|
Brent Leisure named director of Texas State Parks
26-year TPWD veteran to oversee 93 parks, natural areas, historic sites in Texas Brent Leisure (pictured) regional parks director for almost seven years and a 26-year veteran Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) employee, has been named director of Texas State Parks. He will replace Walt Dabney, who is retiring Aug. 31. Leisure will begin his new job as leader of the State Parks Division of TWPD on Sept. 1.
"Brent has a long and successful track record in Texas State Parks as an advocate for the staff, our visiting public and the natural and cultural resources in those parks," said Scott Boruff, TPWD's deputy executive director of operations. TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith hailed Leisure for his "vast experience and penchant for innovation," which he said are the "perfect combination" to lead the park system into the 21st Century.
Leisure's career at TPWD began in the early 1980s when he was hired as seasonal summer help. He has served brief periods over the last five years as acting state parks director. Most recently, he has served as director of Region 5, including 16 state parks in southeast Central Texas. Prior to that, he served 11 years as general superintendent of the Lost Pines Complex that includes Bastrop and Buescher state parks. As director of Texas State Parks, Leisure will oversee a system of 93 state parks, state natural areas and historic sites and approximately 1,350 employees.
|
12th Annual Sales Tax Holiday begins today in Texas
Shoppers expected to save $59.3 million during three-day weekend event
Texas' annual Sales Tax Holiday weekend is geared to kick off today, Friday, and shoppers are preparing back-to-school lists that include both clothing and school supplies. Through Sunday, residents can save sales tax (8.25 percent) on clothing and supplies for the new school year. This is the 12th consecutive year the state has offered families savings through the event.
"Shoppers can stock up on tax-free school supplies, school backpacks and most children's and adults' clothing and shoes priced at less than $100," Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday. Shoppers can save $8 on every $100 they spend.
n 2009, the Texas Legislature expanded the items that are subject to the tax exemption. In addition to clothing, footwear and some backpacks, Texas families now also get a sales tax break on most school supplies priced at less than $100 purchased for use by elementary or secondary school students.
The tax free weekend in Texas has been an annual event in Texas since 1999. Combs predicts that shoppers will save $59.3 million in state and local sales tax during the three-day weekend.
To view a list of tax-free apparel and supplies, click here. |
Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
Dr. Flavius C. Killebrew, president, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Career highlights and education: There have been many highlights in my 30-plus years in higher education, but a few recent ones include: obtaining a gift of nearby land from the City of Corpus Christi to ensure the future expansion of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the Island University; working with the community and our legislative delegation to start and fund our mechanical engineering program, and seeing enrollment far surpass expectations in its first year; and the recent opening and dedication of Island Hall, a state-of-the-art facility for our outstanding nursing and kinesiology programs that we were able to build with tuition revenue bonds authorized in 2007 during the 80th Legislative Session.
What I like best about my job is: I really enjoy being a part of the process that transforms "18-year-old kids" into mature young adults with the skills to make our society a better place to live. Being around the energy and enthusiasm of these young people energizes me and gives me great hope for our future as a State and Nation.
The best advice I've received for my current job is: Set aside time for yourself and take care of your health. Unfortunately, I haven't learned how to take that advice yet!
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Maintain high ethical standards and don't ever let your boss have any unnecessary surprises. If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: Hanging out with my 6-year-old granddaughter, who loves to play with her PawPaw. People would be surprised to know that I: was raised on a working cattle ranch and that my brother and I continued to operate the ranch until just before I moved to South Texas. They might also be surprised to know that as a biologist, I'm an expert on turtles.
One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: That Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is a great investment of taxpayer and student/parent tuition dollars. The institution has leveraged its coastal location on an island into being a premier institution supporting research and educational programs on Gulf Coast issues.
|
|
TDCJ official says deep cuts can endanger public safety Several prisons face closure, endangering public safety, if more than 7,300 criminal justice employees are laid off, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) officials. The agency may be faced with the charge of shaving off 15 percent in spending.
Corrections officials have released their $6 billion budget for 2012-13. The budget doesn't include much in the way of new spending, but includes more than $720 million to fund promised pay increases for correctional and parole officers and escalating medical care for prisoners.
Austin businessman Oliver Bell (pictured), chairman of the TDCJ's governing board, said officials hope to justify an exemption from budget cuts of as much as 15 percent over current spending as Texas faces an $18 billion revenue shortfall in 2012-13.
|
Texas Enterprise Fund invests in global medical tech company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) will receive an investment of $1.56 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund, it was announced this week. BD is a global medical technology company and the funds will be used for the creation of its global professional services headquarters in San Antonio. The investment is expected to create 296 jobs and generate an estimated $6.35 million in capital investment.
BD develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. It focuses on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. Four global professional services headquarters are being established by the company throughout the world, with the San Antonio facility overseeing operations in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. |
Agency executives to speak at October Legislative Conference
Nothing moves faster at the Texas State Capitol than a rumor. As the Texas Legislature prepares to meet in January, rumors are flying - about the amount of the state budget deficit and whether agencies will face cuts in programs and services, about the possibility of a new "campus" of state buildings and about how legislative appropriations requests will be affected by proposed agency budget cuts. Attendees at this year's 7th Biennial Legislative Communications Conference will hear from three executive-level agency officials as they try to respond to the rumors and answer questions about the upcoming legislative session. John O'Brien (left), director of the Legislative Budget Board, Martin Hubert (right), deputy comptroller at the office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts, and John Sneed, executive director of the Texas Preservation Board, will make up a panel to discuss the many "changes in the air" as the session approaches. They will address how some possible changes might affect state agencies, the impact those changes will have and information on legislative initiatives, budget issues and trends in state government. Additionally, a panel of staff from the offices of the governor, lieutenant governor and House Speaker will address the 2011 budget and what to expect. Members of the Legislature will offer legislative insights and tips for working with government leaders. Other invited participants are representatives of the Health and Human Services Commission, the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Texas Department of Information Resources. Sponsored by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. and The University of Texas at Austin's Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, the conference is set for Tuesday, Oct. 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a networking luncheon, and a CD with materials to provide support through the upcoming legislative session will be provided to attendees. Tickets are going fast! To register and for more information, click here.
|
TWDB announces financial assistance totaling more than $18 million The Texas Water Development Board has announced financial assistance totaling more than $18 million to three entities.
They include:
- Copeville Special Utility District in Collin Count - $1,935,000 from the Texas Water Development Fund to finance water system improvements;
- City of Bryan in Brazos County - $15,685,000 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to finance wastewater system improvements; and
- Bell County Water Control and Improvement District #2 - $390,000 from the Texas Water Development Fund to finance water and wastewater system improvements.
|
Land commissioner considers control shift of Christmas Mountains The state-owned Christmas Mountains may become property of Sul Ross State University. Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson recently floated the idea of shifting control of the 9,269-acre tract, adjacent to Big Bend National Park, to the university. Nothing has been formally proposed. The tract of land was donated to the state in 1991 by a conservation group.
|
SPI announces upcoming Knowledge Transfer Programs
Interactive webinars, classroom-setting workshops to begin in September
Whether it's the ABCs or the A to Zs of selling to state and local government, Strategic Partnerships, Inc.'s upcoming Knowledge Transfer Programs are designed to produce only one result - increased success in selling to government. The upcoming sessions, which were announced this week, are designed to provide unique and hard-to-come-by strategy, information about upcoming opportunities and budget data. Participants will also be exposed to unique assistance built around "best practices" and proven strategies for increasing public sector revenues. Participants may choose between interactive webinars or classroom workshops. All sessions will be led by SPI's team of experienced procurement consultants, government affairs professionals and researchers. Workshop strategists will also include Ginger Salone, former deputy executive director with the Texas Department of Information Resources, and Betty Dunkerley, former councilwoman, assistant city manager and director of financial services. Others who will lead sessions include former city managers, higher education executives, school superintendents and state agency directors. The knowledge transfer sessions will offer participants an opportunity to interact with individuals who spent years making decisions about government contracting. Consultants will share first-hand experience and insight into what it takes to capture a competitive advantage. Webinars and classroom workshops are scheduled every month beginning in September. Each session is designed to improve sales success in the government marketplace. The first State Agency Strategy Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 16, from 1-5 p.m. in SPI's new Strategic Success Training Center. SPI will host a Local Government Workshop on Thursday, Oct 14, from 1-5 p.m. For more information on the Sept. 16 workshop, click here. For more about other workshops and webinars, or to inquire about customized training, contact Reagan Weil at 512-531-3917. Participation in all workshop sessions will be limited... so register early to ensure a seat.
|
UNTHSC regents approve medical school proposal
A new M.D. program could be in the works for the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. The UNT System Board of Regents this week approved a proposal to develop the new M.D. degree program, which would be an independent fifth school. "This innovative private-public proposal is particularly important as the state responds to financial challenges by allowing the local community to provide all start-up funds for a new medical school as a method to address the growing physician shortages across the state," said UNTHSC President Scott Ransom (pictured). One of the requirements for pre-approval was that all necessary start-up funding be secured from the community. The Fort Worth health care, business and civic community has pledged $25 million so far for the initial incremental and all start-up costs. The only cost to the state will be costs associated with additional Texas medical students beginning in five years. UNTHSC will now begin discussions with members of the Texas Legislature regarding the state's process for approval of the proposed M.D. school.
