Corrections officials seek to save on state's $311 million annual operating costs

Edwin Buss

The Florida Department of Corrections has released a request for proposals to privatize nearly 30 prison facilities in a multi-county region in South Florida. The RFP follows legislation passed this year to privatize those facilities. The five-year contract will be awarded to one bidder and the state has until Jan. 1 of next year to begin the contract.

Having one firm operate all of the prisons means a better savings to the state, according to Corrections Secretary Edwin Buss. "More volume, better price," he said. Buss said he expects the bidding to be highly competitive.

The major prisons that will be privatized are in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and Charlotte counties. The state is currently spending more than $310 million per year to operate the facilities in 18 counties.

When the contract is inked, it will mark the first privatization effort by the State of Florida. The endeavor includes privatization of 30 state prisons, road camps and work release centers.

Among the requirements for companies seeking to be awarded the contract:

• They must visit by Aug. 16 all 30 sites to be privatized;
• They must operate the prisons for a minimum of 7 percent less than the state is spending to operate them; and
• They must provide a variety of programs to prepare inmates for their return to society and to prevent recidivism.

The bidding is being initiated in spite of a lawsuit filed by the Florida Police Benevolent Association, which is the bargaining agent for unionized corrections officers.

Once the bids are received, a 14-member panel of legislators must approve a contract.

Governance structure moving from state agency to university system

Mark Hass

Higher education is "at a crucial juncture," according to Oregon State Sen. Mark Hass. "My generation is better educated than the one behind me.

"If we don't do something now, our colleges and universities will continue to drift into mediocrity and with no unified goal."

With that in mind, Hass recently saw his Senate Bill 242 signed into law, restructuring the governance structure of the Oregon University System from a state agency into a public university system. The bill could set a trend among higher education institutions seeking to prepare today's students for tomorrow's workforce.

According to Hass, the bill does two things. It "changes the legal status for these institutions from state agencies to public universities" and "puts community colleges and universities at the same table for the first time." He said universities - as state agencies - have long been treated the same way as the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Department of Corrections.

The senator explained that in Oregon, if Oregon State University needs a street variance, it has to go through the Justice Department to get an attorney. If the University of Oregon wants to build a new building, it has to go through the legislature for permission, which can take years and affect costs.

Under the new legislation, universities will be able to make day-to-day decisions "without the micromanaging advice and consent of state government," Hass said. Universities will get to "keep their own money" and can keep interest earnings on tuition. It also "prevents the legislature from raiding university funds" for other needs. In exchange for more flexibility and autonomy, universities will face performance standards and higher expectations - such as higher graduation rates, more financial assistance for students and ways to make Oregon a strong center for academic research.

"College should not be a dream," said Hass. "It should be a plan." He said the legislation should allow the state to find "new ways of preparing our citizens for careers and for life. Higher education is no longer taking a back seat to anything."

Governor seeking ways to trim expenses, eliminate government waste

Tom Corbett

Pennsylvania could be about to undergo a government garage sale!

Gov. Tom Corbett is forming a special commission, being likened to the "Grace Commission" under then-Pres. Ronald Reagan, that was charged with looking at ways to cut federal spending and determining if privatization would help cut costs.

The Pennsylvania commission will examine all state assets that can be sold and will also look at what services might be privatized. Officials in the governor's office say key criteria to be used in determining if privatization will work is the cost effectiveness of privatizing a state service. Exempted from going under the microscope are the state's prison system, state parks and state liquor stores. While the governor favors privatizing the state's liquor stores, a private firm is doing a study on whether privatization is feasible.

Among the primary areas of state government that will come under scrutiny, according to the governor's office, are the state Department of Transportation and the Department of General Services. The functions of government entities will be laid out and then it will be determined what assets and services are not necessary for providing core functions.

Although not a part of the commissioned study, a report is due this week from one of Corbett's advisory commissions that recommends another $2.5 billion of the state's annual revenue to repair and rehab roads and bridges.

Funding will be used for feasibility plans, energy development, energy efficiency

Steven Chu

More than 30 energy projects on tribal lands in the United States will share $6.3 million over two years for clean energy projects. The award is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's efforts to support energy development by Tribal Nations. In addition to improving the energy efficiency of buildings on tribal lands, these funds also will be used to develop energy plans and expand the skills and knowledge of tribal members regarding clean energy. Tribal communities will be afforded an avenue for saving money and reducing energy usage while expanding the use of clean energy technologies and promoting economic development.

"Projects such as these will save energy and money, create long-term clean energy jobs and spur economic development in tribal communities nationwide," said U. S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Of the total $6.3 million award, more than $2.1 million will be used for energy efficiency feasibility studies, another $2.1 million will be for first-steps projects and more than $2 million will be for energy efficiency installation projects on tribal lands.

