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Electronic health records:
Hospitals, doctors offices could get more time to meet Phase 2 requirements
Hospitals and doctors offices could get a little more time to meet the requirements of the second level of the "meaningful use" provision relating to the nation's health care community's switch to electronic health records.
The recommendation to delay the deadline for Phase 2 of the program came after the American Hospital Association reported that less than 2 percent of nearly 1,300 who responded to their survey said they will be able to meet the minimum federal requirements by the original deadline of early 2012.
Thus, a federal advisory panel is recommending pushing the deadline for "meaningful use" requirements to 2014. The "meaningful use" requirement seeks to ensure that health care providers are using electronic health records (EHRs) in their everyday operations.
To meet the 2012 deadline, EHR vendors would have to design a program and eligible hospitals and doctors offices would then have to upgrade to the new functionality and begin using it by the beginning of the reporting year in 2012. The advisory committee deemed that the urgency of implementation of the program did not outweigh the safety and efficiency problems that might be experienced during the switchover.
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Texas receives $6.2 million bonus for payment accuracy in program
A federal bonus of $6.2 million has been awarded to the State of Texas for achieving one of the highest accuracy rates in the nation in the SNAP food benefits program. The program was also cited for having the most improved program in the nation.
Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Tom Suehs (pictured) said the goal of Texas health and human service agencies is to have "the most effective and efficient programs in the nation, and we're doing that." The HHSC executive added that Texas has "improved its enrollment process for clients and done a better job of processing applications accurately and on time."
Texas' payment error rate of 2.13 percent for FY 2010 was far below the national average of 3.81 percent. The error rate is based on how well a state does in correctly calculating how much in SNAP food benefits a family should receive.
Suehs credited the state's front-line workers for the success of the program in Texas. "They are committed to making the Texas program the best in the nation, and they've worked long hours to make that a reality," he said.
Texas distributes more than $400 million in SNAP food benefits each month to 3.6 million Texans, most of whom are children and people 60 and older.
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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
Debbie Holland, mayor, City of Hutto
Career highlights and education: Elected to the Hutto City council in 2004 - present. Served as Mayor Pro Tem three of the seven years. Served on council in late 80s for three years. Chairman of Hutto Chamber of Commerce Board, 1996. Awarded the Ken Love Lifetime Achievement Award January 2011.
What I like best about my job is: Having the opportunity to serve my community and being a part of the development for the future of Hutto.
The best advice I've received for my current job is: Never lose sight of who you are working for.
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Be there for the right reason. Personal agendas never serve the right purpose.
If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: working in my garden.
One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: The City of Hutto has just become "a college town" after the recent approval of a Branch Maintenance Tax by its citizens. Temple College and Texas State Technical College will be building a campus in Hutto.
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Rebecca Motal named Mason's successor as LCRA general mgr.
Rebecca S. Motal (pictured) will replace Tom Mason as general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and will be the first female to hold the rank. Mason announced recently he will resign July 1.
The LCRA Board of Directors voted unanimously to hire Motal, whose first job with the agency was as an accounting clerk in 1972. In her new position, she will administer LCRA Board policy, foster and manage relationships with LCRA's customers and stakeholders, appoint and direct executive staff and supervise several initiatives and operations in line with LCRA's public service mission.
Motal holds three degrees from The University of Texas at Austin (a bachelor's degree, a law degree and a Master of Business Administration degree) and boasts nearly 30 years of experience working in utility industries. Her first job out of law school was with the Texas Water Quality Board as an environmental lawyer, followed by tenure at the Texas Department of Insurance as Legal Director.
In 1987, Motal returned to the LCRA, where she later served as manager of Economic and Financial Planning. In 2007, she was promoted to the role of executive manager for External Affairs.
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CTRMA moving on Manor toll road plans to tune of $539M
Paving the way for a 6.2-mile U.S. 290 East tollway, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) has sold $376 million in bonds for construction of the road unofficially known as Manor Expressway. Those funds will be combined with a $128 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and $35 million in toll revenue from the 183-A turnpike to move forward with construction.
The expressway, which will stretch from U.S. 183 in East Austin to just west of Manor Road, will overlay with the existing U.S. 290 East and feature three tolled express lanes and three free frontage road lanes in both directions.
The first segment of road, stretching from U.S. 183 to east of the traffic light at Springdale Road, is set to open by fall 2012. When the project is completed in 2015, drivers will be able to drive the stretch of road without stopping for $1.59.
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DARS security breach possibly employees' personal information
A security breach at the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) may have exposed the personal information of some 4,900 current and former employees. DARS officials say the information was on an Internet site not under DARS control, but accessible to the public.
The lapse was discovered last Thursday at 2 p.m., at which time "immediate steps" were taken to secure information, according to Stephanie Goodman, spokesperson for the Health and Human Services Commission. Officials have not disclosed how the data was kept or exposed. Commissioner Debra Wanser said in an email that officials were not yet aware if personal information had been misused.
DARS is mailing out letters to affected employees - those who worked at state agencies that were put under the umbrella of HHSC - the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, the Texas Commission for the Blind and the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Persons hired after 2010 are not affected.
The agency will also offer call center representatives who can offer information on how those affected can obtain free identity protection coverage that will be paid for by DARS and how to apply for credit-monitoring services.
