaining and operating of all future toll ways in the county, including part of a proposed regional beltway.
 

The agreement also dictates that Collin County can advance feeder roads ahead of any toll lane, which is expected to spur economic development.
 

Both groups believe the collaboration will keep up good working relations as well as ensure that public money is spent wisely, said NTTA Director Bill Moore (pictured).

 

Lakeway approves $1.25 million bond election on May 14

Lakeway City Council members recently called a $1.25 million bond election asking voters to approve funding for a new 11,000-square-foot library. The new library should be completed and open to the public in summer 2012.
 

The Lake Travis Community Library District saved between $100,000 and $200,000 in interest and construction costs because the city issued the bonds rather than the district negotiating a bank loan or asking the city to call the bond election, a library district spokesman said. Library district officials agreed to pay all issuance, interest and principal repayment costs associated with the issue of the bonds as well as to pay for the election.
 

Lakeway city officials and library district officials are negotiating an agreement that would establish monthly payments and give the city partial ownership of the library building during the lifetime of the bonds. The agreement also will require library officials to notify the Lakeway city manager if the district misses a bond payment and begin working out a payment plan. The proposed agreement also gives city council members all authority over all capital and operating expenses as well as to authorize all future budgets if the library district defaults on six consecutive payments, according to a bond consultant to the city.

 

Lindale group to build new industrial park off I-20

The Lindale Economic Development Corporation (LECO) is moving ahead with a new $1.4 million infrastructure project in preparation for a 120-acre industrial park located off Interstate 20, just outside of Tyler.

 

The group is developing the tract for the industrial park suitable for distribution and for large and small manufacturers using a federal grant. The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration awarded the grant, which requires a 50 percent matching contribution, to the city of Lindale, the mayor said.
 

The infrastructure work includes storm drainage improvements, a concrete street with cul-de-sac and installing water and wastewater services to all sites located within the park located between US69 and a new Loop 49 on I-20. Construction on the infrastructure project should be completed by September, said the LECO chairman.

 



GPC event touts government contracting info for small businesses

Some 100 city, county, state, federal and corporate exhibitors who are involved in purchasing, construction and professional services contracting will be on hand for the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 6. Government Procurement Connections (GPC) event. All forums and workshops will be at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The one-day event focuses on small, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged businesses and gives them an opportunity to discuss potential strategic relationships and procurement opportunities with representatives of government agencies. Some of the forums for the event include Information Technology and Communications, Construction and Engineering, Transportation and State of Texas HUB. After a morning awards breakfast, the afternoon sessions will assist entrepreneurs to find strategies to finance their companies, grow their businesses using GSA schedules and expand their marketing efforts through social media. Keynote speaker for the event will be Yolanda Garcia Olivarez of the Small Business Administration. She will address such issues as seeking guaranteed financial assistance, emerging market opportunities, practical tips when interfacing with agency and prime contractor decision-makers. For more information and to register, click here.

 

County, district clerks group planning annual conference June 12-16

The 116th Annual County and District Clerk State Conference will be held June 12-16 at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center in Lewisville. A Sunday, June 12, welcome reception with live music and barbecue will be held at the Texas Motor Speedway. The district and county clerks of the year will be presented at the Wednesday, June 13, night Gala, and 2011-12 officers will be installed. On the agenda for the five-day event are technical, professional development, legislative, public relations, social media and other issues. Attorney Richard Hayes will discuss Robert's Rules and Denton County Auditor James Wells will address auditing issues. The keynote speaker for the Tuesday events will be Brent Strehlow, owner of TMI, Inc. Exhibitor space is available. For a registration form, hotel information, exhibitor information, agenda and contact information, click here.

 

TASSCC plans 2011 Technology Education Conference for April 7

The Texas Association for State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) 2011 Technology Education Conference - "Getting Social in Public: Real World Social Media Applications for Government" - is planned for Thursday, April 7, at the AT&T Conference Center in Austin. The conference will help those attending to gain insight into the effective use of social media tolls in their day-to-day environment and to learn more about advantages and potential pitfalls associated with social media applications and how they are used in a government environment. Session topics include: Legal Aspects/Concerns with Social Media Efforts and Social Media Strategy. There will be a case study from UT Austin on Social Media and Emergency Communications. Other topics include internal-external social networks and statewide social media best practices. A panel of social media practitioners from several state agencies will also be part of the program. For more information, click here, and to register, click here.

 

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.

 

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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Local governments launch cost-cutting initiatives

 

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

 

Public sector budgets continue to shrink and program cuts have been painful. But, in spite of that, there are some good things happening.
  
Public officials at every level of government are launching innovative cost-cutting initiatives and many offer positive results in numerous ways. When the changes produce improved constituent services, taxpayers should take note.
  
