Three familiar faces in new positions at HHSC, DADS

Parker, Molina, Phillips take on new roles at two agencies

Three familiar faces in Texas health and human services agencies - Lawrence Parker (left), Joanne Molina (center) and Tom Phillips (right) - are now in new roles, following announcements this week regarding staff changes.

Parker, former chief operating officer (COO) for the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) since 2004, has been named deputy executive commissioner for Social Services at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Parker, who boasts more than three decades of experience in social services, was new HHSC Executive Commissioner Tom Sueh's choice for the deputy post. "I have one simple goal for eligibility services: to return to being the best in the nation," said Suehs, who expressed his confidence that Parker can contribute to recent improvements to help the agency reach those goals.

Parker will oversee HHSC's Offices of Eligibility Services and Family Services and will work closely with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. He is a former deputy commissioner for regional operations at the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) and was the administrator for the Beaumont region. Parker began his career with the state in 1974 in Children's Protective Services. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a master's degree from Texas State University.

McHugh elected chair of UT System Board of Regents

Longoria, Foster named to serve in vice chair positions

Colleen McHugh (left) of Corpus Christi this week was elected chair of The University of Texas System Board of Regents. Appointed to the board in October 2005, McHugh had previously served as vice chair since April 2009. She has also served on the Board of Directors of The University of Texas Investment Management Co. (UTIMCO). She succeeds James R. Huffines of Austin, who will continue to serve on the board.

Elected vice chairs were Paul Foster (middle) of El Paso and Janiece Longoria (right) of Houston.

A licensed attorney who currently is vice president for compliance and risk management and privacy manager for a health care system, McHugh has previously served the state as chair of the Texas Public Safety Commission. She has also served on the Governor's Task Force on Homeland Security. McHugh is a former president of the State Bar of Texas. She holds a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University and her law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law.

State to invest $1.5M for opening of Wichita Falls plant

The state is set to invest $1.5 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund (ETF) for the opening of a Natura World manufacturing facility in Wichita Falls. The opening stands to create some 400 jobs and reap more than $24.9 million in capital investment.

Natura World manufacturers mattresses, pillows and bedding materials using organic and gel components known as Gel Solutions.

Wichita Falls Mayor Lanham Lyne said the city is excited to welcome the environmentally focused company, adding it's rare to "find a manufacturing company that has been so remarkably successful in recent years that they are forced to add capacity to meet growing market demands."

1st Detect Corporation gets $1.8 million from TETF

1st Detect Corp. has been named for a $1.8 million investment from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. The money will be used for development and commercialization of a portable mass spectrometer that detects residues and vapors from harmful substances.

The spectrometer can be used in industries from security to medicine and will be able to detect explosives, chemical warfare agents, toxic chemicals and volatile organic compounds. The company will partner with the University of North Texas for the design, testing and evaluation of a medical diagnostic service and with Baylor College of Medicine to identify markers for disease detection.

1st Detect CEO John Porter said the technology could have a significant impact on the safety of American troops and the nation. He said it "has the potential to greatly enhance the ability of law enforcement and the military to detect chemical and explosive threats by increasing the accuracy of chemical detection by orders of magnitude."

SPI's Giles addresses public-private partnerships

Deborah Giles of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., recently delivered a presentation on "Creating Effective Public Private Partnerships" to a packed house at the Texas Public Purchasers Association Spring Workshop 2010 in Austin.

The session focused on recent outsourcing trends and included a number of case studies on successful public-private partnerships and public-public partnerships.

Discussion of best practices for effective procurements and lessons learned rounded out the session. In the accompanying photo, Giles is shown discussing public-private partnerships with Drew Potts, purchasing manager for the City of Baytown Purchasing Department.

Lottery transfers more than $73M to school fund

The Texas Lottery transferred $73.3 million to the Foundation School Fund (FSF) in February, pushing the total it has allotted to the fund since 1997 past the $12 billion mark. The fund supports public education in Texas.

Texas Lottery Commission Deputy Executive Director Gary Grief said the lottery will continue to provide "entertaining online and scratch-off games for our players to support public education in our state."

Proposed Texas wind farm targeted by U.S. senators

A proposed wind farm in Texas is catching flak along the Beltway. Four members of the U.S. Senate are involved in efforts to keep federal stimulus dollars from going to renewable energy projects in which the majority of either solar cells or wind turbines are manufactured overseas. They also are talking up legislation that would allow stimulus money in the future to go only toward such projects that create jobs mostly for Americans.

The project - a proposed wind farm in West Texas - is a trinity that includes a Texas-based wind power company, a Chinese power group and an American private equity group. There are arguments regarding how much of the wind turbine manufacturing will be done in the United States and China. One of the partners in the project says 70 percent, while one of the lawmakers - led by Sen. Charles Schumer of New York - disagree. The project is funded through $3 billion in federal stimulus funds aimed at increasing renewable energy sources in the United States.

Representatives of the wind power company have indicated they might apply for up to $450 million in stimulus funds for the project that would create jobs in China to build many of the wind turbines that would be used. The White House administration said that a recent study that says 80 percent of stimulus funds spent on wind turbines went to foreign countries is incorrect.