The event at DARS follows another recent data security breach at the State Comptroller's Office in April, when it was discovered records were inadvertently disclosed on a publicly accessible state computer server for at least a year.
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UNT director of Research Development set to take on VP post
Dr. Richard Nader (pictured), director of Research Development at the University of North Texas' (UNT) Office of Research and Economic Development, has been tapped to serve as the university's interim vice president for International Affairs. His new charge begins July 1.
Nader, who has 20-plus years experience in university international-program administration, previously managed recruiting for student affairs at Texas A&M's branch campus in Japan. From 2000 to 2005, he served as director of the Institute for Pacific Asia at Texas A&M, where he created alumni initiatives in Thailand, Japan and South Korea. He managed a $12 million China portfolio and funded international research as program director of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Office of International Science and Engineering from 2005 to 2008.
Dr. Warren Burggren, provost and vice president for academic affairs at UNT, said Nader will "bring international research development experience fully to bear in support of UNT's research aspirations."
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Port Aransas ferries named for TxDOT directors to be dedicated
Two Port Aransas ferries named after former Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) executive directors Michael W. Behrens and Charles W. Heald will be dedicated June 24 and become operational on July 1.
The new vessels, which can haul up to 28 passenger cars compared to 20 on the older boats, will connect Mustang Island and Port Aransas to the mainland and run for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The dedication ceremony will take place at the Port Aransas Ferry Landing with TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz and Texas Transportation Commissioner William Meadows and other state and local officials in attendance.
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UH-Victoria announces sole finalist for university president position
Philip D. Castille (pictured), special assistant to the chancellor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, has been named sole finalist for president of the University of Houston-Victoria.
Castille has also served as vice chancellor for academic affairs at UH-Hilo and as professor of English at the University of Houston-Downtown from 1981 until 1994. He has also held positions at Tulane University, the University of Memphis, Louisiana Tech University and Eastern Washington University, where he served as founding dean of the College of Arts & Letters.
Castille holds two bachelor's degrees and a doctorate from Tulane University and a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Sul Ross team narrows search for VP of Enrollment Management
Four finalists will contend for the role of vice president of Enrollment Management at Sul Ross State University. The roster of finalists for the newly created position include: Dr. Dennis Kramer, assistant dean of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Academic Technology, Baylor University; Dr. Jerrid Freeman, director of Student Affairs Auxiliary Facilities, University of Arkansas; Dr. Dina Flores-Mejorado director of Academic Services, Sam Houston State University; and David Byrd, director of Recruitment, College of Education and Human Development, Texas A&M University.
The primary responsibility of the new post will be to increase student enrollment and student success, according to Dr. Ricardo Maestas, president of the university.
A seven-member search committee chaired by Cesario Valenzuela, vice president of Finance and Operations, identified and selected the four finalists. Interviews will take place on the Sul Ross campus through June 27.
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UNT System selects Asher to head Business Service Center
University of North Texas (UNT) System officials recently selected Donna Asher as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Services to lead the newly created System Business Service Center. Asher, a 20-year UNT administrator, began her new duties with the UNT System on June 13.
The newly created Business Service Center will focus on delivering shared business services including purchasing, payment, travel, payroll and human resources to UNT, UNT Health Science Center and UNT-Dallas. Asher also will lead a team to evaluate current services in order to recommend the best management structure, location of service personnel, the correct degree of central coordination, campus variations and outsourcing. The business service center is scheduled to begin functioning as a shared service team on September 1.
Asher previously was assistant vice president for academic affairs, administrative and fiscal services and vice provost for academic resources. She also served as chief budget officer and chief academic human resources officer at UNT. Asher has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from UNT.
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TxDOT Houston district engineer Dennis to retire
Delvin Dennis (pictured), district engineer of the Houston branch of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), has announced plans to retire from the post he has held since 2008.
Prior to that role, Dennis served as the Houston district deputy engineer for 10 years.
Dennis has been with TxDOT's Houston district for 31 years total. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston.
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Travis County studying P3 courthouse projects in other cities
In their quest to build a new $300 million civil courthouse, Travis County commissioners recently began reviewing courthouse projects in Long Beach, CA, and Brooklyn, NY, that used or are using public-private partnerships to be developed.
Groups of county officials traveled to both cities to meet with developers and officials of those two projects to learn more about the process of a public-private partnership. The developer in Brooklyn paid construction costs and will be repaid while retaining space in the courthouse that is leased. Still in the planning stages, the private developer in Long Beach will pay construction costs for a new courthouse and the state proposed repaying the developer an undetermined amount over the next 35 years.
Commissioners narrowly approved a consultant's study on the feasibility of using a public-private partnership to construct the 17-story, 500,000-square-foot civil courthouse. That study should be released on June 30. Originally predicting the county was considering a bond election to pay for the proposed civil courthouse, the county judge now says the county will not propose a bond election in November. Public-private partnerships make sense if the county negotiates the right deal, he said. The construction risks shift to the private partner, who has an incentive to finish the project quickly and within budget, the county judge said.
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El Paso approves $90 million economic development plan
El Paso City Council members recently approved a policy calling for the city to spend $90 million in economic development funds over the next 20 years with a focus on biomedical research.
