Texas to benefit from new flexibility aimed at improving Medicaid

Local official calls changes 'small start' as states deal with budget deficits

Initiatives aimed at providing more flexibility for the states regarding how they provide care for Medicaid and Medicare recipients were announced this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). While officials in Texas are studying the proposed changes, they say more help is needed.
 

Stephanie Goodman, spokesperson for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, said the agency is still looking over the changes, which were released Thursday. "But we certainly agree that states desperately need more flexibility to make Medicaid work better," she said.

Although Texas was not one of the 15 states cited by HHS to receive up to $1 million each in federal funding for persons receiving Medicare and Medicaid coverage, it joins all the other states in becoming eligible to receive more money to develop simpler and more efficient information technology systems to help modernize Medicaid enrollment. All of the states also will be granted increased flexibility to provide home and community-based services for more persons with disabilities.

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Comptroller sets up phone, Web site for questions on data breach

A Web site and toll-free telephone number have been set up to answer questions from Texans who are concerned that some of their personal information might have been exposed from data files at the State Comptroller's Office. The records of data from the Teacher Retirement System, the Texas Workforce Commission and the Employees Retirement System were erroneously posted on a server that was open to the public. However, the Comptroller's Office notes there is no indication that any of the personal information from the more than 3.2 million names has been misused.

Letters are being sent to all individuals whose personal data might have been affected and the Comptroller's Office has set up a toll-free telephone number (1-855-474-2065) for information as well as a Web site. The telephone line is open 24 hours a day. Officials with the Comptroller's Office indicate that once the error was discovered, the information was moved to a secure server.

Oil, gas lease sale sets new Permanent School Fund record

Oil and gas leases on Permanent School Fund (PSF) lands hit an all-time high last quarter at more than $108 million, which is more than twice the past record in 1979.
 

Hydrocarbon firms must submit sealed bids for the right to drill on PSF lands in West Texas. The latest record-busting quarter involved 159 leases on about 56,000 acres - for an average of $1,916 per acre.
 

The fund, which helps pay for the state's share of public education, also earns 20 percent to 25 percent royalties on any oil and gas produced on fund-owned land.

State will invest $2.8 million in eBay seeking Austin expansion

The State of Texas will invest $2.8 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund to persuade eBay Inc. to expand its Austin facility and create 1,050 jobs.
 

"This is precisely the kind of company we would like to see expand in Austin," said Mayor Lee Leffingwell (pictured). "This project will include great jobs for Central Texans."
 

The Texas Enterprise Fund, created in 2003, was established as a way to lure businesses to the state. All state funds spent through the fund must be OK'd by the governor, lieutenant governor and Speaker of the House.

TxDOT submits applications for funds for high-speed rail projects

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is seeking nearly $43 million in federal funds for high-speed rail projects.
 

TxDOT wants $18 million for preliminary studies for the proposed Dallas/Fort Worth to Houston High Speed Rail Line, which is a priority corridor in the Texas Rail Plan.
 

Another $24.8 million would help to fund a federally mandated safety system on the Trinity Rail Express, which runs between Dallas Union Station and Fort Worth's T&P Station.

Bill allowing cities to make more local purchases approved

A bill to allow cities more choice in approving purchases from local businesses recently won committee approval and is now up for consideration by all members of the Texas House of Representatives.
 

The proposed legislation, House Bill 1283, will allow cities to award purchases of less than $500,000 to local companies if the bid from the local company is within 5 percent of the lowest bid. The proposed legislation also offers cities the best combination of contract price and additional economic development opportunities. Legislation approved in 2009 permits a 5 percent allowance for local purchases for municipalities only if the purchase is less than $100,000.
 

Provisions of HB 1283 call for a $500,000 cap to apply to real property and personal property not affixed to real property, such as landscaping and services other than construction services. A similar bill in the Senate is currently assigned to the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and awaiting a hearing. 

Mottet selected as Texas State dean of fine arts, communication

Dr. Timothy Mottet (pictured) has been named dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Texas State University-San Marcos. His appointment is effective July 1. Mottet currently serves as chair of the Department of Communication at The University of Texas-Pan American.
 

Mottet is a former Texas State faculty member, having served from 1998-2007 in the Department of Communication Studies. The Texas State College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the School of Music and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the departments of Art and Design, Theatre and Dance and Communication Studies.
 

Mottet holds a bachelor's degree from William Jewel College, a master's from Boston University and an Ed.D. from West Virginia University. He will replace Richard Cheatham, who has served as dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication since 1985.

