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Combs to House budget writers:
'We have tremendous needs...you have some very hard choices'
 "What you do today will go forward into the 2013 session," State Comptroller Susan Combs (left) told members of the House Appropriations Committee Thursday as they attempt to craft a budget around a multi-billion-dollar hole. The Comptroller warned budget writers that their budget decisions of this legislative session not only will affect the current budget, but also future budgets. "Please look forward," she said. "We have tremendous needs in this state. You have some very hard choices. You have the next several years to think about."
Appropriations Chair Jim Pitts (right) invited the Comptroller to the hearing, looking for her "insight into the challenges we face" and to give legislators "a broader picture of our state budget." As it stands now, that budget has legislators turning over every couch and chair cushion looking for literally billions in spare change.
 The state's leadership and the Legislative Budget Board have already asked agencies to make substantial cuts to their budgets - twice. Now, he said, the committee must consider whether there is cause for even deeper cuts, and if so, if such cuts would be both practical and reasonable.
Combs was asked about the circumstances that led to the huge budget deficit. "The most significant factor that caused the shortfall was the downturn in the economy," she responded. John Helleman, chief revenue estimator for the Comptroller's Office, agreed. "The largest measure of what happened to our revenues system was the recession." It was, in fact, the recession in the mid-80s that led to the creation of the state's Economic Stabilization (Rainy Day) Fund. "The recession we just had was somewhat worse than that one." The severity of the current budget crisis in the state, according to Helleman, worsened because the state's business tax is not bringing in as much as was expected ($4 billion instead of the anticipated $6 billion) and because of the state's increasing investment in public schools.
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GAO identifies billions of federal dollars that could be saved
Like many states, feds also looking for efficiences, cost cutting, increased revenue
 The federal government and Texas state government are in the same financial hole. While Texas is dealing with a multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall, the federal government is dealing with multi-trillion dollar debt. But, both are using the same method to try to dig their way out - finding new revenue sources, improving government efficiencies and finding places where the budget can be cut.
The biggest difference is the size of the hole!
To help find inefficiencies, duplicative programs and other issues within government agencies, programs and initiatives that could enhance revenue and save federal dollars, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) was charged with identifying those areas for cost savings. Its first annual report to Congress was released this week. GAO identified 81 areas for consideration of overlap, duplication and fragmentation within hundreds of federal programs. Additionally, nearly 50 other areas were identified where the federal government could reduce costs or enhance revenue collections.
"Reducing or eliminating duplication, overlap or fragmentation could potentially save billions of tax dollars annually and help agencies provide more efficient and effective services," reads the report.
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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
 Daniel Hodge, First Assistant Attorney General, State of Texas
Career highlights and education: My entire legal career has been spent at the Texas Attorney General's Office. I first arrived at the agency in January 2003, when I served as an administrative technician in General Abbott's office while attending U.T. Law. After graduating from law school two and a half years later, I served as a special assistant attorney general. After a short hiatus from the agency, I returned as General Abbott's chief of staff in December of 2006. Last August, General Abbott appointed me First Assistant Attorney General. Prior to moving to Austin to attend law school, I graduated from Davidson College, a liberal arts college in North Carolina, where I majored in history and political science.
What I like best about my job is: It is not easy to encapsulate all the great things about the Attorney General's Office in a short paragraph or two. First, I really enjoy getting to work every day with some of the finest lawyers, peace officers and public servants in the country - but don't just take it from me. I once had the opportunity to visit with a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and after I told the Justice where I worked, he told me that Texas has the nation's best Attorney General's Office. Second, I really enjoy having the opportunity to sit down with smart, dedicated folks across the agency, learn from their experiences and work to solve problems. From General Abbott's initiative to establish the first statewide law enforcement unit dedicated solely to locating fugitive sex offenders, to the work we have done to help recover additional revenue for the state during a budget shortfall - since General Abbott took office, we have recovered almost $1.2 billion for the state treasury - to spending a day in court with the assistant attorneys general from the Child Support Division who helped Texas become the nation's most efficient and effective child support collections program, this job affords me the opportunity to see, experience and learn new things from very talented people every week.
The best advice I've received for my current job is: Do the right thing, respect the folks who work with you, and never forget it's the taxpayers' money. That advice came straight from the top - from General Abbott. Any administration has to show leadership and make hard choices, but we cannot advance our goals and initiatives without the help of the dedicated people who serve the Attorney General's Office. As long as we are doing the right thing and appreciate the hard work that folks put in all across the agency, then we are more likely to work together as a team - which helps us all advance the ball more effectively. At the same time, effectiveness must always be matched by efficiency - which is why we've worked hard to make sure our Child Support Program is the nation's most efficient. When you're spending the taxpayers' money, it belongs to the public - so don't spend it on anything you wouldn't want on the front page of the Statesman.
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: There is no substitute for hard work. Period. I'm neither the smartest lawyer nor the most experienced agency administrator in the state. But I have the privilege of serving General Abbott and helping him run an exciting, dynamic agency because the boss knows I will put in whatever hours it takes to advance the ball.
If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: At a concert - most likely at a rundown old dancehall in a town with fewer than 5,000 people. While working for the U.T. System's Governmental Relations Office while I was in college, I got to know some of the guys in Pat Green's band and as a result have a lot of friends in the music business - which is great because my musician friends give me a total break from law, government and politics. So when I need a break, I'll hit the road my with friends, hope that the rural county where they are playing has spotty cell phone service and try to forget about work for a few hours.