The majority of the funding will pay to develop the Medical Center of the Americas, the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The funding will be spent on facilities at the medical center that will help create jobs, rather than research grants, noted Richard Dayoub (pictured), chief executive of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce. The economic development plan also calls for spending $1.2 million a year on technology-based business incubators and offering incentives to businesses considering relocating to El Paso.
A franchise fee paid by ratepayers to El Paso Electric provides the funding for the economic development plan. Most of the awards will be five-year grants, which can be withheld if grantees do not meet the conditions of the award, a spokesman for the city said.
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Lake Travis ISD sets $158.5 million bond vote in November
Trustees for Lake Travis Independent School District recently agreed to schedule a $158.5 million bond election on Nov. 8. An advisory committee recommended the action following a series of meetings looking at district needs to meet the needs of families filling the 4,311 new housing units expected in the district by 2015.
The proposed projects include building new schools, expanding some schools and facility upgrades throughout the district. Voters in Lake Travis ISD approved $36.2 million in bonds in 2003 and $126.8 million in 2005. Those two bond issues paid to expand elementary schools, middle schools and a high school, build new facilities, upgrade technology and improve athletic facilities.
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$86M in bonds sold to fund construction at TSU-San Marcos, SHSU
To fund construction projects at Texas State University-San Marcos and Sam Houston State University, the Texas State University System has sold more than $86 million in bonds. With proceeds from the sale figured in, including $6 million in bond premium, that figure shoots to $92.7 million at an all-inclusive interest rate of 4.35 percent.
The construction projects at TSU-San Marcos include a new performing arts center (to which only a portion of the bond revenue will be allocated), expansion of Bobcat Stadium, a new parking garage and various infrastructure upgrades. The funds will be used to build instructional facilities at Sam Houston State University's new satellite campus in The Woodlands.
TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall (pictured) said he's pleased the System has been able to take advantage of historically low interest rates in addressing "some of the facilities needs of our institutions and students."
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Orange officials review timeline for downtown development plan
Orange City Council and Orange Economic Development Corporation members recently reviewed a $7 million downtown development project expected to break ground this fall.
The presentation by the landscape engineer included a proposed project timetable calling for bid documents to be available on June 24 and bids due on July 26. Project officials also plan to finalize property acquisitions in early August and award a contract for the project in late August. Construction is set to begin in September and be completed in December 2012.
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Levander appointed Rice vice provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives
Caroline Levander (pictured), professor of English and director of the Humanities Research Center (HRC) at Rice University, has been appointed vice provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives at the university. She will step down from her role as HRC director to take the position beginning July 1. Because of a scheduled sabbatical, Levander's role as vice provost will be limited until the 2012-2013 academic year. During her sabbatical, Levander plans to write two books: one on the hemispheric dimensions of the U.S. Civil War and the other on American literature.
Levander joined the Rice faculty in 2000 after serving as an assistant professor at Trinity University. In 2001, she was promoted to associate professor and full professor in 2006. Just three years later, she was named the Carlson Chair in Humanities.
Associate Professor of Classics Scott McGill will serve as interim director of the HRC.
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Travis County group urges $205 million bond proposal
Travis County Citizens Bond Advisory Committee members recently urged commissioners to ask voters to approve a $205 million bond proposal to pay for upgrading county roads, parks and drainage.
The group pared down a $635 million wish list of projects to $206 million, with $137.11 million to upgrade county roads, drainage, bridges, bike paths and pedestrian projects and $73.9 million for parks and land conservation projects. Among the projects in the recommendation is funding to widen FM 1626. The list of recommended projects does not include work on the landfill or any pass-through financed road projects.
Committee members plan to stage public hearings in the county in the next two weeks, the vice chair of the citizens group said.
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Cook selected as acting dean of College of Sciences at SHSU
Jerry Cook (pictured), associate vice president for Research and Sponsored Programs at Sam Houston State University, will take over as acting dean of the university's College of Sciences on Aug. 1.
Cook, who also works as an adjunct member of the Texas A&M University (TAMU) faculty, served as SHSU's interim chair of the Biological Sciences Department in 2008 and interim dean of Graduate Studies in 2009. Since 2008, he has held his current charge as associate vice president for Research and Sponsored Programs.
Cook earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Southern Colorado and his doctorate from TAMU.
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USDA Rural Development has grants to help rural businesses
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is taking applications for grants totaling as much as $225,000 to help rural businesses create jobs.
The grants, which could total up to $7.4 million, will be awarded to colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations to establish and operate centers and cooperatives that will help facilitate rural economic development and spur job growth. The funds may be used to cover up to 75 percent of start-up and operation costs, leaving recipients to match 25 percent of the total project costs. The funds can be used for a variety of operations, including feasibility studies, creating and implementing business plans and helping develop new markets for products and services.
Applications are due by July 22. For more information, visit the USDA Rural Development Web site.
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Texas Forest Service administers $800K in fire department grants
The Texas Forest Service (TFS) is set to administer more than $800,000 worth of equipment to eight fire departments statewide as part of a long-term strategic plan to expand and develop the resources offered by the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS). TIFMAS will deliver the engines, which were built in San Antonio.
Fire departments in Big Spring, Brownwood, Georgetown, Lewisville, Mission, Nacogdoches, Flower Mound and Cedar Hill will receive the $100,000 engines, courtesy of a TIFMAS grant.