Six teachers vying for TEA 2011 Teacher of the Year honors
Boasting more than 125 years in combined teaching experience, six Texas educators have been chosen as finalist in the Texas Education Agency-sponsored Texas Teacher of the Year program. The finalists include three elementary and three secondary school teachers who were chosen from 40 regional Teacher of the Year winners nominated by the state's 20 education service centers. The finalists now will compete for Texas Elementary and Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year honors. The winners will be announced at a luncheon in Austin on Oct. 15. The top two teachers will be awarded a $5,000 cash prize, a technology package worth more than $16,500, a computer, a trophy, a travel allowance and other mementos. The remaining 38 regional winners will each receive a $500 cash award. Among the finalists for 2011 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year are: Rachael Brunson, a teacher at Great Oaks Elementary School in the Round Rock Independent School District; Daniel Leija, a fifth-grade teacher at Esparza Elementary School in San Antonio's Northside ISD; and Donalyn Miller, a language arts teacher at Trinity Meadows Intermediate School in Keller ISD. Finalists for the 2011 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year are: Jane Dunn, a chemistry teacher at Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School in the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Consolidated ISD; Beth Huckabee, a biology teacher at Flour Bluff High School in the Flour Bluff ISD; and Melissa Wafer-Cross, an English teacher at Lubbock High School in the Lubbock ISD.
|
Trinity names Inthavong diversity, intercultural relations coordinator Soisouda "Soi" Inthavong (pictured) has been named coordinator for diversity and intercultural relations at Trinity University. She will advise the Trinity Diversity Connection and coordinate programs such as the Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative lecture and women's history month in her new role.
Inthavong most recently served as a graduate assistant for the Center for Multicultural Affairs at Florida State University.
UT selects Stekler as head of Radio-TV-Film Department
Paul Stekler (pictured) will head the Department of Radio-Television-Film at The University of Texas at Austin. He becomes the first working filmmaker to head the department, replacing Sharon Strover. Stekler, a critically acclaimed documentary filmmaker, has taught at UT-Austin since 1997. His films include the PBS Frontline series film, "The Choice," about the Obama-McCain election, which was seen by more than 10 million people. Other works include the Emmy- and Peabody-winning "Vote for Me: Politics in America" and "George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire," which won the Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Award.
Stekler earned a bachelor's degree from Williams College and a doctorate from Harvard University. |
Manley to head operations at TAMU therapeutics instituteDr. Heather Manley (pictured) has been named director for operations and business development at the Institute for Innovative Therapeutics, part of the Texas A&M University System. The Institute combines the TAMU System's multiple state-of-the-art research facilities and pioneering investigators to form a biomedical enterprise.
Manley previously worked for the United States Defense Department's Defense Threat Reduction Agency (TRA) as director of scientific outreach and communications for the Transformational Medical Technologies (TMT) program. There she worked to improve national defense against biological threats and emerging infectious diseases. She has also worked supporting the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Programs (Chemical and Biological Defense), and the Defense Sciences Office of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Manley earned her doctorate from Mayo Graduate School, College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn. She also holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Creighton University.
UH-Victoria names Don Noel Smith as interim president Don Noel Smith (pictured) will replace Tim Hudson as interim president of the University of Houston-Victoria just before the school opens for fall classes. Hudson has moved to a new position in the UH System as special assistant to the chancellor for international programs and initiatives. Smith formerly served as provost and chief academic officer at UH-Victoria, where he has served three previous tenures as interim president.
|
Odessa College calls $68.5 million bond election in November Trustees for Odessa College recently agreed to ask voters to approve a $68.5 million bond proposal in November to build new facilities and repair some older structures. If voters approve the bond proposal, college officials will build:
- A vehicular technology center and addition to cosmetology building at the northern annex;
- Lifelong learning addition to fine arts building;
- Student life center connected to administration building; Performing arts center connected to Deaderick Auditorium;
- Wilkerson Hall addition;
- Academic building for central mall; and
- Fire training building and tower adjacent to athletics field.
The new buildings, additions and upgrades to current facilities outlined in the recently adopted 20-year plan should meet the needs of the college, said Walter Smith, president of the board of trustees.
EDA awards $516K to TEEX for green development in rural areas The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded more than $516,000 to Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). The funds will be geared toward an education initiative regarding sustainable and green economic development opportunities for rural and economically distressed areas of Texas.
Economic Development Program Director Joan Quintana of TEEX's Knowledge Engineering division, which is coordinating the project, said the grant will support a series of informational conferences and training sessions "to bring the latest knowledge and technical expertise on sustainable development practices to rural areas."
Tentative plans so far call for five sustainable development conferences to be set in Ingleside, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Beaumont and Tyler during 2011 and 2012. The conferences will provide a forum for federal and state agencies to target specific programs and assistance to rural communities.
|
Albright named chair of education at Trinity University Shari Becker Albright (pictured) has been named the Norine R. Murchison Distinguished Professor of Practice and chair of Trinity University's education department.
Albright previously served as executive director of education at the Asia Society and chief executive officer of the Asia Society International Studies Schools Network in New York City before taking on her new role at Trinity. She served as principal of the International School of the Americas, a public magnet school in the North East Independent School District, for a time and was honored as the Texas High School Principal of the Year in 2004 by the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards.
Albright holds two degrees from Trinity University and a doctorate from the Teachers College at Columbia University.
UTHSC-Houston, UT-Austin partner on dual-degree programsThe University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin have announced two dual-degree programs. The creation of the Master of Public Affairs/Master of Public Health degree and Master of Global Policy Studies/Master of Public Health degree will afford students "excellent opportunities ... in health affairs and global policies that affect the health and well-being of all populations," said Dr. Cheryl Perry (pictured), professor and regional dean at the UT School of Public Health Austin Regional Campus, part of UTHealth.
The degrees, Perry said, will "provide students with the skills to be public health practitioners while gaining experience and knowledge about public policy." |
Cullen Trust awards UTMB $334K for surgical simulation center The Cullen Trust for Higher Education has awarded $334,000 to The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston for the Surgical Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art facility that will be used to develop surgical skills. The 5,200-square-foot facility, located in UTMB's University Hospital Clinics Building, will be outfitted with sophisticated surgical simulator mannequins and other devices that provide a low-risk learning environment for surgical residents. When completed, the $5 million structure will house a laparoscopic surgery training laboratory, an endoscopy/endovascular simulation lab and a robotic-surgery training lab, one of a few curriculum-based robotic simulation enterprises in Texas. So far, more than $1.4 million has been pledged or contributed to the creation of the facility. Dr. Gabriel Rodriguez (pictured), director of surgical simulation, said he looks forward to a facility that will "create realistic scenarios for surgeons, residents and students to practice operating procedures repeatedly and plan for practically any contingency that may occur during surgery."
UT System board of regents appoints Bass to UTIMCO
The University of Texas System Board of Regents has appointed J. Kyle Bass (pictured) to the Board of Directors of the UT Investment Management Co. (UTIMCO), an investment management corporation. He succeeds Clint Carlson for a term set to expire April 1, 2012. Bass serves as founder, managing partner and principal at a privately owned hedge fund sponsor in Dallas. Prior to that charge he formed the first institutional equity office in Texas, where he served as managing director in charge of advising special situation accounts on investments. He has also served as one of the youngest senior managing directors at another hedge fund firm.