People would be surprised to know that I: supported Michael Dukakis for President in 1988. It's a long story, but the short version is that I had the opportunity to meet Gov. Dukakis when he came through Fort Worth after choosing Sen. Lloyd Bentsen as his running mate. I was 10 years old at the time with a chance to meet the governor, and he told that me that I could come see him at the White House if he won. I was sold. The rest, as they say, is history.
One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: The Attorney General's Office is well-known for representing the state in court, but what's less well known is the tremendous amount of both savings and revenue that we deliver each year. As General Abbott recently testified before the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, last year we recovered over $200 million for the state treasury. That doesn't count the nearly $100 million that our litigators saved Texas by successfully representing the state in court. And those figures are in addition to the $1.2 billion that our child support collections saved the state's health and human services programs by ensuring that parents - not the taxpayers - support their children. Bottom line, the Attorney General's Office is a significant source of savings and revenue for the State of Texas. In this budget environment, that matters more than ever.
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Hight accepts CIO position for health, human services system
Bowden Hight (pictured) will bring more than 25 years of Information Technology experience in the public and private sector to his new job as chief information officer for the health and human services system. Hight for the last seen years has served as IT director at the Texas Railroad Commission. He is also a former deputy director for IT at the former Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
Hight has been involved in projects that include development of a viewer that allows the public easy access to well and pipeline information from the Railroad Commission, the redesign of the Texas Child Support Enforcement System, and the creation of a secure Web site to provide CPS caseworkers and judiciary staff with information on the legal status of children in conservatorship.
Hight holds a master's degree from The University of Texas at Austin.
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Statewide award honors Texas Forest Service for mutual aid system
The Texas Forest Service recently received an award for its Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), which allows fire responders to shift resources around the state without taking resources from areas in need.
Just last month, the TIFMAS program awarded $100,000 fire engines to eight city fire departments. Within two weeks, those engines helped fight 21 wildfires that burned more than 120,000 acres across West Texas. Besides providing equipment to city fire departments, the aid system also makes statewide use of local resources such as training, grants and mobilization systems.
The program, which was recognized with the "Lone Star Achievement Award" was praised for reducing losses by fire and increasing firefighter safety.
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Melanie Callahan is new TWDB interim executive administrator
 Texas Water Development Board officials have selected Chief Financial Officer Melanie Callahan (pictured) interim executive administrator.
In her new role, Callahan, who has served as CFO since August 2007, will oversee more than 300 scientists, engineers, lawyers, finance officers and other staff in the conservation and development of water for Texas.
Callahan, who has more than 28 years of experience in public sector financial management, holds a bachelor's degree from Baylor University. She takes over for J. Kevin Ward, who left his TWDB executive administrator post for another job.
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Bill filed seeking to merge TYC, Juvenile Probation Commission
A House bill recently filed would abolish the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission in favor of a new agency to oversee all youth corrections programs from probation to incarceration.
The move, which was recommended by the Sunset Advisory Commission earlier this year, would streamline juvenile justice while saving the state millions of dollars, proponents said. Currently, the TYC operates incarceration while the TJPC oversees 165 county-run probation programs.
Under the bill, the two agencies would begin to merge next year and would have a year to complete the process to become the new Juvenile Justice Department.
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Some things really ARE free!
Readers will notice an uptick in the number of job openings posted in our Public Sector Job Board ad in today's edition of the Texas Government Insider. We've reminded officials at state agencies and nonprofits that they can post their job openings with us free each week. Job postings must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to a Friday publication date. Postings should be submitted as either a Microsoft Word document, a pdf or by providing a link to the entity's Web page where the job is posted. So if you're looking for a targeted audience for advertising a public sector job opening, let TGI help you get the word out by sending your job posting to editor@spartnerships.com.
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Task Force on Unfunded Mandates members appointed by governor
Gov. Rick Perry recently announced the formation of the new Task Force on Unfunded Mandates, a bipartisan group that will identify costly directives handed down from the state to local governments.
The nine-member task force will report its findings and recommendations to the governor in March.
Members of the task force are: Houston Mayor Annise Parker, El Paso Mayor John Cook, Comal County Sheriff Bob Holder, former San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz, Houston City Councilman Mike Sullivan, Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos, Collin County Judge Keith Self, Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon and Hudson Independent School District Superintendent Mary Ann Whiteker.
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Texas A&M restructures its administration division
Lallah Howard, executive associate vice president for operations at Texas A&M University, has resigned his position, effective May 3. Her resignation is one of several staff changes related to the restructuring of the division of administration. Newly named Vice President for Administration Rodney McClendon also announced that Howard's position will be filled temporarily by James Massey, director of facilities coordination. The office will have oversight of facilities services, utilities and energy management and facilities coordination.
Additionally, David Morrison, a former Texas Youth Commission employee for 20 years and current manager of facilities information, will serve as interim director of facilities coordination. The following divisions will not report directly to McClendon instead of the executive associate vice president - University Dining, Transportation Services, the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, Aviation Services and the assistant vice president in the current executive associate vice president for operations' office.
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Texas Tech University board OKs chapel on campus
 Texas Tech University regents recently OK'd construction of a 250-seat campus chapel that will be paid for with two $1.5 million private donations.
University officials now want to set up an endowment to fund upkeep costs to the chapel, which is expected to open next summer.
Already, requests to book the 7,000-square-foot facility for weddings are coming in, said Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement Kelly Overley (pictured).
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Willacy County approves $1.02 million to upgrade recreation area
Willacy County commissioners recently approved $1.02 million to pay for improvements to the Laguna Point Recreation Area in Port Mansfield. Commissioners also approved spending $502,197 for a nature area to be developed around ponds on FM 186 near Raymondville.
