Also announces new regional commander assigned to DPS Region Two

David Baker

Luis Gonzalez

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officials recently announced changes in two top leadership positions.

David Baker (right) has been named deputy director of Law Enforcement Operations, effective Sept. 1. The position he vacated, chief of the Texas Highway Patrol, will be filled by Luis Gonzalez (center), who formerly served as regional commander of DPS Region 6, which includes the San Antonio, Austin and Waco areas. And, Duane Steen (left) will take over as the new Regional Commander for DPS Region 2. 

 

Gonzalez, the first Hispanic to lead the Highway Patrol, joined DPS in 1987 as a trooper. He was promoted to sergeant in 1992, lieutenant in 1995, captain in 2000, major in 2003 and assistant chief in 2008. 

 

Duane Steen

Gonzalez has also completed the FBI National Academy and the Governor's Executive Development Program.  He holds a Master Peace Officer certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education.

 

Gonzalez replaces Baker, who previously held the post of chief of the Highway Patrol. In his new role, Baker will oversee law enforcement divisions and coordinate multi-division operations. Baker, who has served at DPS for more than 33 years, began his career in 1978 as a trooper in Lubbock.

 

Steen joined the Texas DPS in 1981 and served as a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper in Denton. He was promoted to Narcotics Sergeant/Investigator in Austin in 1984, Internal Affairs in 1992, Narcotics Lieutenant in Waco in 1992, Narcotics Captain in Garland in 1995, Narcotics Assistant Commander in San Antonio and Austin in 2003 and Narcotics Major in 2009. He will now command Region 2, which includes the Houston, Beaumont and Bryan/College Station areas. He most recently served as Deputy Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigations Division at the DPS Headquarters in Austin. He is the first African-American DPS Regional Commander.

 

Flores chosen interim executive director of TxDMV

Linda Flores (pictured), chief financial officer for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), Thursday was named interim director of the agency. She replaces Ed Serna, who resigned from that post, effective at the end of August.

Flores served eight years as the chief financial officer for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality before being named CFO at TxDMV in April of last year. She also previously was budget director for two former state agencies - the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. She also has experience in local government, having served the City of Corpus Christi for 15 years in the areas of budgeting, purchasing, accounting and financial administration.

TxDMV officials have indicated they will seek an executive search service to help them recruit and hire the agency's next executive director. Flores is only the agency's second executive director since it began operations in November 2009. Serna was originally hired for the position in February 2010.

Veteran government executive Baldwin named interim head of DFPS

Child support expert Howard Baldwin (pictured) has been named interim chief of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, which protects elderly and underage Texans.

Baldwin, current interim executive director of the Texas Department of Rural Affairs, replaces Anne Heiligenstein, who retires from DFPS at the end of the month.

Baldwin has more than 35 years experience managing large state and private programs. He previously served as chief operating officer and senior attorney for the Office of Attorney General of Texas, and as deputy director for government relations for the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Most recently, Baldwin ran a private consulting firm that serves governments in child support collections.

Baldwin walks into a department in flux. The "foster care redesign" aims to establish a system that encourages the best care for abused and neglected children. For example, a program that pays to keep children classified as highly needy will be abolished, and a new program that rewards foster parents when troubled children recover will start.

FEMA agrees to pay 75 percent of cost of fighting Texas wildfires

Officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency recently authorized using federal funds to help pay the cost of fighting multiple wildfires throughout Texas.

The latest FEMA announcement included seven new wildfires burning in Bastrop County, Montgomery County, Travis County, Williamson County and along county lines that Grimes and Waller counties share with Montgomery County. The seven new FEMA emergency designations bring the total of approved Fire Management Assistance Grants awarded to Texas to 52 so far this year.

Texas DPS forming marine division to patrol for drug cartels

The Texas Department of Public Safety recently agreed to use grant funding for a new Marine Division to help track and catch members of Mexican drug cartels.