Created in 2009 under Senate Bill 1011, the TIFMAS grant program is the result of a collaboration of agencies, including the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, State Firemen's and Fire Marshals Association, Texas State Association of Fire Fighters and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, under the direction of the Texas Forest Service. The grants have helped mobilize both resources and personnel for hurricanes Ike and Alex and other natural disasters, such as the 2009 winter wildfires and the 2011 Texas wildfires.
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Maville will serve as interim dean of UT-Pan American's CHSHS
Dr. Janice Maville (pictured), assistant dean for The University of Texas-Pan American's College of Health Sciences and Human Services (CHSHS), will take over as interim dean of the college for the 2011-2012 academic year. She will replace Dr. Bruce Reed, who will leave the post to focus on teaching.
Maville, who acts as the Lillian O. Slemp Endowed Chair in Nursing and the coordinator of the Master of Science in Nursing program, has been with the university for more than three decades. She previously served as SHSU's interim chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
A permanent replacement for Maville will be named sometime between July 1 and September 1, 2012.
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FirstNet Exchange wins grant for health information network
FirstNet Exchange, a nonprofit Tyler-based organization, recently received a state grant to develop and operate a health information network for 37 counties in northeast Texas. Established in 1996 by the ETMC Regional Healthcare System, the FirstNet Exchange will use the grant to establish one of the state's first secure health information networks that will support and be governed by hospitals and clinicians in 37 counties.
The purpose of a health information exchange is to electronically share medical information between physicians and hospitals on patients treated in any of the participating facilities. This information includes data on allergies, current medications, lab tests and recent treatments provided to that patient, said Paula Anthony, CEO of FirstNet Exchange. This electronic data exchange will eliminate most of the need to fax or mail medical records, thus promoting better treatment for patients, she said.
FirstNet participants now include15 hospitals and more than 600 physicians in 21 counties sharing electronic medical records, Anthony said. The state grant will allow the group to extend the service to more health care providers and will assist physicians who do not currently have an electronic records system to help meet federally defined "meaningful use" objectives, she said.
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El Paso County, city officials move to consolidate IT services
El Paso County commissioners recently approved an agreement and a lease with the City of El Paso along with the purchase of $3.8 million of equipment as city and county officials move toward consolidating information technology (IT) services. El Paso City Council members are expected to consider the proposed consolidation of IT operations next week.
The goal of the consolidation is to save money by combining services and eliminating duplication, with county officials estimating the consolidation will save about $2.4 million in one-time costs by sharing facilities and equipment with the city, said County Judge Veronica Escobar (pictured). The project began when the county decided it must move vital records out of a flood-prone basement and set up a record center at another county-owned building in which the city will lease space and equipment.
El Paso City Manager Joyce Wilson said if the city had to buy IT equipment all alone, it would cost about $9 million to $10 million. By partnering with the county, city officials now expect to save as much as 40 percent of the equipment cost, Wilson said. Under the cooperative agreement, the county will use a fiber optic network owned by the city in exchange for the city using a microwave technology network the county is developing. As a result of the proposed merger of IT operations, the Texas Municipal League has awarded the El Paso city and county officials the City-County Cooperation Award.
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Retired Arlington Public Works Director Lowry takes Colleyville post
Retired Arlington Public Works Director Robert D. Lowry will begin a new role in the same position for the City of Colleyville, beginning July 11, when he replaces interim Ron Ruthven. Colleyville City Manager Jennifer Fadden said Lowry's "track record of strategic thinking and improving service delivery" landed him the job.
Lowery will supervise 45 city employees and oversee a $13 million annual operating budget and a $1 million streets- mprovement budget in his new charge, considerably less than the 200 employees and $30 million operating budget he oversaw as public works director of Arlington.
Lowry is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and holds master's degrees from the University of Kansas and Stanford University. He previously held director-level, city administration positions in Overland Park, Leavenworth and Lenexa, Kan.
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Galveston transit center design draws concerns
The proposed design for a $4.5 million transit center and parking lot on The Strand in Galveston recently prompted questions on whether the proposed building at 25th and The Strand will blend in well with nearby historic structures. Some citizens also raised concerns about the possibility of buses leaving the new terminal posing a threat to pedestrians visiting the historic tourist area.
Members of the Landmark Commission that regulates changes to the exterior of buildings in historic districts deferred approval of the proposed design of the building, which is a public-private partnership between the city and a developer. Current plans for the transit center, financed primarily with federal funding, call for space for a booking office, a visitor information center, public restrooms, retail areas and space for six buses as well as 160 parking spaces on three upper levels. The architect said his firm had worked closely with the Galveston Historical Foundation, the Texas Historical Commission and city officials to design a transit center respectful of neighboring structures while allowing for safe bus traffic.
The Galveston-based developer, who previously has restored and renovated historic buildings in the Strand National Landmark District, is responsible for the design, city officials said. Landmark Commission members are expected to consider the proposed design on June 20 while city council members will look at the proposed plan on June 23. A public meeting to discuss the environmental analysis of the proposed transit center design is scheduled for July. The Texas Historical Commission also must approve the design before construction on the facility can begin.
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Raymondville Immigration facility to become a federal prison
Federal officials recently began converting a Willacy County facility that currently houses illegal immigrants into a facility that will house federal prisoners. A private contractor now operates the facilities, sometimes described as a tent city, and will continue to operate the facility after the six-month transition period into a federal prison, a spokesman for the company said.
