Houston CIty Controller Sylvia R. Garcia today
released a glowing performance review of the City's
Solid Waste Management Department. The review, performed
by the City Controller and KPMG Peat Marwick, revealed
that the department enjoys "the highest customer
satisfaction with the City's services and strong
departmental leadership focused on improvements."
"This is a gold-star report for the Solid Waste
Management Department," Controller Garcia said.
"It reflects the presence of strong departmental
leadership with a demonstrated commitment to improvements.
Director Everett Bass has clearly done a commendable
job, and Mayor Brown is to be applauded for supporting
such a well-run department.
"This audit is not a 'rear-view' mirror look at
what is happening in a department. It gives us a
current assessment of ongoing practices and our
auditors have determined that, based on customer
satisfaction surveys, the Solid Waste Management
Department could be used as a national model for
efficiency."
The audit team identified potential savings of
approximately $17 million over the next five years.
The greatest potential cost savings would result
if the department increases the use of competitively
sourced units from the current 32% to 50% of the
service area. Other savings could come from electronic
routing efficiencies and combining certain departmental
sections.
City Auditor Steve Schoonover was highly complimentary.
"Our auditors found the department's processes and
controls to be exemplary. Management clearly considers
citizens' needs and those of Solid Waste employees
in its operational philosophy, and that has worked
extremely well."
The audit team conducted the review in order to
provide the Solid Waste Department's management
with opportunities to improve the effectiveness
and efficiency of its operations in the future.
This performance review is part of the Office
of the Controller's ongoing audit plan, which examines
the operations of various City Departments.