Each year the National Association of Counties recognizes initiative programs that improve county government while increasing services for constituents. The 2011 achievement awards will be named in June. But a look at some of the most recent winners provides insight into creativity and innovation that should not go unnoticed.
  
Collin County in Texas was a multi-award winner during the most recent judging. The county was cited for establishing a medical insurance discount program that promotes preventative care and facilitates early detection and treatment of illnesses. A discount on health insurance premiums is just one of the positive results. Claim costs for participating employees have steadily decreased. Hand-in-hand with that success was the county's program to reduce workers' compensation costs through the use of existing in-house resources. For basic injuries on the job, the county's existing employee clinic is often used instead of expensive emergency room treatment. In the first year of existence, the county had a 30 percent decrease in medical claims, saving almost $11,000.
 
[more]
  
Northrop Grumman

Friendswood planning to build

$1 million animal control facility

Friendswood city leaders want to hire a contractor to build a 6,000-square-foot center for the Animal Control department.
 

The new facility, which has a budget of $1 million, will have a total of 73 kennels divided between an adoption operation and animal control. The current Animal Control building is about 1,000 square feet.
 

City leaders want to hire the contractor by mid-April and break ground in June.

 

Bay City hires search firm

to find new finance director
Clarence Fenner

After interviewing eight candidates for finance director, council members in Bay City recently agreed to hire a recruiting firm to find a replacement for the finance director who resigned in Fall 2010. 

 

Using a recruiting firm will give council members more flexibility in finding the most qualified candidate, said Mayor Pro Tem Clarence Fenner (pictured). Council members could not reach a consensus on the candidates previously interviewed, he added.

 

At&T

Novotny named Salado ISD

lone superintendent finalist

Michael NovotnySalado school district trustees recently announced Michael Novotny (pictured), head of the 328-student Moulton district, as the only finalist for superintendent.


Novotny, who has also served as a principal in the Plano school district, comes to Salado just months before an $11.5 million bond election that would finance a new athletic complex at the high school. Novotny said that while the plans look fantastic, voters will have to decide if the new facility is worth the tax increase. Election Day is May 14.

 

DeSoto Economic Development Corp. buys land for new heliport

Officials of the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation recently approved the purchase of 18.7 acres of land for a new heliport to be located near Interstate 20.  


The goal of the new heliport is to spur development and expansion to DeSoto, said the interim executive director of the DeSoto ECD. City officials have not yet decided when construction will begin or when the new heliport will be open.

 

Did You Know...

 Did You Know

...that SPI provides customized government sales training throughout the country on an ongoing basis for clients?

 

Little Elm eliminates three city positions, promotes others

The Little Elm council recently OK'd a plan to eliminate three city positions - the Public Works superintendent, assistant police chief and one lieutenant - while promoting others.

 
The public works superintendent, Kevin Mattingly, was promoted to director of the department, which eliminated the superintendent position. And in the police department, the assistant chief and lieutenant positions were replaced with two captain positions.


In other changes, the director of public works was promoted to assistant town manager and the senior planner will take on all Planning Department-related duties.

 

Burkburnett hires Tim James

as new city manager

Burkburnett city leaders recently hired a new city manager. Graham Assistant City Manager Tim James will replace interim City Manager Trish Holley. It is not yet clear when James will take over.

 

Health Information Designs

McKinney fire has two Segways donated by Medical Center

The Medical Center of McKinney this week will donate at a public ceremony two Segway vehicles to the McKinney Fire Department.


The self-balancing vehicles will be used to monitor large crowds at city events, as well as being used by paramedics to reach accident victims before ambulances can get to the scene.


Each vehicle will carry an automatic defibrillator and first aid equipment.

 

James withdraws as finalist

for city manager in Burk

After Burk City Commissioners voted 4-3 to hire Tim James as the new city manager, James declined to accept the city's top position. The mayor said he believes the close vote was a factor in the decision by James to turn down the job.
 

Interim City Manager Trish Holley will continue in that position until a new city manager is selected, Mayor Carl Law said.

 

LeFleur Transportation

Round Rock's Cervantes promoted to new city librarian

Michelle Cervantes was recently promoted to director of the Round Rock Public Library. She has served as public service manager of the library since mid-2010.
 

She succeeds longtime director Dale Rickles, who retired last year. Cervantes holds a bachelor's from Concordia University and a master's degree from the University of North Texas. 

 

Corpus Christi group raises $22,000 for police equipment

Troy RiggsCorpus Christi residents donated more than $22,000 at fundraisers held by the Corpus Christi Citizens Police Academy Alumni group to pay for new digital cameras, first responder knives and a weight machine for officers. The group plans to provide an additional $5,000 for new police equipment later this year.
 

