Hegar updates Senate Committee on state's financial condition
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|  | | Glenn Hegar | |
State Comptroller Glenn Hegar spoke to the Senate Committee on Finance this week with news that the robust job and economic growth, rising oil prices and production and rebuild efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey have contributed to strong revenue growth of 10.3 percent over the past three months. Revenue growth is growing faster than forecasted in the Certification Revenue Estimate, which was released in October 2017.
Hegar said that unemployment has hovered below 4 percent for the last three months which is the lowest it has been in four decades. Last week the initial estimates of the third quarter 2017 gross domestic product (GDP) growth were released and despite some lost output due to Hurricane Harvey, Texas saw real GDP growth of 5 percent behind only one state.
Purchasing vehicles damaged by Hurricane Harvey contributed to growth of motor vehicles sales tax collections of nearly 13 percent over three months. Natural gas productions have increased more than 40 and 50 percent.
This might lead one to think that the budget picture for this next Legislative session is beginning to brighten. "While there is some truth to this, I would like to offer a few words of caution for reading too much into the positive economic numbers," Hegar said.
Beginning in fiscal 2018, Proposition 7 directs the Comptroller's office to annually deposit to the State Highway Fund $2.5 billion of net revenue from the state sales tax, after total sales tax receipts exceed $28 billion. Last year, in order to free up some of that money for other purposes, Senate lawmakers pushed for accounting adjustments that delayed a payment to the state highway fund into the next two-year budget cycle. That freed up about $1.6 billion for lawmakers last year, but it means funding will need to be paid in 2019. Much of the surplus also has to be set aside for transfers into the Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund. If oil and gas tax revenues continue to rise, the state can expect the balance of its emergency Rainy Day Fund to grow to more than $11 billion next year.
Hegar shared that there will be some supplemental costs for the current biennium when the session begins next year. Lawmakers could face a $2.5 billion Medicaid bill shortly after they reconvene in Austin in 2019. He also projected a $240 million budget shortfall for the Texas Tomorrow Fund, a public university tuition payment program that stopped accepting enrollment in 2003.The state treasury will also soon feel the effects of an amendment to the Internet Tax Freedom Act passed by Congress, which is expected to cause a $440 million loss in sales tax revenue.
Hegar told lawmakers that his next revenue estimate would be released likely this summer.
Watch Hegar's full presentation to the committee here.
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Denton ISD mulls over proposal for $750M bond election
 Following a recommendation by a bond advisory panel, Denton Independent School District trustees are reviewing 25 proposals to include in a $750 million bond election in May. The bond proposals fall into five categories to address aging facilities, growth, infrastructure and safety, career and technical education and extracurricular activities.
The recommendations include building a new Denton High School at an estimated cost of $194 million and renovating that facility into a middle school at a cost of about $30 million. The bond panel also urged building a new middle school and elementary school for an estimated $139 million. Other projects recommended for the bond proposal include a new agriculture science center, a transportation facility, new security cameras at every campus, renovating athletic and fine arts facilities at two high schools and expanded career and technology programs. Trustees are expected to decide on Feb. 13 whether to schedule a bond election in May and which projects to include on the ballot.
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Longview weighs $36.5M bond vote for recreation projects
 A bond advisory committee is studying projects estimated to cost up to $36.5 million to include in a bond election in November. Among the projects being studied include the completion of Lear Park at a cost of about $8.8 million, upgrading seven parks for $7.4 million, rebuilding the Cargill Long Trail for about $1.34 million, improving the Longview Arboretum, updating an existing recreation center for $5.7 million and building a new parks administration building and recreation center for $12.2 million, said Parks and Recreation Director Scott Caron.
Also included are new baseball and softball fields, a splash pad, upgrades to a soccer field and trail improvements. Members of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee is expected to finalize their recommendations to city council members for projects to include on a possible bond ballot in March.
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TCC requests bids for redevelopment of Northwest Campus
 Tarrant County College (TCC) District officials are seeking bids from architectural firms to design and oversee redevelopment of its 190-acre Northwest Campus on Marine Creek Parkway. The project, to be completed in two phases over the next five to six years, includes construction of three new buildings, renovation of four buildings and demolishing five buildings.
The first phase, expected to take two years, is to refine and develop TCC's existing master plan and decide the scope of the work. The second phase involves creating a complete schematic design, design development and administration of construction sites. The new buildings include an Early College High School and two other facilities that range from 50,000 square feet to 225,000 square feet.
