TEAM TEMPLE
TEAM TEMPLE
TEAM TEMPLE
COMMUNITY CONNECT
THESOUNDSOF AFRICAWITH
ELIZABETHKAHURA
Embarkonavibrant culturaljourneythis FebruaryattheTemple PublicLibrarywith performerElizabeth Kahura.Childrenagesfive andupareinvitedto activelyexploreAfrican heritagethroughrhythm, movement,andmusic. Thishigh-energy,handsonexperienceblends traditionaldrumming, Africandance,andthe storiesbehindauthentic instruments.Through dynamicstorytellingand participation,childrenare encouragedtofindtheir ownbeatandcelebrate thejoyofcommunity.It’s anengaging,familyfriendlywaytoexperience thesights,sounds,and spiritofAfricatogether.
Saturday,February14 11:30AM|TemplePublic Library|3 Floor rd
Friday|February6
FirstFriday Downtown•5-9PM
Friday&Saturday|February6-7
FatherDaughterDance
FrankWMaybornCivic&ConventionCtr•6PM
Saturday|February14
GoTherapyDogsPal-entines! TemplePublicLibrary•10AM•2 Floor nd
Wednesday|February18
BlackHistoryMonthCeremony
FrankWMaybornCivic&ConventionCtr•10AM
Saturday|February21
NeighborhoodLeadershipAcademy
TempleCollegeWorkforce&VisualArtsBldg• 8AM-5PM
Saturday|February28
HomeMaintenanceAcademy
JeffHamiltonBldgConferenceRoom 1905CurtisBElliotDr•8-11AM
Tuesday|March3
HiringEvent-Part-TimePositions
WorkforceofCentralTexas-201WAveA 9:00AM-12:00PM•1:00PM-3:00PM
Wednesday|March11
HiringEvent-Full-TimePositions WorkforceofCentralTexas-201WAveA 9:00AM-12:00PM•1:00PM-3:00PM
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Needafreshheadshot?Employeeheadshotsessionsoccur bimonthlyintheTemplePublicLibraryBoardRoomonthe 3rdfloor.Seeupcomingdatesandtimesandsignupfora slotonthebrandboxorbyclickingthebuttonbelow. OUR NEXT SESSION: Thursday,February19,2026•9:30-10:30am
TemplePublicLibrary BoardRoom,3rdFloor 100W AdamsAve
Haveyoutakenaheadshotalready?Youcan accessyourphotoonthebrandbox:
TheCityofTempleinvitesresidentsandcommunitymembers toshareinputaspartofthesearchforthecity’snextPolice Chiefthroughanonlinecommunitysurvey
Communityparticipationisanimportantpartofthisprocess andhelpsensuretheCityselectsaPoliceChiefwhoreflects theneedsofTempleresidents.
ThesurveywillremainopenthroughFriday,February20,2026 Takethesurveyattempletx.gov/pdsurvey.
templetx.gov/brand
BENEFITS AT-A-GLANCE
DownloadtheApporvisitMDLive.com/bcbstx Offersvirtualvisitstohelpwithurgentcare,primarycare,mental health,anddermatology Costs: PPO-$25Copay HDHP-Deductible,then20%claimcost$48
neelyeap.com Theemployeeassistanceprogramoffersemployeeshelpwithservices suchas: Legalassistance Reimbursementforaridehomeifimpaired Short-termcounseling Referrals&communityresources Financialassistance
A TEMPLE GUIDE
TO CITY INITIATIVES
CITY OF TEMPLE AIRPORT SUPPORTS LAUNCH OF AVIATION STEM PROGRAM AT BELTON ISD
AnewpartnershipbetweentheCityof Temple'sDraughon-MillerCentralTexas RegionalAirportandBeltonIndependent SchoolDistrict(BISD)ishelpingintroduce studentstocareerpathwaysinaviation throughahands-onAviationSTEMprogram.
TheinitiativebeganafterBISD SuperintendentDr.MalindaGolden connectedwithCityofTempleleadershipto exploreopportunitiestosupportaviation educationwithinthedistrict.