Marine Patrol personnel plan to patrol the Rio Grande River in an effort to control a new method of smuggling that has been noted by law enforcement, said Col. Steven McCraw, director of DPS. The smugglers now use stolen trucks to transport contraband across the river to the United States, and if pursued by law enforcement, drivers will turn the truck back to the border and drive directly into the river to avoid capture. Cartel members most often try and save the contraband and allow the truck to sink, McCraw said. Now, heavily armed and equipped DPS tactical boats will be patrolling the river to intercept the "splashed down" trucks and arrest smugglers from the Mexico side of the border if they enter the United States side of the river to retrieve the bundles of contraband, he said.

Texas sales tax revenues climb for 17th consecutive month

Monthly sales tax revenues continue to climb in Texas. Texas Comptroller Susan Combs this week announced she is sending $483.9 million in sales tax allocations to Texas cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts. That amount is up 10 percent from figures for September of last year.

Sale tax revenue in August was $1.98 billion, said Combs, up 11.9 percent compared to August 2010.

The increase marked the 17th consecutive month in which state sales tax revenues have increased. Combs said sales tax revenue for the recently completed FY 2011 was up 9.4 percent from the previous fiscal year.

To view the allocations by city, click here. To view the allocations by county, click here. 

ACC officials getting ready for ground-breaking for Elgin campus

Officials with the Austin Community College District and members of the Elgin community will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 15 for the new ACC Elgin Campus (pictured), which is expected to open in fall 2013.

The campus will include a 65,000-square-foot building for classrooms, a library, testing center and computer lab.

The Elgin Campus, which will accommodate up to 1,500 students, is ACC's ninth comprehensive campus and first in Bastrop County.

TAMU, Baylor Health System team up for second medical school

The Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and the Baylor Health Care System have teamed up to bring a second medical school to Dallas by December.

The deal allows the A&M College of Medicine to offer third- and fourth-year medical students an opportunity to train in a big city. The students take first- and second-year classes in either Temple or Bryan-College Station.

The Baylor Health Care System also benefits from the partnership, which allows the hospital to claim a medical school affiliation. Hospitals want teaching programs because a great program will attract top doctors, said Paul Convery, chief medical officer at Baylor.

Graybill new director of SMU Clements Center for Southwest Studies

Renowned American West historian Andrew Graybill (pictured) has been named director of the Clements Center for Southwest Studies at Southern Methodist University. Graybill succeeds founding director David J. Weber, who died Aug. 20, 2010.

Previously, Graybill served as history professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles, essays and two books. His second book, A Mixture of So Many Bloods: A Family Saga of the American West, is set to be published in 2013.

Graybill earned his master's degree and Ph.D. from Princeton University. 

Port of Houston Authority defends itself in Sunset report

Officials at the Port of Houston Authority recently released a 210-page self-evaluation report to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which reviews operations and policies of state agencies.

Although the Port Authority is an autonomous government entity, not a state agency, the legislature ordered a review after a series of controversies that included use of a port vessel for a private event.

The report described how the Port Authority is crucial to the local economy and also stated that the Port Commission and its staff have formed task forces to examine and improve operations.

The Harris County auditor, county attorney and district attorney also are investigating the allegations.

Columbus chosen vice dean of Dallas clinical training program           

Infectious disease specialist Cristie Columbus (pictured) has been named vice dean for the Dallas clinical training program, part of the Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAMHSC) College of Medicine.

Previously, Columbus served as the assistant director of medical education at Baylor University Medical Center. In her new position, Columbus will oversee faculty recruitment, curricular offerings, student services and affiliations with other health institutions.

Columbus earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and her medical degree from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Columbus has also completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in infectious diseases, both at Baylor University Medical Center.

Officials of the Streetcar Commission of VIA recently elected Richard Gambitta (left) as its new chair and Chris Riley (right), mayor of Leon Valley, as the vice chair of the group. Gambitta and Riley replace Marty Wender, the former chairman and Mike Novak, the vice chair, who resigned in August as chair and vice chair of the commission that is part of the transit authority in Bexar County.

Gambitta recently retired as director of the Institute for Law and Public Affairs at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Streetcar Commission officials plan to reconvene in two weeks to decide whether to support a proposed VIA $180 million capital plan to improve mobility in the region. That plan includes streetcars, two downtown transit centers, upgrades to downtown bus stops and new park and ride facilities at Brooks City Base and along U.S. 281.

