City Receives Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award

The City of Huntsville has received, for the eighth time, the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award, bestowed on only 50 governmental agencies in Texas and 68 U.S. cities overall. The award, issued by the National Procurement Institute, is based on 18 best practice requirements.

“The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award recognized organization excellence in procurement, and this is the fourth consecutive year our City has received this honor,” said Steve Ritter, Finance Director. “This would not have been possible without Billie Smith, our Purchasing Manager. The judging criteria are designed to measure innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity, and leadership attributes of the procurement function, and Smith demonstrates each of those qualities in her work for the City. We are very honored to receive this award.”

“Receiving the NPI award is a positive reflection on the City’s leadership in many areas," Smith said. "This award helps ensure the City purchasing procedures are utilizing the highest industry practices in order to protect City funds. The submission process is continually evolving; for the City to receive the award for consecutive years is a testament to the continued development of the organization."

The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award is recognized by both state and national agencies including the Texas Public Purchasing Association and the National Association of State Procurement Officials.

For more information, visit the National Procurement Institute Web site, www.npiconnection.org, or contact Ritter at (936) 291-5486 or sritter@huntsvilletx.gov or Smith at (936) 294-5495 or bsmith@huntsvilletx.gov.

Council Announces Intent Not to Exceed FY 2016-2017 Tax Rate

At the August 1 City Council meeting, the Council approved a motion to announce their intention to adopt a maximum property tax rate of $0.3809 per $100 valuation for the City’s 2017-2018 Fiscal Year.

The Council may ultimately adopt a rate below the amount declared, but cannot adopt a rate that exceeds the maximum rate amount declared.

There will be two public hearings on the tax rate. They will be held at the August 15, 2017, and September 5, 2017, City Council meetings. The actual vote to adopt a tax rate is currently scheduled for the September 19, 2017, City Council meeting.

For questions, please contact the Finance Department at 936-291-5486.

The “Phils”, Rice University’s Premier Co-ed A Capella Group, to Perform

Rice University’s premier co-ed a Capella group, the “Phils”, will perform at 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 24th in the Library’s Community Room. The 14-member group beautifully harmonizes a variety of musical styles. “We take great pride in arranging all of our own music (it's not something all a capella groups can do) and bringing fresh content to our audiences,” says Burke Garza, a member of the Phils. The Rice Philharmonics were formed in 1994 and have evolved over the years, writing and arranging their own compositions, producing several albums, and becoming an official Rice organization. Since the early days, the Rice Philharmonics have greatly expanded their influence across campus, in the Houston community, and throughout the nation by competing in the International Championship of Collegiate a Cappella.

HPD Officer Graduates from Leadership Command College

Congratulations to Sgt. Jeff Dugas for his graduation from the Leadership Command College (LCC), the flagship program for the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT). LCC and LEMIT offer a diverse curriculum of skills that develop administrative, analytical, and leadership proficiency. Sgt. Dugas attended many hours of training at the three universities that make up the LCC Consortium – Texas A&M University, Texas Woman’s University, and Sam Houston State University.

"Attending the Leadership Command College was a privilege that most police officers do not get," said Sgt. Dugas. "I am grateful that the department allowed me to further my professional development in this way. It is my hope that this experience will benefit the Huntsville Police Department."

HPD is proud of Sgt. Dugas' dedication to the policing profession and his latest achievement. "This program is nationally recognized and is a very prestigious training course that takes one to two years to complete with rigorous coursework," said Chief Kevin Lunsford. "This provides the officers with invaluable leadership skills and we are very proud to have another officer complete the program."

The Leadership Command College is provided by Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas at SHSU (http://www.lemitonline.org/).

Additional Paid Parking Effective August 14

Paid parking along University Avenue (from 14th Street to 17th Street), 15th Street (from University Avenue to Avenue I) and Avenue I (from 15th Street to 16th Street) will become effective Monday, August 14th. Violation enforcement will also be effective from that date.

"Additional paid parking along University Avenue, Avenue I and 15th Street is being implemented upon evaluation of a few alternate options, opportunities for public comments, and approval by the City Council" said Ram Ramachandra, City Engineer. "The paid parking spaces are laid out based on engineering design and by providing for safe vehicular movements and needed accesses to driveways, side streets, and emergency vehicles."

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