A shift in federal water policy is creating new contracting opportunities
by Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Federal funding for upcoming water projects has new guidelines with possibly more pending. This is noteworthy for both public officials and private sector contractors.
TCEQ ordered to halt data center permits until audit is complete
Texas has halted data center permitting while state agencies review projects’ electricity demand, water use, infrastructure needs and community impacts.
Judge orders TDCJ to complete prison air conditioning by 2029
A federal judge ordered TDCJ to air condition its prison system by 2029, potentially accelerating an estimated $1.5 billion in HVAC and infrastructure work.
Nearly $550M in Pflugerville projects target water, civic infrastructure
Pflugerville is advancing nearly $550 million in water, civic and neighborhood infrastructure projects, with major construction milestones expected through 2027.
Dallas charter proposal would give mayor greater control over city government
Three former Dallas mayors are pursuing a charter amendment that would expand the mayor’s authority over Dallas’ city manager, attorney and budget.
Former lawmaker, superintendent Gary VanDeaver named TASB director
Former Texas Rep. Gary VanDeaver will become executive director of the Texas Association of School Boards on Oct. 1.
Houston ISD enrollment decline puts pressure on campus staffing, budgets
Houston ISD is adjusting campus staffing and spending as enrollment declines despite substantial gains in state accountability ratings since the 2023 state takeover.
Bexar County begins search for successor to longtime manager
Bexar County Manager David Smith will retire Dec. 31 after 15 years, prompting a leadership search amid major budget and infrastructure challenges.
Texas counties process 178,000-plus delayed voter registration records
Texas counties are processing more than 178,000 delayed voter records after a DPS technology error prevented applications and updates from reaching local officials.
Port Aransas hires former Corpus Christi city attorney
Miles Risley, who up until recently served as Corpus Christi’s city attorney, has been hired by Port Aransas following a unanimous city council vote this month. Risley served Corpus Christi for 12 years and has about three decades of experience in municipal law, having also represented the cities of Wichita Falls and Victoria. His firm was one of four that competed for the position in Port Aransas.
Denison promotes longtime employee to city manager
Renee Waggoner is Denison’s new city manager, becoming the eighth person to hold that title since 1980. The hiring process, which lasted several months, included more than 50 applicants. Waggoner started with the city in 2002, handling utility accounts before being named assistant city manager. Most recently, she served as interim city manager.
ACM, ex-police chief bumped up to city manager in Hewitt
Jim Devlin has been selected to serve as Hewitt’s next city manager. He joined the city of Hewitt in 2009 as deputy police chief and was promoted to police chief in 2012 before becoming assistant city manager in 2023. He succeeds Bo Thomas, who recently retired after serving as city manager since 2019.
Amarillo city manager resigns after 2 years
Grayson Path has resigned as Amarillo’s city manager. Members of city council voted 4 to 1 to accept his resignation. Path had been with the city since 2024. He was hired to replace Jared Miller, who departed in 2023. In between Miller and Path, Andrew Freeman and Floyd Hartman filled the position on an interim basis. Freeman, Amarillo’s deputy city manager and chief operating officer, has been designated as acting city manager for a period of up to 60 days.
Ganado searching for next city secretary/treasurer
Perry Raz, city secretary/treasurer for Ganado, has submitted her resignation. Raz provided a six-week notice to city council members. Raz joined the city last year, according to her LinkedIn profile, after spending time working in the private sector.
Edna selects investigator to lead police force
Brian Martin has been named Edna’s police chief. Martin has 20 years of law enforcement experience, having worked as a jailer, patrol officer and investigator for the sheriff’s offices in Jackson and Calhoun counties. Kenny Pyle was Edna’s previous police chief.
Governor’s Appointments (Sept. 21-25):
Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas Board of Trustees
Dan West – Houston (Chair)
Clayton Ripley – Austin
Tenth Court of Appeals, Place 3
Andrea Westerfeld – Midlothian
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