FLEET MAINTENANCE
Frompolicevehiclesandservicetrucks toheavyequipmentandmachinery, FleetServicesplaysacriticalrolein keepingtheCityofTemplemoving.In thisepisodeofBehindtheCity,we’re takingyoubehindthesceneswiththe FleetServicesteamtoshowhowthey maintain,repair,andmanagevehicles andequipmenttoensurethey’resafe andreliable.
Tolearnmore,visit templetx.gov/publicworks.
A TEMPLE GUIDE
CITY INITIATIVES CONTINUED
KNOB CREEK TRUNK SEWER PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION
CITY OF TEMPLE CELEBRATES MAJOR MILESTONES FOR THE TEMPLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Ongoingconstructionofthisprojectwillsoon includetemporarydetoursonNorth14thStreet, beginningMonday,January19,withan estimateddurationof2months. North14thStreetwillbeclosedtoalltraffic betweenEastCentralAvenueandEastCalhoun Avenue.TheNorth14thStreetclosureis requiredasinstallationofundergroundutilities andboringunderWestAdamsproceedsnorth North14thStreettrafficwillbedetouredfrom EastCentralAvenuetoNorth16thStreetandE CalhounAvenue
Driversshouldusecautionintheareaandpay attentiontoalltrafficcontroldevices.
TheCityofTempleiscelebratingtwomajormilestones fortheTemplePublicLibrary The60thanniversaryof theFriendsoftheTemplePublicLibraryandtheFirst AnniversaryoftheLibrary’sBookmobile,the ExplorationStation
For60years,theFriendsoftheTemplePublicLibrary havebeenchampionsofliteracy,learning,and communityconnection.Fromtheirearliestdaysin 1965totheirmostrecentinvestmentinournew bookmobile,theFriendshaveconsistently strengthenedourabilitytoservethepublic.Their generosityhasshapedeverythingfromcollections andprogramstomajorrenovationsandoutreach initiatives.
Ifyouhaveaneedforpurchasingtraining, pleasereachouttoustoscheduleaoneon-one,group,ordepartmentaltraining session.Wearehappytoaccommodate yourneeds!
Wewouldliketoremindyouthattherearemorethan100activeannualcontractsavailableto supportyourpurchasingneeds.Thesecontractshelpstreamlinetheprocurementprocess, ensurecompliance,andsavevaluabletimeandresources.Pleaserememberthatannual contractsshouldbeusedforallapplicablepurchaseswhenacontractexistsforthegoodsor servicesyouneed.
Allannualcontractinformation,includingpricingtabulations,specifications,andawarded vendordetails,canbefoundbyvisiting:EmployeeInformationPortal → EmployeeResources → AnnualContracts
Oraccessthepagedirectlyhere.
Weencourageyoutoreviewthesecontractsandtheirsupportingdocumentsbefore initiatingnewpurchaserequests
The City Swap Shop is an interdepartmental resource exchange designed to help City staff share unneeded items, reduce waste, and make better use of the resources we already have.
The City Swap Shop allows departments to rehome unneeded apparel, office items, furniture, and other usable resources so they can be utilized by another department instead of being auctioned or discarded. Likewise, staff can browse available items and “shop” for things their department may need, at no cost. Visit
HOW IT WORKS:
SUBMIT UNNEEDED ITEMS
Departments can submit items like Citylogo apparel, furniture, shelves, and other usable goods to the Swap Shop.
REVIEW AVAILABLE ITEMS
Items are posted for all departments to review in the Purchasing Warehouse
REQUEST AND PICK UP
If your department needs something listed, request it and arrange to pick it up. First-come, first-served.
STAY INFORMED
HappyNewYear!Let’sstartoffthenewyearrightandhave fewerincidents!
FebruarySafetyFocus:Slips,Trips,andFalls-WinterAwareness
WinterweathermaybemildinCentralTexas,butcold temperatures,rain,ice,andearlymorningmoisturestillcreatea higherriskforslips,trips,andfalls oneoftheleadingcausesof workplaceinjuries.