The Coastal Improvement Access Program, funded from offshore oil and gas royalties collected in the Gulf of Mexico, provided the grant for upgrades to the Laguna Point Recreation Area. Commissioners said they are optimistic that additional state funding will be awarded later to pay for more upgrades to the recreation area.
Plans call for the proposed nature area to feature ramps to launch kayaks and airboats in the 40-acre Laguna Point Recreation Area at Port Mansfield. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also provided a grant of $249,000 to help pay for the new boat ramps at the Port Mansfield project.
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Oak Point looking at three options to upgrade city hall
 Oak Point city officials recently began a series of public meetings seeking comment from the public. Their thoughts are sought on three options to upgrade city hall facilities now being considered by council members.
City officials currently have about $750,000 in undesignated funds that could be used for the city hall upgrade, said City Manager Doug Mousel (pictured). Current options include renovating the old city hall, partnering with a developer to build a new city hall in the same or another location, and remodeling the current Department of Public Safety Building to add offices while building an another facility to store equipment and vehicles from the public works department.
Remodeling the DPS building may cost less than building a new city hall, but city officials do not have an accurate cost estimate for a remodeling, the city manager said. Council members are expected to review public input on improving the city hall, review the three options and make a decision on March 10.
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McKinney group approves $300,000 plan for sports complex
The McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC) recently approved a $300,000 grant to aid in construction of a new $2.6 million sports complex featuring sports fields with artificial turf, but smaller than originally planned.
Council members previously approved a 6-acre plan calling for the developer to build a $4.8 million complex on Henneman Way. The city was to provide a $600,000 grant to build two regulation-sized soccer fields that could be transformed into 16 smaller five-on-five playing fields. The state of the economy, however, prompted the developer to propose a revised plan calling for a one regulation-size field that can be transformed into four smaller units, a 3,637-square-foot clubhouse on a 3-acre site on Alma Road. The fields also can be used for cricket, lacrosse, lawn bowls and other sports growing in popularity, said developers of the sports complex.
City council members also must give final approval for the revised plan for the sports complex before the project can proceed. Construction is scheduled to begin in April if council members approve the revised plans and the $300,000 grant.
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League City wins $665,036 grant for WaterSmart Park
League City recently won a $665,036 Clean Water Grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to build WaterSmart Park to promote water conservation.
Construction on the new 3-acre water park is scheduled to begin in four to six months. The new park is designed to educate residents on ways to reduce water usage and contamination through the use of community gardens, native plant displays, play areas, rain barrels and outdoor classrooms.
The park will include a rain garden, a green roof for the pavilion, pervious concrete pavement and bioswales that resemble drainage ditches. For two years, environmental specialists will test storm water at the park after the water passes through natural purification systems designed to reduce pollutants in runoff. Officials will learn whether the efforts are reducing levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria in storm water. League City officials have allotted $354,249 from the city's park dedication fund for construction and $156,488 from the city's general fund over a three-year period for staff time, the parks director said. TCEQ officials point out that bacteria and other contaminants impair League City waterways and that residential and commercial landscapes contribute to the growth in bacteria and other contaminants. The new park is designed to help in efforts to reduce pollutants in run-off from homes and businesses.
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Round Rock gives nod to zoning district for nonprofit campus
 Round Rock City Council members recently agreed to create a Planned Unit Development district for a proposed 6.5-acre site for a nonprofit campus on East Main Street.
Rezoning allows land use usually not permitted in traditional zoning districts, but Councilman George White (pictured) predicted the new nonprofit complex would greatly benefit the community despite some initial concerns expressed by its neighbors. City officials worked with residents to create a design for the facility that better blends with existing homes in the area, White said.
Plans for the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation campus call for a day care facility, a shelter for victims of domestic abuse and space for the headquarters for Williamson-Burnet County Opportunities (WBCO). The campus also will have a nonprofit incubator to help new nonprofit organizations get off the ground and operate more successfully. Plans call for construction on the nonprofit campus to begin in the fall and for WBCO to move into the facility in January 2012.
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McCoy group wins $6 million in loans/grants for water plants
The Rural Development Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently awarded a $2,405,600 grant and a $3,593,000 loan to the McCoy Water Supply Corporation to pay for water improvements. The corporation serves Atascosa County and parts of Wilson and Live Oak counties.
Plans call for the $6 million in loans and grants to pay for improvements to five water plant sites, build two new hydro-pneumatic plants and add about 106,000 feet of distribution lines to the water system.
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Deer Park asking voters to increase sales tax for police, fire funds
 Deer Park city officials recently agreed to add a proposition to the May 14 ballot asking voters to approve a two quarter-cent sales tax increase to create two new funds, one for police operations and equipment and the other for fire and rescue operations and equipment.
City officials already created two funding agencies, the Crime Control and Prevention District and the Fire Control, Prevention and Emergency Medical Service District, but voters must decide whether to authorize a tax increase to pay for budget items not included the city's budget, said City Manager Jay Stokes (pictured).
Temporary board members for the Crime Control and Prevention District proposed a budget of about $833,333 in fiscal year 2011-2012 and about $1 million for fiscal year 2012-2013 if voters approve the tax increase. This additional sales tax revenue would pay for one full-time crime prevention officer, training for truck-law enforcement, three new dispatchers and technology to extract information from cell phones. The Fire Control, Prevention and Emergency Medical Service District proposed an $829,473 budget for 2011-2012 fiscal year and $997,246 for the 2012-2013 fiscal year to pay for a full-time paramedic, a full-time fire inspector, part-time EMS personnel, new vehicles and SCUBA equipment.
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Marble Falls to buy LCRA water systems, lease land
 Marble Falls City Council members recently agreed to buy the Hamilton Creek and South Road water systems from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). City officials also plan to buy or lease land from the LCRA for a water treatment plant.
