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GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Message from the Director Issa Dadoush, P.E.
In the eight years since the Building Services Department was created, the department expanded its services from the design and construction of city facilities and property management to energy, fleet and fuel, real estate, security and CIP management. In response to the expanded role of BSD, the Mayor and City Council passed an ordinance changing the Building Services Department’s name to the General Services Department. Unlike many other city departments, which serve the citizens of Houston, our clients are other city departments. We are behind the scenes supporting the core functions of other city departments by building and operating facilities that are attractive, clean and secure.
General Services provides a full range of services. The design and construction division is the city’s in-house developer, managing the design and construction of city facilities, excluding aviation department projects. Recently, the department was awarded the 2007 Texas Building Branch Associated General Contractors’ Outstanding Construction Award for the HPD’s Westside Command Station Renovation, which touts the city’s first green roof.
The property management division operates and maintains more than 300 city facilities representing 7.3 million square feet of occupied space. The energy management division procures electricity and natural gas and implements conservation measures. The fleet and fuel management section works with department fleet operations to develop operational efficiencies. The real estate division negotiates lease space for city departments, acquires real property and sells surplus city properties. The Capital Improvement Plan section manages appropriations and expenditures for the city’s CIP. The security management section oversees the physical security of 350 city facilities, including CCTV, access control and alarm systems.
In 2004, BSD (now GSD) was comprised of 287 employees. Today the department has 234 employees and has significantly increased its responsibilities with the management of the CIP, the formation of the real estate division, transfer of the fleet and fuel division from F&A, and acquisition of more than 90 facilities from the Health and Library departments. We continuously evaluate our structure and find ways to eliminate redundancy. As you can see, GSD employees are accustomed to doing more with less. We are client-focused, customer-responsive, accept the responsibility to their clients and are committed to customer service and excellence. At the forefront of our commitment is our motto: “Pursuing Customer Satisfaction. . . Always Responsive”.
Employee Spotlight
As division manager in Building Services' financial and administrative section, Ms. Sparks serves the city with uncommon expertise in finance and accounting. It's appropriate that we recognize such an accomplished number-cruncher during city budget season, when those skills are so much in demand.
Ms. Sparks manages budget matters, accounts payable and receivable, and contractual services. It is typical for her to work late hours and weekends at City Hall Annex and even to take her assignments home. More ...
Employee Spotlight 