TASSCC end-of-year conference looks at state of state's IT Daylong meeting assesses where Texas IT is and where it's going
 Last week, the Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) held its annual "State of the State" conference in Austin. The daylong event assessed the state of play for information technology (IT) in government and higher education in Texas.
The conference brought together technology directors and other officials from state agencies, universities and the private sector to discuss how the state of Texas uses IT and to plan strategically the direction of its future.
There were sessions on many of the issues driving the conversation not just in Texas but the entire country, including the smart grid and how government can use big data. Technology directors for the Department of Information Resources (DIR), the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) joined together to kick off the day with a discussion of the State Strategic Plan for Information Resource Management that was developed by DIR and released at the beginning of this month.  Colby Harrell (pictured), a consultant with Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), attended the conference as SPI's representative and came away impressed with the panelists and speakers throughout the day. Of particular interest was Jerry Mechling's presentation on "Technology and Business Trends for Digital Government." Mechling is a vice president with an international research and advisory firm, a retired lecturer at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and has spent years working in the city governments in Boston and New York.
Mechling stressed the need for well informed decision-making, says Harrell. "He talked about the need for decision-makers to have a fully developed plan before costs are incurred. He stressed the idea of looking back to move forward." The emphasis was on a deliberate thought process in the planning stage before decisive action is taken.
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Transportation commission taps Bass as TxDOT executive director  The Texas Transportation Commission yesterday named James Bass (pictured) the new executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Bass is currently the agency's chief financial officer (CFO).
Bass began work at TxDOT in 1985 while still a student at The University of Texas at Austin, serving as an engineer aide doing summer work. After graduation, Bass started full-time at the transportation agency as an accounting clerk and has never left.
By 1999, Bass was made director of TxDOT's financial division, giving him oversight of the agency's budget. He added to that responsibility in 2005, when he became CFO. Bass also served as interim executive director from the end of 2013 to early 2014, when the time the now-retiring Joe Weber got the job.
Bass takes over the reins of TxDOT just as it is beginning to see the fruits of the Texas Legislature's work over the past several years. The department will benefit from legislation that will add billions of dollars to its budgets going forward. That money will now be Bass's responsibility as TxDOT's 21st executive director.
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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars Robert Saenz, Chief of Field Operations, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
 Career highlights and education: I grew up in a small South Texas town, and I graduated from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) with a degree in criminal justice. Immediately after graduating from college, I attended a police academy and was hired as a patrolman and then promoted to detective with the Del Rio Police Department. I have been employed with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) since 1993 and have been stationed in Galveston, Del Rio Outpost, Odessa, Houston and Austin. I hold a Master Peace Officer Certification and have been a licensed Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) instructor since 1997. I graduated from the Governor's Center Senior Management Development Program at The University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs, and I've completed the necessary course work to obtain a Federal Bureau of Investigation Trilogy Award for Law Enforcement Executive Development. I am proud to be part of an executive team that has implemented the numerous operational and organizational changes that have steered TABC toward becoming the most professional, efficient and effective agency that we can be.
What I like best about my job is: The fact that I am part of a select law enforcement group (there are only 250 agents at any given time), of a very specialized agency, created by the legislature to regulate a very complex industry. It is also very satisfying to know that our efforts are saving lives.
The best advice I've received for my current job is: Take your job seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously. You need to enjoy your job and have fun in what you're doing each day.
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: LEARN the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code! With knowledge comes confidence, with confidence comes professionalism.
If I ever decided to leave work early, I could probably be found: I love movies and outdoor cooking/barbecuing ... so you'd either catch me watching a movie or cooking something outside. I also love to get away to hunt and fish, but that kind of free time is rare.
People would be surprised to know that I: I have 19-year-old twins in college and a four-year-old surprise at home ... and I wouldn't change a thing about that! The situation keeps us on our toes!
One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: We are an agency that enforces the laws and rules that are set by the Texas Legislature as they pertain to the alcoholic beverage industry. As stated above, we have made changes to the agency that allow us to do that as efficiently and with as minimal interruption to the permit holder as possible. Whenever we hold permit holders accountable for public safety violations, such as over-serving a patron or for serving an underage minor, I believe we are potentially saving lives.