City officials also plan to purchase or lease from LCRA more than five acres of land for construction easements and other properties as a site for a future water treatment plant, a raw-water transmission main and raw water intake station near Max Starcke Dam, said Mayor George Russell (pictured). The agreement calls for the city to pay the LCRA about $29,000 over the next 20 years for one lease option.
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Galveston agrees to original design for Stewart Road project
Galveston City Council members recently agreed to return to the original design for improvements to Stewart Road rather adopt a revised plan calling for a 10-foot sidewalk that would have delayed the project.
Bidding on the Stewart Road improvement project should begin within six months. Revising the plan to replace one of the two proposed bike paths along Stewart Road with a 10-foot sidewalk for pedestrians and cyclists could have delayed the project up to two years and increased construction costs by about $500,000, the city manager said.
The widening project on Stewart Road will include bicycle lanes from 75th Street to Cove View Boulevard, straightening Dead Man's Curve and realigning 7 Mile Road. It is part of nearly $12 million in road projects approved by Galveston County commissioners in 2009.
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North East ISD agrees to nearly $400 million bond election
 Trustees for the North East Independent School District in San Antonio recently agreed to ask voters to approve a $399,410 bond proposal to pay for upgrades to technology, renovations to facilities and replacing school buses.
Using bond funds to pay for the school buses and some maintenance costs will help make up for the estimated $50 million loss in state education funding the district expects next year, said Superintendent Richard Middleton (pictured). District officials plan to spend $64 million for a technology package for hardware and infrastructure upgrades and $9.2 million to replace 100 buses, Middleton said.
District officials plan to spend $65 million for a new middle school on Bulverde Road; $48 million for renovations, new ROTC facilities and additions to Lee High School; $32 million for a science addition, athletic support facility and renovations to Reagan High School; nearly $25 million for a science addition and athletic support facility renovations at MacArthur High School; and, $18.75 million for an addition and new athletic facilities at Eisenhower Middle School. Trustees also propose to spend $25 million to begin replacing the campus of Garner Middle School, $45 million for classroom additions to replace portable buildings at three elementary schools and $14.2 million for in-house construction management, district officials said.
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Arlington to issue $41 million in bonds for flood control projects
Arlington City Council members recently authorized the sale of $41 million in bonds to pay for flood control projects to address flooding concerns, especially in western areas of the city.
City officials are scheduled to issue $25.4 million in bonds in late April and issue the remaining $15.6 million in bonds in 2012 and 2013 to pay for drainage and flood control projects. The largest chunk of bond funds, $16 million, is earmarked for a voluntary buyout program along Rush Creek in west Arlington. City officials plan to begin making cash offers to residents whose homes and condos were destroyed in flooding from a tropical storm. Officials said about 100 condos and 51 homes were flooded and are uninhabitable.
Once the homes and condos are sold and torn down, city officials plan to create green space to absorb storm water run-off rather than continue dredging the creek, which has a long history of flooding.
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Frisco voters will decide Collin County arts hall issue
The Frisco City Council recently called a special election to put the Arts of Collin County performance hall back on the ballot. In May, voters can revoke the city's decision to issue $16.4 million in bonds to fund the project.
Nearly 10 years ago, Frisco voters OK'd $19 million in bonds for the 2,100-seat arts hall, which was sold as a four-city project with Plano, Allen and McKinney. But when McKinney pulled out, the Frisco City Council in 2003 decided to carry on as a three-city project - with no input from voters.
Now, voters both for and against the project will get a say in the matter.
"I'm not trying to kill the ACC," said council member John Keating, who voted for the special election. "But I am trying to put this back on the ballot because I think our city council made a mistake in 2003."
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Nederland ISD eyeing $45 million bond proposal
Nederland Independent School District trustees recently got their first glance at the $45 million estimated cost to proceed with 24 recommendations by a capital improvement committee to upgrade district facilities.
Of the $45 million in bonds that will be needed to pay for the upgrades, about $7.3 million qualify for the Qualified School Construction Bond program that features interest rates from 0-2 percent to pay for school construction, land acquisition and renovation projects, district officials said. Projects recommended for this program include installing fire alarms, classroom locks and security cameras, updating science laboratories with safety and protection systems, remodeling the food lab at the high school, adding classrooms and building a gymatorium at a middle school.
Other recommendations are to spend $17.6 million to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning, $6.59 million to replace exterior windows with hurricane impact resistant and energy-efficient windows, $1.6 million for lighting upgrades and $1.5 million for upgrades to fire alarms and security systems. Trustees scheduled a meeting on March 12 to further discuss whether to schedule a bond election in May.
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West Orange-Cove CISD calls $6.075 million bond election in May
 Trustees for the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District recently agreed to ask voters to approve $6.075 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds to pay for renovations to district facilities.
Bond funds will be used to renovate heating and air conditioning systems at facilities throughout the district, said Superintendent James Colbert (pictured). About $750,000 of the bond will be used to renovate the running track at West Orange-Stark High School. The district also plans to renovate a recently closed elementary school to transform it into a multi-purpose educational center, administrative headquarters for the district and for the district's alternative education center for students removed from other campuses.
By using Qualified School Construction Bonds, district officials expected to save about $3 million because of the lower interest rates offered under the program, Colbert said. District officials also plan to sell the current administration building as soon as renovations to the new multi-purpose educational center are complete.
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Clear Creek ISD mulling how to replace 6,000 computers
Clear Creek Independent School District officials recently identified the need to replace about 6,000, five-year-old computers, but are struggling to find funds to pay for the estimated $4.2 million replacement cost.