Preliminary plans include a structured exterior space such as an amphitheater to take advantage of the view of the Marine Creek Reservoir. Other interior spaces in the new building include classrooms, space for staff, science labs, computer labs, a theater, onboarding center, library/commons areas and collaboration zones.
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San Benito CISD reviews options to repurpose three campuses
 Responding to declining enrollment at elementary schools, San Benito Consolidated Independent School District trustees discussed options to repurpose three schools. A forum was held to gather public opinion on the most efficient use of district facilities.
Superintendent Nate Chapman outlined three plans that included repurposing Garza Elementary into a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy in order to better compete with charter schools and retain more elementary students. Chapman also outlined a plan to redevelop Landrum Elementary into the Landrum Educational Complex for the Positive Redirection Center and Gateway to Graduation programs and to develop an early college academy using available space at the Veterans Memorial Academy. Board members are expected to vote and take action Feb. 13.
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Bellaire approves site plan for new high school
 The Bellaire City Council approved the site plan and traffic study for a $137 million project to rebuild Bellaire High School on its original site. The city's approval allows the Houston Independent School District to move forward with the final design and construction phase of the project that was approved in a 2012 bond election.
The plan involves maximizing space on the 18-acre campus by moving the athletic practice fields two miles to another site, designing a new 425,000-square-foot high school and improving traffic flow. Construction on the project is expected to begin in the summer of 2019 and to be completed in phases to allow students to remain in classes throughout the process. The project is expected to take about 30 months to complete. Once the new high school building is completed, the existing high school will be demolished. Bellaire is among 40 schools, including 29 high schools, being rebuilt as part of the 2012 Bond Program.
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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
Larry McManus, Senior Director for Rural Economic Development/Trade and Business Development, Texas Department of Agriculture
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| | Larry McManus |
Career highlights and education: I have more than 24 years of economic development service to the State of Texas which includes the Texas Department of Agriculture, Office of the Governor, and the Texas Department of Economic Development among others. Because of my experience, I have been able to build a highly regarded reputation with community and regional economic development allies throughout the State of Texas. While in the Office of the Governor, I supervised and managed regional operations and the Domestic Expansion and Recruitment office. The Domestic Expansion and Recruitment team was instrumental in assisting in the announcement of more than 140,000 jobs and a capital investment in excess of approximately $63 billion between January 2005 and August 2015.
Previous to my State of Texas experience, I spent nearly five years with NationsBank (now Bank of America). I have a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at El Paso and am a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.
What I like best about my public service:The excitement of working with successful projects that take on their own life where no two projects and/or results are the same. This may involve assisting businesses in expanding operations in Texas, working with Texas communities in implementing economic initiatives, and/or working with economic development partners at the state and local level on economic development strategies.
The best advice I've received for my current roll is: Ensure that I am listening and communicating effectively with staff, management, and external customers. In the words of the late Stephen Covey, seek first to understand, then to be understood.
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Try to learn as much as you can about a subject, project, activity you are assigned and ask questions to ensure you have an understanding of your assignment. Communication is integral to being successful.
If I ever left work early, I could probably be found: On the golf course. I have an affinity for golf and would have pursued being a golf professional (not a touring professional) if it had paid better. You don't have to be as good as a Tour Pro to be a Club Pro.
People would be surprised to know that: Auditioned and was accepted into a Hollywood broadcasting school after graduating from college.
One thing I wish more people knew about The Texas Department of Agriculture: The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is a state agency that is very diverse. TDA is involved in numerous activities to include assisting agriculture based products and businesses grow, protecting consumers, empowering rural communities, promoting healthy living, and helping communities across the state of Texas develop successful community and economic development strategies.
Some activities that highlight TDA's diversity consist of the following: * Assist in the delivery of more than 1 billion healthy meals each year. * Oversee the testing of fuel to ensure the right chemical balance, pressure and content. * Perform calibrations on lottery balls used in the Texas Lottery drawings. * Test to ensure seeds grow as promised on packaging. * Regulate and inspect agricultural related products for consumer protection. * Assist rural communities with their economic development initiatives in the form of grant and loan programs. I encourage everyone reading this newsletter to visit www.texasagriculture.gov to learn more about the Texas Department of Agriculture. |
Dallas plans $50M Water Garden project
 Dallas has plans for a $50 million Water Garden along Riverfront Boulevard. The North Central Texas Council of Governments hired an engineering firm for the design phase of the project that will improve flood control, improve water quality, create public space and revitalize the area around the Old Trinity River channel.