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Denison begins efforts to buy former bank to serve as city hall Denison City Council members recently agreed to move ahead with plans to buy a 28,000-square-foot former bank building. The building will undergo renovations and be converted into a city hall. City officials proposed offering $400,000 and the current city hall building in exchange for the bank building and a former motor bank facility, which will be turned into an office for the water department.
In an inspection of the 44-year-old bank building, city staff and an architect found no signs of leaks or structural damage. The HVAC system is operational, but the building will need asbestos abatement and to be rewired for technology, the architect said.
Cost estimates for the renovations will be available in about two weeks after city crews complete their assessment of the former bank building. Building a new city hall to meet the city's needs would cost between $5 million and $10 million.
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Fort Worth weighing proposal to build deck over railroad yard  Fort Worth city officials recently began weighing a proposal to build a 70-acre deck to cover the rail yards east of the central business district in an effort to aid the redevelopment of public housing project Butler Place and more fully integrate it with the rest of the city's center.
The Urban Land Institute, a Washington-based nonprofit group, formed a panel of seven urban planners and real estate professionals to perform the study at the request of the Fort Worth Housing Authority. The housing authority is trying to make better use of Butler Place now that public housing policy advises against locating large numbers of those needing public housing in one location.
Noting that only about 30 downtown blocks are available for redevelopment, the report suggested rebranding the site as Terrell Hill and urged the housing authority to redevelop a portion of the 42-acre Butler Place site into artists' spaces and museums. The group also recommended demolishing some buildings and phasing in development over several years by adding as many as 150 residential units, office space, shops and restaurants.
Council took no action on the report from the Urban Land Institute. |
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Tomball working with TxDOT for improvements to downtown area  Tomball city officials recently began talks with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) to move up the timing of grant funding for a $30 million project to rebuild the downtown corridor of FM 2910.
TxDOT is providing most of the funding for the road improvements, but the city must pay for median landscaping and for enhanced decorative lighting in the downtown area. While H-GAC included funding for the grant in its 10-year plan, the road improvements could begin as late as 2025, according to David Esquivel (pictured), the director of public works. Council approved $3 million in the 2016 city budget to provide the matching funds required by the grant and would like to move up the project's timetable.
City officials are scheduled to meet with TxDOT planners in early 2016 with a goal of moving up the time frame of the project to the next three to five years, Esquivel said. The project involves new center turn lanes and new sidewalks to be installed between Four Corners and Willow Street.
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Ellington airport wins grant for new air traffic control tower The Houston Airport System recently won a $3.1 million grant to help pay for a new $7 million air traffic control tower at Ellington Airport. The majority of the grant, $2 million, will help pay construction costs, and $1 million will cover the cost of equipping the control tower.
The existing control tower at Ellington was built in the 1950s and suffered damage in Hurricane Ike in 2008. It cannot withstand the impact of future storm force winds, airport officials said. The Texas Air National Guard, the Texas Army National Guard and the Coast Guard use Ellington Airport as an aviation operational center and distribution hub in support of federal and state civil authorities.
Once completed in late 2017, the new control tower will support military operations and improve services available for general aviation and the Houston Spaceport project. Airport authorities expect to issue requests for proposals (RFP) early next year and begin construction later in 2016.
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Governor awards $15 million to four cities with military bases  The Office of the Governor recently awarded nearly $15 million in grants to four communities with military institutions to guard against some of the negative impact from possible future military base closures. The grants are from the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission.
The grants went to: the Alamo Area Council of Governments ($5 million), the city of Houston ($3.10 million), Val Verde County ($4.28 million) and the city of Wichita Falls ($1.75 million). They will be used to pay for infrastructure projects to increase the military value of installations in Texas and mitigate some of the negative effects of base closures.
In San Antonio, the Alamo Area Council of Governments plans to spend about $10.7 million on projects to supply water to Joint Base San Antonio, Camp Bullis, Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base and other military facilities. That project should be completed by 2017.