Bass holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University. |
Lamar University announces chair of new chemistry department Paul Bernazzani (pictured) has been appointed chair of the new Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Lamar University. Bernazzani, an associate professor, joined the Lamar faculty in 2003 and earned the University Merit Award - one of Lamar's highest academic accolades for faculty - in 2009. During his tenure, he has garnered more than $250,000 in external support, including a prestigious Advanced Research Program grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Bernazzani holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Montreal, a master's degree from the University of Quebec in Montreal and a doctorate from the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivieres.
Texas A&M narrows Corps commandant candidates to two The field of finalists for the position of Corps of Cadets commandant at Texas A&M University - which oversees the 1,800-strong group known as the keepers of the Aggie Spirit - has been narrowed to two: Lt. Gen. Randolph W. House (class of 1967), former deputy commander and chief of staff of U.S. Pacific Command; and Brig. Gen. Joe. E. Ramirez Jr. (class of 1979), deputy director for plans, policy and strategy for U.S. European Command.
Interviews with both candidates are slated for September. A committee chaired by Gen. Hal Hornburg will make a recommendation to President R. Bowen Loftin afterward. |
UTHSC-SA's Thompson to chair National Cancer Institute initiative Dr. Ian M. Thompson Jr. (pictured), a professor and chair of urology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and executive director of its Cancer Therapy & Research Center, has been elected to serve as chairman of the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN), an initiative of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Thompson previously served as vice chairman of the EDRN, running its executive committee and holds the Glenda and Gary Woods Distinguished Chair in Genitourinary Oncology at the UT Health Science Center. He serves as a chairman on a Genitourinary Committee of the Southwest Oncology Group, currently acts as principal investigator on two large prostate cancer studies and is a trustee of the American Board of Urology.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi names Coronado veterans coordinator Rene Coronado has been named coordinator of the Office of Veterans Affairs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Coronado, who has served more than 19 years in the U.S. Army, joined the Texas Army National Guard in 1991 and was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in 1997. He served on active duty until 2007.
Coronado holds a bachelor's degree from TAMU-Corpus Christi and is working on a master's degree from The University of Texas at Brownsville. |
UH-Clear Lake awarded more than $1.6M in grants, gifts The University of Houston-Clear Lake has been awarded more than $1.6 million in grants and gifts from an array of organizations. The funds, geared toward education programs and initiatives, include:
- A $225,000 award from the Texas Regional Collaboratives for excellence in science and mathematics teaching;
- A $25,000 "Rising to the Challenge" grant from the Greater Texas Foundation to UH-Clear Lake's Success Through Education Programs and a $25,000 "Generation Proud" grant to the school's Celebrating Our Elders program;
- A $65,205 gift from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to a clinical associate professor in Educational Leadership for the "2010 Summer Merit Program;"
- A $1 million award to Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science and Executive Director of the Environmental Institute of Houston George Guillen from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ);
- A $137,745 grant from TCEQ toAssociate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science and Executive Director of the Environmental Institute of Houston George Guillen for "Texas Nutrient Criteria Development Support Project;"
- A $150,000 continuation grant from the Harris County Flood Control District to Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science and Executive Director of the Environmental Institute of Houston George Guillen for academic research related to environmental and water quality; and
- A $40,000 award to Professor of Psychology Dorothea Lerman for a 12-week pilot training program for parents/caregivers of children with autism from the Foundren Foundation.
|
Teaching Hospitals of Texas names Brown association officer
Teaching Hospitals of Texas board members elected a host of new association officers for the upcoming 2011-2012 term at a quarterly board meeting recently.
Patricia Young Brown (pictured), president and CEO of Central Health in Austin since 2004, has been named treasurer. She previously served as CEO of the City of Austin's Community Care Services Department (CCSD) for five years and a four-year tenure as president of the Integrated Care Collaboration (ICC), a regional collaboration of healthcare providers that serve the uninsured and underinsured in Central Texas.
Brown, a CPA, holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Denver.
Rural Law Enforcement project at Tarleton nets $1.5M federal grant The Rural Law Enforcement (RLE) project at Tarleton University has received a $1.5 million boost in the form of a federal grant. The RLE project links rural law enforcement agencies to the Law Enforcement Analysis Portal (LEAP), a secure database where those affiliated with the program can share tips and information about crimes, criminals and illegal activities.
The federal funds will allow the RLE project to increase its LEAP coverage area from 30 counties to a 75-county area, which translates to a 52,000-square-mile radius or about 30 percent of the state.
|
LeMaster couple set to retire together from posts at UTPA Dr. Edwin LeMaster (right) and his wife, Dr. Jane LeMaster (left), are both set to retire from The University of Texas-Pan American on Aug. 31.
Jane LeMaster, executive director for the Center for Online Learning, Teaching & Technology (COLT), has worked for UTPA for the last 15 years. She enrolled at UTPA after working in the health care industry for a number of years. There she met her future husband and earned her bachelor's degree. She served as a lecturer in the College of Business Administration, associate professor in management, Master of Business Administration Program director, chair of the management department and COBA associate dean during her tenure at UTPA. She earned her master's degree at New Mexico Highlands University-Las Vegas and a doctoral degree from the University of North Texas.
Edwin LeMaster, dean of UTPA's College of Science and Engineering, has spent 40 years with the university in a variety of posts. He joined the UTPA faculty in 1970 as an assistant professor of physics. He went on to become head of the physics department, then chair of the engineering department.
Firmin to serve in associate provost position at UTSA
Retired Col. Lisa C. Firmin has been named associate provost for faculty and student diversity and recruitment at The University of Texas-San Antonio. She will develop a strategic plan to address faculty diversity and placement goals in her new role. Firmin, a recipient of the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star, has held a distinguished 30-year career in the Air Force. She was the first colonel to command the expeditionary mission support group at Balad Air Base in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Firmin earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M-Kingsville before joining the Air Force and earning two graduate degrees.
|
Cockrum retires as provost at Sul Ross State University Dr. David Cockrum (pictured) has stepped down as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Sul Ross State University. He will remain as a professor of psychology at the college, teaching two classes, after his retirement.
Cockrum, who has 36 years experience on the Sul Ross faculty, was named vice president for academic affairs in 1990, adding provost to the title in 2007. He has also served as chair of the Sul Ross Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences during his tenure. In 1986, he received the Outstanding Teaching Award.
Cockrum earned his bachelor's degree and doctorate from the University of Arizona.
|
Austin upgrading fleet to be more energy efficient The City of Austin will upgrade 31 new vehicles with energy-saving power generators. The nearly $200,000 grant to purchase the generators comes from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The auxiliary power units will be installed on vehicles designated for sign, markings and signal maintenance. Workers will be able to plug power tools and other equipment into the 110-volt batteries for up to eight hours without the engine idling. The TCEQ grant is from the emissions reduction incentive programs and the city opted to match the grant with $50,000 of its own. After a year, the program will be evaluated to determine if more vehicles will have the generators installed.
|
El Paso moves to cut 25 city jobs to save $2 million in 2011 El Paso City Council members recently began considering 13 ordinances that would reorganize city departments to eliminate 25 city jobs and save more than $2 million a year on the city budget scheduled to take effect on Sept. 1. Council members are expected to approve the ordinances at their meeting next week. The 25 positions to be eliminated are currently filled, said City Manager Joyce Wilson (pictured). The Human Resources Department will decide on any layoffs or job transfers by mid-October. The plan under consideration calls for merging all transportation planning and operations into a single department to eliminate eight positions and save about $1.5 million, Wilson said. Other recommendations include merging the Planning Division and the Economic Development Department to eliminate three positions and save $118,000, merging Engineering Services with Buildings, Permits and Inspections to eliminate four positions and save $330,000, transferring Benefits and Risk Management from the Office of Management and Budget, which will then become part of the city manager's office and save about $177,000.
|
Jacksonville ISD sets $49.8 million bond election on Nov. 2 Jacksonville Independent School District trustees recently scheduled a $49.865 million bond election on Nov. 2 to pay for new facilities at elementary schools and the high school. District officials propose to construct two new elementary schools, add a new cafeteria and enlarge the library at another elementary school and build a new cafeteria at the high school. Plans also call for remodeling the current cafeteria into a band hall, adding an academic wing with eight science labs at the high school and building hallways to connect the main high school building to the new cafeteria and newly upgraded band hall, said Superintendent Joe Wardell. The new buildings and additions are necessary to meet the needs of the fourth year of science mandated by the state and to handle the increased number of students participating in the band, Wardell said.
|
City of Kilgore announces staff changes, interim asst. city manager Kilgore Public Safety Director Ronnie Moore has been named the city's interim assistant city manager. Kilgore Mayor Ronnie Spradlin said Moore will aid in the transition of various fire and police leadership positions. "My understanding is this is a temporary transitional position," Spradlin said.