Plans call for the proposed downtown streetcar system to operate on a rechargeable battery that can be converted later into light rail system. VIA officials plan to use local funding for the proposed $100 million east-west streetcar route, but will seek federal grants to pay 80 percent of the proposed $90 million north-south streetcar line. San Antonio city officials also are studying the proposed transit plan before voting whether to contribute $55 million to the project. Bexar County commissions last month pledged $55 million and VIA has committed $70 million to the project.

Kleberg County, TAMU-Kingsville partner in transportation project

Officials of Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Kleberg County recently partnered to launch a new student shuttle service to help students navigate the campus, go to the grocery store or even travel to and from Corpus Christi. The university and the county approved a one-year, $128,848 contract to use county vehicles as part of the student shuttle pilot program.

Paid for with a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation, the new shuttle, B&G Express, is using 12-passenger, handicap-accessible vehicles with air conditioning and Wi-Fi to transport students, faculty, staff and others. Those who live in Corpus Christi but work or attend the Kingsville university will be able to catch a van three times a day at the East Campus of Del Mar College while passengers in Kingsville also have a van available three times each day to travel to Corpus Christi.

Students are charged a $20 fee each semester to help pay for the shuttle project and faculty and staff can pay $20 if they decide to use the shuttle service. The shuttle, which runs from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. will take students into Kingsville to retail stores, restaurants and entertainment venues as well as offer free weekend and excursion trips to cultural, sporting or concert events in Corpus Christi, college officials said.

Texas Southmost College in Brownsville recently selected Lily Tercero (pictured) as president to lead the community college through its separation with The University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB). Previously Juliet Garcia, president of UTB, headed both Texas Southmost College and UTB during the 20 years the two institutions were partners.

Tercero currently is the chief budget officer at Alamo College. She also served as an associate vice chancellor for planning and budgeting at the Tarrant County College District. Tercero has a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin. 

Kilgore to interview six candidates for city manager

Kilgore City Council members recently selected six candidates for city manager who will travel to the city to interview for the job. Council chose the six finalists, two from Texas, two from Missouri, one from Colorado and one from Arizona, from a pool of 90 applicants. City officials plan to interview each of the six finalists before the end of September.

The six finalists are:

• Jim Dunaway, city manager in Taylor since 2009;
• Jeff Hancock, the chief executive officer of a municipal consulting firm;
• Evalin McClain of Kansas City, Missouri, previously served as a former assistant city manager in Abilene;
• Phillip Rodriguez, an assistant city manager in Cedar Park;
• Scott Sellers, the city manager in Montrose, Colorado; and
• Bo Thomas, the city manager in Page, Arizona.

Western Governors University Texas gets Gates grant    

Western Governors University Texas, an affordable and flexible online college, has been awarded part of a $4.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

WGU Texas, a subsidiary of Western Governors University, is self-sustaining through tuition, but does not have funds to advertise. The Gates grant will help finance outreach efforts at the Texas campus and also in Indiana and Washington, where WGU also operates at no cost to taxpayers.

WGU Texas offers 50 online bachelor's and master's degrees in key workforce areas including like nursing, education and information technology. 

Officials of West Texas A&M University in Canyon recently began construction on a new $4 million, 31,000-square-foot athletic center as a result of a gift from a prominent Panhandle family, Ray and Barbara Bain.

The new athletic facility will be located west of Buffalo Sports Park and will feature a new football locker room, athletic training room, weight room, offices for coaches, meeting space and a study hall, said Michael McBroom (pictured), director of athletics for WTAMU. The new facility also will feature the latest in strength and conditioning equipment and an atrium that will feature trophies and other memorabilia from the school's athletic history.

The donation from the Bain family is the lead gift in the effort of college officials to pay for the new athletic facility entirely with private contributions. The university has raised about 50 percent of the $4 million needed to pay for the project that is to be completed in three phases. College officials also have requested approval from the Board of Regents of the Texas A&M University System to rename the facility the Bain Athletic Center.