Current state budget proposals call for elimination of the technology fund for public schools and district officials are not expected to call a bond election to pay for the new computers to replace outdated models among the 18,589 computers located throughout district campuses and administrative buildings, said Vickie McCarthy, the district's chief technology officer. Few expect the district will receive the almost $1 million from the state technology fund currently used to buy equipment, train teachers and pay the salaries of six employees, McCarthy said.
To try and find a sustainable method to standardize technology throughout the district's older and newer schools while struggling with funding, district officials are working with the Citizens Financial Advisory Committee to identify possible solutions. Clear Creek officials hope to install three updated computers in every classroom and to later install interactive whiteboards, document cameras and projectors in each classroom. The district's wireless network also would need to be secured before students and teachers can access the district's Internet from personal laptops and tablet computers.
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Cedar Park plans city hall for foreclosed office complex buy
 The Cedar Park City Council recently decided to spend $4.95 million to buy a foreclosed office complex that will become the new City Hall. Currently, city workers are cramped into a former bank building that ran out of storage space several years ago.
"Clearly, Cedar Park has experienced incredible growth," said Council Member Tony Dale (pictured). "Our City Hall is not only crowded, but we have offices off site that are rented."
The new complex, which is made up of seven buildings on more than eight acres, is expected to open as City Hall in January 2012.
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Grapevine-Colleyville ISD approves $124.5 million bond election
Trustees for the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District recently scheduled a $124.5 million bond election on May 14. Board members also approved a 10-year strategic planning program LEAD 2021 (Leading Excellence Action Driven) as part of its goal of teaching students to be more technologically oriented in school and use district-issued computers for schoolwork.
If voters approve the $124.5 million bond proposal, trustees plan to use the funding to purchase new technology, including laptop computers, and for maintenance throughout the district.
Under the 10-year LEAD 2021 program, teachers will act as facilitators for collaborative learning projects using input from students on materials used. The plan calls for each student to create a personalized learning plan and revise that plan each year with academic and personal goals as well as a postgraduate plan for education and career aspirations. A 130-member team of staff, students, parents and community members will lead efforts to create a timeline for implementing the strategic plan.
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Salado residents to vote on $11.5M school facilities bond in May
The Salado school board recently decided to hold an $11.5 million bond election in May, when voters will decide if they want to pay for new athletic facilities and a 98,500-square-foot agriculture barn.
Athletic facility plans include: a new 3,000-seat football stadium, new baseball and softball stadium, tennis courts, field house, gym expansion and extra parking space. Currently, all athletic events take place at the junior high, which used to be the high school building.
If the bond issue is approved, the tax rate would increase an estimated 15 cents to a total tax rate of $1.468 per $100 valuation.
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Kilgore ISD school board calls for $55 million bond election
 The Kilgore school board recently called a $55 million bond election for May, when voters will decide if they want to pay for two new schools and major renovations and additions at two more.
If passed, the tax rate would increase 20 cents - the most allowed - from $1.11 per $100 taxable value to $1.31 per $100 taxable value.
The bonds would pay for a new Kilgore Heights Elementary and Maude Laird Middle School, which are both located on property that the state deems too small for the school's size.
Voters last approved a bond issue in 1993. "We'll leave it to the taxpayers," said Superintendent Jody Clements (pictured). "They'll either say yes or no; and if they say no, we'll revisit it and then consider coming back to them in November."
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Former Police Chief Barrera chosen as chief emergency officer
Former Rio Hondo Police Chief Humberto Barrera Jr. was recently named chief emergency officer of Cameron County. He replaces Johnny Cavaszos, who resigned last month.
Barrera, who now works for the Cameron County District Attorney's Office, is expected to begin serving in his new position within the next few weeks.
In his new role, Barrera will oversee the county's Emergency Management Office, which is tasked with supporting the county and local governments in civil defense, disaster mitigation and preparedness, planning and response to disasters.
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Fort Worth ISD benefits from community support for programs
 The Fort Worth Independent School District recently saw the first profits from a new partnership with Communities Foundation of North Texas, which asks local businesses to fund education programs.
A local bank was the first business to give money to a program; in this case $50,000 will go toward the advanced media program at Polytechnic High School.
"Education can't be just the job of the school system," said Fort Worth ISD superintendent Dr. Melody Johnson (pictured).
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Elgin ISD to install about $1 million in solar panels on high school
Trustees for the Elgin Independent School District recently agreed to use almost $1 million in grants to install solar panels on the roof of the high school.
A federally funded state grant along with a $180,000 matching grant from a solar farm will be used to pay for the new solar panels, district officials said. The solar panels are expected to save the school district about $25,000 a year in energy costs.
Plans call for the solar panels to be installed by July. The project also includes a high-tech station explaining in detail how the solar panels work and will be used to help educate students regarding solar power.
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Boerne City Council puts three properties up for sale
The Boerne City Council recently took a controversial first step toward selling three properties, including the historic Dienger Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a Texas Historic Landmark.
The council, which made the decision in a 3-2 split vote, will decide in June whether or not to seek bids for the Dienger that now houses the city library, the former police department building and a vacant tract of land on State Highway 46.
If they sell, the three properties are expected to net more than $3 million for the city, which could be used to help pay off $4.7 million borrowed to purchase the 15-acre campus where the new library will be located.
Several members of the community spoke out against selling the Dienger and urged the council to convert the building into a cultural and heritage center when the library relocates in June.