Meanwhile, City Clerk Karen Custer will retire and move to a half-time temporary position in January as a new clerk takes over. Positions for fire chief and city police chief occupancies have not been posted yet.
|
Killeen mulling $30 million bond proposal to improve roads Killeen City Council members recently agreed on four road projects to be included in a $30 million bond proposal city council members are considering asking voters to approve in the next 12 months. Council members selected improvements to Stagecoach Road, Bunny Trail, Elms Road and Cunningham Road as the four priority projects to be included in the bond issue being discussed, said City Manager Connie Green (pictured). Two other projects studied by the transportation committee, improvements to Rosewood Drive and Lowes Boulevard, could be included if any money remains from the four priority road projects, Green said. The proposed Stagecoach Road project is planned to connect from its intersection with SH 195 to the southeast city limits and provide four lanes to motorists at a cost of about $14 million. Improvements to Bunny Trail are expected to cost about $5.6 million and will improve access to a new fire station and elementary school planned for that area. The city proposes to spend about $3.4 million to connect two existing sections of Elms Road where it ends at SH 195, while they plan to improve Cunningham Road from where it intersects with Stan Schlueter Loop until it meets Stagecoach Road.
|
Liberty approves more than $900,000 to upgrade airport City council members in Liberty recently authorized $900,000 to pay for the addition of 10 to 20 new hangars, a terminal building and parking lot to the municipal airport. Airport officials also will relocate the fuel farm to an area closer to where planes are stored, said City Manager Gary Broz. City officials will use $450,000 from the Liberty Community Development Corporation, $450,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and city insurance to pay for the airport upgrades. City staff also is applying for a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation for additional funding to help pay for the airport improvement project, Broz said.
|
Greenville ISD approves plan to reduce energy use Trustees for the Greenville Independent School District recently approved a $3 million contract with an energy consultant to help reduce the district's energy consumption and costs. The consultant estimated that the energy savings programs would save the district about $267,000 a year. The energy consultant conducted a comprehensive analysis of the district's use of energy at facilities and recommended several areas where energy costs could be reduced. The completed energy projects should produce enough savings to pay for themselves, the consultant said. Those projects include retrofitting lighting, upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and roofing at Crockett Elementary School as well as upgrading heat pumps and boiler piping at the middle school. Consultants also plan to repair the cooling tower at the high school and improve the roof of the early childhood center. The district is using a Qualified School Construction Bond of $3.05 million to fund the contract with the energy consultant. The consultant estimated the energy savings realized by the district will not only cover the cost of the contract, but also provide the district about $800,000 in additional savings by the time the contract ends.
|
El Paso County, city looking at creating regional parks authority El Paso City Council members recently agreed to work with the El Paso Commissioner's Court to explore the benefits of creating a regional parks authority. Commissioner Dan Haggerty (pictured) said he supports a parks authority with the power to tax as long as members of the authority regularly face election. Both city and county officials said that maintaining the parks is a daunting task. The city spent $26.3 million in 2010 on parks and the county spent about $3.8 million, including maintenance of Ascarate Park and the El Paso Sportspark located inside the city limits, said Charlie Bombach, a member of a commission created by city council members to study and report on the parks issue. Bombach also estimated a regional park authority would need to raise about $55 million a year to properly maintain all of the parks in the system, but admitted officials most likely would need to agree on a smaller amount for maintenance because of the economic situation.
|
Rusk County, foundation discuss lease negotiation for new library Leasing negotiations between Rusk County officials and the Bruce McMillan Jr. Foundation are under way for building the new McMillan Memorial Library in Overton. The current library has become "disjointed," according to a Foundation representative, after years of expansions.
The new 11,000-square-foot facility will contain more than twice the floor space as the current structure and allow for better security and 30 percent more book space. The proposed building will also feature a computer lab, program room and courtyard area.
The Foundation is anticipating an approximate $1.5 million budget for the project.
|
San Antonio ISD approves $515 bond proposal for November ballot San Antonio Independent School District board members recently approved placing a $515 million bond proposition on the Nov. 2 ballot. The proposed bonds will pay for campus renovations, upgrade technology and security and make improvements to Alamo Stadium if voters approve. District officials plan to spend about $183.2 million to renovate and expand primary schools, $164.3 million to renovate and build additions to secondary schools, $35 million for improvements to the 70-year-old Alamo Stadium and to the Convocation Center, said Superintendent Robert Duron (pictured). District officials also proposed to spend $73.8 million for vocation and career instruction, $6.2 million to upgrade technology, $43.9 million for safety and security improvements at 68 schools, $2.2 million to resurface and add lighting to tracks at seven schools, $3.9 million for playground equipment at 48 schools and $2.5 million to improve bus transportation efficiency. Passage of the bonds also will permit the district to proceed with plans to close five schools and consolidate those students into schools that have been renovated, Duron said. The plan is expected to save the district about $100 million over the next 10 years, he added.
|
Skidmore-Tynan ISD asks OK for $6.8M bond sale for school Skidmore-Tynan Independent School District trustees are asking for approval for a $6.8 million bond sale to fund the construction of a new elementary school. The facility would replace one that is "educationally and economically obsolete," where more than 90 percent of the classrooms are smaller than state-minimum standards, according to the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). The new elementary school would be built adjacent to the district's campus if voters approve the measure in November. It wouldl sit on 27 acres of land purchased Aug. 1 for $200,000. The school would accommodate about 400 students. About 370 students could be taught at the elementary school this 2010-2011 academic year. |
College Station to ask voters to approve $2 road fee College Station council members recently agreed to ask voters to approve a $2-per-residence fee added to utility bills to generate about $925,000 a year to rehabilitate streets. Business owners will be asked to pay $1 per 1,000 square feet for street rehabilitation if voters approve the proposal. Council member John Crompton (pictured) noted that previous city councils had deferred road maintenance for five of the last six years and that voters need to decide whether they want to pay a little more to rehabilitate streets and roads. Council members also were specific that if voters approve the new road fee the revenue cannot be used to subsidize current street maintenance, but must pay to rehabilitate roadways.
|
Grapevine highway expansion plans receive scrutiny
The City of Colleyville is looking to widen its main roadway, Colleyville Boulevard, but for the partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to come to fruition, the city would have to pay costs estimated at more than $22.6 million. City Manger Jennifer Fadden (pictured) said the project would be the city's "single largest capital project" in its history. If approved, construction could begin in 2013, with a planned 2016 completion date. Officials note that widening projects on the highway in Grapevine have begun and funds are set aside for widening in Colleyville south to Hall-Johnson Road. But TxDOT has not set aside funding for the project from Hall-Johnson to Cheek Sparger Rd. City officials are asking for a pass-through funding plan from TxDOT that will ensure reimbursement to the city based on the number of vehicles using the roadway once completed. In exchange, most of the up-front costs would be borne by the city. The city would have to come up with $19.1 million for the southern section of the boulevard and $4 million more for water and sewer line relocations. The total price tag to the city, including interest, would be more than $30 million. City officials are still talking with TxDOT regarding the proposal.
|
Dallas Parks Foundation receives $73K grant to hire fundraiser The Meadows Foundation has announced a $73,000 grant to help supporters of the Dallas park system corral more private financial help amid proposed cuts in the municipal budget. The grant will allow the Dallas Parks Foundation to hire a fill-time fundraiser, the organization's first. Dallas City Councilmember Delia Jasso (pictured), whose district includes Kidd Springs, said without private funds projects face the threat of disrepair and decay. "The park department is cutting everywhere," Jasso said.
|
Fort Worth City Council faces $1B in needed road repairs The Fort Worth City Council has bumped up against a backlog of $1 billion in road construction projects just days after recommending sweeping service and employee cuts. Business leaders and land developers have formed a task force and recommended a three-prong plan to pay for road repairs. The plan calls for an 8 percent property tax increase for homes valued at more than $100,000. Other stipulations include a user fee of $5.87 per month for single-family homes to be added to water bills and shifting 4 cents of the municipal property tax rate from regular operations to debt service starting in 2012. The proposals would raise some $580 million over five years.