Texas A&M-Commerce seeking deans for two new colleges

Search committees are being formed at Texas A&M-Commerce as the university conducts a nationwide search for two new deans. Two new colleges were formed from the previous College of Arts and Sciences. The two new colleges for which deans are being sought are the College of Science, Engineering and Agriculture (CSEA) and the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts (CHSSA).
 

Dr. Hal Langford (left), dean of the College of Business and Technology, and Dr. Brent Mangus, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, have been named to chair the two search committees. Each will nominate a member of their faculty to serve on the committee. The committees will include department heads, faculty, staff, a representative of the student body, community members and alumni.
 

In the meantime, Dr. Salvatore Attardo will serve as dean for CHSSA and Dr. Jerry Parish will be interim dean of CSEA. The two colleges will begin functioning on their own on June 1.

Water rights could be curtailed according to TCEQ

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recently warned water rights holders that the agency might need to restrict water usage due to the drought.
 
If necessary, the TCEQ will place restrictions on rights issued most recently. Those "junior" water rights will be suspended before the older "senior" water rights in an area.
 
Agency staff will monitor drought conditions and consult with public water systems in regard to implementing drought contingency plans, which might involve members of the public being asked to conserve water.

Power for UNT football stadium to come from wind turbines

The University of North Texas in Denton recently received a $2 million state grant to build three wind turbines, which will help power the new 28,000-seat football stadium expected to open in September.
 
It will be the first college stadium designed to incorporate renewable energy. The community-scale turbines, which are much smaller than the turbines found at wind farms, are expected to offset energy consumption by 6 percent and cut 323 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year.
 
The turbines are part of a movement toward sustainable energy technologies that will enable future generations to thrive, said Richard Escalante (pictured), vice chancellor for administrative services.

In his new role, Kiss will oversee the program's content as well as monitor progress and competency of more than 150 students who attend each semester.

Previously, Kiss has served as assistant EMS medical director of the Houston Fire Department and a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.

Kiss holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from New York Medical College.

Rice vice provost Coleman headed to Virginia Commonwealth

Rice University vice provost for research, Jim Coleman (pictured), will leave Houston to take up a new position at Virginia Commonwealth University. He begins as dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences July 15.

Coleman, who joined Rice faculty in 2007, also served as a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

Under his leadership as vice provost, the university attracted more than $100 million for research - a first in the school's history.

"It has been an incredible honor to work with the extraordinary people at Rice," Coleman said. "I have been truly awed and humbled by the incredible research, scholarship, innovation and creativity of the Rice faculty."

BexarMet names Gallier as choice for new general manager

The Bexar Metropolitan Water District has chosen William Tomas Gallier to serve as interim general manager of the entity, to replace Victor Mercado. Mercado was fired last December after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit.
 

Gallier's past work history includes a stint with the El Dorado Irrigation District in Placerville, California, a position from which he retired in 2009. He also is a former manager of the Tempe Water Utility in Tempe, Arizona. The fate of the water utility is in the hands of the Texas Legislature right now as a bill is currently being debated to allow BexarMet customers to decide if the district should be dissolved and taken over by the San Antonio Water System.

Brenham groups pushes for $25,000 study for new library

Citing a need for more computers and space for books and patrons, members of the Library Advisory Board in Brenham and the librarian recently requested city council approve $25,000 to pay for a study to assess the need for a new library.
 

The current library has no more space for new books and only about half of the number of computers recommended for its size, said, said Charles Suessmuth, the librarian. The current library was last expanded in 1990 and sometimes is "standing room only," he said.
 

Advisory board members requested the study include a complete community user evaluation, a forecast of future needs based on user and demographic projections, an evaluation of potential sites, a rendering of a possible design and community input on the size, layout and services the library should offer.

Austin police launch Web-based reporting program

The Austin Police Department recently launched a new online reporting system.
 
Under the new system, Austin residents can file non-emergency and low-priority reports, such as vandalism and shoplifting, at any time. The report is then reviewed and the resident is called if police will pursue the case. 
 
In the next two months, Austinites will be able to report crimes in Spanish and possibly Vietnamese.
 
The new system can be accessed here, on the APD Web site and on the Austin City Connection.

3M Company to benefit from $194,000 in Enterprise Funds

The 3M Company will receive a $194,000 boost from the Texas Enterprise Fund to expand its manufacturing facility in Angleton. The investment is expected to create 55 jobs and generate an estimated $21.2 million in capital investment.