TDA awards $1M to Paris for dairy farm water line

The Texas Department of Agriculture has awarded $1 million to the City of Paris to fund infrastructure improvements. The award - presented from the Texas Capital Fund (TCF), part of the Community Development Block Grant program - will help create more than 100 jobs connecting an existing water line to a new dairy farm facility.

Paris Mayor Jesse Freelen said city officials are excited to be selected as the site for what will become "the largest dairy in Texas and one of the largest and most innovative dairies in the United States."

Every year the TCF provides more than $10 million in competitive awards, designed to boost economic development in small communities, through four categories: Infrastructure Development, Real Estate Development, Main Street Improvements and Downtown Revitalization.

Estate provision will net Baylor $200 million

The largest gift in Baylor University history was announced this week - an anonymous estate provision estimated to be valued at approximately $200 million. The funds will benefit medical research in the College of Arts and Science, the School of Social Work and other university programs.

Not only is the gift the largest in Baylor history, but it is also the second largest gift made to a Texas college or university and is among the top 20 private gifts made to institutions of higher education in the country. It is made by a Baylor graduate whose family has provided gifts to the university in the past, supporting a variety of programs related to the medical field and issues associated with aging.

The funds will establish a foundation at the time of the donor's death. That foundation will support several university efforts. It will allow Baylor to address physical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual needs and strengths of the aging. The funds are expected to greatly enhance the College of Arts and Sciences' programs in pre-health, psychology, chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience and other related areas.

NIH awards A&M $3.5M toward life sciences building

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Texas A&M University a $3.5 million grant to complete the $100 million Interdisciplinary Life Sciences building (ILSB) that opened last fall.

The money arrives as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus plan to provide more than 12,000 additional square feet of space for research in biology, molecular virology, cancer biology and synthetic chemistry and drug discovery.

A&M Vice President for Research Jeffrey Seemann (pictured) said the funds will complete several state-of-the-art research laboratories and shared-equipment rooms in the ILSB, which will help advance the university's contributions to science while stimulating the Texas economy.

Sul Ross president's inauguration slated April 30

The inauguration ceremonies for new Sul Ross State University President Dr. Ricardo Maestas (pictured) has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, April 30, in the Pete P. Gallego Center in Alpine.

Maestas was named the 11th president of Sul Ross State University in September of last year by the Texas State University Board of Regents. He officially began his duties as president on Nov. 9, 2009. Maestas is the former Vice President for Student and University Relation and Dean of Students at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology at Socorro, where he was also an associate professor.

A veteran of higher education for 35 years, Maestas holds a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque and a Ph.D. from the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan.

Gabriel will head TAMUHSC-McAllen campus

Olga Gabriel, M.P.H., (pictured) is the new director of the Texas A&M Health Science Center McAllen campus. She is a former director of the Children's Defense Fund Texas-Rio Grande Valley and was the founding director for the McAllen district office of U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett.

J. Steven Moore, M.D., M.P.H., executive associate dean of the HSC-School of Rural Public Health, said Gabriel will bring "direction, focus and energy to the educational, research and outreach programs of the School of Rural Public Health."

Gabriel holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas-Pan American and a Master of Public Health degree from the HSC-School of Rural Public Health.

UT launches Web site forum for idea-exchange

The University of Texas at Austin is launching Ideas of Texas, a forum designed to give visitors to the site a chance to contribute ideas regarding teaching, research and student life in a bid to increase overall effectiveness and reduce costs. The forum will allow visitors to vote on ideas proposed by students, alumni, faculty and staff of the university.

President Williams Powers said sharing ideas is invaluable during economic downturns. "We must do more with fewer resources," he wrote in an e-mail to UT faculty, staff and students.

The Web site acts as a companion to the Ideas of Texas program for faculty and staff launched in November. More than 250 ideas have been submitted so far.

Trinity chair named Occidental vice president

Jorge G. Gonzalez (pictured) has been appointed dean and vice president of academic affairs for Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Gonzalez has served as special assistant to the president and chairman of the economics department at Trinity University for the last nine years. There he has been instrumental in creating the interdisciplinary MAS (Mexico, the Americas and Spain) initiative and the university's first intersession program in Vietnam. Gonzalez begins his new charge Aug. 1.

Feds extend broadband stimulus funding deadline

The federal government is extending its deadline to apply for the second and final round of broadband stimulus funds. Applications for projects that seek subsidies to build networks are now due March 26 and March 29 to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, respectively.

Proposals for public computer centers and broadband training programs are still due March 15.

UT-Austin, A&M officials meet for joint faculty meeting

The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University - the state's only top-tier research universities - recently joined forces at the schools' annual joint faculty meeting. A&M President R. Bowen Loftin (right) and UT President William Powers (left) joined provosts Karan Watson and Steven Leslie for the meeting, which focused on presenting a unified front to state leaders and the public while bracing for a 5 percent budget reduction.

A&M and UT-Austin officials plan to slash about $28 million and $29 million from their respective budgets with varying strategies. A&M, for example, will not cut its athletics budget, while UT plans to shoulder $5 million through trademark licensing, sponsorships, revenues and cash reserves.