This proposed public-private partnership will provide the public access to wetlands, other aquatic features and a boardwalk at the original site of the Trinity River, which was re-routed away from downtown Dallas. The Water Garden includes terraced wetlands to filter stormwater and natural wetlands will be restored adjacent to the river. Funding for the project will come from a voter-approved bond referendum, grants and private donations. Dallas Park Board President Bobby Abtahi says he hopes to begin construction of the Water Garden next year.
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Green and Dixon take on new roles at HHS
 Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) has chosen Jordan Dixon as the deputy Executive commissioner for transformation and Calvin Green as the deputy executive commissioner for performance. Dixon will serve in that position beginning Feb. 20. She has served as the director of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services for three years. She has extensive experience in the HHS budget as well as initiatives for cost containment and improved efficiencies in Medicaid and other Texas health care programs.
Green started with HHS on Jan. 15. He served as Health and Human Services Commission director of Regulatory Policy, Rule and Training since 2013. In his new role, Green will be in charge of developing performance metrics across the HHS system and helping to drive the adoption of data-driven decision making.
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Alvord ISD schedules $5.11M bond election
 Trustees for the Alvord Independent School District scheduled a $5.11 million bond election in May to demolish and replace the existing gym at Alvord Elementary and add two classrooms. If voters approve, the bonds also will pay for asbestos abatement and demolishing connections between the cafeteria and prekindergarten buildings. In 2017, voters rejected a $13.8 million bond proposal by an almost 4-to-1 margin.
District officials appointed a 12-member bond committee to work with the architect and construction manager to pare down the plans and obtain cost estimates for a less expensive bond proposition. Current plans call for building a 13,500-square-foot gymnasium with a standard court, a lobby and concession area, seating for 450, restrooms and a parking area at an estimated cost of $4.3 million. Plans also call for a 1,200-square-foot music room and a 900-square-foot classroom at an estimated cost of $504,500.
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College Station to seek bids on building renovation
 College Station city officials are making plans to seek bids this spring on a $973,190 project to renovate the building now housing the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley. The facility will become a community center with a focus on senior programs. Architects have completed 95 percent of the design process and have designated drainage issues at the building on Dartmouth Street to be fixed before seeking bids this spring.
Renovations include replacing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, new paint and flooring, installing acoustical tile, wall panels, LED lighting, a unisex restroom, creating three large multipurpose rooms and complying with the Americans with Disability Act.
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El Paso unveils plans for Cohen Stadium
 El Paso city officials unveiled a proposed master plan for the Cohen Stadium site. The $6 million stadium was built in 1990 for a minor league baseball team. The stadium closed in 2013 and the city has new development ideas for the site.
The proposed plan would be accomplished in three phases, with the first phase being construction of a regional water park. The second phase would be building a media broadcasting studio and a large, outdoor screen. A plaza, athletic facility, hotels, retail, restaurants and family entertainment facilities would be developed in the third phase of the project to redevelop the stadium site. City council members must approve the master plan before the design phase and construction can begin on the proposed plan.
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Liberty Hill moves ahead on design phase of roundabout
 Liberty Hill City Council members are moving forward with the design phase of a single lane roundabout at the intersection of Loop 332 and County Road 279. Two design options for the roundabout are being considered. One option requires the city to acquire more right of way from property owners but causes less impact on trees and development plans for Wetzel Park. The second option uses more property from Wetzel Park and would negatively impact more trees while eliminating access to Munro Street from the roundabout.
Once the final design is completed and approved, construction of the turnabout is expected to take about nine months. Council members also delayed approval of a plan to create more one-way streets in the downtown area. The plan is to seek feedback from residents at a public meeting before proceeding with the project.
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New Braunfels considers options for city-owned land
 New Braunfels city officials held a meeting to gather public comment on three possible options to develop 10 acres of city-owned land on South Castell Avenue. The first option, which seemed to gain the most support, calls for a public-private partnership to develop a civic/convention center, an attached parking garage along with a hotel with amenities.
Another option included a parking garage that gained support from residents who favored lower density development that would attract less traffic congestion and parking concerns. Consulting architects are now studying the public comments on the proposed development and are expected to present recommendations on the use of the city-owned land to city council members, said City Manager Robert Camareno.
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El Paso makes plans for bike share program across the border
 El Paso city officials are working with officials from the city of Ciudad Jaurez and the state of Chihuahua in Mexico on a bike share program that will allow residents in both cities to rent a bike, ride it across the border and deposit it where the bike ride ends. The proposed program, which would be funded through a public-private partnership, would correlate with the SunCycle bike share program that began in 2015.