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Port of Corpus Christi land buyouts pave way for new bridge Port of Corpus Christi officials recently approved spending up to $20 million to buy out homes to build a new, six-lane Harbor Bridge expected to cost up to $1 billion.
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials, who suggested a voluntary acquisition and relocation plan to move residents of the Hillcrest neighborhood, agreed to pay any costs above $20 million to purchase the land.
The new bridge will replace the mile-long Harbor Bridge, which was completed in 1959. It has been designed with a clearance of 205 feet, as compared to the current 139-foot clearance, which will permit larger vessels, including cruise ships, to enter the harbor area.
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Allen bond group recommends $93.1 million bond vote in 2016 An Allen bond steering committee recently presented a $93.1 million bond proposal to city council members to consider for an election in May 2016.
Committee members urged spending the largest portion of the bond funds, $27 million, for parks and recreation projects. The bond group also recommended spending $24.4 million for public safety projects, including an indoor firearm training facility; $23.9 million for streets; $16 million for expanding the public library; and $1.76 million for public art projects.
City officials plan to host a public meeting in late January 2016 to explain projects to voters and for council to vote Feb. 9, 2016, on whether to schedule the bond election. |
Austin City Council approves lobbying, contributions reforms The Austin City Council this week passed two resolutions that reform the city's rules regarding lobbying and campaign contributions. The two resolutions are requests to the city manager to draft ordinances: the first relating to who needs to register as a lobbyist and the second regulating campaign contributions by organizations not otherwise required to disclose their funding.
The lobbying ordinance will lay out explicitly who needs to register as a lobbyist, including those who do so on a part-time basis. After negotiations between council and the development community, the request to the city manager states that the ordinance should not include anyone
"communicating for the purpose of achieving compliance with existing" laws and policies. That would exempt architects and engineers from being labeled lobbyists. In addition, the registration would require lobbyists to disclose more fully their compensation and their clients.
The second request to the city manager, regarding campaign contributions, deals with disclosure of third-party advocacy groups in city elections. The city manager's ordinance would require more transparency with respect to the origin of such contributions.
The city council will review the draft ordinances in 2016 before voting whether to approve them or not.
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Cameron requests TWDB loans totaling $21 million for upgrades Cameron City Council members recently approved applications for two low-interest loans totaling $21 million from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to pay for upgrades to its water and wastewater facilities. City officials are applying for money from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for loans for these projects: - $10 million to design and build a new wastewater plant to replace the existing plant;
- $1 million to refurbish 15 lift stations and smoke test distribution lines;
- $5.4 million to renovate the water treatment plant and perform a study to prioritize replacement of water lines; and
- $3 million to replace 25 percent of the existing water lines.
Also included in the five-year plan for infrastructure improvements are the replacement of key valves and fire hydrants and repair of water leaks. |
Victoria approves $795,000 for survey to upgrade roadway  Victoria City Council members recently approved $795,500 for a service agreement to provide preliminary engineering, surveying, design and bidding for a $7.4 million project to transform Placido Benavides Drive into a two-lane roadway to attract more development and ease traffic.
The project will extend the roadway to Salem Road and include water and sanitary sewer lines, drainage and upgrades to Salem Road, noted Lynn Short (pictured), the city's public works director.
The expanded roadway will provide an additional thoroughfare between Loop 463 and US 77 and is expected to spur economic development in the area, Short said.
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Denison City Council updated on $4.2 million US 75 ramp project  Denison City Manager Jud Rex (pictured) recently updated city council members on a proposed $4.2 million project to improve traffic flow along the intersection of US 75 and Morton Street.
The ramps along northbound US 75 are being redesigned so that traffic leaving the highway enters the service road before the intersection, Rex said. Currently, the traffic creates a bottleneck at the intersection with the ramp and service road traffic forced to merge together.
The project also will add a U-turn lane in order to permit traffic to move faster through the intersection than the current design, Rex said. The project is being paid for using Proposition 1 funds through the Paris District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The next phase of the project, expected to cost about $3.6 million, is to install similar ramps on the southbound side of the highway.