UT plans to carry the burden of those cuts in fiscal year 2011, while A&M will roughly split the planned cuts between this fiscal year and the next.

Travis schools eligible for Turnaround Grants

Four Travis County schools, including Reagan and Travis high schools and the Austin Can Academy and American YouthWorks charter schools, are eligible for School Turnaround Grants, $900 million in federal funds aimed at 5,000 of the nation's persistently lowest-achieving schools. The grants would help pay for reforms that include closing campuses and sending students to better-performing schools, bringing in new management and other structural and staff changes.

The grants arrive in addition to the $3.5 billion in aid designed to turn around low-performing schools as part of the federal economic stimulus plan.

Districts can decide to close campuses in advance of a state decision or turn over control to outside groups under the county's recently implemented Turnaround Initiative, a separate program designed to solicit proposals from low-performing schools. The program's deadline has been extended to March 22 so it will better align with the new federal measure.

Paris, TxDOT move forward on two major road projects

City officials in Paris and Texas Department of Transportation officials recently set a timetable to accept bids for road construction on two major road projects.

Paris city officials expect to ask for bids in April on a proposed $90,000 road construction project including South Collegiate Drive, Jefferson Road and Stillhouse Road, said Shawn Napier (pictured), director of engineering, planning and development for the city.

Because the city and TxDOT are working together on the project, TxDOT officials also are scheduled to seek bids in April for their Jefferson Road (FR 1507) project, said Napier, who added the goal is to have the same contractor for each project under one contract to speed up construction. Roads included in the projects will be closed for several months during construction that includes storm sewer and sub-grade work to improve drainage, especially on Jefferson Road and the widening of Stillhouse Road.

Houston ISD names 14 School Improvement Officers

As part of a leadership reorganization of Houston Independent School District, Superintendent Terry Grier recently selected 14 school improvement officers (SIOs) who will provide coaching, mentoring and support to district teachers, administrators and staff beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.

The SIOs will be assigned to either elementary, middle or high schools and will report to three Chief School Officers who will oversee the schools. Named as Elementary School SIOs are: Ann Sledge, executive principal for HISD; Deborah Crowe, executive principal at HISD; Kim Fonteno, executive principal at HISD; Ted Villarreal, executive principal at HISD; Marshall Scott, principal at Alcott Elementary; Karla Loria, School Improvement Officer at San Diego ISD; Rodney Watson, principal at Hickman School District in Missouri; Jocelyn Mouton, executive principal at HISD; and Andre Spencer, Network Team Leader at Baltimore City Public Schools.

Selected as middle schools SIOs are Anastasia Lindo-Anderson, principal of Revere Middle School and Julia Dimmit, executive principal, HISD. Named as high school SIOs are: John Allen, principal of Sharpstown High School; Pamela Randall, regional manager for HISD; and Armando Alaniz, executive principal for HISD. District officials plan to continue their search for the middle school CSO and the eight remaining SIO positions.

Houston sports group forms task force on stadium

The board of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority recently agreed to form a task force to study an administrative role for the authority in the proposed Dynamo Stadium project.

While sports authority officials said it is still not clear what function the city or county will ask the sports authority to perform, Dynamo CEO Oliver Luck (pictured) said he sees no problem with the sports authority acting as the representative for the city and county on the lease agreement as Dynamo will still manage the proposed $80 to $85 million soccer stadium expected to accommodate as many as 22,000 fans.

Currently, the city of Houston has agreed to a plan calling for Dynamo to pay $60 million to build the stadium on city property purchased for $15 million. The location is southeast of Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston. Houston city officials also have agreed to pay $10 million for infrastructure improvements, but Harris County officials have not yet committed to a proposed $10 million contribution to the stadium project, Luck said.

Brownsville ISD hires new CFO, asst. superintendent

Trustees for the Brownsville Independent School District recently appointed Tony Fuller as chief financial officer and Janna Hawkins as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

Fuller served as interim chief financial officer for the district from 2001 and 2003 and as interim payroll administrator from 2000 to 2001. He will replace interim CFO Robert Ruiz, who took over for former CFO Tony Juarez in 2008. Fuller holds a bachelor's degree from Pan American University at Brownsville and began his career with the school district in 1984.

Hawkins, a former area assistant superintendent, replaces former Assistant Superintendent Salvador Cavazos, who resigned to become superintendent at Alice ISD. Hawkins previously served as executive director of school improvement at Northwest ISD in San Antonio and director of secondary curriculum at Judson ISD. She holds a master's degree from Trinity University and superintendent certification from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Abilene ISD board supports $2.25M tech upgrade

In a recent workshop meeting, trustees for the Abilene Independent School District expressed support for a proposed $2.25 million technology upgrade and a $183,500 project to upgrade a running track at Cooper High School.

A $2.25 million federal E-Rate grant will be used to upgrade wireless Internet routers, switches and cables to improve high-tech instruction at eight low-income elementary schools, said Superintendent-elect Heath Burns (pictured). The district will be required to contribute a 10 percent match of $225,000 to receive the grant, Burns said.