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CAPCOG to host hotel occupancy tax, financing course
A course on Administering the Local Hotel Occupancy Tax and Financing Tourism Programs will be hosted Thursday, March 24, by the Capital Area Council of Governments. The programs will be at the CAPCOG Board Room, 6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Conducting the workshop will be Scott Joslove, executive director, and Justin Bragiel, general counsel, of the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association. Registration fee is $100 and includes lunch, course materials and instruction. Topics for the course include sessions on proper usage of the hotel occupancy tax funds for advertising and promotion expenditures, funding of the arts, historical restoration and preservation and using hotel occupancy tax funds for sporting-related events. The afternoon session discusses state grant programs and financing tourism through state grants programs. Elected officials can earn 7.2 CEUs through the Texas Municipal League. For more information or to register for this course, contact David Partlow at dpartlow@capcog.org or 512.916.6045.
15th Annual HUB/Vendor Show slated in Huntsville on March 22
The 15th Annual HUB/Vendor Show, sponsored by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University (SHSU), the SHSU Small Business Development Center, the City of Huntsville and Walker County, is slated for Tuesday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to noon in Huntsville. The event will be at the Veterans Complex, 455 State Highway 75 North. Registration and setup begin at 7:30 a.m. The event will feature vendor training sessions - "Procurement Cycle and Tips on Doing Business with the State" with Rachel Snell, Statewide HUB Program Marketing Director, and "How to Do Business" with Billie Smith of the City of Huntsville. All purchasers and end-users from the sponsoring entities as well as state agencies will be in attendance. To register, contact Stephanie Sheffield at 936-437-7067 or Lani Maness at 936-437-7061. There is no charge for booths, but space is limited, so register early.
Texas Emergency Management Conference set for San Antonio
The 2011 Texas Emergency Management Conference will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio April 26-29. The conference is sponsored by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management. The conference combines presentations, training and workshops normally associated with the Texas Hurricane Conference and the Texas Homeland Security Conference into one premier event. Representatives from more than 30 agencies on the Governor's Emergency Management Council will attend, along with public officials from local, state and national governments, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, Texas Military Forces, voluntary organizations and private sector partners. Officials from higher education, public education, health and medical care, border security and port security, transportation and cyber security also will attend. For more information and to register, click here.
Governor's Commission for Women Legislative Luncheon noted
Actress Janine Turner will serve as mistress of ceremonies and will join Gov. Rick Perry and Texas First Lady Anita Perry on Tuesday, April 26, in honoring the women of the 82nd Legislature while enjoying lunch overlooking Austin. The luncheon will be at the Sheraton Austin at the Capitol from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Beacon State Fund, a nonprofit organization established to support the goals of the Governor's Commission for Women. Tickets are $60 each and sponsorships are available. For more information, please contact the Governor's Commission for Women at (512) 475-2615 or women@governor.state.tx.us.
TACDC planning conference on 'Going Green Affordably' in March
The Texas Association of Community Development Corporations has announced its 18th Annual Texas Community Economic Development Conference - "Going Green Affordably" - for March 6-8 in Austin. The event will be at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Austin. Some of the breakout sessions will feature topics such as Green Building, PR for Nonprofits, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Tax Credits. Sponsorships are available and there will be exhibitors at the event. Keynote speaker for the Monday event will be Mary Gordon Spence and keynote for Tuesday will be Mark Pinskey with Opportunity Finance and Sam Yoon with the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations. Early registration will be held through Feb. 18. For more information, click here. To register, click here.
TxDOT Fort Worth Small Business Briefing conference
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Business Outreach and Program (BOP) Services reaches across Texas to provide small and minority-owned business communities an opportunity to learn more about contracting opportunities with state entities. The Fort Worth Small Business Briefing conference is set for April 20. Information will be available to help small business owners better understand how to do business with the agency and the State of Texas. The sessions not only allow small businesses to be introduced to TxDOT and other state agencies, but also allow them to learn more about the economic development opportunities in their regions. It also gives agencies a chance to show the myriad of prospects available for small and minority businesses in the state. The final conference is planned for San Antonio on July 20, 2011. For more information and to register, click here or call 1.866.480.2519, Option 2.
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Critical issues in states likely to lead to partnerships with private sector firms
 By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
If any message came through loud and clear last week at the National Governor's Conference in Washington, D.C., it was this - governors are ready to embrace more public private partnerships (P3s). I sat in a number of small break-out sessions and it was interesting to hear them talk about how they are trying to juggle funding problems while delivering mandated services and dealing with aging infrastructure, population growth and new health care regulations. The most attractive options at this time appear to be more public-private partnerships. Almost every solution and option discussed included some level of interaction with private sector partners.
The nation's economic situation is wreaking havoc on state budgets. Texas is not the only state in the nation facing a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit. In fact, the states' budget deficits collectively total $175 billion over the next two years.
The message from the state's governors to the President at the recent National Governor's Conference was crystal clear - "Don't even think about cutting back on federal funds we have been anticipating." All states have slashed funding, most have raised fees and taxes and they cannot withstand the loss of the normal federal funding they receive. Unlike the federal government, they must balance their budgets...at whatever costs. Cutting anticipated funding, they claim, will slow both the local and national economic recovery.
[more]
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Kilgore ISD to ask voters to approve $55M bond proposal
 Kilgore Independent School District trustees recently scheduled a $55 million bond election in May to pay for new schools and renovations to existing schools.
The decision followed a one-year study by a citizens group who urged trustees to schedule a bond election to address overcrowding problems and aging facilities, said Terry George (pictured), president of the school board.
If voters approve the bonds, district officials plan to spend $21.2 million for a new elementary school, $26.7 million build a new middle school, $1.5 million to renovate an elementary school and $2.7 million to renovate and build an addition to an intermediate school. District officials also allocated $2.7 million for contingency and fees.