The federal prison should provide more employment opportunities and revenue to Willacy County than the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement immigration facility, said Willacy County Judge John F. Gonzales Jr. (pictured). Last week, the company operating the immigration facility laid off 120 employees because of the low number of illegal immigrants now at the facility.
The new $532 million, 10-year contract calls for the county to be reimbursed based on the facility being 90 percent full, Gonzales said. At 2.25 cents per federal inmate per day, the minimum payment to the county at the end of the year is $2.039 million, Gonzales said. The new contract calls for the county to be reimbursed based on the facility being 90 percent full. If the facility remains full all year, the county will earn an additional $567,000 annually, he added.
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College Station looks to solicit proposals for low-income housing
The College Station City Council may solicit proposals from private firms to build and operate an apartment complex for low-income, elderly residents in the coming months.
Because the city attracts thousands of students each year to attend Texas A&M University - most of whom qualify as low-income residents since they don't work full-time - the government doles out more affordable housing funds to College Station than other nearby cities, such as Bryan. As a result, College Station is set to receive $1.7 million in Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment Partnership Program funds in the next fiscal year. These funds were most recently used to improve infrastructure to low-income areas and buy lots for Habitat for Humanity and other charities.
Should plans follow through, bidders would determine the location for the apartment complex and the city would choose the most promising plan among the bids. To qualify, operators of the complex would have to reserve a percentage of the facilities for low-income residents.
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Burleson moving ahead with hotel/conference center plan
Burleson City Council members recently approved the framework of a public-private partnership to build and operate a 120-room hotel and 12,500-square-foot conference center at the city-owned Hidden Creek Golf Course.
Mayor Ken Shetter (pictured) praised the hotel and conference center project as a goal that city leaders had tried to reach for at least 10 years and needed the innovative public-private partnership to succeed. The proposed project includes a select-service hotel, full-service restaurant, bar and grill, outdoor amphitheater, multi-tenant offices and a wedding garden.
The agreement provides the private companies exclusive rights to development, to secure appropriate financing and to select a hotel brand and operator. The agreement requires the city to include a plan to realign the golf course to create enough acreage to develop the hotel and conference center. City officials also will be responsible for creating a public improvement financing plan for elements of the project that are to be publicly funded, including the estimated $22,000 cost of realigning the golf course, the parking lot and the potential wedding garden and amphitheater.
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Midland-area water district on track for $142 million project
The Colorado River Municipal Water District (CRMWD) recently moved forward on a $142 million project that will send groundwater to some cities in West Texas through a newly constructed pipeline as a solution to some reservoirs going dry.
With two reservoirs expected to be empty by the end of this year and a third lake that supplies water to Midland projected to dry up by the end of 2012 if the statewide drought continues, CRMWD executive director said the water district has few options left. The proposed project will create transmission lines with the ability to pipe in up to 45 million gallons of water per day from well fields owned by the water district in Ward County.
Board members for the water district approved the design and easement acquisition for the infrastructure needed to construct a pipeline to transmit water from the well fields. The water district most likely will issue bonds very soon so construction can begin by fall and be completed by 2013, a board member said.
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Copperas Cove ISD eyes plan to ban portable buildings
Trustees for the Copperas Cove Independent School District recently began debating the future use of portable buildings on district campuses.
Superintendent Rose Cameron (pictured) urged board members to approve a three-year plan to end use of portable classrooms throughout the district. He said the district should use any remaining portable buildings for office and meeting space and ban any classroom use of portables. High school officials have asked for an exception to keep the only portable building on campus for horticulture class because of its proximity to the greenhouse.
Some trustees raised concerns that the proposed plan still allows continued use of portable buildings if increased enrollment occurs or to keep the portables on campus even if unused. Another trustee argued the district should keep the portable buildings in case enrollment grows because of more troops returning to Fort Hood from overseas deployments. Trustees took no action on the proposal.
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Edinburg seeks to join with county for emergency facility
Edinburg city officials recently began discussions with Hidalgo County Precinct 4 officials and its rural emergency services district about entering a partnership to build a new fire station and community center on the city's fast growing north side.
Fire Chief Shawn Snider told council members that collaborating with the county could expedite a stalled $2 million fire station planned for a site off of FM2812. New housing developments and industrial sites have spurred growth in the area and challenged the fire department's ability to provide timely response from fire stations that are all located south of University Drive, Snider said. Current response time to emergencies in some northern areas of the city is 20 minutes, while ideal response time is five to eight minutes. The precinct 4 commissioner supports building a multipurpose center along with a fire station, Snider said.
The fire chief also asked council members to set aside $2.3 million to renovate the main fire station on W. McIntyre St. and $1.1 million to replace aging fire trucks and a tanker.
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National Assn. of Social Workers/Texas Chapter plans conference
The National Association of Social Workers/Texas Chapter has announced its 35th Annual State Conference, slated for Oct. 8-10 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. Billed as the largest social work conference in the Southwest, this year's conference features features former college athlete Brent Rasmussen speaking on "Changing the Future: The Power of Attitude, Hope and Help," and NASW/TX Government Relations Director Sue Milam addressing "The Need for 'Boot Straps' in a Texas Tough Environment." Numerus breakout sessions are available, covering issues from building an ethical private practice to navigating the maze of long-term care. This year's conference features the folllowing tracts: behavioral and mental health; health/medical; child, family and schools; professional/career; community; social work education and aging/disabilities. More than 16 hours of Continuing Education Credit are availabler. The organization is currently seeking exhibitors and sponsors. For more information, click here. To register, click here.