Trustees also supported a $183,500 proposal to scrape off the spongy, cracked surfaces of the running track, pole vault runway and high jump approach at Cooper High School.

School districts in Hunt, Ingram explore consolidation

Officials of the Hunt Independent School District recently scheduled a meeting to discuss a proposal by Superintendent J.T. Stroder of Ingram ISD to consolidate the two school districts, said Superintendent David Kelm (pictured) of Hunt ISD.

The meeting on the proposal that the district consolidate to mutually increase revenue for schools in both districts will be informational, Kelm said. In 2008, Hunt ISD had $1.3 million in taxable property value per student as opposed to Ingram ISD, which has only $313,383 per student, Kelm said. The two districts have been linked for years as Hunt, which has only elementary and middle schools, sent students in grades 9 through 12 to Tom Moore High School in Ingram.

The proposed consolidation would recognize the nature of public school funding in Texas, which requires property-rich districts to turn over a portion of their revenue to be redistributed to less wealthy districts as well as providing more state funding to districts with less property wealth. Kelm said he is confident the proposed consolidation would benefit Ingram, but needs more information to know if Hunt ISD would benefit from the consolidation.

Galveston voters to decide fate of stadium in May

Galveston ISD voters will face a bond election on May 8 to decide if they are willing to increase their property tax rate to pay for a new football stadium. The bond issue specifies that the district will not spend more than $35 million on the project. Construction costs have previously been estimated at just over $34 million.

The district also is eligible for Recovery Act funding for the project and qualified school construction bonds, which could lessen the financial burden on taxpayers, according to Board President Andrew Mytelka (pictured).

The stadium would include an 8,000-seat capacity, a pavilion for graduation ceremonies and other events, an eight-lane track and a field house. More than $513,000 of the amount would be used to cover concrete repaving of the softball field parking lot, adjacent to the stadium site.

Dallas releases names of candidates for police chief

Dallas city officials recently released the names of seven more candidates for police chief to replace David Kunkle, who is retiring in April. City officials previously released the names of 10 applicants.

The latest group of candidates who were identified includes several members of the Dallas police force, including Deputy Chief Rick Watson, First Assistant Chief David Brown, Assistant Chief Floyd Watson and Assistant Chief Danny Garcia. Other applicants for the chief's position whose names were most recently released include Deputy Chief Charles E. Ramirez of Fort Worth; Chief Rick Stone of Wichita, Kansas; Chief David T. Moore of Rochester, New York; Louis Vega, a former police director in Camden, New Jersey; Jose M. Cordero, police director in East Orange, New Jersey; and Chief Richard J. Palmisano of Covington, Louisiana.

Stephenville ISD reject $59 million May bond election

Trustees for the Stephenville Independent School District recently voted against a second attempt to ask voters to approve a $59 million bond proposal on a May 8 ballot.

Bond supporters this time urged that the $59 million bond proposal be divided into two propositions, with the first proposition for $26 million to fund a new elementary school and an internal bus loop. The second proposition would provide $33 million for renovations to Stephenville High School, an intermediate school, an elementary school and upgrades to transportation and maintenance facilities. An earlier attempt to place the $59 million bond proposal in a single proposition also failed.

Trustees who voted again scheduling the bond election in May said they supported the strategic plan and improvements included in the proposed bond election, but believed the implementation process needed to be better addressed, said Rusty Jergins (pictured), one of three trustees who voted against the May bond proposition. After some questions about the financial condition are addressed, the board could call a bond election in November or in May 2011, Jergins said.

Tarrant selects project manager for $78.1M jail project

Tarrant County commissioners recently hired a Rhode Island-based company as the project manager to oversee construction of a new $78.1 million, 444-bed jail and another construction manager to set the guaranteed maximum price for expanding the medical examiner's office. Both projects should be completed by 2012.

County officials agreed to pay about $7.9 million for managing the jail project, including a $2.3 million contingency fund for unforeseen expenses. Plans call for the five-story, 207,700-square-foot jail to have 444 beds, an infirmary with separated areas to treat male and female inmates, kitchen, visitation area and a roof using solar reflecting material to reduce energy costs. The county also will replace the fire alarm and security system at the Correction Center at a cost of almost $8 million.

Commissioners also selected a construction manager for the proposed $26.9 million expansion of the medical examiner's facility. The cost includes equipment, phone and data cabling and furniture as well as construction. The expansion will provide more space for crime investigation, laboratory and storage facilities and a new building for a biohazard morgue. Voters in 2006 approved funding for both the jail project and expansion of the medical examiner's office in a $433 million bond election.

Upshur County delays OK of $285,000 courthouse grant

Upshur County commissioners recently postponed accepting a $285,333 grant from the Texas Historical Commission to renovate the county's art deco courthouse.

The grant would require the county to contribute $142,500 in matching funds and would pay for hiring architects and engineers to draw up plans to restore the courthouse to its appearance in 1936, said County Judge Dean Fowler (pictured).

Accepting the grant could lead to a construction grant in two years, he said. Estimates are that it will cost between $10 million and $15 million to renovate the courthouse, and the county will be responsible for 15 percent of those costs under the grant program. Commissioners voted to further discuss the proposed grant at their meeting on March 15.

