The Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance Division is responsible for ensuring equality of opportunity for City of Houston employees, job applicants, contractors, and minority- and women-owned businesses. The four major sections are: Employee Relations, which handles discrimination complaints from City employees and job applicants; Contract Compliance, which monitors City construction contracts to ensure that workers are paid according to federal and state wage rates; Minority, Women, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWDBE), which investigates companies for certification in the City's MWDBE program; and Economic Development and Monitoring, which provides technical assistance programs and monitors MWBE utilization.
The City of Houston is assisted by groups of citizens in many ways, such as setting policy, settling disputes, aiding fellow citizens and planning for the future. These groups include boards, commissions, committees, councils, corporations, authorities, agencies, etc. The Boards and Commissions involve residents of the City of Houston who volunteer their time and expertise for the benefit of the community.
Community service is a rewarding experience. If you are interested in appointment by Mayor Bill White in an area where your expertise and commitment will make a difference, please review the listings in the link below. It is an index and brief description of each board and commission. For more information, contact either the group contact in the individual listings or the Mayor's Boards and Commissions office listed above.
The Mayor's Citizens' Assistance Office provides 10 satellite offices in the community and one located in City Hall Annex to address citizens' concerns. The Mission of the Mayor's Citizens' Assistance Office (MCAO) is to improve the quality of life for all Houstonians by promoting efficient and effective city services, encouraging community involvement and participation, handling individual citizens' concerns, and supporting neighborhood revitalization efforts throughout the City of Houston.
Emily Todd,
Mayor's Assistant for Cultural Affairs
832.393.1097
The Mayor's Cultural Affairs Office is responsible for managing Houston's civic art program, working with the arts community (including the museum and theater districts) and implementing the Mayor's historic preservation initiatives.
Education has always been important to Mayor Bill White. A solid education helps provide better jobs, better pay, and gives citizens more opportunity and choices for their lives. That is why the Mayor has worked so hard with the education program, Expectation Graduation: Reach Out to Dropouts that is intended to help students graduate from high school. This program helps students find the resources and encouragement that they need to receive their high school diploma.
The primary functions of the Mayor's Office of Government Affairs are:
Keeping the Mayor and City Council informed about current developments in the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress that might affect the City of Houston.
Building and maintaining relationships between the City of Houston and elected/appointed officials.
Leading the lobbying efforts in the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress and on behalf of the City.
Coordinating with City departments to develop legislative proposals that will enhance the City's ability to better serve Houston residents.
Promoting regional cooperation issues impacting local governments throughout the Houston/Galveston area.
Work with the departments on matters before state and federal agencies.
Environmental activities within the City's own operations and in the community are coordinated by the Mayor's Office. Elena Marks, an attorney who also holds a master's degree in public health, serves as Director of Health and Environmental Policy, and leads this effort on behalf of Mayor Bill White. The Office of Environmental Programming - directed by Karl Pepple - is part of the Mayor's Office. The Health and Human Services Department contains an environmental division that is responsible for ensuring community-wide environmental quality in the areas of air and water quality, food safety, occupational health, children's health, and animal protection. Public Works, Solid Waste, Planning, Police, Fire, Legal, Building Services, Parks and Recreation departments, and Houston Airport System also include environmental staffs, which manage issues relating to each department's work. The Mayor's Office works with all of these environmental specialists on a regular basis. Once a month, we convene a citywide meeting of the senior environmental staff to ensure full and open communication among all city personnel charged with responsibility for our environment.
Benito Juarez,
Senior Community Liaison
713.775.2309
Former Mayor Lee P. Brown made a public announcement on May 19, 2001 to establish the Mayor's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (MOIRA). MOIRA is the first of its kind in the city's history and is dedicated to facilitate a smoother transition for immigrant and refugee communities living in the city of Houston. The policy of MOIRA is to encourage access by all persons residing in the city of Houston, regardless of nation of birth or current citizenship status, to the full benefits, opportunities, and services which are provided and administered by the city of Houston.
If you would like to report an allegation of wrong doing by a City of Houston employee you may do so by either email or phone. Please be assured that your information will be treated with the strictest confidence.
