Horseshoe Bay Tx Homes

LCRA picks new general manager

Working rapidly after the resignation last week of its general manager, the board of the Lower Colorado River Authority on Tuesday named the first woman to the post in its 76-year history.

Becky Motal , 61 , who had risen through the ranks since joining the LCRA in 1987 , takes over the mighty river authority during a challenging period.

The LCRA is simultaneously in the midst of negotiating contracts with some of its wholesale electric customers, divesting its far-flung water and wastewater systems and reckoning with spiraling electricity and water demand.

Getting more water into the greater Austin area will be crucial for long-term development, and the LCRA is beginning to consider groundwater and other water deals.

Motal will replace Tom Mason, a mild, relatively apolitical and well-liked general manager who emphasized transparency and who resigned as political machinations over the direction of the LCRA grew as a distraction.

Motal once was chairwoman of the Travis County Republican Party and twice lost elections for Austin City Council in the mid-1990s — first to Jackie Goodman in 1996 and then to Gus Garcia in 1997 — despite support from real estate developers.

But LCRA officials past and present said that her political inclinations were incidental and that her appointment had to do with continuity.

"Becky Motal has a thorough understanding of a very complex organization, solid relationships with appointed and elected leaders from across our region and a true passion for public service," said LCRA board Chairman Tim Timmerman .

Timmerman said the board decided there was no need to broaden the search. Motal brings almost 30 years of professional experience in the water and electric utility industries. She has three degrees from the University of Texas: a bachelor of arts in mathematics, a law degree and a master of business administration.

"She will work very well with that board, I predict, because she understands board-general manager relationships," said Joe Beal, who was general manager before Mason. "She's not going to have to climb the learning curve. What LCRA needs right now is someone who understands the LCRA well."

New salary information wasn't available late Tuesday. Tom Mason, whose resignation is effective July 1, makes $345,000.

The quick decision could throw cold water on further political intrigue between lawmakers and the governor's office over the LCRA's direction.

Scott & White Hospital Marble Falls Update | Go Second Homes.com

Scott & White Healthcare has officially submitted a zoning application for its state-of-the-art Lake of the Hills Regional Medical Center, which will be located in Marble Falls west of the SH 71 and US 281 intersection.

Completing the zoning application will help ensure construction of the 50,000 square foot clinic that will serve as the medical center’s anchor begins this fall, said Kevin Leeper, Scott & White chief executive officer for the Hill Country Region.

 ”We’re on target to hopefully break ground on Nov. 1,” Leeper said. “I’ve had a chance to review the plan and weigh in on the design. We’re still planning to get it started in November.

“It’s been a long time coming, and you can’t get it finished until you get it started.”

The clinic is expected to open in the first quarter of 2013. The inpatient hospital facility is slated to open in 2017.

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