Galveston approves $25 million to rebuild public housing

Galveston City Council members recently approved the release of $25 million in federal disaster recovery funds to begin rebuilding 569 units of public housing. Council members also approved conceptual plans to rebuild three of the four proposed public housing developments.

Housing authority officials plan to begin a search for architects to design the public housing planned for Oleander Homes, Cedar Terrace and Magnolia homes, said Harish Krishnarao, director of the Galveston Housing Authority. Housing authority officials also hope to leverage the $25 million in recovery funds to win Hope VI grants to rehabilitate some of structures. Regulations require that the first round of federal dollars be spent by September 2011.

Office of State Chemist wins grant to monitor imports

The Office of the State Chemist, a regulatory agency within Texas AgriLife Research, recently won a grant from the federal Food and Drug Administration to participate in a rapid response team to monitor imported food and feed products into Texas. The Texas Department of State Health Services - Foods Group, which regulates food manufacturers and wholesale distributors of human food, will administer the grant.

The Office of the State Chemist regulates about 4,000 firms, including 3,000 licensed feed facilities, 50 percent of which are out of state, said Tim Herrman (pictured), director of the OSC. The agency oversees cereals and oilseed contaminated by mycotoxins, feed ingredients and finished feeds in addition to pet food, he said. OSC will partner with other state agencies to develop a rapid response team to oversee food-borne illnesses and disasters by identifying responsible food, and work to eliminate hazards to reduce further exposure with a focus on providing expertise when animal feed presents a direct or indirect problem to human health.

The response team also will work to attain regulatory foods program standards, provide lab capacity for testing of human and food specimens and improve communication and education about food-borne illnesses, he said. The grant will allow laboratory testing facilities in College Station to support the Department of State Health Services and speed up analysis during large-scale food-borne illness outbreaks, Herrman said.

Mineral Wells approves pact for hotel upgrades

The Mineral Wells City Council has voted to enter an agreement with the National Development Council (NDC), along with the Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce and the Mineral Wells Industrial Foundation, to help a privately owned hotel development group finance a proposed renovation project.

According to the six-month contract, the city will provide $25,000 from the economic development fund while the Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Foundation are set to contribute $2,500 each. Steve Butcher with the Industrial Foundation said he doesn't expect NDC services will be needed beyond the agreement.

El Paso approves $3.5 million to resurface older streets

The El Paso City Council recently authorized $3.5 million to repair 52 neighborhood streets and pave 31 dirt alleys under a new city program.

Plans call for the city to resurface 26 streets in West Side, Central, Northeast and Lower Valley neighborhoods and micro-surface another 26 streets on the East Side. The micro-surface process is intended to treat newer streets before they go into disrepair, said Assistant City Manager Pat Adauto.

A portion of the funding for paving the dirt alleys is from a $1.9 settlement with a local company to reduce air pollution in the city. The street resurfacing project should be completed in about one year, Adauto said.

Lewisville ISD mulling $43M high school renovation plan

Trustees for the Lewisville Independent School District recently began considering a plan to renovate the oldest portion of Lewisville High School. The proposed plan calls for demolishing and rebuilding much of the high school campus at a cost of between $43 million to $48 million, said Carol Kyer (pictured), board president.

The proposed renovation project was not part of a $697 bond package approved in 2008, but the need became apparent after the district began a $12 million project to install air conditioning and a sprinkler system in a section of the campus built in the 1960s. When the air conditioning project cost rose to $20 million due to the large amount of asbestos to be removed, however, district officials began questioning whether to spend that much money on the aging facility that already costs about $438,000 a year to maintain, Kyer said.

Board members are expected to make a decision on the renovation project within two months, she said. The proposal also calls for the cafeteria to be rebuilt, but would leave untouched classrooms built in 1999, the auditorium, science wing or new band hall. Construction could begin as early as fall 2010 and be completed in three years. Funding for the project would come from bond proceeds remaining from projects that came in under the estimated cost rather than from maintenance and operations budgets, she said.

Dallas ISD hires replacement for head of IT

The Dallas Independent School District has hired Gray Salada as administrator to oversee Information Technology following the termination of IT Chief Patricia Viramontes in December.

Salada formerly oversaw the operation, maintenance and support of Austin Independent School District's communications and information systems. Prior to that charge, he served as director of Information Services and Technology at the U.S. Space Command and as director of Network Operations for the Defense Information System Agency.

Salada is a West Point graduate who earned his master's degree at the University of Southern California.

Buda implementing police force headed by Kidd

The City of Buda is formulating its own police department headed by Bo Kidd, former commander of Hays County's Sheriff-based Buda Patrol Division.

Officials are in the process of obtaining equipment and personnel from Hays County while the number of officers it will need to implement a force is determined. Currently, eight Hays County sheriff's deputies are assigned to patrol Buda, one of the state's fastest-growing cities with a population of 6,788 in 2008 - up from 2,400 just eight years prior. Kidd begins his first day as chief April 1.