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San Augustine ISD sets
$9 million bond election in May
San Augustine Independent School District trustees recently scheduled a $9 million bond election in May to pay for a new middle school and renovations to two schools.
Plans call for the bond funds, if approved by voters, to pay for building a new middle-school campus and renovations to the high school and elementary schools. The upgrades include new roofs, an energy-efficient electrical system, new flooring and renovations to the band hall and field house.
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Windcrest tags Castillo
as new city manager
Windcrest City Council members recently selected Rafael Castillo Jr. as the new city manager to replace former City Manager Ronnie Cain, who resigned in March 2010.
Castillo previously served as city manager in Fort Stockton and in Del Rio. He has a bachelor's degree from Angelo State University.
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Aldine ISD to accept bids
for insurance programs
Aldine Independent School District officials are seeking bids for multi-year contracts for the district's property, casualty and worker's compensation insurance. The deadline for the bids is April 7.
District officials estimate the full replacement cost of buildings and contents is $1.5 billion. If a contract is awarded, plans call for the insurance contracts to become effective on July 1. District officials will evaluate the bids on the terms and conditions of the policy, the experience and service record history of the insurance provider and its financial rating.
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Medina County to stage $16 million bond election in May
Medina County commissioners recently agreed to ask voters to approve $16 million in bonds to pay for expanding the county jail, building a new county annex and renovating the courthouse.
The bond proposal will have two propositions, with one asking voters to authorize $10 million in bonds to pay for a new county annex in Hondo and for repairs to the courthouse. The other proposition will ask for approval of $6 million in bonds to add 96 beds and renovate the county jail.
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Did You Know...
...that SPI's procurement consulting team includes former mayors, superintendents, vice chancellors, city managers, military brass and state officials?
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Bowie County sets $35 million bond election to widen highway
Bowie County Commissioners recently authorized a $35 million bond election in May to pay for widening a nine-mile stretch of US82 between New Boston and DeKalb.
Commissioners earlier approved a resolution to work with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to participate in a pass-through financing option calling for the county to issue bonds for the project and TxDOT agreeing to repay much of the cost of the project to the county. Bowie County officials also agreed to pay for the interest on the bonds, right-of-way acquisition and for moving utilities, all of which will total about 18 percent of the total cost.
County officials originally supported building a four-lane design for the project at a cost of about $100 million, but because of TxDOT budget constraints, county officials now plan to build a "super two" lane highway featuring a continuous turning and passing lane.
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College of the Mainland sets
$86 million May bond election
 Despite some support for waiting until November for a bond election, College of the Mainland trustees recently agreed to ask voters in May to approve $86 million in bonds to pay for upgrades to campus facilities and infrastructure.
College officials must work even harder to educate voters on the need for $86 million in bonds to build new facilities and renovate the existing 40-year-old buildings and infrastructure to meet the needs of students, said Ralph Holm (pictured), a member of the board of trustees.
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Texarkana taps Lindholm
to lead health department
Texarkana City Council members recently selected Craig Lindholm as the new director of the Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Center. In addition to his new duties as director of the health clinic, Lindholm will continue with his current duties as director of community redevelopment and grants, but will not receive an increase in salary.
Bowie County commissioners also must approve the appointment of Lindholm as the new director of the health clinic before the appointment is finalized.
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El Lago seeking bids for new
$1.5 million community center
El Lago city officials recently agreed to seek bids for a construction manager at-risk for a $1.5 million community center. The new community center will include an 1,800-square-foot event room, a full-service kitchen area, fitness center and restrooms with showers.
City officials plan to begin construction on the new community center this summer and complete the facility in time for the 2012 swim season. The first phase of the project will be the parking lot, the city secretary said.
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Palestine selects Mike Ohrt
as new city manager
Palestine City Council members recently selected Mike Ohrt as the new city manager. Ohrt has served as interim city manager since October 2010 when former City Manager Dale Brown left the position.
Ohrt has a bachelor's degree from Washburn University in Kansas and a master's degree from the University of Kansas in Lawrence. He began his career in Palestine as an administrative assistant as part of his on-the-job training required for a master's degree and later served as human resources director and court coordinator in Palestine.
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Cameron ISD votes to hire
Clark as superintendent
 Celeste Independent School District Superintendent Collin Clark (pictured) plans to resign March 31 so that he can assume the top spot at the Cameron school district on April 1.
Clark, a 1976 graduate of Celeste High School, has served as superintendent of his hometown district for 10 years. During that time, the district achieved high accountability ratings from the state, integrated technology into curriculum and constructed a new high school. Celeste trustees have named Ricky Beadles interim superintendent.
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New Braunfels approves $3 million for expansion of FM 306
New Braunfels City Council members recently authorized $4 million to help pay for a $47 million project by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to improve FM306. TxDOT officials plan to widen and add safety features to FM306 from I-35 to west of Hunter Road to handle increased traffic to the Canyon Lake area.
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Windcrest receives state loan
to proceed with Racker Road
The city of Windcrest, which is nestled in northeast San Antonio, recently secured a $1.6 million state loan to fund the much-delayed Racker Road project. The road is designed to alleviate traffic for employees of Rackspace, an IT hosting company with headquarters at the former Windsor Park Mall in Windcrest.
With the Texas Leverage Fund loan, which is payable over a 15-year period, Windcrest is within $80,000 of meeting funding obligations. Before initiating the bidding process, city officials will hold public hearings about the Racker Road construction.
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SPI Special Services...
Brockette writes winning grants for public, private funding
 In addition to writing successful grants for public and private funding, Ann Brockette, Ph.D., has taught grant writing for nearly a dozen years and brings that experience to the Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Special Services division. Brockette is knowledgeable regarding public funding requirements, is noted for the accuracy and readability of the documents she produces and can put together a team of writers with credentials in grant writing to meet clients' needs.
