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Now its F and ARA
The Finance & Administration Department is no more. On Jan. 16, City Council approved an ordinance splitting it into two departments, Administration and Regulatory Affairs and Finance. Judy Gray Johnson, former F&A director, retired Jan. 25.

Michelle Mitchell, formerly F&A deputy director, is the new director of the Finance Department, which has 72 positions and includes budget, long-range financial forecasting, public finance, accounting, internal control, deferred compensation, pension, economic development and tax increment reinvestment zone functions.

Alfred Moran, also a former F&A deputy director, is now director of the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department, which has 306 positions and includes franchise, taxicab and limousine regulation, commercial permitting, strategic purchasing, central payroll, business services, and City Council administrative support functions.

College money for the kiddos
Have you been an employee for 5 years? Do you have a child under 24 entering college?

The city of Houston has established a scholarship program to assist employees’ children who plan to attend college. Awards of $2,000 will be granted to selected students attending a four-year institution and awards of $1,000 will be granted to students attending two-year institutions. To get an application and guidelines, visit www.ghcf.org, click on “Scholarships,” then select “City of Houston Employees Children’s Scholarship Fund.” Deadline is April 1. For more information, call 800-537-4180.

Edwards tapped to oversee neighborhoods
Ada Edwards was named Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Neighborhoods. Edwards, a former councilwoman, will provide direction and support for Houston Hope and neighborhood revitalization projects, assist in setting CDBG priorities, provide organizational support for Super Neighborhoods, promote and preserve neighborhood schools, and work with nonprofit organizations to improve Houston’s offender re-entry programs.

Big services, small space
Stop by to check out the first HPL Express location, HPL Express Southwest, 6400 High Star, in the Southwest Multi-Service Center. Opened Jan. 24, HPLX is the first of its kind in the country.

Customers have access to library services, data, and the collections of the entire library system. The most popular and relevant books and other materials will be kept onsite, and customers can request items from any Houston library. Computer classes, programs, virtual tutoring, specially trained library staff, and more are available. For more information, call 832-393-1313 or visit www.houstonlibrary.org.

Central Library reopening
Join the Library Department as it reopens the Central Library May 31 and June 1. The “new” Central Library will house a larger children’s room, a teen loft, a small-business center, a world languages section with more books, high-tech resources, a café, and a meeting room overlooking Sam Houston Park.

Your chance to tee off (with) a co-worker
Grab a buddy and tee off at the fourth Houston Fire Fighters Charity Golf Classic, 8:30 a.m. April 7 at Westwood Golf Club, 8888 Country Creek Drive. Entry to the two-person scramble costs $75 per player with all proceeds going to the Firefighters Protection Fund. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided along with a cart, range balls and soft drinks.

PSRW contests
City employees’ young relatives, age 5-18, can enter and win prizes in the Public Service Recognition Week poster contest, and Houston-area high school seniors can enter and win prizes in the PSRW essay contest. For more information, visit www.houstonhumanresources.org and click on “PSRW.”

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