Georgetown ISD calls $137.3 million bond election in November Trustees for the Georgetown Independent School District recently agreed to ask voters to approve two bond propositions totaling $137.3 million to pay for facility and technology improvements throughout the district. Proposition One for $90.1 million includes $41.2 million for Phase II of Georgetown East View High School, $15.3 million to renovate the cafeteria and library at Georgetown High School, $12.7 million to renovate the south wing of Georgetown High School and $13.5 million for a new campus for McCoy Elementary School. Other projects in proposition one also include $500,000 to modify Frost Elementary School to a K-5 facility, $900,000 to improve the central receiving warehouse and $4 million for technology and security upgrades. Proposition Two for $47.2 million includes $17.7 million for a new elementary school and $28 million for a new middle school and $1.5 million to acquire land for new schools. |
McKinney ISD holds off on November bond election for now McKinney Independent School District and its citizens' bond committee have opted to hold off on a possible bond election in November. Officials want to allow for more input from the community and to better assess proposed expansions to McKinney High School and McKinney North High School. Superintendent J.D. Kennedy (pictured) said officials also want more time "to continue educating the community on our current financial constraints due to the economic downturn and limited state funding." The district initially planned to build a new high school, but funding that initiative as opposed to expanding existing high schools would cost an additional $2.5 million to $3.5 million per year. That move could lead to increased student-teacher ratios and the elimination of other programs throughout the district.
|
Willacy County approves plan for 250 new wind turbines Willacy County officials recently signed an agreement with an energy company that calls for building a wind farm in Willacy County that could include as many as 250 large wind turbines for the Las Palmas Windpower Project. The initial phase of the project is comprised of 250 megawatts of renewable energy capacity with the potential to expand to 400 megawatts, said a spokesman for the energy company. The first 150 turbines will be installed along FM 1018 and could expand into northern areas of Willacy County and eventually into Cameron County during the third phase, the spokesman said. Willacy County officials agreed to an average 75 percent tax abatement on a system of 50 percent the first year, 35 percent the second year and on down to 10 percent in the ninth and tenth years of the project, said Interim County Judge Aurelio Guerra. The company also will pay the county $275,000 in addition to property taxes during the first year, with income to the county based on the amount of generators completed. The county also will receive property taxes from equipment and facilities of the wind farm in addition to a fee every other year based on $1,000 for each megawatt of generating capacity, Guerra said.
|
Fannett sewer and water service to build new treatment plant An Arkansas-based organization, Community Resource Group, Inc. (CRG), recently awarded a $250,000 loan to the Fannett Sewer Service and Water Supply (Fannett SSC) in Jefferson County to help pay for a new wastewater treatment facility. The loan will pay for a part of the engineering and legal fees for the project, said Harold Hunter, a management specialist for CRG. The loan will help the project move forward rather than wait for the $4 million in loans and $1.7 million in grant funds expected to be awarded to Fannett SSC by USDA Rural Development through its Rural Community Assistance Partnership. The USDA funding will repay the $250,000 loan from CRG, he said. The new wastewater treatment facility will replace individual septic tank systems and drain fields in the Fannett area and will serve about 351 connections, he said.
|
Nacogdoches moving forward with emergency shelter Nacogdoches County officials recently began seeking federal approval of design plans for a county emergency shelter to be added to the Nacogdoches County Expo Center. Bids for construction of the projects will be sought in November with construction scheduled to begin in early 2011, said Commissioner Jim Elder (pictured). The emergency shelter also will serve as a civic or convention center and will have a 450-space parking lot to provide adequate parking, Elder said. The facility will feature a 15,000-square-foot area available for disaster response or shelters for evacuees that will have five restrooms with showers, a service kitchen and breakout rooms that may be used for medical services or triage, if necessary. The facility also will be a 4,000-square-foot room upstairs to house Department of Public Safety Operations during any emergencies, he said.
|
Henderson ISD reduces bond proposal to $39.2 million Trustees for the Henderson Independent School District recently began considering a $39.2 million bond proposal for the November 2010 ballot, a significant reduction from the $55 million bond package discussed last year. Members of the Community Facilities Committee cited lower interest rates, the availability of federal funding and lower construction costs as the reason for recommending a smaller bond proposal for November. The committee recommended including funding to build a new middle school campus, for new construction and for renovating Northside Intermediate School to include a kitchen, cafetorium, science lab, a secure main entrance and a library research lab. The group also urged spending $25.65 million to build a facility for sixth, seventh and eighth graders adjacent to the existing campus, some of which will be incorporated into the new design. Committee members also urged trustees to include a new $8.5 million auditorium for Henderson High School. Also included in the recommendation is $25.65 million to upgrade technology throughout the district and to buy some new furniture. The superintendent earlier had placed on hold a proposed expansion of the football stadium that included a new press box, more bleachers, a new scoreboard and new restrooms and locker rooms.
|
Brownsville ISD wins $18 million in state grants to transform schools The Texas Education Agency recently awarded $18 million in federal grants from No Child Left Behind Act and stimulus funding to Brownsville Independent School District. The Texas Title I Priority School Grants will provide up to $2 million a year for three years to three high schools in the district to pay for transforming the schools as quickly as possible, said Mary Jo Monfils (pictured), an area assistant superintendent for the district. The grants require that the transformation is community oriented and leadership be shared among teachers, campus administrators and a district "shepherd." The focus at Hanna High School will be on how to close the gaps between bilingual students and regular students, while the focus at Lopez High School will be on providing a quicker turnaround for students who are not doing well, Monfils said. At Pace High School, the focus will be on state-of-the-art staff development on dealing with character education and conflict resolution.
|
Williamson County considering public defender system The increasing cost of court-appointed attorneys recently prompted Williamson County commissioners to discuss whether to create a public defender section of county government to replace many court-appointed attorneys. The county currently spends about $2 million a year to pay court-appointed attorneys to represent criminal defendants and others considered too poor to hire their own lawyer, said Ashlie Koenig, county budget officer. The cost rose from $1.6 million in 2008 to a proposed budget of $2.15 million in 2011, she said. Judge Burt Carnes of the 368th District Court urged other judges, lawyers, commissioners and the auditor's office to thoroughly study the matter before creating a public defender's office in county government. He also pointed out that $400,000 of the $2 million spent on court-appointed attorneys last year was spent for juvenile and family law cases that would still need court-appointed lawyers if a public defenders section were created. An advantage to the public defender system is the benefit of having attorneys ready to appear in court without long delays, Carnes said.
|
Wildflower center receives $1.4 million for new arboretumThe Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin recently received an anonymous donation of $1.4 million through the San Antonio Area Foundation at the request of Mollie Steves Zachry to establish an arboretum. The donation will allow the Wildflower Center to develop some of its most scenic land into an outdoor museum displaying the state's natural heritage and cultural history, said Susan Rieff (pictured), executive director of the Wildflower Center. The Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum will feature 53 species of oak trees native to Texas as well as other native trees. Expected to open to the public in 2012, the arboretum also will feature offspring of more than a dozen historically significant trees that helped shape the state's history, including the Treaty Oak from Austin, the Alamo Live Oak and the Sam Houston Kissing Bur Oak.
Judson ISD calls for $198 million bond election in November A $198 million bond election in November has been ordered by the Judson ISD school trustees. The bond proceeds would be spent to build three new schools and renovate other facilities. The bond package will be presented in three propositions. The proposals include a new high school and two new elementary schools and renovations and additions at 21 other schools and school facilities.
|
|
AACOG co-sponsoring Brownfields Grant Workshop Local, state and tribal governments and nonprofits interested in applying for Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, Cleanup and Job Training Grants are encouraged to attend a free Brownfields Grant Workshop on how to write a better proposal, co-sponsored by the Alamo Area Council of Governments and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 6 Brownfields Team. The workshop is slated for Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 1-4 p.m. at the City of San Antonio Development Services Business Center, Training Classroom A-B, 2nd Floor, 1901 S. Alamo in San Antonio. The topics for the workshop include Brownfields 101, Ranking Criteria and Threshold Criteria. For more information, click here, or contact Sally.Basurto@Sanantonio.gov.