Rockport Police Department applies for more DHS funds

The Rockport Police Department (RPD) has submitted a grant application for $1.3 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to buy equipment. The funds comprise part of Operation Stonegarden, a border-security initiative designed to combat human smuggling and narcotics trafficking along the Mexico border region. The RPD has requested the funds as a continuation of the $408,000 awarded by the DHS operative last fiscal year.

The new grant would provide RPD with a tactical/mobile command vehicle, handheld- and vehicle-mounted thermal-imaging cameras, a density meter, all-terrain vehicles and trailer and a patrol vessel.

Rockport Mayor Todd Pearson (pictured), prior to approving the grant request, said he thought residents would benefit from extra patrols made possible with the grant funding.

Birdville district weighs bond package option

Haltom City's Birdville school district trustees, having recently hired officials to evaluate the condition of the facilities, are up against a recommended $160 million in projects considered high-priority. The study could lead to a third bond package in five years. Officials recommended replacing nine elementary schools and four middle schools.

Trustees will create a residents advisory committee should they decide to go through with the bond process.

Voters in 2005 opted to spend $40 million for technology upgrades and school renovations, but rejected $174 million in bonds. The following year voters approved $128.6 million in a pared-down package.

Texas lawmakers facing
tough budget questions

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

Texas lawmakers will have to make some hard decisions. And, they may get a few surprises when they begin reviews next week of state agencies' plans for identifying 5 percent reductions in general revenue funds. The state's leadership required a prioritized list of possible cuts totaling 5 percent from each agency.

Agencies have submitted their plans and the House Appropriations Committee will get the budget ball rolling Monday when it begins discussing those plans. SPI analysts took a look at what has been identified.

Many agencies say they will cut back on travel costs and postage and a few offer not to fill existing staff vacancies. One or two said they might not give merit pay raises. A few agencies suggested passing off a program or two to another agency. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission proposed a savings of $250,000 for the biennium by turning over its Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA).

El Campo approves search firm for city manager

El Campo City Council has approved a search firm to find a replacement for City Manager John Steelman, who is set to retire May 31. The Council has agreed to pay the firm a fee of $21,500 and an estimated $4,000 in expenses.

The firm "will come visit with the Council and department heads," Mayor Phillip Spenrath (pictured) said, to determine "what our strengths and weaknesses are." The search process could start as early as next week.

Coppell ISD officials
approve $2.9M in repairs

Coppell Independent School District officials have approved up to $2,907,055 in repairs, replacements and renovations to its two middle schools, two elementary schools, education annex, softball complex and administration building.

Sid Grant, assistant superintendent for business and support services, said the amount covered all the summer bond projects. He said builders have guaranteed the projects, covered under a guaranteed maximum price program, will not exceed $2.9 million. Negotiations are still under way with bid winners.

Point Comfort to seek federal help to maintain port

Point Comfort City Council members recently agreed to send letters to two Texas senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives to ask for help in obtaining funding to maintain the ship channel to the Port of Port Lavaca/Point Comfort.

Federal help is needed to help pay for repairing the southeast jetty along the channel because the state has cut funding for planning grants, a council member said.

Wharton ISD approves Shoppa agreement

Trustees for the Wharton Independent School District recently officially selected Kay Shoppa as the interim superintendent to replace former Superintendent James Bartosh. Shoppa has served as the interim superintendent since Feb. 15 under a letter of agreement, but formal action was required, said the president of the board.

District officials are looking at internal candidates as well as those from outside the district to serve as the new superintendent. Board members would like to fill the position before the May 8 bond election, according to the board president.

Bryan wins $373,866 grant to improve traffic signals

Bryan recently received a $373,866 grant from federal stimulus funding to pay for upgrading traffic signals to improve energy efficiency, increase safety and reduce driver frustration.

The project includes upgrading existing traffic signals into more energy efficient signals, purchasing advanced signal control software and re-timing traffic signals along major roadways, said Mayor Pro Tem Jason Bienski (pictured), who praised city staff for seeking the grants. The city will install LED lights that have a five-year life span and buy equipment to stream live video from traffic signals, he said. The grant will pay about 80 percent of the total cost of the $467,332 traffic signal project and the city will contribute $93,466 in matching funding.

Big Spring ISD will call
$60M bond election in May

Board members of the Big Spring Independent School District recently voted to place a $60 million bond proposal on the May 8 ballot. If approved, proceeds from the bonds will be used to build two new elementary schools and for repairs, maintenance and renovations to other district facilities.

Where are they now?

Where do folks go when they leave state government? Some go to work in the private sector or for nonprofits. Some transition to executive-level positions in higher education while others may seek elected local government positions. And some just retire and spend a lot of time with their grandkids at the fishin' hole. This column focuses on where former state government officials and employees are now.

Dr. Robert B. Sloan, Jr. began his career in higher education as an adjunct professor at Hardin-Simmons University and was on the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He joined the faculty at Baylor University in 1983 and was the founding dean of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He was elected president of Baylor in 1995 and resigned that post in 2005 to become chancellor of the university. In 2006, Sloan was installed as the third president of Houston Baptist University, a position he still holds.