Nine Tribal projects will receive $2.17 million to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. Officials expect to reduce energy use by 30 percent in each building once the plans are developed and instituted. Seventeen Tribal energy projects will get $2.14 million for strategic planning, energy options analysis, energy organization development and workforce development. This could result in development of tribal energy organizations such as utilities, energy offices and other organizations to implement long-term energy plans. Some projects will help Tribes to explore development and deployment options for energy-efficient and renewable technologies. Additionally, five projects will receive $2 million for installation of energy-efficient upgrades in their buildings. To view the complete list of all 31 of the tribal energy projects, click here.

St. Cloud State University to build new science, engineering lab

Proposed Science, Engineering Lab

A $500 million bonding bill approved by the Minnesota State Legislature has resulted in $42 million in bonding money being made available to the St. Cloud State University. The money will be used to build a new Science and Engineering Lab. However, the recent state government shutdown has slowed some projects and Steve Ludwig, vice president for Administrative Affairs at the university said he is not sure when construction will begin. The university is waiting on the state's Management and Budget office to get back on track to appropriate the money. Construction, once it does begin, should take 16-20 months. The kick start of the state government also means the university's current National Hockey Center renovation can also begin. 

 

Remodeling project slated for areas of hospital at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Bids will be opened on Aug. 22 for a $1.5 million remodeling project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Hospital. The end result will be transforming vacated office and laboratory spaces into the new School of Medicine and Public Health clinical research 30 program space. The project includes complete remodeling of the center area offices and laboratory in module H4-6 and upgrading current office space. Additionally, Module H4-6 will be remodeled into clinical research space for the Allergy, Immunology, Pulmonary and Rheumatology programs and the Obstetrics and Gynecology program. The space is designed in a universal lab module layout with a center equipment room, shared environmental rooms and shared support space.

 

Donation of $5M to speed construction at University of Southern Mississippi

A $5 million donation to the University of Southern Mississippi will speed up construction of the new College of Business Building that will bear donor Charles C. Scianna Jr.'s name. The project already has been allocated $26 million from state bonds this year and last year and Scianna's $5 million gift moves the $10 million fundraising campaign forward. The 90,000-square-foot structure will be next to the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. Scianna is president of a Texas company that is one of the leading suppliers of steel pipe and tubular goods for the oil industry.

 

S. Dakota school to benefit from new heating, cooling facility

A new $7 million heating and cooling facility in Rapid City, South Dakota, will begin early next year and provide heating and cooling to Rapid City Central High School and the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The center will also monitor conditions at other city and school district facilities. The existing facility was built in 1976 and can no longer meet the needs of both facilities. The project is expected to be ready for bid in mid-December and awarded in January of next year. If those deadlines are met, construction could start in April.

 

Southern Miss Gulf Park campus readying for numerous building projects

Frances Lucas

Officials with Southern Mississippi University's Gulf Park campus are setting a goal of breaking ground on five new building projects this year. Among the projects are a $9.4 million, three-story science building, which is expected to be completed in 2012. A recreational center that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, will be made into a health sciences building. Other projects, according to Frances Lucas, vice president of Southern Miss, include renovation of Hardy Hall. The $8.7 million project includes the campus living room with administrative offices, a bookstore and coffee shop. Elizabeth Hall would be converted to the home of Arts and Letter, including a film studio. The price tag will be about $2 million. Finally, Lloyd Hall will feature classroom space with its $2.2 million budget.

 

Cincinnati schools seeking state funds for energy-saving renovations

Members of the Cincinnati school board will seek state funding for energy-saving renovations at three of its schools. The district will seek $26 million in the form of a loan from the Ohio School Facilities Commission through the federal Energy Conservation Program. It allows school districts to get low-interest federal loans for projects that reduce energy use. The energy savings are expected to pay off the loans over a 15-year period. The loans would be for renovations at the old Hyde Park school, James N. Gamble Montessori High and Taft STEM Elementary, while also allowing for smaller projects at 25 other schools in the district. Officials say the district could save up to as much as $1.5 million with the energy-saving plan.