TSABAA bi-monthly meeting to focus on 'Building Trust' "Building Trust" will be the subject of the presentation for the bi-monthly meeting of the Texas State Agency Business Administrators' Association from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16. Those attending will hear a presentation on the benefits of developing trust with employees, peers and external customers. Tips will be given for developing strategies for maintaining and/or rebuilding relationships damaged by lack of trust. The presentation will be offered by Cindy Miller, training specialist with the State Comptroller's Office. Two hours of free CPE credit is available. No prerequisites or registration required.
Registrations being accepted for CATEE Conference set Aug. 24-26 Register for the seventh annual Clean Air Through Energy Efficiency Conference (CATEE) which is being co-staged with the 17th Symposium on Improving Building Systems in Hot and Humid Climates. Both conferences are hosted by the Energy Systems Laboratory of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, a division of the Texas A&M University System. In addition, the Energy Systems Laboratory is partnering with the regional working group of the HUD-DOT-EPA Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities to highlight national and regional joint initiatives. Keynote speakers include Mayor Lee Leffingwell, City of Austin; C. Donald Babers, Regional Administrator for Region VI, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Chairman Barry Smitherman, Public Utility Commission of Texas; Mike Savonis, Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration; Guy Donaldson, Section Chief, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 6 and James M. Crites, Executive V.P., Operations, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Register at http://catee.tamu.edu.
TxDOT Business Outreach & Program Services hosts webinars
The Texas Department of Transportation's Business Outreach & Program (BOP) Services branch is still conducting its webinars targeting small, minority and women business-owners in the field of construction and professional services in Texas. Only three webinars remaining for the 2010 fiscal year. The external online seminars topics range from how to become a pre-qualified bidder on TxDOT contracts to online access of bid lettings and contract plans and much more. Each session aims to provide valuable information to contractors, suppliers and small businesses on how TxDOT operates with external parties, how to better understand processes and procedures and improve opportunities to bid and obtain contracts with TxDOT. Invited parties include potential contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, DBEs and any other small businesses. Each free webinar is limited and registration slots are on a first-come-first-serve basis. More information on each webinar can be found at www.txdot.gov. Questions should be forwarded to TxDOT-BOP-Webinars@dot.state.tx.us or call 1.866.480.2518, Option 2 for more information.
CEVS 2010, 'Re-Imagining the Built Environment' in Austin
Austin Energy and the Clean Energy Incubator announce the fourth annual Clean Energy Venture Summit on September 29-30, 2010. Early stage clean-energy companies will audition their technologies for inclusion in Austin's $10.4M DOE smart-grid/smart-home demonstration project, a product of the Pecan Street Project, the nation's most ambitious city-wide clean-energy laboratory. "The feedback EcoFit Lighting received during the 2009 conference helped us refine our investor pitch, leading to the close of a $2M round of funding," said Cason Coplin, CEO of 2009 CEVS winner Ecofit Lighting, a Kansas-based firm.
National Association of Social Workers, Texas plans conference
The 2010 National Association of Social Workers, Texas Annual Conference is slated for Oct. 8-10 at the Westin Galleria in Houston. Houston Mayor Annise Parker will be the opening plenary speaker and will address "Inspiring Community Action for a Better Quality of Life." Some of the pre-conference sessions planned, for which continuing education hours can be earned, include topics such as suicide prevention and postvention, overview of psychotropic medication for treating mental illness and teaching the next generation of social workers. inspiring community action for a better quality of life. There will also be numerous break-out sessions during the three days that cover everything from motivational interviewing to challenges facing children with incarcerated parents. The closing plenary session will feature Vicki Hansen, LMSW-AP, ACSW addressing "Advancing the Profession: Inspiring Social Workers. The closing plenary will provide attendees with a "State of the Chapter" to bring you up to date with NASW/Texas challenges and accomplishments. For more information on the conference schedules, click here. For registration information, click here.
|
|
|
Tough decisions will be required...
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
No one will know for sure how large the state's budget deficit will be until next January when the official revenue estimate is released by the State Comptroller. But, at the start of the next legislative session, when legislators prepare to write the next biennial budget, some number crunchers estimate that the deficit could be as high as $18 billion. It's been a long time - almost a decade - since a budget forecast was so dismal. The last time Texas faced this type of deficit, the result was spending cuts, increased fees (some called them taxes) and skyrocketing tuition costs at public colleges and universities. Anticipating a deficit, the state's leadership directed state agencies and universities to trim general revenue funding in their current budgets by 5 percent. Those initial cuts were expected to reduce spending approved by the last legislature by $1.2 billion. Now, however, estimates from the Comptroller's Office indicate that, even with these cuts, a deficit at the end of the current biennium could add another $1.3 billion to the total amount. [more] |
Dallas may begin search for new
manager for Allen Event Center
After an Arizona-based company pulled out of an agreement to manage the recently opened Allen Event Center, Dallas City Council members are expected to decide soon whether to hire a new company to manage the new $70 million event center or to ask city staff to operate the center. The city had paid the company $204,000 a year to manage the 6,200-seat arena located at Stacy Road and Central Expressway. Allen Event Center, which is owned by the city, opened in November and has held 57 concerts and events in addition to hosting 40 home games of a minor league hockey team, said City Manager Peter Vargas (pictured). While the city may be required to subsidize the arena this year, Vargas predicted the event center soon will be self-sustaining.
Dallas to open bids for concessions at Love Field Dallas City Council members recently agreed to open for bid all restaurant and retail space at the new terminal at Love Field when it opens in 2014. The plan also includes providing some incentives to current vendors to stay at the airport during the three-year renovation and expansion bidding. Council members previously rejected a proposal that would have given more than half of the concession space at the renovated terminal to current vendors for up to 18 years without asking for competitive bids. |
|
Union Grove ISD mulling $13.6M bond election in November Trustees for the Union Grove Independent School District are mulling whether to schedule a $13.6 million bond election in November to pay for new classrooms and a new auditorium at the high school. The first proposition will ask voters to approve $8.5 million to add classroom wings at two schools and a second proposition for $5.1 million to pay for a new high school auditorium. The new classroom wing at the elementary school will include eight classrooms, a science lab and a new cafetorium, said Superintendent Brian Gray. The district also hopes to build a new career and technology education wing at the high school that would offer classes for certified nursing, pharmacy technology, rocketry, forensics and architectural design and a space for a print shop, Gray said. The second proposition calls for spending $5.1 million for a new auditorium to provide practice space for the performing arts.
|
Port Neches-Groves ISD tags Cavness as new superintendent Trustees for the Port Neches-Groves Independent School District recently selected Rodney Cavness at the lone finalist for superintendent. Cavness will replace Superintendent Lani Randall, who is resigning. Cavness, who currently serves as superintendent for Evadale ISD, also was an assistant principal and principal at Silsbee ISD and Beaumont ISD.