Tom Loeffler served as a member of The University of Texas System Board of Regents from 1989 to 2001. He served as legal counsel at the U.S. Department of Commerce from 1971 to 1972, was chief legislative counsel to U.S. Sen. John Tower of Texas from 1972-1974 and was deputy for congressional affairs with the Federal Energy Administration from 1974 to 1975. He was special assistant for legislative affairs to President Gerald Ford from 1975 to 1977 and served three terms in the U.S. Congress from 1979 to 1987. He ran an unsuccessful bid for Texas governor in 1986 and was principal coordinator for Central America, Office of Legislative Affairs, the Reagan White House in 1987. Today, Loeffler is co-chairman of a consulting firm with offices in Austin, Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Miami and Philadelphia.

Lujan resigns from Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD

Superintendent Santos Lujan recently resigned as superintendent of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District, effective March 3. Trustees appointed Assistant Superintendent Conrad Arriola (pictured) as the interim superintendent until a new superintendent is hired.

Ramirez resigns as city manager in George West

City Manager Oscar Ramirez recently resigned as city manager in George West. Ramirez was appointed to that position in November 2009. Ramirez previously worked for the city of Laredo with capital improvement projects, planning and water and wastewater utilities.

Deer Park selects Stokes
as new city manager

Deer Park city officials recently selected Jay Stokes (pictured) as the new city manager to replace Ron Crabtree.

Stokes has served as city manager in Gladewater for six and one-half years. Gladewater City Council members are expected at the next council meeting to discuss finding a new city manager to replace Stokes.

Hamilton ISD picks Craft
as new superintendent

Trustees for the Hamilton Independent School District recently selected John Craft as the sole finalist for superintendent. Craft currently serves as high school principal for Mansfield ISD.

San Marcos airport to receive $530,000 grant

The San Marcos Municipal Airport recently won a $530,000 grant from the Aviation Facilities Grant Program of the Texas Department of Transportation. The grant will pay for airport improvements, including upgrading fences, airport officials said.

Splendora ISD awarded science, technology grant

The Texas Education Agency recently awarded the Splendora Independent School District a $200,000 Rural Technology Grant to improve science education.

The two-year grant will pay for computers for science labs, interactive software and lab probes that will permit students to explore new ideas, analyze data, develop explanations, make predictions and draw conclusions, said Tricia Crawford (pictured), science curriculum coordinator for the district. The grant also will provide teachers and administrators with professional development opportunities, she said.

Alvin VFD to receive $34,000 federal grant

The Federal Emergency Management Agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently awarded a $38,000 grant to the Alvin Volunteer Fire Department. Grant funds may be used for training and to purchase safety and rescue equipment to benefit firefighters.

Missouri City to seek $120,000 grant for tower

Officials of the Missouri City Police Department recently received city council approval to apply for a $120,000 SkyWatch Observation Tower grant through the Houston-Galveston Area Council.

The observation tower, which is capable of holding two persons and rising 25 feet off the ground, will be similar in design to a tower used in the Dallas area to help reduce crime at a shopping center, said Captain Lance Bothell. The proposed observation tower may be staffed with police officers or volunteers, he said.

When did you find out?

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Volente Fire Department wins $6,500 grant

The Volente Fire Department recently won a $6,500 grant to purchase a thermal imaging camera to help firefighters extinguish blazes. They do so by locating hot spots in walls that could reignite a building and use the camera to locate people inside burning buildings or who have been thrown outside a vehicle in an accident. The Tejas American General Agency and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company awarded the grant.

Recent Reports

• Sunset Advisory Commission Staff Report on the Coastal Coordination Council
• Sunset Advisory Commission Staff Report on Commission on State Emergency Communications
• Sunset Advisory Commission Staff Report on Texas Public Finance Authority
• Sunset Advisory Commission Staff Report Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board
• State of Texas Financial Portion of the Statewide Single Audit Report for the Year Ended August 31, 2009
• State of Texas Federal Portion of the Statewide Single Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2009
• A Follow-up Audit Report on the Kinney County Groundwater Conservation District
• TCEQ, News You Can Use newsletter, March 2010
• Alamo Area Council of Governments Region Newsletter
• In Touch, HHSC newsletter

Texas Government Insider Archives

Volume 1 - 8 Archives · 1/8/04 - 2/26/10

City's manager, secretary leaving College Station

City Manager Glenn Brown (top) of College Station recently announced he will leave that position by the end of this year and City Secretary Connie Hooks (bottom) said she plans to retire in July 2010.

Brown began his tenure as city manager in College Station in March 2006 and previously served as interim city manager and as an assistant city manager. Hooks will complete 25 years as a city employee in July 2010, when she plans to retire.

Dallas to sell $300 million
in bonds to pay for projects

Dallas City Council members recently approved the sale of $330 million in bonds to pay for several projects approved by voters. The bond sale will not add more debt payment to the city budget, council members said. The city is expected to save about $500,000 this year in debt payments compared to the 2009-2010 debt payments, the city's chief financial officer said.

New Braunfels eyes
buying shopping center

New Braunfels city officials recently agreed to continue negotiations to purchase the eight-acre Landa Plaza shopping center for about $1.9 million. A contract for the purchase should be executed soon, said City Manager Mike Morrison (pictured).