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 | Austin ISD agrees to buy land for two high schools Austin Independent School District trustees recently instructed staff to begin buying two tracts of land, one in the southwestern part of the district and one in the southeast. The land is to be used for a new high school (and possibly two) to ease overcrowding. Funding for the land purchase was included in a $32 million bond proposal approved in 2008.
Residents in each area have pushed for a new high school in their neighborhoods. In response, trustees agreed to buy two properties rather than one tract as originally planned. Board members, however, made no decision on where the new high school would be located when it is built. Voters would need to approve a bond proposal to begin designing or building a new high school, district officials said.
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Spring to renovate building to serve as Early College Academy  Spring Independent School District trustees recently approved plans to renovate a 44,720-square-foot administration building, transforming it into a campus for the Early College Academy at Southridge.
District officials plan to spend about $4.4 million to renovate the three-story facility built in 1984 to replace portable buildings that have housed the academy for the past four or five years. An architect is developing a design plan and cost analysis for the renovation project, which is being paid for with $3.4 million in bonds and from the general fund.
Preliminary plans call for creating traditional classrooms, a large learning space, a commons area and a cafe in addition to upgraded security and safety features. The renovation project should be completed by August 2016, district officials said.
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San Marcos asking residents for feedback on downtown traffic San Marcos city officials recently agreed to use an online survey to obtain more information on improving the central business district.
The survey, which will be available until February 2016, asks residents and visitors their views on parking, whether to convert two major streets from one-way into two-way streets and other issues affecting the downtown area.
Respondents to the survey will be asked how frequently they come downtown and their opinion on back-in parking, among other issues, to provide more information as city officials plan future upgrades to the district. City staff members also plan to walk door-to-door to speak with downtown business owners and measure support for the proposed changes.
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Fort Bend approves career, technical education center Fort Bend Independent School District trustees recently approved the concept for career and program offerings for a new 200,000-square-foot career and technical education center.
Board members, however, have not yet approved the location or design for the career center, which is expected to open in August 2018 and serve 1,800 students district-wide. The existing 35,000-square-foot technical education center, built in 1971, serves about 400 students daily, said Meredith Watassek, director of career and technical education.
Trustees have agreed to expand access to career and technical education, as well as certification programs, Watassek said. Among the program offerings adopted by trustees are robotics, computer networking, early childhood education and a working mechanic's shop.
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Sealy, TxDOT moving forward with I-10 frontage road project  Sealy City Council members recently agreed to contribute $314,000 to build a new frontage road at Interstate 10. A disagreement between the city and a shopping center developer had delayed the project until council members approved the required local matching contribution.
Construction could begin on the frontage road project in late spring or early summer of 2016, noted Paul Reitz (pictured), the new district engineer for the Yoakum District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The transportation agency is working on plans to reimburse the $2 million the city and developer have committed to the frontage road project, but that reimbursement is still under review, Reitz said.
TxDOT officials are considering funding the construction project as part of a major highway expansion from Brookshire to FM 3538, he said.
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Port Neches-Groves ISD chief urges $140 million bond election Superintendent Rodney Cavness of Port Neches-Groves Independent School District recently urged trustees to consider scheduling a $130 million to $140 million bond election in May 2016.
He recommended using the bond funds to pay for the demolition of six elementary schools and the construction of four new schools and an administration building.
Cavness selected 40 citizens to serve on a bond committee to recommend projects to include. He also proposed building two pre-K-to-fifth-grade schools in each community and consolidating district staff into one facility.
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Taylor kicks off first phase of new downtown master plan  Taylor City Council members recently approved a proposal to begin four capital improvement projects expected to cost about $1.265 million as part of a new downtown master plan.
The projects include designing and building gateways, developing a parking strategy, installing signs directing traffic to the downtown area and creating a detailed plan for Heritage Square. Work on all of the projects can begin soon, be completed quickly and have funding available, said Ashley Lumpkin, director of development services.
City officials plan to seek bids on the projects soon. Funding for the four projects includes $1.2 million in bond funds and $65,000 from the Tax Increment Financing fund.
Additionally, Taylor city officials recently selected the location of a new skate park, which will serve as the south anchor to the downtown master plan. The next step is to submit proposals to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and begin the planning and design phases of the project, City Manager Isaac Turner (pictured) said.