 

D'Antonio

Underwood

O'Connor

New Mexico State Engineer John D'Antonio's head could be on the chopping block as the former Gov. Bill Richardson appointee who has served on an interim basis has Gov. Susana Martinez looking at the possibility of replacing him. Guam Department of Education Superintendent Nerissa Bretania Underwood, who joined Guam's DOE in 1980 as a special education teacher at Harry S. Truman Elementary School and has served as superintendent since 2008, has announced her retirement. Jim O'Connor, former city manager of Winchester, Virginia, is the new city manager in Vero Beach, Florida, having started work this week. In the wake of making Cara Kennedy CFO of the City of Denver, current interim CFO Ed Scholz, whom she will replace, will remain on as deputy CFO. Patricia Kardambikis, director of curriculum and student achievement of Aliquippa (Pennsylvania) High School since 2008, has been chosen the new assistant superintendent for the Peters Township schools, succeeding Anthony Merante, who has retired. Former Columbia Falls, Montana, city manager Bill Shaw has been hired as director of public works for Kalispell, taking over for the retiring Jim Hansz. Dr. Ronald G. Cantor, Associate Vice President and Dean at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY, and a nearly 30-year veteran educator who was also

Wescott

Christian

Cantor

associate dean at Jefferson Community College in Watertown, N.Y., has been appointed president of Southern Maine Community College in South Portland. Robin Wescott, an attorney with years of experience evaluating Florida property insurers and has spent six years at the Office of Insurance Regulation, has been named the state's new insurance consumer advocate by Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. The Board of Trustees of the State University of New York has appointed Dr. Donald P. Christian president of SUNY New Paltz, a position he has held on an interim basis since July of last year. The Gilbert, Missouri, Town Council has hired Patrick Banger, an economic development consultant and administrator in O'Fallon, as town manager. Cedar Rapids firefighter Mark English has been recommended for the fire chief position in the city, to replace former Chief Stephen Reid, who resigned in February. Mark Montgomery, Cozad, Nebraska's, police chief is stepping down after nine years to become chief deputy for the Dawson County Sheriff's Office, succeeding Gary Norsen of Gothenburg, who is retiring. Pasadena, California, Fire Chief Dennis Downs is retiring after 37 years in public service, with Deputy Chief Calvin Wells named

Sheridan

Wigington

Downs

interim chief. Col. Terrence B. Sheridan, superintendent of the Maryland State Police who has served the people of Maryland for 46 years, has announced his retirement, with Marcus Brown, chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority, to take over as state police superintendent. Rob Wigington, former Deputy Director of the Houston Airport System since 2007, has been chosen as the new executive vice president and chief operating officer of he Metro Nashville Airport Authority, replacing Monty Burgess, who retired in June. Ed Reiskin, City of San Francisco's public works director since 2008, has been named new executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. The Board of Selectmen in Suffield, Connecticut, have named Facilities Manager John Cloonan as the new Public Works Department director, to replace director Jack Muska, who is retiring. Dr. Janet Young, who began her educational career in Clovis, New Mexico, United school district as an elementary teacher in 1970, has worked her way up the ranks in the district and was recently chosen as the district's new superintendent.

 

11th Annual Public-Private Partnership Conference set Aug. 25 in D.C. 

A comprehensive day of learning and networking for leaders and staff in the Washington, D.C., region is planned at the 11th Annual Public-Private Partnership Conference set Aug. 25. The conference will be at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The District Office of Partnerships and Grant Services and Center for Nonprofit Advancement are joined by Greater DC Cares and the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington. Sessions will provide learning opportunities for all levels of board governance, program evaluation, grants management, fundraising, financial management and volunteer engagement. For more information and to register, click here. 

FEMA, other agencies to host National P3 conference in August 

The First National Conference on Building Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships is planned for Aug. 3 - 4 in Washington, D.C. The event will feature an opportunity to learn, discuss and share public-private partnership practices regarding effective collaborations that will enhance the nation's resiliency. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Private Sector, U.S. Northern Command and co-hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Red Cross. Attendance is free, but space is limited. Those wishing to attend should RSVP early to FEMA-Private-Sector@dhs.gov. For more information, click here.

NASCIO Annual Conference scheduled for Denver on Oct. 2-5

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Annual Conference is set this year for Oct. 2-5 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver, Colorado. "Moving Government Forward" is the theme for this year's conference. The conference focuses on pulling corporate sponsors into the conference to discuss trends and build relationships rather than market their products. The conference also features educational programs based on IT issues that affect both the public and private sectors. To register, click here. To view the agenda, click here.  

The biggest meeting of state legislators and legislative staff 

KC Business Central hosting Minority Business Forum 

Kansas City Business Central will host a Minority Business Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 9, that includes a panel of minority- and women-owned business experts who will discuss their successes and the resources available to others. Panelists include: Michael L. Barrera, attorney and former president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Consuela McCain-Nunnaly, director of Diversity Business Connection of the Greater KC Chamber; CiCi Rojas, president of Community Engagement with Truman Medical Center; and Daryl Williams,director of Research at the Kauffman Foundation. For more information contact Heather Nicolosi at hnicolosi@anthempublishing.com.