TSABAA planning 4nd Annual Summer Conference in July
The 42nd Annual Texas State Agency Business Administrators' Association (TSABAA) Summer Conference is slated for July 28 and 29 at the Jake Pickle Event Center in Austin. Among the topics of discussion for the two-day event will be social media, business etiquette, an ERS update and a legislative update. Speaker topics include "Top 10 Business Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them," "Life is Like a Google Map: Create Your Road Map to Success" and "Define Yourself! Building a Powerful Personal Brand." The State Auditor's Office will also address IT/Audit/Fraud/Risk/User Security. Attendees will qualify for 12.5 CPEs for attendance. For more information on the conference, registration, exhibit booth and sponsorship, click here. TSABAA will also host its 4th Annual Select Shot Scramble Foursome Golf Tournament on Sunday, July 17, at the Tera Vista Golf Club in Round Rock with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. For more information on the golf tourney, contact Lori Trank at lori.trank@hhsc.state.tx.us.
Brazos Valley COG hosts municipal law, procedure workshop
A Texas Municipal Law and Procedure Workshop is planned for Friday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bryan. Sponsored by the Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG), the event will be held at the BVCOG offices Board Room at 3991 E. 29th Street. The workshop will cover budgets, code enforcement, ethics, open meetings/open records, personnel, elections, economic development, purchasing, zoning and more and is aimed at giving elected city officials a better understanding of state and federal laws affecting day-to-day operations of cities. The course will also be of interest to attorneys and non-attorneys as they seek to navigate administrative rules, statutes, court cases, attorney general opinions and government agency rulings. Anyone interested in learning more about city government - city officials, city managers/administrators, city secretaries, city department employees, cit attorneys and others should attend. Elected officials will earn 6.9 CEU's through the Texas Municipal League for completing this workshop. The workshop will be conducted by Alan J. Bojorquez, of Bojorquez Law Firm, PLLC, author of the Texas Law and Procedures Manual. For more information, contact David Partlow, at opartlow@austin.rr.com.
SAePS - doing business with City of San Antonio just got easier
The City of San Antonio is offering training seminars for vendors interested in registering in the San Antonio electronic Procurement System (SAePS). All vendors and suppliers interested in doing business with the City of San Antonio must register in SAePS. This system electronically notifies business of contracting opportunities and allows vendors to submit bids electronically. Training sessions will also take place at the Alamodome (100 Montana St., San Antonio, TX) on June 21 at 9 a.m. and June 15 at 6 p.m. To learn more about SAePS, please click here, call (210) 207-0118, or email vendors@sanantonio.gov.
TxDOT San Antonio 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 final Small Business Briefing conference for FY2011 is set for July 20 in San Antonio. 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. For more information and to register, click here or call 1.866.480.2519, Option 2. Planning for the 2012 fiscal year events is under way. Please visit www.txdot.gov for updated information
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Unique funding option getting attention of public officials
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Talk about "thinking outside the box" - here's one of the most unique and innovation revenue generating options of the decade. It is called the EB-5 investor visa program and numerous public officials at the local levels of government are using this 20-year-old federal program with great success.
The EB-5 visa program, founded in 1991, relies on foreign capital and it can be used to create jobs in the United States while offering government entities a new revenue stream for local development. The program encourages foreign investors to put funding into commercial enterprises in America.
Here's how it works: Foreign investors willing to fund at least $1 million in an enterprise that creates at least 10 jobs or $500,000 in an economically disadvantaged area can qualify to be granted visas. After a probationary period, the investor earns a green card for permanent residency for a qualified investor, a spouse and any unmarried children younger than age 21. Government officials say the program has generated $1.5 billion into the country's economy since it was created.
The EB-5 program is being used by government entities nationwide as a new path to general economic development and it has been used for all types of initiatives. It allows economic development in a region without obligating any tax funds.
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Weatherford ISD superintendent Cron to retire in December
Weatherford Independent School District (WISD) Superintendent Deborah Cron (pictured) has announced plans to retire from the post she has held for a decade this December. During her tenure at WISD, Cron helped the district improve its state test scores for which she was honored with the Texas Award for Performance Excellence by the Quality Texas Foundation in April.
Like many Texas districts, WISD has reeled from budget constraints in recent years. The school board recently approved a $60 extracurricular fee to help supplement costs associated with sports teams, cheerleading, band, choir and other activities.
Before her role at WISD, Cron worked in the Garland school district for almost 30 years. There she served as assistant superintendent in charge of curriculum and instruction.
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Herring resigns as manager
of Cleburne Regional Airport
Cleburne city officials recently began a search for a new manager of the Cleburne Regional Airport following the resignation of Sarah Herring, who resigned to become manager at the Georgetown Municipal Airport.
Herring served as manager at the airport in Cleburne since 2008, after the city again assumed operations at the regional airport. City officials already have advertised the position and expect to have a new airport manager in place in the next few weeks, City Manager Rick Holden said.