3M is a Fortune 500 company with operations in more than 60 countries, including facilities in Austin, Brownwood, Dallas, Houston and El Paso. It will relocate some of its existing manufacturing operations from New Ulm, Minnesota, to the Angleton facility. The Angleton operation produces powder coatings to protect metal surfaces from corrosion.

Austin begins Waller Creek Tunnel project with groundbreaking

Austin city and community leaders recently broke ground on construction of the $144-million Waller Creek Tunnel Project, which will minimize flooding along the downtown creek.
 
The mile-long tunnel is expected to rejuvenate area surrounding the creek's lower corridor. Plans call for improvements of area parks, paths and bicycle lanes.
 
The project, which includes the tunnel, an inlet structure and outlet lagoon, is being financed by the city and Travis County through the Waller Creek Tax Increment Finance District that will be in place for 20 years.

Denton discusses proposal for maintenance on DCTA buses

Denton city officials may soon provide fleet maintenance services for the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), which provides transportation in Denton and area cities.  

The proposal's cost, which would require the city to hire up to a dozen new workers and expand the service center, has not been determined. If OK'd, the transportation authority might table or call off plans to build a new $11 million bus maintenance facility.
 
"It would be great if we could both realize some cost savings," said Dee Leggett (pictured), DCTA spokeswoman. 

El Paso to give more incentives to buy solar energy systems

In a partnership with El Paso Electric, the city of El Paso recently approved a Solar Rooftop Program to provide more incentives to those who buy solar energy systems.
 

Under the newly adopted program, customers of El Paso Electric will receive a $3,000 rebate for every kilowatt used during a year. With the average medium-sized home using about four kilowatts a year, the newly approved rebate should cut in half the cost of installing a solar system, said Marty Howell, sustainability manager for the city. Rebate customers also are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit, he said.
 

The Solar Rooftop Program, however, will not permit the solar installation to generate more electrical power than can be used at the site and prevents selling back of any additional energy, Howell said.

Texas Forest Service to open regional office in Midland

To help battle record grass and forest fires in West Texas, the Texas Forest Service recently opened a regional office in Midland.

The regional office, to be located in a county annex building near A Street, will house a National Type 1 Management team of about 60 firefighters and support staff from throughout the country to help battle record fires in West Texas spurred by a statewide drought, said Paul Hannemann, chief regional coordinator for central and West Texas operations. 

 
Forest Service officials tapped Mike Quesinberry as the incident commander and expect him to be based in Midland for at least a few weeks, Hannemann said. Firefighters from Texas and several other states are part of the West Texas firefighting team still fighting a fire in Fort Davis. The team also will battle any other grass or forest fires that occur in the West Texas region, he said. The Forest Service would like to have a permanent presence in Midland to house equipment and possibly some staff members, but will need community support for that to happen, he added.

Corpus Christi group estimates $1.2 million for street repair

A five-member committee of construction professionals created by the Corpus Christi City Council last fall to find a way to pay for street repairs recently updated council members. They brought news that one study indicates the city needs to spend about $1.2 billion to repair city streets.
 

Committee members also are looking closer at the estimate of $88 million a year to maintain streets they found in a review of a study conducted several years ago. That study also found that Corpus Christi spends more on street maintenance than other comparable cities, said Pat Veteto, an engineer who chairs the committee. Veteto also asked council members for more time to assess those numbers to find the best method to fund street repairs and maintenance.
 

Councilman John Marez (pictured) pledged that city council members will find a solution and will increase funding for streets despite an expected budget shortfall. Corpus Christi spent about 1 percent of its $668 million current budget, or less than $3 million a year, on street repairs this year, while in 1981 city officials allotted about 10 percent of the city's annual general fund budget to streets, Veteto said. City officials also outsourced about $1.8 million in minor street repairs to allow city workers to maintain larger sections of roads.

Union Grove ISD hires architect for new transportation facility

Trustees for the Union Grove Independent School District recently agreed to ask an architect to begin designing a new transportation and maintenance facility. Board members also approved a topographical survey of the district-owned land being considered for the new facility.
 

The district currently houses maintenance and transportation employees at an elementary school campus. District officials want to move because of safety concerns, said Superintendent Brian Gray. If board members decide to build the new facility, money from the district's general fund rather than bond money will be used to pay for the project, Gray said.
 

District officials scheduled a $4.36 million bond proposal to be on the ballot in May, with that funding earmarked to add three career and technical classrooms at the high school, eight classrooms and a science lab at the elementary school and to build a second road from the elementary school to the secondary campus.