Awards set for businesses that empower Texans with disabilities   

The Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities will recognize businesses and professionals that have developed innovative ways to integrate people with disabilities into the workplace at the annual Lex Frieden Employment Awards.

This year's ceremony, to be held Oct. 25 in Austin, will be the first time the 32-year annual event adopts the name Lex Frieden, one of the architects of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

This year's award winners include:

• Taco Cabana #278 in Austin, Small Employer Award;
• Johnson Controls in San Antonio, Medium Employer Award;
• Professional Contract Services Inc. (PSCI) in Killeen, Large Employer Award;
• Laredo Independent School District, Non-profit Employer Award;
• Texas RehabACTion Network (TRAN) of the Coastal Bend in Corpus Christi, Martha Arbuckle Award for a Local Committee; and
• Scott Tisdall, manager of the Walgreen's Distribution Center in Waxahachie, The Governor's Trophy.

Austin attorney Ray Bonill (pictured), a partner in the law firm of Ray, Wood & Bonilla, has been chosen by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents as the System's new general counsel. Bonilla is a former general counsel for the Texas Comptroller's Office, where he was the state's chief tax administrator and chief financial officer.

Bonilla earned his B.B.A. degree from The University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from the UT School of Law. As general counsel, he will be responsible for all legal matters affecting the System and will provide legal counsel to the Board of Regents, chancellor and CEOs of the TAMU System. He will also be the liaison to the attorney general's office on litigation cases and matters involving attorney general opinions.

"Ray Bonilla is the best administrative lawyer I have ever worked with," said John Sharp, newly appointed chancellor of the A&M System. "I am pleased he has agreed to join us as our general counsel."

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Dallas mulling $30 million subsidy to revive former bank building

The Economic Development Committee of the Dallas City Council is expected to hear a request next week for a $30 million subsidy to help pay some of the cost of renovating a former bank building on Elm Street as part of the Elm Street Building Revival project. Private investors will pay $137 million of the cost if city council approves the request for the $30 million, said Tennell Atkins (pictured), chairman of the Economic Development Committee.

The city's tallest skyscraper when it opened in 1965, the former bank building closed in January 2010 due, in part, to the expensive asbestos abatement needed. Many city leaders believe reviving the building located next to a DART Rail Station is critical to reviving the downtown area, Atkins said.

Current plans call for using the $30 million investment from a city tax increment finance district to help the developer pay for the asbestos abatement to enable the building to be converted into office space, 520 residential units and retail shops and restaurants on lower floors, Atkins said. Plans also call for reopening the observation deck on the 50th floor and restoring a patio on the 9th floor to its original design. Council members are expected to vote on the proposed public-private partnership by the end of this month.

Fort Bliss school identified as top priority for upgrade

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), which has $250 million available to upgrade public schools serving military bases, recently identified Logan Elementary School in Fort Bliss as a top priority to receive federal funding to pay for improving that 51-year-old facility.

DOD officials reviewed the condition and capacity of 157 of the 160 schools on military installations and selected those with the most serious deficiencies. Logan, operated by the El Paso Independent School District, topped the list for being over capacity and needing renovations.

While no information on how much funding Logan will receive to upgrade that facility, the DOD assessment estimated the price tag would be about $7.7 million to upgrade the electrical and plumbing, replace the evaporative cooling system with air conditioning and replace all floor finishes, ceiling finishes as well as all windows and doors.

San Angelo City Council members recently agreed to penalize city employees who decline to participate in a wellness program designed to help control the city's health insurance costs. The cost of health insurance for 800 city employees increased by $1 million last year, noted the human resources and risk management director.

While city officials cannot require city employees to participate in the city program, Mayor Allen New (pictured) and council members agreed to charge city employees who do not join the wellness program. They would pay the city a fee equivalent to 20 percent of their total health insurance premium costs, including the $357 each month the city contributes for each employee. City officials also assured employees that the health information collected is not available to the city but will go to a community medical center, which won a bid to take over the employee health clinic.

The first phase of the wellness program began on Aug. 1 and requires city employees to provide information on a four-page health risk assessment and undergo a health screening. In its first month, 500 employees completed the health assessment questionnaire, but only 250 completed their health screening that includes drawing blood and measuring waistlines.