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SAISD Superintendent Durón named candidate in Georgia
San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) Superintendent Robert Durón (pictured) has been named a candidate for the same position at the DeKalb County School System (DCSS) in Georgia, according the Web site of a DCSS board member. The DeKalb County School System is home to more than 100,000 students, making it almost twice the size of SAISD.
News of the announcement follows an "unsuccessful" board review for Durón. His request for another review was declined by board members, who stood by the rating, based on state test score performance and SAISD's high dropout rate.
Durón ranks as one of the highest paid superintendents in the state. He began his
role as superintendent of SAISD in 2006 and last year landed a contract extension to stay on until 2013.
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Alpine ISD discusses search
for new superintendent
Alpine Independent School District trustees recently began discussions on whether to hire a search firm to help find a new superintendent after learning that Superintendent Jose Cervantes is the lone finalist for the top position at Edgewood ISD. Trustees in Edgewood are expected to vote on a final contract for Cervantes on June 17.
Alpine board members agreed that trustees should take sufficient time to find a qualified candidate to lead the district and that an interim superintendent could serve until at least December. While trustees discussed a list of potential candidates for interim superintendent, they took no action on appointing an interim superintendent or on whether to hire a search firm or hire a new superintendent without outside help.
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Cayah Haney newest member
of Strategic Partnerships team
Cayah Haney (pictured) brings a strong background in communications, marketing and research to her role as senior associate with Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Haney brings unique skills to her new position. She is experienced in working in the private sector as well as addressing public sector issues while working for a firm that provides consulting services on legislative, public policy and regulatory services related to local and state government. The new SPI senior associate has served as marketing and communications liaison for a marketing firm, director of communications for a firm offering a variety of education-related services for students and worked in marketing and research for a health and wellness-related business. Her research skills include database management, market analysis and outreach efforts.
Haney holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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Bartlett ISD selects Springston
as lone finalist for superintendent
Bartlett Independent School District trustees recently selected Brett Springston as the lone finalist for superintendent. Springston, who recently resigned as superintendent of Brownsville ISD, could begin his new duties in Bartlett as soon as June 22, said Letha Hopkins, who served as interim superintendent at Bartlett ISD since February.
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New Corpus Christi city
manager reshuffles city hall
City Manager Ron Olson of Corpus Christi recently presented council members with a plan to consolidate seven departments, eliminate 66 jobs and shuffle the duties of assistant city managers. The reorganization reduces the number of city departments from 32 to 25. Olson also appointed Assistant City Manager Rudy Garza to a permanent assistant city manager position, where he will oversee tourism, economic development, building permits and inspections and intergovernmental relations.
Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez will move from overseeing the city budget and utility services to managing public safety and neighborhood services, including police, fire, health, parks and libraries. Assistant City Manager Margie Rose will take over finance and budget duties and continue to manage human resources and the municipal court system. Assistant City Manager Johnny Perales will continue to manage most development services as well as oversee city utilities, public works, engineering, the Corpus Christi International Airport and capital projects, Olson said.
Olson also said he periodically will shift duties among assistant city managers to ensure each is very familiar with all operations of the city. Some changes will take effect immediately, but no jobs will be eliminated until council members approve a city budget, Olson said.
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Paschall resigns Grapevine-Colleyville ISD post
Deputy Superintendent Melody Paschall (pictured) recently resigned from her post at Grapevine-Colleyville ISD to take over a similar position at Irving ISD.
Paschall, who joined the Grapevine-Colleyville district in February 2011, previously served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Coppell ISD.
A spokeswoman for the Grapevine-Colleyville district said trustees discussed reducing the position of deputy superintendent to a chief-level position to save about $20,000 annually, but made no decision on filling that position.
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Karnes County may seek bond vote to restore courthouse
Karnes County commissioners recently voted to move forward with a bond election to pay for restoration of the county courthouse. Commissioners voted after receiving reassurance that calling a bond election would not jeopardize phase one of the courthouse restoration project or any grant funding for the project that the county is seeking from the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program.
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Arlington's Wilemon
elected secretary of RTC
Arlington City Council member Kathryn Wilemon has been elected secretary of the Regional Transportation Council and will serve on the RTC Executive Committee with the president and vice president. The RTC is the independent transportation policy body of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and includes city and county representatives from throughout the North Texas region. Wilemon is joined on the council by fellow City Council member Sheri Capehart. Wilemon has been on the RTC since 2003.
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Elgin approves sale of $9.2M
in bonds for wastewater plant
Elgin City Council members recently approved the sale of $9.2 million in bonds to purchase a wastewater plant from the Lower Colorado River Authority. The city received a lower interest rate of about 4.65 percent than the originally projected 5 percent, reducing the debt service from $580,000 to $541,000, said City Manager Greg Vick. This savings will help fund an unexpected $50,000 price hike involving a lift station, Vick said.
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City manager, assistant city manager of League City resign
City Manager Marcus Jahns (left) and Assistant City Manager Rich Oller (right) of League City recently resigned from their city posts.
Jahns, who became interim city administrator in June 2009 and city manager in 2010, said his last day will be August 19. Oller, who in his position also headed public works for the city, will leave his post on July 11.
The city's human resources director said he would seek direction from council members on how to replace Jahns and Oller.