AllCityemployees,whetherworkingindoors,outdoors,orinthe field,shouldstayalerttochangingconditionsandtakesimple stepstopreventinjuries.
StaySafeThisWinter
Watchyoursteponwetsidewalks,parkinglots,steps,andentryways especiallyintheearlymorning.
Wearappropriatefootwearwithgoodtractionwhenworkingoutdoorsor walkingtoandfrombuildings.
Usehandrailswhenavailableandkeephandsfreewhenenteringorexiting vehicles.
Slowdownrushingincreasesthechanceofslipping.
Reporthazardspromptly,suchasstandingwater,slickfloors,loosemats, unevenpavement,orpoorlighting.
Remember
Mostslips,trips,andfallsarepreventablewithawarenessandsimple precautions.Takingafewextrasecondstomovecarefullycanpreventinjuries thatleadtolosttimeandlongrecoveryperiods.
Let’slookoutforoneanotherandkeepsafetyaprioritythroughoutthewinter season.
Safetyiseveryone’sresponsibility!
EMPLOYEE PET OF THE MONTH:
POE(OLD MAN POE)
Lovedby:GarrettSimmons-MarketingSpecialist
Poeisa12-year-oldspicyoldmanwhoveryconfidently adoptedourfamilyafterspendinganentiredaymeowing outsideourdoorandrefusingtoleave.Henowrunsthe householdwithseniorityandattitude,toleratinghistwodog brothers…andthat’saboutit.Poeisalsoveryhands-on.He willloudlymeowatyourfeetuntilyoupickhimupsohecan supervisecooking,chores,orhonestlyanyactivity happeninginthehouse.Ifsomething’sgoingon,Poe believesheshouldbesupervisingit.
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
ONE TEAM, ONE TEMPLE
2025 COT CHRISTMAS PARTY
2025 COT CHRISTMAS PARTY
�� VisittheLearningtabin Dayforcetoaccessour LearningManagementSystem (LMS)!
We’reactivelyaddingtrainings ifthere’ssomethingyou’d liketolearnmoreabout, submitarequest!
SUBMITREQUEST
DON’T MISS OUT ON RECOGNITION
AWARDCO
ThePeopleOperationsDepartmentisexcitedtosharethat AwardCo,ourrecognitionandrewardstool,isLIVE! ��
Logintodaytostartrecognizingyourteammatesand celebratingexcellenceacrossourorganization.Getstartedand learnmoreabouthowyoucanmakeadifferencethrough recognition.
Let’smake2025ayearfullofappreciationandconnection! ��
DAYFORCETEXTING
Don’tforgettologintoDayforceandupdate yourcellphonenumbertoreceiveimportant updatesthroughtexts!
INTRODUCING THE SHINING STARS OF THE QUARTER
Stevenconsistentlydemonstratesthehigheststandardsof professionalismandperformanceasaHeavy-DutyTechnician.His commitmentisevidentinthepridehetakesineveryrepair,preventive maintenanceservice,anddiagnostictask,ensuringthefleetremains safe,reliable,andmission-ready.
Throughinnovation,Stevenseeksbettermethodsandsolutionsto improveworkflowefficiencyandrepairquality,approachingcomplex issueswithastrongproblem-solvingmindsetandsharingknowledge withteammates.Heexemplifiesintegrityandaccountabilitythrough honestassessments,cleardocumentation,andanunwavering commitmenttosafetyandquality.
Thisquarter,Stevenstrengthenedthemaintenanceprogramby mentoringnewhiresonsaferepairpracticesandpreventive maintenanceinspections.Hiscollaborativeapproachandwillingnessto supportothershaveimprovedteamefficiencyandelevatedtheoverall standardofqualityacrosstheshop.
