For Immediate Release

June 16, 1998

Contact: Sarah Smith, (713) 247-3123

CITY CONTROLLER CONTINUES AUDIT OF PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

The second phase of the City Controller’s audit of the City of Houston’s Parks and Recreation Department begins this week.

Controller Sylvia R. Garcia said, “The first phase of our comprehensive performance review looked into the department’s youth sports programs. That audit revealed inflated numbers of participants in the Youth Soccer Program, potential improprieties in the relationships between employees and outside vendors, and generally an operation lacking direction, management, and planning. The second and third phases will expand to the entire department.”

Controller Garcia has identified three primary objectives for the review:

1. Independent assessment of operational practices, resources, and technology tools to provide recommendations for improving the coordination and effectiveness of department functions in order to implement more user-friendly practices.

2.Independent assessment of financial management practices to ensure all available resources are being utilized as effectively as possible.

3.Provide practical recommendations for improving the quality of the processes and the overall cost efficiency and deployment of resources related to department operations.

Several functions within the Parks and Recreation Department will be assessed. These include: Community Center Operations, Swimming Pool Operations, Department Hiring Practices, Fleet Maintenance, Ground Maintenance, Procurement Services, Fixed Asset Management, Information Technology Services, and Interaction of the Houston Parks Board with the Parks and Recreation Department.

The second phase will begin Wednesday, June 17th. “I anticipate receiving a final report by the middle of September,” said Controller Garcia. “We expect our performance audit to be a valuable tool for Parks Director Oliver Spellman in his efforts to reorganize a department that clearly has been out of control.” The third phase will cover the Zoo and Golf Course operations and will begin during fiscal 1999.