Cleburne city officials recently began mulling a proposal to build a 6-mile pipeline from Lake Whitney to a pipeline that runs to Aquilla Lake to meet population growth expected to double by 2050.

The city also would need to build a treatment plant near Lake Whitney to ensure the water is safe for cooking and drinking, said Assistant City Manager David Esquivel. The city has received a $7 million loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to pay for engineering costs of the project and more funding will be available as water rates increase, Esquivel said.

The city also can apply for federal water infrastructure funds administered by TWDB that will not require repayment until construction on the project is completed in 2020, he added. The mayor also voiced support for the pipeline project, noting the city already has water restrictions in place. Council members, however, took no action on the proposal.

After learning that one-third of fines from red-light cameras are currently unpaid, Arlington City Council members recently began mulling whether to use a state program to collect those fines from people who refuse to pay. Red-light camera fines have generated more than $6.7 million in revenue for the city, but unpaid revenue could help the city pay for needed services, said Mayor Robert Cluck (pictured).

But about one-third of the 91,265 violations issued between October 2009 and September 2010 remain unpaid, said Steve Evans, the management services director for the police department. Red-light camera violations are considered civil violations in which arrest warrants are not issued. The city collects only about 18 percent of the 30,000 delinquent red-light camera tickets referred to a collection agency, he added.

Under the proposed program, the city would work with the Tarrant County tax assessor-collector's office in the state's scofflaw program to prevent those with unpaid fines from red-light camera violations from renewing their vehicle registration. The city is experiencing a decrease in the number of red-light camera violations this past year even though the number of intersections increased from 17 to 20 at the same time, Evans said. Council members must still vote on the proposal before it becomes finalized.

Officials of the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) recently agreed to buy new public safety management software from an Alabama-based company. Longview city officials in July purchased similar software.

The new software, particularly its capability in 911 call-taking and mapping solutions, is designed to help ETCOG increase efficiency and expand services as a regional emergency services Internet provider, said Carolyn Flores, the director of 911 emergency services for ETCOG.

As more state funding is available to promote agency-to-agency public safety communications in Texas and protocols are changed, the new software will allow ETCOG to interface new technologies with voice over internet protocol service providers, wireless phone users or possibly social media messages as the technology becomes available, Flores said. The new software will be locally hosted with deployments serving 10 counties in East Texas and 18 public safety answer points, she added.

City officials in Marble Falls recently approved the purchase of land using $99,500 in funding from the Economic Development Corporation to build a new 4,400-square-foot visitor's center. The property is a triangular patch of land northeast of the bridge on US 281 that spans the Colorado River.

Construction of the new visitors' center could begin as early as January, said City Manager Ralph Hendricks.

Voters in May approved funding for the new visitors' center to replace the existing center now operating in a converted train depot. No estimate is available yet on the possible cost of the new visitors' center, Hendricks said.

Friendswood leaders exploring possibility of new foundation    

Friendswood leaders recently held a town hall meeting to discuss setting up a community endowment, which would serve as a funding source for a variety of city enhancement projects and could lead to public-private partnerships.

Several philanthropic experts spoke at the meeting, including fundraising consultant Ann Murphy, who explained successful public-private partnerships by giving examples that included the Houston Zoo and Discovery Green, a Houston park with restaurants, a performance stage and gardens.

Other experts discussed identifying potential foundation directors, the "Four Pillars of Philanthropy."

Alamo Heights City Council recently scheduled a $6.3 million bond election on Nov. 8 to pay for a new municipal complex. Voters in Alamo Heights rejected a $10 million bond proposal in 2009 that was to pay for a similar facility.

City officials have not yet decided whether to renovate or rebuild the current municipal complex, but council members have discussed adding a two-story expansion for an administration building.

Baytown group approves $460,000 to improve parks

The Baytown Municipal Development District recently agreed to fund $460,000 primarily for park projects. City council members also must approve the funding before it is finalized, noted City Manager Bob Leiper (pictured).