Annalise’scommitmentisevidentinthededicationshebringstoevery initiative,especiallyinHRtechnologyanddataanalysis.Sheconsistently goesbeyondexpectationstodeliversolutionsthatareeffective, sustainable,andalignedwithautomationandprocessgoals.Whether streamliningprocesses,identifyingmeaningfulinsights,orproposing forward-thinkingsolutions,hercontributionshavemadeameasurable impactonhowwesupportourworkforce.Annalisetooktheinitiativeto furtherdevelopherprogrammingskills,optimizingcurrentapplications forautomationpurposes,savingtheCityover$18K.Annalise demonstratesintegrity,accountability,andcollaborationineverything shedoes,translatingcomplexdataintoactionableinsightsand supportingtheteameverystepoftheway.
StevenJayo PublicWorks
AnnaliseThompson PeopleOperations
ChristopherRunnels InformationTechnology
ChrisisalwaysavailableandrespondsimmediatelytoresolveIT-related issues.DuringtheBenefitsEnrollmentLab,Chriswasespeciallyhelpful, ensuringallcomputerswereaccessibleandprinterswereconnected.As always,whenanissuearose,hepromptlycametothelibrarytoassist, consistentlyprovidingfriendly,professional,andefficientsupport.
Garyistheforcethatbringsitalltogether.Heexemplifiestireless dedicationandastrongworkethic,turningvisionintoreality.Garyplayed akeyroleinbuildingthefoundationoftheice-skatingrink,andhishard workandexpertiseensuredarock-solidbasethatallowsresidentsto enjoyskatingandcreatelastingmemories.Beyondcompletingtasks efficiently,Garygenerouslyshareshisknowledgebyteachingand mentoringteammates,ensuringeveryoneispreparedforfutureprojects.
MaliaRodriguez,PoolManageratSammonsIndoorPool,consistently demonstratestheCityofTempleParks&Recreationcorevaluesthrough herleadership,creativity,anddedicationtoservice.Shegoesaboveand beyondinmanagingdailyoperations,supportingstaff,overseeing swimminglessons,andensuringasafe,welcomingenvironmentfor patrons.
Malia’screativityhassignificantlyenhancedthepatronexperience throughseasonaldécorandinteractivedisplaysthatbringenergyand excitementtoaquaticsprogramming.Thisquarter,sheplayedakeyrole inplanningandexecutingHalloweenSplashBashandWinterWater Wonderland,creatinginclusiveandmemorableexperiencesforfamilies. Herhand-crafteddisplaysandinteractivechalkfeaturesencouraged communityengagementandmadeeacheventunique.Throughher professionalism,accountability,andcollaborativeapproach,Maliabuilds trustwithstaffandpatronsalike.Whileshedidnotreceiveformalawards thisquarter,sheisfrequentlypraisedbypatronsforherkindness, professionalism,andcommitmenttomakingeveryvisitsuccessful.
MaliaRodriguez Parks&Recreation
GaryKosel Parks&Recreation
Alwaysputtingothersfirst,EstellaDeleonisquicktolendahandoroffer supportwheneversomeoneisinneed Shehastakenonadditional responsibilitiesbeyondherprimaryrole,suchasmanagingtheCID schedulesandplayingavitalrolewiththeFoodforFamiliesprogram, whereshewentaboveandbeyondtocollectdonationsforthefooddrive ShealsoassistswithBlueSantaProgramandplayedakeyrolein managingthelargestnumberofapplicationsinitshistory,helping familiesinneedcelebrateChristmaswithpre-wrappedgifts Inaddition, EstellaalsoassistswithplanningthePDChildren’sChristmasParty Estella isgoal-orientedandpersistent,tacklingeverychallengeuntilitis successfullycompleted
Brandyleadsbyexampleandissomeonereliedondaily Shetakes ownershipofcustomerinteractions,staffsupport,andworkflowswithout beingaskedanddoesitwell Herpositive,steadyenergykeepstheteam groundedandmovingforward Brandy’scalmleadershipandsupportof bothresidentsandstaffmakeaclearimpact Becauseofher,operations runmoresmoothly,andtheteamfeelssupportedandconfident While Brandyhasnotreceivedformalawardsthisquarter,residentsconsistently providepositivefeedbackaboutherprofessionalism,responsiveness,and support Sheisanessentialpartoftheteam,andherconsistencyand dedicationmakeadifferenceeveryday
EstellaDeleon Police
BrandyHargrove CustomerCare
CONGRATULATIONS TO ERIN GAINES ON HER NEW LEADERSHIP ROLE
BY: ALEXIS VALENCIA
Shout‑OuttoErinGaines!