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Coryell County hires Neel as new road and bridge administrator Coryell County commissioners recently selected Allen Neel as the new county road and bridge administrator. Neel has served as the interim road and bridge administrator since Darren Poe resigned as county engineer in February.
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Galveston Houston Authority's Krishnarao steps down early
Galveston Housing Authority (GHA) Executive Director Harish Krishnarao (pictured) will resign from his post a year before his contract expires. GHA board members voted unanimously to accept the resignation. Krishnarao will leave with nine months pay with benefits, according to Chairwoman Paula Neff.
Neff said Krishnarao is an expert at disaster relief, but is not equipped for the partnership the GHA wants to pursue with a private developer to finish reconstruction on property damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Krishnarao has served as executive director of the GHA since 2007. In his stead, Deputy Executive Director Mona Purgason will serve as GHA's interim executive director.
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Brownsville ISD picks Atkinson as interim human resources director
Trustees for the Brownsville Independent School District recently selected Sylvia Atkinson as the interim director of human resources after reassigning former Director of Human Resources Susan Fox to be the administrator for attendance.
Atkinson joined the district as an administrator last year and previously was a superintendent at Los Fresnos Consolidated ISD, Socorro ISD and Santa Rosa ISD. She also was an administrator at Eagle Pass ISD.
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Former Celina police chief new McKinney deputy city manager
McKinney's new Deputy City Manager Joe Williams has officially taken over where Jim Parrish left off. Parrish stepped down earlier this month.
Williams, the former Celina chief of police, "has the experience and skill set to bring our city services to an even higher level," said City Manager Jason Gray, who, along with Williams and Deputy City Manager Rick Chaffin, make up McKinney's city leadership triad.
Before his tenure as Celina police chief began in 2007, Williams served 13 years with the Frisco Police Department as a patrol officer and sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant and captain over operations.
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Pinehurst selects Parkhurst
as new city administrator
Pinehurst City Council members recently appointed Joe Parkhurst (pictured) as the new city administrator. Parkhurst, a former justice of the peace, has served as interim city administrator since May 1, when Robert Ewart retired from that post.
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Rio Hondo terminates Prida
as city administrator
Rio Hondo city commissioners recently agreed to terminate the contract of Arturo Prida, who also served as finance director for the city. Prida began his duties with Rio Hondo in 2006.
City officials also agreed to begin a search to find a new city administrator, a commissioner said.
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Texas Government Insider Archives
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Newman named director
of Workforce Solutions Alamo
Patrick W. Newman will serve as the new executive director of Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA), where he will plan, organize and direct operations for the agency charged with providing employment for 40,000 businesses and more than 2 million residents throughout the region. He takes over for Chakib Chehadi, who resigned last year.
Newman previously worked in senior and upper-level management in workforce development for the Mid-Region Council of Governments of New Mexico and the New Mexico Department of Labor Bureau Chief. His resume boasts 37 years' experience in employment and training, according to WSA Chair Ray Romero.
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Corpus Christi ISD to pay $1.7M for land for new high school
Trustees for the Corpus Christi Independent School District recently approved $1.7 million to pay for 40 acres of land to build a new high school. Voters in November approved $125 million in bonds to build a new high school and middle school on the south side of the city to open in 2014.
Board members had begun using the eminent domain option to acquire part of the property, but withdrew condemnation proceedings after the property owner agreed to a proposal in which district officials will pay $116,000 in closing costs and $2,000 in property taxes in addition to the purchase price. The next step is to begin the design phase of the new high school project, district officials said.
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Midland ISD chief proposes bond vote to reconfigure campuses
Midland ISD Superintendent Ryder Warren (pictured) recently urged trustees to ask voters to approve a bond issue to pay for reconfiguring campuses throughout the district to better serve students academically.
The reconfiguration plan calls for placing pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students in elementary school, sixth through eighth grades in middle schools and ninth through 12th grades in high schools.
The plans grew from a recommendation from the Community and Strategic Planning Committee that made the recommendations for a possible 10-year proposal in 2009 that called for expanding each junior high to make room for sixth-graders, converting the freshman high school into middle schools and adding space to Lee and Midland high schools to accommodate ninth graders. The cost estimates made in 2009 do not represent how much bond funding district officials may seek this year, Warren said.
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City of Galveston narrows field
of search firms for city manager
The City of Galveston Council members continue their search for a permanent city manager to replace interim Brian Maxwell.
The Council has received proposals from 10 prospective search firms and narrowed the field to four contenders. The remaining four firms have been invited to take part in a Council meeting June 23 via Webcast.
Costs associated with the search and recruitment of a city manager could exceed $20,000. Members are expected to announce a final candidate for city manager by November.
In the meantime, Maxwell, who said he's not interested in a permanent position as city manager, will lead discussions and recommend a budget to the Council in August.
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Bridge City ISD tags King as lone finalist for superintendent Bridge City Independent School District board members recently selected Michael F. King (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. King currently is the director of special programs at Longview ISD. |
Schwertner resigns as city secretary in Cottonwood Shores
Cindy Schwertner recently resigned as city secretary in Cottonwood Shores, a post she had held since 2004. Council members are advertising for applicants for a court clerk/city secretary. The goal is to hire a new court clerk/secretary in two to three weeks, said Rick Copple, chief financial officer.
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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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