A portion of the city's sales tax revenue is directed to the municipal development district to use for activities ranging from community improvement to economic development. Approving parks projects this time of the year permits staff to make many of the improvements during winter months when park use slows down, Leiper said.

Sharp formally named

chancellor of TAMU System          

Veteran public servant John Sharp has been named chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, 21 days after being named the sole finalist Aug. 15.

Sharp, a graduate of Texas A&M University, will lead the 19-member system, which has a combined enrollment of more than 120,000 students. The system has an annual budget of $3.3 billion and externally funded research expenditures of more than $772 million.

Sharp, who most recently was a principal with the largest tax consulting firm of its kind in Texas, has served in the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives, as Texas Railroad Commissioner and as Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Gilbreath to retire as

city manager in Crowley

After more than 25 years in municipal government, City Manager Truitt Gilbreath of Crowley recently announced he plans to retire on May 1, 2012. Gilbreath went to work for the city in December 2003.

City council members will discuss this week how they plan to find a new city manager and did not decide on a timeline for the search. One council member predicted that the city will not hire a search firm to help find a new city manager to replace Gilbreath.

Cottonwood Shores Council terminates new city administrator

The Cottonwood Shores City Council recently voted to terminate City Administrator Jerrial Wafer, who had only served in the position for three months. About a week earlier, Mayor Janelle Long had placed Wafer on administrative leave.

The council will appoint a new city administrator, but has no candidates at this time.

DeSoto ISD board to buy out Augustine but mum on cost

The DeSoto ISD school board has refused to disclose the cost of a buyout with superintendent Kathy Augustine, who has been on paid leave since her first day on the job in July.

Augustine, who has collected about $28,000 of her $188,000 annual salary, was placed on leave after being implicated in a cheating scandal in Atlanta schools, where she previously served as second-in-command. She has denied the allegations.

The district will only reveal details of the exit agreement if compelled by the state, board president Warren Seay said. At a previous meeting, the board discussed a buyout of between $40,000 and $60,000.

Canyon ISD mulling water

wells at high schools

In an effort to save on water bills, officials of the Canyon Independent School District recently began considering whether to install irrigation water wells at two high school campuses to replace the use of city water for irrigating athletic fields and campus landscaping.

If the new water wells are installed, the school district still plans to use city water inside the building, said Jeff Millner (pictured), facilities director for Canyon ISD. Board members are expected to vote on Sept. 12 whether to move ahead with the project, which should take about 60 days to complete once the project is bid and work begins, Millner said. He also predicted the new water wells would pay for themselves within one year and save the district about $143,000 annually.

San Saba Independent School District trustees recently scheduled a $5.9 million bond election in November to pay for a new school and renovations to existing facilities.

If voters approve the bonds, district officials plan to allot another $433,750 in local funding to the bond funding to pay for building a new elementary school, a new science building with two classrooms and labs, renovating a classroom at the high school into a special education life skills unit, and renovating two existing science labs and classrooms at the high school. The price tag for the total projects will be $6.3 million, district officials said.

Voters in May rejected a proposed $7.5 million bond proposal that included plans to renovate a gym into a band hall and a proposed new building to house three science labs and classrooms to comply with state requirements for science labs.

Harker Heights hires Morris

as new planning director    

Leaders in Harker Heights recently named Fred Morris, development services director for Belton, the new planning and zoning director.

Morris, who holds a master's degree from Texas A&M University, has also served as assistant to public works manager in Temple, chief planner in Georgetown and city planner for Killeen. Morris replaces former director Tommy Garcia and beat out 86 applicants for the position.

Board members of the Arlington Classics Academy recently approved the termination of Dan Clark as director of administration. Clark, who previously was employed by Plano ISD, joined the charter school in November 2009.

Board members for the academy plan to hire a consultant to help with the budget and will hire an interim executive director who has not yet been selected, the board president said.

Upshur County to seek courthouse restoration grant

Upshur County commissioners recently agreed to seek a grant from the Texas Historical Commission to pay for a $5.3 million project to restore and renovate the county courthouse built in 1937.