BigcongratulationstoErin onbeingnamedAssistant DirectorofLibraries& MuseumsfortheCityof Temple!Herexpertiseand dedicationhavetruly madetheTemplePublic Libraryabetterplacefor ourcommunity. Erin’sleadershipand passionforserviceshine throughineverythingshe does,andwe’reexcitedto seealltheamazingthings she’llcontinueto accomplishinthisnew role.
AWARD-WINNING AQUATICS: LIONS
JUNCTION SHINES AT TEXAS PUBLIC POOL COUNCIL
BY: ALEXIS VALENCIA
WeareproudtocelebratetheincredibleworkoftheTemple Parks&RecreationAquaticsteamfollowingamajor achievementattheTexasPublicPoolCouncilConference. LionsJunctionFamilyWaterParkwasnamedthe2025Texas PublicPoolCouncilWaterParkoftheYear,markingthe secondconsecutiveyeartheCityofTemplehasearnedthis prestigiousrecognitionforexcellenceinrecreation,safety, andcommunity-focusedamenities.
Thishonorisadirectreflectionofthehardwork, professionalism,andteamworkdemonstrateddailybythe Aquaticsstaff.Fromoperationsandmaintenancetoguest experienceandsafety,theteam’sconsistentcommitment ensuresthatfamiliesacrossourcommunitycanenjoya safe,welcoming,andhigh-qualityaquaticenvironment.
Inadditiontotheaward,AquaticsProgramManager
ClaryceFreerepresentedtheCityofTempleonastatewide levelbyleadingaconferencecapstonesessionon leadershipdevelopmentalongsidemembersoftheAquatics team furthershowcasingtheexpertiseandleadership withinourdepartment.
CongratulationstotheentireAquaticsteamonthiswellearnedaccomplishment.Yourdedicationcontinuestoset thestandardandmakesalastingimpactonourcommunity!
EMPLOYEE SHOUTOUT: WINTER ICE
STORM RESPONSE
Aheartfeltthankyoutoallouramazingemployeesforyour hardwork,resilience,anddedicationduringthewinterice storm.Whetheryouwereoutintheelementskeeping essentialservicesrunning,respondingtocalls,maintaining facilities,orsupportingoperationsbehindthescenes,your commitmentdidnotgounnoticed.
Yourteamwork,professionalism,andwillingnesstostepup ensuredthesafetyofourcommunityandsupportedone anotherduringchallengingconditions.Weareincredibly gratefulforeverythingyoudo—youreffortstrulymakea difference. ��❄��
GOING THE EXTRA
MILE: CLIFF
BY: AMBRIE DUNN
AbigthankyoutoCliffwithour Transportationteamforsteppingup duringwinterweatheroperations.When icyroadconditionsmadetraveldifficult, CliffensuredourCommunicationsteam couldsafelycapturefootageofcrews outworkingacrossthecity. Hisreadinesstoserve,teamwork,and dedicationreflecttheverybestofwhat itmeanstobeaCityofTemple employee.Waytogo,Cliff,andthank youtotheentireTransportationteam foralwaysbeingreadywhenour communityneedsyoumost.
INTRODUCING MACY: DISCOVER TEMPLE’S NEW TOURISM SPECIALIST
BY: COURTNEY JONES
MacyisjoiningusasourTourism Specialist,andwe’realreadyexcited abouttheenergy,organization,and freshperspectiveshebringstothe team.Fromsupportingvisitorsand partnerstohelpingkeepour destinationrunningsmoothlybehind thescenes,she’llplayabigrolein sharingeverythingthatmakes Templespecial. We’resohappytohaveyouhere, Macy,andcan’twaittoseeallthe greatthingsyou’lldo.Welcometo theDiscoverTemplefamily.