The program already has 16 stations on the El Paso side so riders can begin their ride at stations at the University of Texas-El Paso, deposit the bike there and hopefully take the bike back to Jaurez, said Michael Medina, executive director of the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization. The goal is to begin a pilot international bike program that calls for 50 bikes and 5 stations by the end of this year or by spring 2019. Jaurez city officials have approved funding for the pilot project that still needs to raise $80,000 and El Paso officials are trying to raise funding from the private sector. The final goal is to have 300 bikes with GPS tracking devices and 30 stations that would cost about $1 million.
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Allen seeks parks and wildlife grant for trail connection
 Allen City Council members agreed to apply for a $200,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to help pay 80 percent of the estimated cost of the Rowlett Trail connection. This project is part of the "Six Cities Trail Plan."
The connection, expected to cost $550,000, is a multi-jurisdictional project to provide linkages for trails in Allen, Frisco, Garland, McKinney, Plano and Richardson and is needed to provide an off-street trail connection between Allen and Plano, according to Tim Dentler, parks and recreation director.
The Rowlett Trail Connection will join at the Bluebonnet Trail in Plano just west of U.S. Highway 75 at the Allen-Plano border and span north with branches to a mixed-use center and a housing development. Once completed, the new trail connection will permit residents to hike, run, bicycle or skateboard from Allen to Plano.
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TCEQ seeks applications for Clean Bus grants from school districts
 In an effort to reduce unhealthy levels of diesel emissions, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) officials are seeking applications from all school districts and charter schools in this state to apply for Clean Bus grants to retrofit older diesel buses and, for the first time, replace diesel buses purchased before 2007 with new, cleaner operating buses.
More than 40 percent of school buses in the state are more than 10 years old and produce a higher level of unhealthy emissions, according to the Texas Education Agency. Improvements in engine technology have reduced diesel emissions from school buses and reduced air pollution for students and those near the bus routes. The grants may reimburse up to 100 percent of the cost to purchase and install retrofit devices. Buses eligible for the Texas Clean Bus Program must be used on a regular daily route during the school year and have five years of mutual life remaining. Deadline for applications for the clean bus grants to be submitted to TCEQ is April 26, 2019. More information is available here.
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By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
 Projections of a possible record year for electric power production from renewable energy sources have been tempered significantly by actions of the Trump administration. The announcement that the U.S. government would impose a 30 percent tariff on imported solar equipment such as photovoltaic cells and modules created shudders throughout the industry. And the shockwaves were hardest felt by the very segment of the industry that in 2017 pushed renewables toward a new record for 2018 - solar energy.
Now come reports that the president's proposed 2019 budget, due out this month, will seek to slash clean energy research funds by 72 percent. If Congress should approve that, it would be even more impactful.
The U.S. has made giant strides in renewable energy and clean air. Many historic firsts were reported over the last two years. Solar power has been so successful in reducing costs for school districts, cities, counties and hospitals - not to mention the benefits of cleaner air - that plans for more solar installations are in planning or installation stages throughout the country.
As the initial shock of the solar tariff news died down, numerous industry experts and analysts said that the tariff, which starts at 30 percent, with a 5 percent reduction annually for four years, will not be a death knell for increased solar energy production in the U.S. But, it will slow down the progress that was being made with the solar energy sector.
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Palestine considers seeking bids for civic center
 Palestine city officials are rethinking the future of its civic center, after receiving no bids in its attempt to sell the facility on Spring Street for $250,000. The deadline for submitting bids ended on Jan. 22. City officials had planned to use revenue from the sale of the building to help fund a new conference center.
Council members will decide at a later date whether to open another round of bids with a longer deadline. City Manager Michael Hornes pointed out that it took 18 months to sell pad sites at the Palestine Mall.
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El Paso unveils plans for Cohen Stadium
El Paso city officials unveiled a proposed master plan for the Cohen Stadium site. The $6 million stadium was built in 1990 for a minor league baseball team. The stadium closed in 2013 and the city has new development ideas for the site.
The proposed plan would be accomplished in three phases, with the first phase being construction of a regional water park. The second phase would be building a media broadcasting studio and a large, outdoor screen. A plaza, athletic facility, hotels, retail, restaurants and family entertainment facilities would be developed in the third phase of the project.
City council members must approve the master plan before the design phase and construction can begin on the proposed plan.