Byers ISD mulling merger in face of reduced state funding

Despite community opposition, officials of the Byers Independent School District recently told the residents that consolidating the district with a neighboring school district may be in the future.
 

Superintendent Steve Wolf said the district is confronting two primary concerns. One is declining enrollment during the last few years and the other is an anticipated 15 percent decrease, or $200,000 less in state funding unless legislators find more money for public education. Dipping into the district's $700,000 savings should maintain regular district operations through the next school year, Wolf said. After next year, however, the future of the district with 74 students currently enrolled is in question, he added. Wolf pointed to the nearby Megargel and Goree school districts that merged with Olney ISD and Munday ISD because of financial concerns.
 

Consolidating with Petrolia ISD is one option under consideration, Wolf said, but officials of the two school districts have not yet held official meetings to discuss the issue. Voters in the two school districts would need to approve any consolidation in an election, Wolf said. The earliest an election can be held is November, he added.

Killeen ISD approves $1.25 million for air, heating systems

Killeen Independent School District trustees recently approved $1.25 million to install new heating, air conditioning systems and energy control devices. Plans call for replacing 93 HVAC units across 12 campuses as well as installing energy management equipment at two campuses, district officials said. Money for the project will come from the district's Capital Improvements Fund.

Beaumont ISD's Haynes

gets new assistant

The Beaumont school district recently appointed an assistant spokesperson, former news reporter Craig Eichhorn, to help with media relations.
 
Eichhorn has worked in the Aldine, Cypress-Fairbanks and Galena Park school districts. He also worked as a reporter covering BISD Superintendent Carrol Thomas' former school district, North Forest.
 
Spokeswoman Jessie Haynes, who Eichhorn will report to, said an increased number of district events and requests for public information prompted the hiring.

Pinehurst Council gets update

on city hall from architect

Pinehurst city leaders recently discussed last-minute architectural details for the new city hall, which will open for bids soon.
 

Details still on the table include: a door between the conference room and municipal court, an outside canopy and cabinets in the break room.

While Mayor T.W. Permenter (pictured) doesn't want to pay $50,000 for the canopy at this time, architect Mark Magnuson said adding on at a later date will be more expensive. Plus, projects overall have come in about 35 percent lower than estimates, Magnuson said.

Doug Lane announces retirement as superintendent of Mildred ISD

Doug Lane (pictured) recently announced his retirement as superintendent of the Mildred Independent School District, a position he held for 24 of his 46 years as an educator.
 

Trustees also selected Assistant Superintendent Becky Burns as the lone finalist for superintendent to replace Lane. Burns has served as assistant superintendent for the district for 11 years.

Lakeway studying cost of

public surveillance cameras

Lakeway city leaders may install surveillance cameras in public places in an effort to deter crime and provide live feeds of crimes in progress.
 
The cameras, which could range from $100,000 to $200,000 depending on features, would be placed in areas where people have no expectation of privacy - like shopping centers and parks.
 
If OK'd, a pilot program will start with a camera at a local grocery store. Other locations and funding have not been determined.

Fredericksburg approves

final design for new pool

Fredericksburg City Council members recently approved the design for a new community pool at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park with the basic pool plans carrying a base price of $2.715 million. The consultants also offered four alternate bid items that can be added if the final price remains below the $3.2 million cap on the project. Council members are asking voters to approve $3.2 million in bonds in May.
 

The basic pool design calls for a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, a shaded toddler geyser pool, a leisure pool with slides, a new bathhouse and deck. The four proposed options include an enclosed waterslide carrying a $100,000 price tag, two more lap lanes at a $150,000 cost, an open flume water-slide and tower for $200,000 and a 1,800-square-foot lazy river feature with a $252,980 price tag. 

Midland, Abilene, San Angelo approve interlocal agreement

Midland, Abilene and San Angelo city officials have agreed to work together to address future water needs.
 
The cities have plans to split the cost of a study that would determine the cities' resources and water capacity, as well as how to move water throughout West Texas. The study is expected to cost about $300,000.
 
Midland would pay for the study with money from the utilities fund.

George West supports $400,000 grant to upgrade public utilities

George West City Council members recently approved a resolution needed to submit with an application for a $400,000 grant to pay for public utility improvements to serve a new motel.
 

The Texas Capital Fund Grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture, if approved, will be used to upgrade natural gas, sewer and water lines near a proposed new motel that plans to create 14 permanent jobs and four part-time jobs, said City Manager Sandra Martinez (pictured). The city is not required to match any of the grant funding, she added.