ERCOT reports third record-setting demand in Texas heat Same song, second verse. And knowing summer weather in Texas, it's going to get worse. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reported a new high set for electricity demand on Monday, the third time this month that the record has been broken. Demand on Monday was a record 64,805 megawatts (MW), exceeding last week's all-time record of 63,830 MW. Prior to this year, the all-time peak demand record was 63,400 MW set in July of last year. Kent Saathoff, ERCOT vice president of system planning and operations, said high temperatures throughout much of the state caused increased electricity usage and created the record-breaking peak load. He added that the system operated smoothly and with no major issues in spite of the record demand. "The ERCOT region is fortunate to have sufficient generation available to meet these high temperatures," said Saathoff.
|
|
Trophy Club plans to discuss outsourcing police department Trophy Club City Council members recently began discussion on a proposal by a council member to outsource the police department to nearby Roanoke to help save tax dollars. The city would save about $600,000 a year by partnering with Roanoke for police services, said J.D. Stotts, a council member. Mayor Connie White, however, said she supports making cuts in other areas to reduce costs and noted that many residents have already opposed the idea of outsourcing the police force. Council members scheduled a discussion on the proposal at the next council meeting. |
San Juan PD wins $30,000 grant to help track gang activities
The San Juan Police Department recently won a $30,000 state grant to buy new software to track information about local gangs. The new software program should help police better identify and then monitor gang members, said Police Chief Juan Gonzalez (pictured). Since launching a gang unit in 2009, police have identified at least 150 gang members operating in four major gangs in the area, Gonzalez said.
|
Van Ormy to develop master plan for development Officials of Van Ormy recently approved creation of a master plan to focus on infrastructure needs such as sewers, roads, water and high-speed Internet. The master plan, which is being paid for with a $75,000 grant awarded through the Bexar County Community Development Block Grant Program, is essential for future growth of the city which was incorporated in 2008, said Mayor Martinez de Vara. The master plan also will include plans for expansion of municipal services, historic preservation, economic development, a community center and parks and recreation, the mayor said. City officials also created a master plan committee made up of residents and council members to work with the consultant hired to develop the master plan.
|
|
Terrell Hills approves $8 million bond proposal in November Terrell Hills City Council members recently agreed to schedule an $8 million bond election on November 2. If voters approve both proposals, council members will spend $6 million on road repairs and $2 million to renovate and remodel the existing city hall complex.
|
Beaumont erases position
for public works director
Looking at saving about $150,000 a year, Beaumont City Council members recently agreed to eliminate the position of public works director for the city effective on Oct. 1, when the current public works director retires. The responsibilities that were handled by the public works director will be spread through other departments, said City Manager Kyle Hayes. Patrick Donart will be director of the engineering department and Luke Stevens, who currently heads the streets and drainage division, will continue as department director, Hayes said.
|
Windcrest begins search
for new city manager
After accepting the resignation of Interim City Manager Nick Lanning (pictured), the Windcrest City Council recently appointed an eight-member committee to lead the search for a new city manager. The new city manager will replace former City Manager Ronnie Cain, who retired on April 1. The committee will review all applicants for the city manager position and recommend applicants for the council to review and interview. Lanning previously served as an assistant with the Live Oak Economic Development Corp., an assistant city administrator in Brandon, South Dakota, and a city administrator in Lake Park, Iowa.
|
East Texas Regional Airport
wins $500,000 federal grant
The Federal Aviation Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded a $500,000 grant for improvements to the East Texas Regional Airport. The grant funds will be used to add more parking spaces and for maintenance, said Rick Davis, deputy director of the airport. The airport already has begun work on a $1.6 million project that includes plans for a new parking lot and for new lighting and landscaping for the terminal and the new grant funding will provide more benefits, Davis said.
|
|
Zoning changes open possibility for freeway construction Zoning changes made by the City of El Paso will allow for the construction of the $80 million Trans Mountain Road freeway. The three-mile highway will link I-10 and the Franklin Mountains. The action by the council now allows the Texas Department of Transportation to proceed with the project. The proposal will also include walking and bicycle trails on both sides of the freeway. Work could begin as early as January.
TCU football stadium will get $105 million facelift
Texas Christian University's Amon G. Carter Stadium will receive a $105 million facelift, slated to be finished in 2012. The first $15 million of the funds will come from the Amon G. Carter Foundation. TCU trustees created a stadium renovation committee in 2006. Thanks to the support of 34 donors, the overhaul includes a revamped west side and north-end zone area. Construction will begin after the approaching football season has finished. TCU Chancellor Victor Boschini (pictured) said officials have been able to achieve something "a lot of people said was impossible, especially in the economic environment we are in. ... People believe what they are investing in." |
Federal grants available
to fire departments in Texas
Federal officials recently urged Texas fire department officials to seek some of the $420 million in grant funding available from the Department of Homeland Security to hire more firefighters and support their work. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program funding can be used to assist fire departments recruit and retain volunteer and professional firefighters trained in firefighting and emergency response. The funding pays 100 percent of the salary and benefits for two years. The deadline for submitting applications for the SAFER funding is Sept. 17.
|
|
Carrollton ISD announces administrative changes The Carrolton ISD recently announced that Tracy Smith, a district employee for the last 26 years, has been appointed executive director of school improvement. Smith has been a teacher at Los Colinas Elementary and was part of the opening of the Bernice Chatman Freeman Elementary and the Nancy Strickland Intermediate School. She has also served as principal of the McCoy and Las Colinas elementary schools.
|
Cities, counties get DOJ grants to assist local law enforcement Several cities and counties have been notified that that they will together receive more than $300,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Justice. The grants are through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Receiving awards are: - City of Midland - $42,000 - for night vision equipment and protective body armor;
- City of Wichita Falls and Wichita County - $60,000 - for law enforcement equipment, including new mobile telecommunications devices and firearms;
- City of Amarillo and Potter County - $200,000 - law enforcement equipment including mobile telecommunications devices, firearms and body armor;
- City of Wichita Falls - $60,372 - law enforcement equipment including new mobile telecommunications devices and firearms.
|
|
Flower Mound city secretary Paula Paschal retiring Paula Paschal has announced plans to retire as city secretary of Flower Mound after 39 years of municipal service. Paschal has been a member of the North Texas Municipal Clerks Association, the Texas Municipal Clerks Association and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Her last day will be Aug. 31. Flower Mound Mayor Melissa Northern will present Paschal with a proclamation that day.
|
University Health System asks
for property tax increase Board members of the University Health System recently agreed to ask Bexar County commissioners to increase the district's property tax rate by 3.8 percent. The additional revenue will pay for the third and final sale of bonds to pay for a $900 million building project, said Alex Briseno (pictured), a member of the health system's board of directors. The issue of the bonds is taking place a year earlier than originally planned to allow the use of federally subsidized Build America Bonds that will expire this year, Briseno said. System officials expect to save about $28 million in interest over the 30 years as the bonds are being repaid, he added. Bexar County officials plan to hold public hearings on tax recommendations in late August and early September before adopting the budget for fiscal year 2010-2011.
|
Upshur County approves $70,000 to hire new road engineer Upshur County commissioners recently agreed to budget $70,000 annually to pay salary and benefits for a new road engineer. Commissioners also said they have interviewed four applicants for the road engineer position and plan to bring back some of the applicants for final interviews on Aug. 31. To pay the additional salary, commissioners cut $56,000 from the budget for part-time employees in the road and bridge department and will use reserve funds to pay the remaining $13,500 of the salary.
|
|
Stockdale ISD schedules $3.25 million bond election Stockdale Independent School District board members recently agreed to ask voters to approve $3.25 million in bonds on Nov. 2. If voters approve, district officials plan to build an agriculture/science building and a cafeteria for the high school/junior high.
Irving leaders combine funds
to help finance $250M center
To help finance construction on a $250 million entertainment complex in Las Colinas, City of Irving officials are compiling taxes on the center's alcohol sales, tax revenue from other projects and a federal subsidy. A private developer will contribute $50 million of the projected total cost. Mayor Herbert Gears (pictured) said officials did not anticipate using already-pledged revenue streams to help secure credit for the center. They do not plan to use the funds to actually pay down the center's debt. |
McAllen mayor pushes again
to sell park to developer Three months after voters rejected a proposal by Mayor Richard Cortez (pictured) of McAllen to sell Westside Park, a reservoir and the old civic center auditorium to a retail developer, the mayor proposed again that council approve the sale of the city property. Selling the properties could help attract a national retailer and generate more sales tax revenues to the city, Cortez said. City officials estimated that McAllen will collect less in retails sales tax in 2011 than collected in 2010. Council members took no action on the mayor's proposal, but several citizens stated strong opposition to selling Westside Park.
|
Texas Government Insider Archives
|
Jacksonville FD wins $35,000 grant for new ambulance The Jacksonville Fire Department recently received a $35,000 grant to help pay for a new ambulance. The grant from the Texas Department of State Health Services Local Project will permit the department to replace one of the three ambulances now in service, all of which have been driven more than 100,000 miles, said Fire Chief Paul White. The new ambulance box will be self-contained with its own generator and will be mounted to a new pick up truck, White said. When that truck needs to be replaced, the ambulance box with medical facilities can be mounted onto another pick up truck. The box should last much longer than the trucks which cost much less to replace than the ambulance box, said White.