The group held three fundraisers, including a golf tournament, to raise the money, noted Police Chief Troy Riggs (pictured), who thanked residents of Corpus Christi who stepped up to supplement funds for the police as city budgets are being cut and many law enforcement agencies are losing funding.

 

Clifton Gunderson LLP

Bryan wins $485,000 EPA grant

to upgrade wastewater system

The Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded $485,000 to the city of Bryan to replace an aging wastewater treatment plant at Turkey Creek. The new plant is planned on a 107-acre tract of city-owned land near the Brazos River and will serve southwestern areas of Bryan.

 

Green departing as city

manager in Killeen

Connie GreenThe mayor of Killeen recently announced that City Manager Connie Green (pictured) is leaving the city's top position.

 

Green, who is currently on leave from his duties, is negotiating with council members on exit terms, the mayor said.


Green joined the city in 1990 as the finance director and in March 2005 took the reins as city manager.

 

El Paso toll road project to go

out for bids in early April

An $80 million toll road project in El Paso County is expected to go to bid April 6.
The work on 8.7 miles of Cesar Chavez Border Highway includes reconstruction to four existing lanes and the addition of more lanes.


The toll road, which is a state-run project, will be part of the TxTag system, which is used in other parts of the state.

 

Houston residents create Transportation Advocacy Group

A group of about 50 Houston region advocates recently formed the Transportation Advocacy Group - Houston Region to push for more funding for area transportation in the wake of budget concerns of both state and local government leaders. The officers of the advocacy group are Wayne Klotz, Jake Drake, Gary Trietsch and Gary Montgomery, all representing civil engineering firms in the area.
 

The goal of the advocacy group is to work to secure more state funds and local funding authority for the Houston region during the current legislative session, according to a statement released by the group.

 

P3 Opportunities

Hudson stages circus to raise funds for a new city park

Hudson city officials recently brought a circus to town as one of several fundraisers planned to raise money to match a grant for a new city park. City officials teamed with officials of the Hudson Independent School District to use the high school campus to erect a tent, booths and provide ample parking for those attending the fundraiser benefitting the city park. City officials plan several other fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for the new park.

 

Marble Falls ISD postpones search for new superintendent

After extending the contract of Acting Superintendent Jim Boyle, Marble Falls Independent School District trustees agreed to postpone the district's search for a new permanent superintendent.


Trustees said they plan to renew solicitations for applicants this month and begin interviews again on May 31. Board members said they suspended the search process until new board members assume their positions following May elections. Trustees originally adopted a timetable calling for a new superintendent to be selected in June.

 

SPI on Twitter

Mercedes re-opens bids for telecommunications system

After rejecting the only bid submitted for a new voice-operated Internet system for the police department, Mercedes City Commissioners recently agreed to re-advertise for bids for a voice operated Internet protocol telecommunications system.
 

City officials decided to buy a new telecommunications system to eliminate many separate telephone lines connecting the police department with other city offices, said City Manager Richard Garcia. The new system will route all local and long distance calls to the city through the Internet, he added.

 

Baitland chosen for interim superintendent post at Stafford

Betty BaitlandStafford school board trustees recently named Betty Baitland (pictured), former top administrator of Fort Bend schools, interim superintendent.
 

She replaces Superintendent H.D. Chambers, who has been named the only finalist to head the Alief school district. He is expected to leave Stafford in three weeks, when Baitland begins.
 

 Baitland was named superintendent of Fort Bend in 2001. Five years later, her relationship with several school board members deteriorated and the board voted to terminate her tenure.

 

Recent Reports
Texas Government Insider Archives

 