Because the courthouse must be restored as closely as possible to the original design in 1937, county officials will most likely be required to remove a brick plaza and fountain installed in a city beautification project on the north side of the facility, replace aluminum windows and doorframes with brass frames and remove existing hand railings and an elevator, a consultant said. If the grant is approved, the city most likely will be required to make a 15 percent match, with the grant paying 85 percent of the cost of the courthouse restoration project.

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price (pictured) recently voice support for creating a position in the city manager's office to help speed up transportation projects.

Mobility is the biggest issue facing Texans, Price told members of the Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition. To address that issue, Price said she plans to change the job description of the unfilled position of regional transportation coordinator to emphasize tracking road and rail projects internally and to urge city staff to move more quickly on transportation projects.

The city previously had a regional

transportation coordinator from 2007 to 2009, but the position has been unfilled since 2009 when the coordinator resigned. Fort Worth has $121 million from bond sales that could immediately be spent on road and transit projects and an additional $142 million bonding authority also is available, a council member noted.

HISD hires Trahan, former  mayor's spokesman          

Patrick Trahan, press secretary for former Houston Mayor Bill White and a spokesman for the Houston Fire Department, has been named a senior media relations specialist for the Houston Independent School District.

Trahan has more than 20 years of communications experience, which includes stints with local television and radio broadcast outlets.

Trahan, a graduate of Texas Southern University, has expertise in crisis communications that was honed during hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.

Strategic Partnerships seeking additional outside consultants

SPI is seeking additional outside consultants who have experience in higher education and K-12 public schools in Houston. Currently, there is a need for procurement consultants who are retired or former executives or C-level administrators in higher education and those who are former or retired decision-makers in executive positions in K-12, such as superintendents. If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Cayah Haney at chaney@spartnerships.com.

Michel chosen as executive director for Marshall's CVB

Waterpark marketing manager Ed Michel has been named executive director of the Marshall Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Michel was selected from about 50 applicants, MCVB chairman Steve Carlile said.

Previously, Michel served as marketing manager for a waterpark in Wichita Falls, group sales manager for an Atlanta theater and president and operator of a destination management company in Branson, Mo.

Fort Worth hires firm to help

in superintendent search 

Fort Worth school trustees have hired a Houston-based search firm to assist in the search for a superintendent to replace Melody Johnson, who resigned in May after six years leading the district. The firm will be paid about $56,000.

Board members hinted at what they see as the ideal candidate - a Texan who is familiar with the state's accountability system and school finance issues. Trustees also wanted to ensure that internal candidates, such as interim Superintendent Walter Dansby, be handled fairly.

Board president Ray Dickerson (pictured) hopes to announce a finalist in March.

• Robert Schmidt of Aledo, chair, Texas Racing Commission;
• Christy Jack of Fort Worth, Governing Board of the Office of Violent Sex Offender Management;
• Leo Longoria of McAllen, Governing Board of the Office of Violent Sex Offender Management;
• Dan Powers of Carrollton, Governing Board of the Office of Violent Sex Offender Management

BexarMet election issue leads

to emergency meeting

The Bexar Metropolitan Water District board has called for a Nov. 8 election, when ratepayers could vote to dissolve the board and fold the utility into the San Antonio Water System (SAWS).

Liberty Council recommends

new water improvements     

City officials in Liberty recently recommended $367,000 in water system improvements, which would be funded through certificates of obligation issued in 2010.

City Manager Gary Broz (pictured) advised City Council to add three new water projects to the four already under way. New projects are: 

• Replacing old, 3-inch cement line in the Ridgewood subdivision with new, fire-protected 6-inch line;
• Replacing small, leaky pipe in the Minglewood subdivision with new, larger line; and
•  A technological enhancement - called Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) - that would make tracking and managing the system faster and simpler.

La Joya city leaders support building new library           

City leaders in La Joya want to begin construction of a new 4,400-square-foot library, which would replace the current, overcrowded facility.

However, progress has been stalled because the La Joya school district holds the deed to the 1.5-acre plat on Fifth Street across from Tabasco Elementary. In 1994, the school district agreed to give the city the land, but never handed over the deed.

Now, the district trustees must vote again to hand over the land. Before a vote, school district legal counsel will research the land agreement.