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South Padre Island wins $3.5M grant for sidewalks, bike lanes The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded a $3.49 million grant to South Padre Island to build new sidewalks and upgrade bike lanes and signs along 5.5 miles of Padre Boulevard.
The grant from the Transportation Alternatives Program also will pay for ensuring all intersections on Padre Boulevard are compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for crossings.
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Early approves purchase of school property for new park  Early city officials recently authorized City Administrator Tony Aaron (pictured) to negotiate with trustees for the Early Independent School District to buy a six-acre tract of land to provide recreation activities in the area. The property, a former football field last used in 2008, was appraised at $102,000, according to school district officials.
The short-term goal is to provide facilities for walking and running. The longer term plan is to add facilities for basketball, volleyball and possibly aquatics at the new park, Aaron said. It will be named McDonald Park to honor the family that donated the land to the school district in 1947.
City officials plan to identify and allot funds for more improvements during the budgeting process in coming years, he said.
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LCRA move allows Marble Falls to replace aging water pipes Marble Falls City Manager Mike Hodge recently announced plans to replace 50- to 70-year-old cast iron water lines in several areas of the city.
Funding for the project is from revenue expected to increase after the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) agreed to reduce water rates next year by 17 percent, from $175 per acre-foot to $145 per acre-foot. Recent rains have eased drought conditions and increased storage in reservoirs, the general manager of the LCRA said.
City officials plan to use savings from the reduced water rates along with about $50,000 from refinanced bonds for projects approved in 2007 to improve the aging infrastructure, Hodge said.
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LBJ School offers Construction Purchasing Certificate Program |
Buyers, contract administrators and project managers interested in earning a construction purchasing certificate can do so through The University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs. The program aids in understanding and using new terms, remaining compliant with unfamiliar laws, developing control plans and schedules and staying on budget. The LBJ School's Construction Purchasing Certificate Program consists of four core courses and one elective to be completed over a period of two years. The goal of this certificate program is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to ensure that their organization's construction projects are well managed and secure the intended results and value. The courses are complementary in nature, and each course repeats annually. The next available course is Project and Construction Management and will be held March 7-8, 2016. Registration is open.
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| | Feds OK transportation funds, bureau to study procurement options
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
 To the disbelief of some, Congress finally passed a long-term transportation funding bill for the first time in a decade. That's good news because some critical needs related to roads and bridges will now get attention. However, the funding was far from adequate to address other critical transportation infrastructure needs.
The five-year appropriation of $305 billion was much smaller than the $400 billion that was requested, but the new legislation increases spending on highways by 14.9 percent and transit money by 18.1 percent.
Texas will benefit from the bill's creation of a Coordinated Border Infrastructure Reserve Fund. This part of the new law allows states to transfer up to 5 percent of the federal funding for surface transportation to other infrastructure projects along border crossings. This will give Texas money to pay for upgrades at ports of entry that are increasingly bogged down by wait times and inefficiency.
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Mike Morath named new education commissioner  Dallas Independent School District trustee Mike Morath (pictured) will be the new commissioner of the Texas Education Agency. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Morath to the position this week. He will replace the outgoing Michael Williams, who announced his resignation in October.
Morath has served on the Dallas school board since his election in 2011. Abbott emphasized this experience in making his appointment. "A proven education reformer, Mike Morath will not accept the status quo in our schools," Abbott said. "He is committed to innovative solutions that will empower Texas principals, teachers and students to strive for the highest in education excellence.
An investment manager, Morath has also worked in information systems, and he championed the Dallas school district's move to a pay-for-performance standard for its teachers rather than they typical seniority-based system.
"As a DISD trustee," said Morath, "I watched with amazement the tremendous skill and love our teachers and staff pour into our students every day. I realize that no school system's students can outperform their teachers, and supporting our teachers to improve teaching quality are essential in our public education system. I look forward to advancing that quality, as well as student outcomes, to ensure Texas becomes the number one school system in the nation."
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| Texas Government Insider will not publish next week Texas Government Insider will not publish Friday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. The following week, we will publish one day early, Thursday, Dec. 31.