|
El Paso City Council risks
losing $80M in road funds
The El Paso City Council jeopardized $80 million in state road funds recently when it refused to rezone four miles of Trans Mountain Road from "mountain" to "commercial." The Council agreed to give its city planning department another week to work with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and private land developers at the risk of missing TxDOT's deadline. The council has also rejected $2.5 million per year from a private garbage-hauling company, opting instead to operate all trash-hauling duties. The Council also held back a project to widen Trans Mountain Road to four lanes and add frontage roads, overpasses and ramps that connect Trans Mountain and Interstate 10.
|
Forney EDC names Buttram
as new executive director
Kim Buttram (pictured) has been named executive director for the City of Forney Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Buttram, a graduate of Texas A&M University and the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, has more than 20 years experience in marketing and promotion, publishing, real-estate, banking and community leadership. She began her tenure with the Forney EDC in 2007, serving as both executive assistant and economic development coordinator prior to her executive director post.
|
Governor's appointments
Governor Rick Perry has announced the following appointments:
- Laura Ryan-Heizer of Cypress, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board
- Ernest Aliseda of McAllen, Texas Military Preparedness Commission
- Michael Sinha of Hurst, judge of the 360th District Court in Tarrant County
- Sherill Dean of Houston, judge of the 309th District Court in Harris County
|
Grayson County hires architect for $7 million jail renovation Grayson County commissioners recently agreed to hire an architectural firm to develop designs for about $7 million in upgrades and additions to the county jail. The jail project, which will add 96 beds to the facility, could begin as early as February 2011 once the Texas Commission on Jail Standards approves the design and the bid process is completed, said County Judge Drue Bynum. County officials plan to pay for the jail renovations from funds remaining from the project that expanded State Highway 289 and with fund balances, Bynum said.
|
San Marcos City Council rejects overpriced bids for park facility The San Marcos City Council has rejected bids from a dozen companies proposing to reconstruct the City Park Recreation Building due to higher-than-expected costs. The project will have to be re-bid, according to Rodney Cobb, the city's director of Community Services, since none of the bids came in under the target of $900,000. The original recreation building was destroyed in 2009 by arson. So far, no one has been charged with the crime. Plans for a new, green facility to be built on the same site include a breezeway, a cutting-edge clear-span roof system and misters to keep visitors cool.
|
|
Stephenville ISD to seek approval of $34M bond proposal Trustees for the Stephenville Independent School District recently agreed to ask voters on November 2 to approve $34 million in bonds to pay for additions and upgrades for three campuses. If voters approve the bonds, district officials plan to upgrade and expand Chamberlin Elementary School, Hook Elementary School and Gilbert Intermediate School. The campus improvements should serve the district needs in the lower grade levels for the next 20-30 years, said Superintendent Darrell Floyd.
Harlingen selects Yerena as finalist for city manager Harlingen City Commission members recently selected Carlos Yerena (pictured), a city manager in Kingsville, as the sole finalist for city manager in Harlingen. Yerena also served as a city manager in Pecos and Donna and as director of economic development in Edinburg. He has a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree from the University of Texas-Pan American. Elgin narrows candidates
for city manager to two
Elgin City Council members recently narrowed the field of candidates for city manager to two applicants, Gregory Vick of North Richland Hills and a candidate who city leaders declined to identify. Council members also agreed to invite Vick to the city this weekend to meet with council members and members of the public, city officials said. Vick, who has a bachelor's degree from Abilene Christian University and a master's degree from North Texas State University, is now serving as interim city manager for The Colony, was a city manager in Cedar Hills and an assistant city manager in Sanger, Clute, North Richland Hills and Farmers Branch. |
Windcrest begins search
for new city manager After accepting the resignation of Interim City Manager Nick Lanning (pictured), the Windcrest City Council recently appointed an eight-member committee to lead the search for a new city manager. The new city manager will replace former City Manager Ronnie Cain, who retired on April 1. The committee will review all applicants for the city manager position and recommend applicants for the council to review and interview. Lanning previously served as an assistant with the Live Oak Economic Development Corp., an assistant city administrator in Brandon, South Dakota, and a city administrator in Lake Park, Iowa.
|
Chandler approves $1.3 million in bonds to upgrade sewer Chandler City Council members recently authorized the issue of $1.3 million in revenues bonds to pay for repairs and expansion of the sewer plant and a lift station. Council members had planned to issue certificates of obligation, but a petition drive opposing that plan gathered enough signatures to require the issue be placed on the ballot for voter approval. Council members cited the need for quick repairs for opting to sell revenue bonds. Repairs and upgrades to the sewer plant and lift station are needed according to a recent report that indicates an aging clarifier is in need of repairs and could cause a large disruption if it fails, city officials said.
|
Help us share this message, please...
To ensure delivery and proper formatting of the newsletter, be sure to add editor@spartnerships.com to your safe senders list. Otherwise, the newsletter may be flagged as spam and automatically routed to your junk e-mail folder.
|
Alamo Colleges to open campus at Floresville High School Officials of Alamo Colleges, Floresville Independent School District and the Floresville Economic Development Corporation recently began a partnership that will bring an extension campus of the community college to Floresville when the new school year begins. The Alamo Colleges Floresville Center will be located on the campus of the new high school and will offer job training to residents as well as provide traditional academic college courses.
|
Perot donates $20 million to cancer center for research H. Ross Perot recently donated $20 million to The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to pay for research and therapies targeted to specific tumors. The donation will be available in $2 million payments over the next 10 years, said John Mendelsohn (pictured), president of M.D. Anderson. The contribution should help speed up research to analyze genetic blueprints, pinpoint molecular biomarkers, develop targeted therapies and test drugs in clinical trials with a goal to make personalized therapy the standard in oncology care, Mendelsohn said.
Dallas to ask voters for approval to sell Robertson Park Dallas City Council members recently agreed to ask voters to approve the sale of 257-acre Elgin B. Robertson Park, located outside the city limits at Lake Ray Hubbard. Council also will ask voters for approval to sell 25 acres of the Joey Georgusis Park that city staff evaluated as unusable. City staff estimate the Robertson Park could bring in from $30 million to $40 million if sold. The city is required by state law to use any proceeds from the sale of the parkland to be used to acquire or improve other parkland, said Park Director Paul Dyer. UT-San Antonio approve new $5 "green" fee for students Regents for The University of Texas System recently agreed to add a $5 per semester "green fee" to begin in spring 2011 at the University of Texas-San Antonio. The fee, which was voted on by students, will be added to a student's tuition and fee bill to pay for on-campus environmental activities. The fee will be mandatory. |
Forestburg ISD to buy 90
new laptop computers Trustees for the Forestburg Independent School District recently agreed to use federal stimulus funding to buy 90 new laptop computers for students and staff. District officials plan to distribute about 55 of the laptop computers to students and will charge a one-time, $40 fee for use of the computer throughout the entire school year, said Superintendent Fonda Huneycutt. The laptop computers will be distributed only to high school students this year, Huneycutt said, but district officials are hoping to receive more federal funding to buy laptop computers to distribute to 7th and 8th graders.
Ponder Town Council OKs $4.5M bond election for complex The Ponder Town Council has called an election for $4.57 million in general obligation bonds to build a new municipal complex on a 100-acre tract of land.
The council approved the purchase of the land parcel prior to calling the election. A contract is in the works, clearing the way for the town's economic development corporation to make the purchase. Plans for phase 1 of the complex include baseball, softball and football fields with concession stands, a new Town Hall with storage for public works and an events center.
|
El Paso agrees to $80 million Trans Mountain Road freeway After opposing a 3-mile, $80-million freeway to connect Interstate 10 with the Franklin Mountains, the El Paso City Council approved changes in the city's code that will allow the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to proceed with the proposed project. City leaders recently learned that the land adjoining the freeways previously was zoned commercial and sold to private developers in 2003, said Steve Ortega, a council member. The best council members could do is place several conditions on the state and landowners to protect the fragile landscape, he said. The proposed freeway, part of Loop 375, is part of the region's mobility plan and will benefit traffic flow for the entire county, TxDOT officials said. Those conditions include a requirement that TxDOT build the freeway at grade level and raise the roadway only at the four intersections it will serve, create substantial walking and bicycle trails and plant vegetation and desert landscaping along the roadway. Construction of the freeway could begin as early as January 2011 and will take about two years to complete, officials said.
|
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 | |
|