City officials are considering using the property for a new city hall, a city recreation center or a commuter rail stop between Austin and San Antonio, Morrison said.

Hillsboro ISD to hold
bond election in May

Trustees for the Hillsboro Independent School District recently agreed to ask voters to approve a bond proposal to improve campus facilities. District officials plan to use some of the proceeds from the bonds to build a new school to replace the Jane Lane Elementary School.

Borger selects Edwards
as new city manager

Members of the Borger City Council recently selected Eddie Edwards as the new city manager, effective April 1. Edwards, who has served as assistant city manager for two years, will replace Wanda Klause, who is retiring as city manager at the end of March.

Edwards also served as assistant director of utilities, water maintenance superintendent and water maintenance supervisor in the Water Department in Borger.

Houston ISD chief business officer Lindsay resigns

Chief Business Officer Dick Lindsay has resigned from the Houston Independent School District. His duties - which include supervising facilities, the bond office, food services, transportation and campus police - will be divided among other top administrators.

Lindsay joined HISD in 1999. The district will conduct a national search to find Lindsay's replacement.

Birdville ISD coliseum to receive $4.8M face lift

Birdville Independent School District's Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum is set to receive a major face lift. Trustees have approved a contract for up to $4.8 million for renovations to the 43-year-old venue. The renovation will be funded through oil and gas revenues.

The coliseum houses Birdville's athletics department and plays host to a series of community meetings, voting events, banquets and sporting events. Scheduled upgrades include replacing bleachers with theater-style seats, additional restrooms, a new elevator, new heating and air-conditioning units and refurbishment of locker rooms. Exterior work is slated to begin this month with major construction beginning in June.

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Center Point ISD sets
$9.95 million bond election

Trustees for the Center Point Independent School District recently approved placing a $9.95 million bond proposal on the May 8 ballot.

If voters approve, the district plans to use the bonds to expand and renovate district facilities. Most of the funding, $7.4 million, will pay for adding new classrooms, a fine arts room, a new library, cafeteria and an off-campus agricultural science lab to supplement a nearby facility already used by the district. District officials also plan to spend about $940,000 to add two new classrooms and a play gym at the elementary school and $1.61 million to renovate the high school and re-roof the entire campus.

Corrections, clarifications

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

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TASSCC to host one-day 2010 TEC Conference

The Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) and the Texas Department of Information Resources will host the TASSCC Technology Education Conference (TEC) on Wednesday, March 10, at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin. The TEC 2010 will focus on improving output and obtaining results in a complex and cost-conscious work environment that is becoming more virtualized. The one-day event includes technology directors from Texas state agencies and institutions of higher education as they review specific topics of interest. To register online, click here.

AACOG to host benefits counselor training

The Alamo Area Council of Government's Area Agencies on Aging will host Statewide Benefits Counselor 1 Training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, April 13-15, at the Crowne Plaza San Antonio Airport. Topics will include Medicare Basics and Coverage Options, Social Security, Appeals/Administrative Law, Medicaid, Long-Term Care and Other Health Insurance and Veteran Benefits. For more information, click here. To register online, click here. Deadline to register is March 10.

Texas notary law, procedures seminar set

The State Notary Commission will offer a Texas Notary Law and Procedures Seminar from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, March 24, at the Alamo Area Councils of Governments Homeland Security Classroom Six, 8700 Tesoro Drive in San Antonio. The class will cover new legislation, current notary laws, avoiding official misconduct, administering oaths and acknowledgements, legal procedures and processes of notarization, liability protection practices for notary and employer and applying for commission. For more information, click here.

Parts of Conference on Aging to be on webcast

"Deep in the Heart of Aging," the 2010 Texas Conference on Aging, will be held Sunday, March 21, through Wednesday, March 24 at the Inn of the Hills in Kerrville. Since the Conference has sold out, individuals may still participate by signing up for the webcast on the Conference Web site. Portions of the Conference will be webcast, including the Sunday Ethics intensive and all day Tuesday. The conference is designed for professionals with both administrative and direct service responsibilities who work with seniors in a range of community-based settings. The 2010 Conference will feature a variety of workshops and education sessions organized into the following tracks: Issues in Aging, Senior Safety, Aging in Place, Professional Development and Health and Wellness. The keynote address, "Care at Life's End: The Unintended Consequences of Health Policy in America," will be presented on Monday, March 22, by Jerald Winakur, MD, CMD, FACP.

Last two BOP sessions with TxDOT are announced

The last two sessions of the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Business Outreach and Program (BOP) Services Small Business Briefing conferences have been announced for April 1, 2010, in Dallas and June 15, 2010, in Texarkana. The conference goal is to provide small and minority-owned business communities an opportunity to learn more about contracting opportunities with TxDOT. Information will be available to help them do business with the agency and the State of Texas. The sessions not only allow small businesses to be introduced to TxDOT and other state agencies, but also allows them to learn more about the economic development opportunities in their regions. It also allows the agencies to show the myriad of opportunities available for small and minority businesses in the state. For more information, click HERE or call 1.866.480.2518, Option 2.