The Mayor's Office of International Affairs and Development (MOIAD) is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and continued growth of Houston's standing as a renowned international city.
In keeping with the mission statement to promote Houston on the international stage, MOIAD organizes international events, receives and coordinates inbound as well as outbound delegations. The office plays a proactive role in identifying potential business development in the global markets for Houston companies.
900 Bagby,
Public Level, Suite 25
Houston, TX 77002
832.393.0980
FAX: 713.247.3199
A major goal of Mayor Bill White's administration is to leave a lasting legacy of quality neighborhoods for all Houstonians by improving neglected neighborhoods and protecting others.
The mission of the Mayor Office on Neighborhoods and Housing includes coordinating city programs and projects that focus on development, protection and maintenance of healthy neighborhoods and quality housing. The Mayor's Office on Neighborhoods and Housing will work with city departments to set and implement goals for the revitalization of neighborhoods to increase affordable housing throughout the city.
The Office of Mobility was started by Mayor Bill White when he took office at the begining of 2004 in an effort to address mobility problems in Houston. The mission statement for this office is to provide short term solutions for long term problems. This means we are charged with finding inexpensive solutions now. David Saperstein, Chairman of the Office of Mobility, began by assembling a team who works to resolve issues presented by the citizens of Houston at no cost to the citizens of Houston.
The ONE STOP BUSINESS CENTER is an information and referral service for persons wishing to open, expand, or relocate a business in metropolitan Houston. Services include free regulatory counseling, GETTING STARTED PACKETS, information on start-up and existing business financing, M,W, and DBE Certification programs, procurement, and management and technical assistance counseling through the auspices of the SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) at www.score.org, in the ONE STOP office. ONE STOP also provides speakers to schools, business groups, and job placement agencies on topics pertaining to regulations and business development. ONE STOP also produces seminars on business topics. Metered public parking is available for easy in/out access, as well as vehicles belonging to the disabled. The TDD number is 713.247.1001.
The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities acts as a public advocate for the rights and needs of people with disabilities and issues affecting them. The office provides assistance through information and referral services, support services for the Commission on Disabilities, and information on planning and enhancing programs for people with disabilities. The Citizens' Assistance Line is 713.837.9061. TTY number is 713.837.9040.
Mayor Bill White has a growing concern for the safety and well being of our citizens, particularly our children. We want to make our neighborhoods and community a safer place to live and raise a family. All offices under the Office for Public Safety and Homeland Security advocate a proactive approach to making our city safe.
MISSION STATEMENT: The Mayor's Office for Public Safety and Homeland Security is charged with developing the City of Houston's public policy to enhance the quality of life for all Houstonians. The office implements prevention, intervention and suppression strategies to stop gang violence, assist crime victims, coordinates and supports community volunteer projects in alcohol and drug abuse. All strategic policy programs are working in partnership with law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, schools, youth service providers and the public. Public Safety and Homeland Security is also charged with developing after-school and crime prevention programs to build self-esteem and reduce the crime rates among Houston's youth population.
The Mayor's Office of Special Events (MOSE) produces and permits events for the City of Houston that enhance the image of the city and highlights Houston’s diverse culture. City-wide and neighborhood festivals, dedications, inaugurations, tree plantings, fun runs, galas, ground - breakings, and holiday celebrations are an example of the types of events produced from this office. Outdoor or indoor - the Mayor’s Office of Special Events expertly provides consistent quality, family-oriented entertainment to Houston citizens and works with producers to ensure that excellent service is met.
In addition to event production, the Mayor’s Office of Special Events processes requests for event permits, evaluates event co-sponsorship on city property, and provides production assistance for sponsored, co-sponsored, or fee-paid events.
MISSION: Assist Houston in becoming the best city in the nation through unparalleled service to our serving military, veterans, and their families.
Assist veterans of the United States Armed Forces to ensure that neither they, their dependents, nor survivors are denied access to the entitlements promised them by a grateful nation. More ...
Houston strongly encourages members of the community to get involved in the development and enhancement of our city. Volunteers have the opportunity to learn more about and participate in a wide variety of government services. Their hard work and dedication undoubtedly benefits the City, the community and the individual. More ...