With the opening of the new 300-seat Liberty Hall soon and redevelopment of the Lindsey building, the consultant who performed a $32,000 downtown parking study predicted parking headaches will intensify if convenient parking is not more available to downtown visitors. He urged city officials to build a four-story parking facility downtown with at least 450 parking spaces. He also recommended adding a brick façade and opening portions of the lower level to retail establishments to produce revenue.

Although the 12-block area studied offers about 1,406 parking spaces, only 360 of those spaces are available to the public, the consultant said.

After earning $19,850 from a vehicle auction, La Joya police officials recently agreed to spend that money to upgrade another police vehicle and continue remodeling the police station.

Plans call for modifying a 2011 sports utility vehicle with police lights, a radio system, cage and radar to give that vehicle policing capabilities, said Chief Jose Del Angel. A portion of the money also will be used to complete a porch for the police station and to provide an entry to allow officers with seized drugs to take the drugs into the building while out of public view, the chief said.

Pearland ISD looking for bids

for school fencing project

Pearland Independent School District officials recently agreed to accept bids until April 28 for a one-year contract to supply chain-link fencing and related materials and services. The contract also calls for installation, repair and removal of fencing as necessary. The contract will be awarded on May 10, district officials said.

Pasadena approves almost

$2.4 million for new water tank

Pasadena City Council members recently agreed to use $2,352,600 in federal grant funds to pay for a new water tank to help ensure the delivery of water in emergencies.
 

The city received a total of $15.5 million in federal grants that will be spent on 13 sewer and water projects, said Robin Green, the director of public works for Pasadena. Currently, the city is dependent on the City of Houston for water, but the new facility will feature a well with a generator so that the plant can pump from the storage tank during emergencies, Green said.

DeSoto ISD considering Dallas school trustee for superintendent

Lew Blackburn (pictured), a member of the board of trustees for the Dallas Independent School District, is one of the candidates being considered by DeSoto ISD board members to become the new superintendent. Blackburn, who has served on the Dallas school board since June 20001, has had a second interview for the superintendent's job in DeSoto and expects that position to be filled by July 1.
 

If Blackburn accepts the new position in DeSoto, he said he plans to leave his position as a board member in Dallas. Trustees in Dallas may fill a vacancy by appointment until the next election or can order a special election to fill the vacated position.

City manager urges new

city hall for The Colony

City Manager Troy Powell recently recommended officials of The Colony begin planning to relocate city hall and the library and decide the future of the current city hall and library that once housed a grocery store.
 

One of the goals, Powell said, is to return the old city hall site back to the tax rolls and market the property for economic development. Powell also asked city officials to consider hiring a consultant at a cost of about $20,000 to determine space needs and a cost estimate for a new city hall that would serve for the next 50 years.
 

While council members discussed whether a new city hall should be located on city-owned land or developed in a public-private partnership so that the majority of the property would remain on the tax rolls, they made no decision on the city manager's recommendation.

Fate mulling how to spend

$1.9 million leftover from project

After construction bids for a new pump station came in $1.9 million under the estimate in a 2011 bond proposal, Fate City Council members recently began considering other projects on which to spend funding remaining now that the $4.6 pump station is finished, said City Manager Vicki Mikel.
 

Mikel urged council members to spend the additional bond funding to improve the city's water and wastewater systems by installing a 16-inch water line to serve the new phase of a subdivision.

The 94-year-old building should provide an additional 90,000-square-feet of badly needed space for county operations once the renovation project is completed, said County Judge Drue Bynum (pictured). County officials, who are aiming to pay less than 80 cents a square foot for the renovations, will accept qualification statements from architect firms interested in planning the renovations throughout April, the county judge said.

• Walker Beard of El Paso, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board
• Sheryl Swift of Galveston, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board 
• Donna L. Walz of Lubbock, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board 
• Jamie Wickliffe of Midland, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board
• Courtney Burch-Arkeen of Orange, judge, 128th District Court in Orange County
• Kenneth Krieger of Lacy Lakeview, Texas Radiation Advisory Board
• Rene M. Pena of Floresville, Texas Violent Gang Task Force

Benbrook approves $877,000

for new 4.5-acre city park

Benbrook city council members recently approved $877,000 to pay for construction of a 4.5-acre city park in the southwest portion of the city.
 

The new park, the first the city has built in 30 years, will feature a basketball half-court, a playground, a picnic pavilion, restrooms and an area for sand volleyball, said City Manager Andy Wayman. City officials plan to ask for bids to build the new park this summer and expect the project to be completed by the end of the year, Wayman said.