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San Marcos moves forward with mobility center
 The San Marcos City Council approved $361,000 to begin developing city-owned property into a downtown mobility center that will feature a transit stop and other amenities. Also included in the proposed plan for the mobility hub is a performance stage, benches, public art, green spaces, pet waste station, snack bar, water refill station, bike repair station, rain garden and four parking spaces.
The next step is for the design firm to produce construction documents and seek bids for the project. City officials purchased the property on East Hutchison Street for $216,000 and demolished the existing building in 2010.
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Cleveland asking for bids to repair park
 Cleveland City Council members are asking for bids to repair the Cleveland Municipal Park from damages caused by Hurricane Harvey.
The goal is to begin the work by the end of March in time for youth sports this spring, said City Manager Kelly McDonald. The repairs include fencing, electrical and dirt work.
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Bryan seeks public input to update flood mitigation plan
 Bryan city officials are holding a series of meetings to gather information from residents and business owners in order to update its Flood Mitigation Plan. This is a requirement to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The information from property owners will assist in identifying areas with a history of flooding and help the city guide future development and help reduce flooding through mitigation, said Johnnie Price, the assistant city engineer. The next meeting to gather flooding information is scheduled to begin on Feb. 14 and will be followed by additional meetings through April 11.
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UNT selects dean of College of Health and Public Service
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Neale Chumbler
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Neale R. Chumbler has been chosen as the dean of the College of Health and Public Service at the University of North Texas (UNT) effective on July 1.
Now serving as dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Western Kentucky University, Chumbler previously was chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of Georgia. He also was chair of the sociology department at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and a faculty member at the University of Florida. He also has worked as a research scientist at the Indianapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and at the Gainesville Veterans Administration Medical Center. Chumbler has a bachelor's degree from Murray State University, a master's degree from Western Kentucky University and a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University.
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Merrell to serve as city manager of Sealy
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Lloyd Merrell
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Lloyd Merrell began his duties on Feb. 1 as the new city manager of Sealy to replace the former city manager, Larry Kuciemba, who left that post in May.
Council members selected Merrell from a field of 33 applicants from nine states. Warren Covey, who served as interim city manager, did not apply for the position and will return to his duties as the planning and community development director. Merrell previously served as city manager of Madisonville, Ky.
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Forney ISD taps Terry for superintendent
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| | | Justin Terry | |
Forney Independent School District board members selected Justin Terry as the lone finalist for superintendent to replace Suzanne McWilliams who is retiring at the end of this academic year. Currently the deputy superintendent, Terry joined the district as an assistant superintendent of accountability and learning in 2013.
He began his career in public education in 2001 and has served as a teacher, coach and assistant principal for Little Elm ISD and as a principal for Wylie ISD. Terry has a bachelor's degree from East Texas Baptist University, a master's degree from the University of Texas in Arlington and an Ed.D. from Texas A&M-Commerce.
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Abilene chooses new director of planning and development
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| | Taurus Freeman |
Taurus Freeman has been chosen as the new director of planning and development of Abilene. He previously was the interim director of the department.
During his 20 years in planning and development, Freeman was a senior planning analyst of Houston, an assistant city planner and housing official of Nacogdoches, planning manager of Villa Rica, director of planning and development of Griffin, Ga., and a planner of Henry County.
Freeman has a bachelor's degree from Southern Arkansas University, a master's degree from Grand Canyon University and a certificate of local government management from the University of Georgia. He currently is pursuing a Ph.D. from Walden University.
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Gov. Greg Abbott has announced the following appointments from January 26- February 1:
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Gov. Greg Abbott has announced the following appointments from January 26- February 1:
- JD Robertson- Wimberley, Independent Ombudsman for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department
- Wes Ritchey- Dalhart, Chair of Texas Juvenile Justice Board
- Andy Chang, D.D.S.- Dallas, Dental Review Committee
- Joanna Allaire- The Woodlands, Dental Review Committee
- Reena Kuba, D.D.S.- The Colony, Dental Review Committee
- Shahrooz Seifikar, D.D.S.- Dallas, Dental Review Committee
- Brenda Olivarez- Rockport, Dental Review Committee
- Jesse Teng, D.D.S.- El Paso, Dental Review Committee
- Nancy Evans (Ret.), D.D.S.- Wichita Falls, Dental Review Committee
- Amanda Richardson- Tyler, Dental Review Committee
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Dozens of public-sector jobs are available. New jobs added this week:
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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: Kristin Gordon
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.
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Feb. 15
Feb. 26-28