RECOGNIZING MALIK GREEN’S ACHIEVEMENT AT THE TRAPS INSTITUTE
BY: SUSAN KRAUSE
MalikGreen,WilsonParkRecreationCenterProgram Coordinator,willbeawardedtheJackOAshworthJrandSr ScholarshipattheTRAPSInstituteinFebruary. TheTexasParks&RecreationFoundationofferstheJackO.
AshworthJr.andSr.Scholarshipforcollegiateparksand recreationstudents.ThescholarshipisnamedinhonorofJack O.Ashworth,anoutstandinganddedicatedparkand recreationprofessionalandhisson.JackSr.hasthedistinction ofbeingtheonlyprofessionaltoservethreetermsas PresidentoftheTexasRecreationandParkSociety.JackSr., whoearnedaBachelorofSciencedegreeinAgricultural EconomicsandSociologyfromTexasA&Min1942,joinedthe FortWorthParksandCommunityServicesDepartmentas DeputyDirectorin1964andretiredin1988asActingDirector. TheAshworthscholarshipisa$3,000scholarshipforcurrent collegestudentsenrolledinaparksandrecreationorrelated majorataTexasuniversitywitha3.0orhigherGPA.
THE CITY!
OPENPOSITIONS:
DEPUTY COURT CLERK I - MUNICIPAL COURT
DeputyCourtClerk,underthegeneralsupervisionoftheCourtAdministrator, providesclericalsupporttotheCourtAdministratorandPresidingJudge Dutiesincludeprocesswarrantdocuments;processissuedparkingcitations; postpaymentsforfinesandfeesreceived;andcreatemonitorreports
REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION PROJECT MANAGER
TheRealEstateAcquisitionAgent,underthegeneralsupervisionoftheChief ProjectOfficer,isresponsibleforacquiringpropertyinterestsforpublicand privateCity-relatedinfrastructureprojectsthroughoffers,negotiations, administrativeactions,andeminentdomainprocesses.Therolealso coordinateslandmanagementactivitiesrelatedtotheleasingofmineral interestsownedbytheCityanditscorporateentitiesandensureslease complianceandverificationofmineraltitles.
COMMUNITY SERVICE TECHNICIANS -
TELECOMMUNICATOR
Telecommunicator,underthegeneralsupervisionoftheSupervisor,services asaliaisonandprovidesvitalcommunicationsbetweenpublicandlocal lawenforcementtoensuresafetyofcitizensandpoliceofficers.Musthave availabilitytoworkflexiblehoursincludingnights,weekends,andholidays.
DIRECTOR OF HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
TheDirectorofHousing&CommunityDevelopmentprovidesstrategic leadershipandoversightforhousinginitiatives,neighborhoodrevitalization, andcommunitydevelopmentprograms.Responsibleforplanning, implementing,andmanagingprojectsandpoliciesthatexpandaffordable housing,improvecommunityinfrastructure,andenhancequalityoflifefor residents.TheDirectorworkscloselywithpublicofficials,nonprofitpartners, developers,andcommunitystakeholderstopromoteequitable,sustainable growth.
MEETOURNEWHIRES:
BobbyBarrera
Brush/Bulk-SolidWasteDriver
JannahAlmalki
CustSvcRepI-WaterDist
KirstenDalzell
FleetServiceAdvisor
WilliamSimmone
UtilityTechApprentice
ElijahLewis
Sideload-SolidWasteDriver
PhillipEllis
LeadProjectInspector
Sasha-GayDaley-Laing
Housing&CommunityDevelopmentCaseManager
JacobWhitmire
EquipOperatorApprentice
KaleiHeath
HeavyDutyTruckTechII
DavidAkiona
TrafficSignalMaintenance TechApprentice
SyrenityPitrucha
AnimalShelterTech
ChristopherPajestka
RecyclingAssistant
RogerGlick
ChiefProjectOfficer-Development
JeremyBales(15)