Brockette has drafted grants for education, social services, health care, economic development and law enforcement. She has a reputation for helping clients win funding time after time. For a complete portfolio of SPI experts and services, to inquire about specific services or to inquire about becoming a part of SPI's new Special Services division, contact Reagan Weil at 512-531-3917 or rweil@spartnerships.com. For information on other individuals in SPI's Special Services division and their areas of expertise, click here.
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Reitz to assume tasks
as TxDOT area engineer
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently promoted Paul Reitz to area engineer of Bee, Goliad and Karnes counties. It is a position he has held on an interim basis since September 2010.
Reitz, who has worked at TxDOT since 1996, will continue to oversee a budget of more than $3.9 million that is used to maintain state roads, signs, bridges, signals, guardrails and vegetation. He manages a staff of 48 people in three maintenance offices.
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Douglass ISD fills its empty
superintendent position
Douglass School Principal Eric Samford was recently named superintendent of the district, which consists of one school of about 360 students.
Samford has been principal for five years and previously served as a math teacher and baseball coach. He replaces Jay Tullos, who was named the lone finalist for superintendent of Canton ISD after serving as Douglass superintendent since 2006.
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Navasota seeking new bids
for $1.3 million in street projects
 Navasota City Council members recently instructed the city manager to request and evaluate a second round of sealed bids for a $1.3 million downtown street improvement project. Council members earlier in February rejected four bids for the street improvement project as all of the bids exceeded the $1.3 million budgeted for the project.
City Manager Brad Stafford (pictured) will accept bids on the downtown street improvement project until Tuesday, March 8, at 2 p.m. The original project plan called for improved lighting, landscaping, planter boxes with irrigation to be installed, replacing sidewalks, curbs and gutters for three streets and adding two parking lots. The new bid specifications call for fewer trees and planter boxes with irrigation to reduce the cost for the project and to lower future maintenance costs, Stafford said. Once a bid is accepted, the project should take about two months to complete, he said.
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Brock ISD considering bonds
to pay for facility upgrades
Brock Independent School District trustees recently continued discussions on the possibility of asking voters to approve bonds in three separate propositions.
Proposal one includes funding to pay for upgrades to high school and junior high school football facilities as well as maintenance needs. Proposal two includes upgrades to baseball and softball facilities as well as maintenance needs while the third proposition would include funding for technology upgrades, transportation, agriculture facilities and maintenance. Trustees took no action on the bond proposals following the discussion, but plan further discussion at their next meeting.
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Marion ISD schedules $13.9 million bond election
Marion Independent School District board members recently voted to hold a bond election on May 14 asking voters to approve $13.9 million to pay for two new buildings and upgrades to current facilities.
Plans call for building a new science and technology building and a new cafeteria for a secondary school campus. Trustees also discussed whether to pursue a construction management-at-risk option or a construction management-at-agent option for the construction projects and requested more information on each option be provided to them before making a decision.
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Athens airport nabs $140,000 grant for new weather system
The Athens Municipal Airport recently received a $140,000 grant from the Texas Transportation Commission to purchase a new weather system. Airport officials plan to award a contract for the new weather system this spring.
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Pearland appoints Tiemann
as interim superintendent
 Trustees for the Pearland Independent School District recently appointed Virgil Tiemann (pictured) to serve as interim superintendent.
Tiemann, a consultant with the Texas Education Agency Region IV, will assume the duties of Bonny Cain, who resigned to become superintendent for Waco ISD. Tiemann previously was superintendent at Alvin ISD and Columbia-Brazoria ISD.
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Carrollton appoints Willis as interim presiding city judge
Carrollton City Council members recently appointed Shannon Willis as the presiding judge of municipal courts. Willis will replace Deanna Burnett, who resigned from that position. Municipal court judges in Carrollton serve two-year terms and report to the city council instead of the city manager.
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Leland Pitts to take reins
as mayor of city of Tool
Tool City Council members recently appointed Leland Pitts, a former mayor, to serve as interim mayor following the death of the current mayor. Pitts, who will serve as mayor until voters in May elect a new mayor, said he has no plans to be a candidate for the position in May. Pitts served as mayor in 2000 and 2001 and as a city council member in 2007 and 2008.
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Alvin ISD nabs $282,500
for using propane buses
The Texas Railroad Commission recently presented Alvin Independent School District officials with a check for $282,500 to buy more propane buses. The school district currently has a fleet of 175 buses, of which 94 are propane-powered, the director of transportation for the district said.
The propane buses have resulted in fuel savings and improved air quality for the district, the superintendent said. The new propane buses will provide even more energy savings to the district.
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Alton moves forward with plans for new $1.15 million fire station
Alton City Council members recently approved plans for a new $1.15 million fire station using a $500,000 grant and a $500,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program to pay for the new facility. City officials will contribute $150,000 to the new fire station to help pay for a generator to keep the facility operational during weather or other emergencies.
Plans call for the new 6,483 square-foot fire station to include an eight-door truck bay, training room, dormitory, kitchen and offices for the fire chief and fire marshal. City officials must receive final approval of the fire station plan by USDA officials before construction can begin.
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La Porte ISD seeking bids
for 1,200 computer monitors
Officials of the La Porte Independent School District recently began accepting sealed bids for a one-year contract to provide 1,200 computer monitors to the district. District official plan to purchase 19-inch, LED backlit computer monitors with the contract to begin on April 1.
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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. Barton Oaks Plaza One, Suite #100
901 S. Mopac Expressway
Austin, Texas 78746 |
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