We will resume our regular Friday publication dates on Jan. 8, 2016. The offices of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., will be closed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24 and 25, for the Christmas holidays. Our offices will open again at 8:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 28.
Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday! |
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Railroad commissioners appoint new executive director, general counselThis week, the elected representatives sitting on the Railroad Commission of Texas filled out the commission's executive ranks.
 Retired energy executive Kimberly Corley (pictured) was made executive director of the Railroad Commission. Corley retired from Shell Oil Company earlier this year. She had held several leadership positions throughout her career, most recently as general manager of construction risk mitigation and workforce development.
"Having spent my entire professional career in the energy industry, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to use my experience and expertise in service to the people of Texas," said Corley. "Texas is a world leader in energy production, and the Railroad Commission is widely recognized as a global leader in energy regulation."
Corley earned an undergraduate business degree from Sam Houston State University and a master's degree from Rice University.
 Joining her in the executive leadership of the commission will be new General Counsel Alexander Schoch (pictured).
The regulatory agency's new chief attorney is another retired energy executive. Schoch retired in July from a coal company, where he served as executive vice president, chief legal officer and secretary.
"The Railroad Commission of Texas has a long history of effective, efficient regulation of energy, and that is largely the result of sound legal understanding and implementation of the laws of this state and the rules of the commission," said Schoch. "I look forward to building on that history with my expertise in energy law and deep experience leading legal teams involved in very complex legal and regulatory issues."
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Caloss named lone finalist for Wills Point superintendent  Scott Caloss recently won selection as the lone finalist for superintendent at Wills Point Independent School District. Caloss (pictured) is currently the superintendent at Poth ISD, for which he has worked for nearly 12 years, the last three as superintendent.
Poth ISD trustees this week named Paula Renken as the interim replacement for Caloss. Renken works as a program coordinator for Education Service Center, Region 20, and previously served as superintendent for the Brackett ISD.
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San Benito selects De La Rosa as new city manager
 San Benito city commissioners recently selected Manuel De La Rosa (pictured) as the new city manager. He replaces former City Manager Manuel Lara, who died in July.
Most recently, De La Rosa served as director of planning in Kyle. He also was a city manager in Jonestown and Liberty Hill. He has served as a judge, fire chief, assistant city manager and director of economic development during his 28 years in municipal government.
De La Rosa has a bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He also is a Certified Public Manager.
Abilene taps Schoening as planning director  Abilene City Council members recently named Dana Schoening (pictured), a community development director in Duncan, Okla., as the city's new director of planning and development.
He replaces Jon James, who resigned to accept a similar position with the city of San Angelo.
Schoening has master's degrees from Midwestern State University and from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
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McKinney receives $100,000 to provide interim transit service
The Regional Transportation Council has agreed to provide $100,000 in matching funds to McKinney city officials to help the city pay for interim transportation services after severing ties with the Texoma Area Paratransit System (TAPS).
City officials voted last month to terminate all TAPS service after the transit system reduced services in Collin County to only medical-related trips, an action that ended fixed-route service on seven routes.
Officials in McKinney are searching for another transit provider to provide specific transportation services for three to four months, the city manager said.
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Katy ISD to upgrade stadium with bond funds
Trustees for Katy Independent School District recently agreed to complete the second level of a new stadium, using $2.9 million in funds remaining after earlier bond projects were completed under budget.
Finishing the second floor shell space was omitted from the $58 million proposal approved in 2014 for the new stadium. The project also includes a parent drop-off area, a maintenance building and improved exterior lighting for the facility. The two-story stadium, which is designed to seat 12,000, should be completed in the fall of 2017.
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Tom Muir to serve as new city manager in Azle  Tom Muir, previously city manager in Haltom City, recently won selection as city manager in Azle.
He begins his new duties Jan. 10, 2016, but may arrive earlier to work with outgoing City Manager Craig Lemin. Muir (pictured) also worked as director of general services in Killeen and joined Haltom City as an assistant city manager in 2002 and interim city manager in 2003 before being named to the permanent position.
Muir has a bachelor's degree from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla.