Volume 1-8 Archives -1/8/04 - 3/18/11 
  
Governor's appointments
Governor Rick Perry has announced the following appointments:
  • Jerry Romero of El Paso, Texas Sate Affordable Housing Corporation Board of Directors;
  • Jeran Akers of Plano, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation Board of Directors;
  • Joe Ward of Telephone, Soil and Water Conservation Board;
  • Anna A. Chapman of Del Rio, Texas Physician Assistant Board;
  • Felix Koo of McAllen, Texas Physician Assistant Board;
  • Richard Rahr of Texas City, Texas Physician Assistant Board;
  • Anna P. Hundley of Dallas, Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders;
  • Frank C. McCamant of Austin, Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders;
  • Tammy Lemoine of Center, Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders;
  • Callie M. Vivion-Matthews of Fort Worth, Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders;
  • Toni Glover of Fort Worth, Human Rights Commission;
  • Shara Michalka of Dallas Human Rights Commission;
  • Sharon Butterworth of El Paso, Aging and Disability Services Council;
  • John A. Cuellar of Dallas, Aging and Disability Services Council;
  • Judy Foster of San Antonio, Aging and Disability Services Council;
  • Donna Stauber of Waco, Aging and Disability Services Council;
  • Daniel P. Moran of Cypress, Texas Veterans Commission;
  • Albert L. Black of Austin, Texas Private Security Board;
  • Brian England of Forney, Texas Private Security Board;
  • Howard Johnsen of Dallas, Texas Private Security Board;
  • Mark Smith of Dallas, Texas Private Security Board;
  • Kristin Benton of Austin, chair, Texas Board of Nursing;
  • Deborah Bell of Abilene, Texas Board of Nursing;
  • Beverly Nutall of Bryan, Texas Board of Nursing;
  • Kathy Shipp of Lubbock, Texas Board of Nursing;
  • Mary LeBeck of Weatherford, Texas Board of Nursing;
  • Patrick Justiss of Coleman, Central Colorado River Authority;
  • Andrew Young of Coleman, Central Colorado River Authority;
  • LaShonda Brown of Missouri City, Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee;
  • Pamela Perez of El Paso, Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee;
  • John Cissik of McKinney, Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee;
  • John Davis of Houston, Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee;
  • Sarah Mills of Austin, Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee;
  • Katherine Teutsch of Georgetown, Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee;
  • Benna Timperlake of Corpus Christi, Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee;
  • Romulo "Roman" Chavez of Spring, Judicial Compensation Commission;
  • Michael Slack of Austin, Judicial Compensation Commission;
  • Harold Jenkins of Irving, Judicial Compensation Commission;
  • James E. Herring of Amarillo, Canadian River Compact Commissioner;
  • Mark Dunn of Lufkin, Texas Workforce Investment Council;
  • Jaime Garza of San Antonio, Texas State University System Board of Regents;
  • Rossanna Salazar of Austin, Texas State University System Board of Regents;
  • Donna N. Williams of Arlington, Texas State University System Board of Regents;
  • Wanda Rohm of San Antonio, Texas Department of Information Resources;
  • Keith Morrow of Southlake, Texas Department of Information Resources;
  • Allan Cain of Carthage, Commission on Jail Standards;
  • Stanley Egger of Tuscola, Commission on Jail Standards;
  • Michael Seale of Houston, Commission on Jail Standards;
  • William "Bill" Abney of Marshall, Red River Compact Commission;
  • Elsa Alcala of Houston, judge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals;
  • D. Joseph "Joe" Meister of Dallas, chair, Texas Public Finance Authority;
  • Billy M. Atkinson Jr. of Sugar Land, Texas Public Finance Authority;
  • Mark W. Eidman of Austin, Texas Public Finance Authority;
  • Robert Thomas Roddy Jr. of San Antonio, Texas Public Finance Authority;
  • Jay S. Zeidman of Houston, One Call Board;
  • Jeffie Roberts of Robert Lee, Upper Colorado River Authority;
  • Hyman D. Sauer of Eldorado, Upper Colorado River Authority;
  • Hugh Stone of San Angelo, Upper Colorado River Authority;
  • Martin "Ringo" Deleon of Corpus Christi, Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments;
  • Mary Ford of Stephenville, Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments;
  • Robert Morgan of Lubbock, Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments;
  • Chris Kirk of Bryan, Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments.
Job Board

Cottonwood Shores terminates Cummings as city administrator

Cottonwood Shores City Council members recently agreed to terminate City Administrator Karrie Cummings. She had held the position since 2009. Council members also transferred her duties to the city secretary until a new city administrator is selected.

 

Smithson retiring as superintendent at Godley ISD

Paul SmithsonAfter seven years on the job, Superintendent Paul Smithson (pictured) of Godley Independent School District recently announced plans to retire from that position in December.

 

Smithson began his career as a teacher and coach in 1982 at Leonard ISD and also taught and coached at the Fruitvale, Montgomery and Detroit school districts. He was a principal at Maud ISD and at Johnson City ISD, where he also served as superintendent until accepting the top job at Godley ISD in 2004.

 

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Bulverde sets aside $450,000

to pay for new city park

Bulverde City Council members recently agreed to set aside $450,000 to pay for a new city park. The city administrator last month advised council members to use at least half of the city's $508,000 fund balance to pay for the park rather than relying or waiting on a state grant for which the city applied.

 

The Bulverde Parks Committee provided council members with three potential designs for the proposed city park. The designs include an existing hiking trail with new features such as baseball, soccer and football fields, picnic areas, play area, a water feature such as a small pond, gazebos and parking facilities. One of the designs also includes a 9,000-square-foot pavilion incorporating a basketball court, concession areas and storage and a 2,380-square-foot gazebo with restroom facilities.

 

Pecos looking at leasing office space at federal building

Pecos city officials recently began exploring the possibility of leasing two floors at the old federal courthouse to expand space for city employees. City council members are considering leasing two floors. The post office is on the first floor of the building.

 

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.
 
To learn more about SPI services click here or contact our sales department at 512-531-3900.
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