TWDB announces $65M in financial assistance
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) this week announced funding for 10 projects for a total of $64.2 million. They include water and wastewater system improvements and two water supply projects.
The largest of those announced was more than $31 million to Kerr County for the construction of a first-time wastewater collection system that will serve more than 500 water connections in Center Point.
The two water supply projects funded this week were in Kaufman and Limestone counties. The former was in the amount of $1.2 million for a water treatment and distribution system, and the latter included $2.1 million for a new water treatment plant and two water supply wells.
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Jacksonville, Palestine tap new finance directors  Jacksonville City Council members recently selected Roxanna K. Martin (pictured) as the new director of finance, effective Nov. 30. Martin replaced Kay Tussing, the former finance director.
Previously the finance director in Greenville from 2007 until last month, Martin has a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
 Palestine, too, has named a new finance director recently. Larry Pannel (pictured) won selection as that city's director of finance and assistant city manager. After he begins his new duties in January 2016, Pannell will work with Becky Roseberry, whom he will replace, to assist in the transition.
Pannell has served as the economic development director and interim city manager in Guthrie, Okla., and in city management in Electra. Previous to that, he served as a finance director in Zion, Ill., and an assistant finance director in Mundelein, Ill.
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U.S. Congress allots funding for San Antonio federal courthouse
The U.S. Congress recently approved a budget bill for fiscal year 2016 that includes funding for a new federal courthouse in San Antonio.
Congress approved $10.2 billion for the Federal Buildings Fund of the General Services Administration. The funding for the construction of eight additional federal courthouses, including San Antonio's, will come from that allotment.
Smithville to interview design firms to prepare for bond election
Trustees for the Smithville Independent School District have scheduled interviews in January 2016 with four design firms to work with district personnel in identifying and providing cost estimates for projects to include in a 2016 bond election.
Following a recent facilities inspection, trustees discussed a new junior high building, a performing arts center and a new football field and track.
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Thomas to serve as president of Taylor EDC  Mark Thomas recently agreed to serve as the new president and chief executive officer of the Taylor Economic Development Corporation.
Thomas (pictured) served 12 years as the chief executive officer of the economic development corporation in Georgetown. He begins his new duties in Taylor in January 2016.
Greenville to purchase junior college building
Greenville Independent School District trustees recently approved $724,000 to purchase a building that previously housed Paris Junior College and a charter school.
The 21,000-square-foot building is located on 5.44 acres of land owned by the college.
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Lufkin to pursue funding for downtown plaza
Lufkin city officials said this week that they will pursue grant opportunities to fund construction of a proposed plaza in the city's downtown area.
The plaza will be located on a parking lot adjacent to the Lufkin Municipal Court. The proposed venue would include picnic table seating, covered area and a water feature.
PEDC hires Michael Paris as new executive director
 The Board of Directors for the Paris Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) announced this week that Michael Paris (pictured) was named the group's new executive director.
Paris previously served as vice president for business retention and expansion for the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce. His first day on the job will be Jan. 15, 2016.
"I appreciate the opportunity. Paris is a wonderful community," Paris said. "It's good to see my name in lights."
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On Our Website | |
Terry, Morton retiring from Jacksonville ISD
Jacksonville Independent School District Associate Superintendent Judy Terry and Construction and Facilities Director Olen Morton recently announced plans to retire.
Terry began her career as a teacher in 1979 and also served as a principal, curriculum director and assistant superintendent for the school district.
Morton joined the school district in the maintenance department and worked his way up to supervisor and then director.
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Gov. Greg Abbott has announced the following appointments: - Kimberly Fish, Longview, Sabine River Authority Board of Directors;
- Jeanette Sterner, Holly Lake Ranch, Sabine River Authority Board of Directors;
- Cary M. "Mac" Abney, Marshall, Sabine River Authority Board of Directors.
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Texas Government Insider is a free weekly newsletter detailing important happenings throughout the state and summarizing current political issues relevant to individuals interested in government. Publisher: Mary Scott Nabers Editor: Peter Partheymuller TGI is published by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), a research and consulting firm. Founded in Texas in 1995 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
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