[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6567357,"mediaKeyId","3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85","parentId",3335250,"title","Permitting Center to absorb Department of Neighborhoods functions; $10.6M budget and staff transfers planned","audioSeconds",1524,"startMs",1189000,"endMs",2713000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85&start=1189&end=2713","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85/thumbnail_1189000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567357/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Permitting-Center-to-absorb-Department-of-Neighborhoods-functions-106M-budget-and-staff-transfers-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567357-890ce415142a09e0bb711701b44920f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776307811&Signature=c2x9kJOgQCM7YVuKlMqOFkj4et759lshqJku-C8a5nerl-xEa5SiEKvWuNQlwQk77U6yUtJKMmjWn1411oCTyhs9yc6qT8DdT9YLeqPYod7phSGB88PS5UpKJUQnQmstIklAILz6CsXklqa9y62lSuqLLyTrZy-bfu0LsvI15lyzJK6uzBfeUJXaS6f6yf7ucJTwhIksqzv3Y9ota63S-43AVgz-N65cuK9~fpAmllSQajpK5YTYb6vlDkJcs7K6GFWau4Otv4dhgBfu-9pusn3LsJygR~1qecMP2DuPQZMBLCE~f2dDSmuljh2ljA1L75sqDSWCKJ7XfZRBwOlB7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston","date","2025-05-15T00:00:00Z","article","Houston Public Works confirmed that, starting in fiscal 2026, the Houston Permitting Center will absorb several functions formerly housed in the Department of Neighborhoods, including dangerous buildings, nuisance investigations, site administration and enforcement on bandit signs.

Sameer Salanki, Public Works CFO, told council the transfer consists of 72 full‑time equivalents and will carry a $10.6 million budget impact for FY26. Council members asked where the staffing and salaries will be budgeted; staff said operationally the moved functions will be within the Building Inspection Fund and some costs will draw on stormwater and related funds for specific activities.

Council members also pressed the department about demolition funding for dangerous buildings. Randy Mackey said the FY26 transportation and drainage operations budget includes a $25 million increase intended for demolition of dangerous buildings and other stormwater‑related spending; he framed the work as part of preventing infrastructure degradation when properties are left in disrepair.

On enforcement and constituent services, the department said code enforcement will now rest within Public Works’ permitting operations and that staff will provide guidance to council offices on how to refer constituent inquiries as the transition occurs. Council members asked for clarity on how constituent service continuity would be handled during the transition and where specific expenditures appear in budget tables; staff committed to provide additional detail in follow‑up materials.

Mackey said integrating Department of Neighborhoods functions into permitting creates opportunities for efficiency — for example, inspectors who can handle both commercial and residential issues on the same street — but acknowledged the transition requires close coordination to avoid service interruptions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Houston - FY 2026 Budget Workshop: Houston Public Works - May 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public Works said it will absorb dangerous‑buildings, neighborhood nuisance investigations and other Department of Neighborhoods functions into the Houston Permitting Center beginning FY26, adding 72 FTEs and a $10.6 million budget impact; council members asked about operations, funding sources and demolition funds.","taxTitle","Houston, Harris County, Texas","taxId",2797,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567362,"Neighbors press city for more DDSRF dollars, transparency on ditch reestablishment and local drainage projects",395,5100000,5495000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85&start=5100&end=5495","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85/thumbnail_5100000.jpg","/articles/6567362/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Neighbors-press-city-for-more-DDSRF-dollars-transparency-on-ditch-reestablishment-and-local-drainage-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567362-d9c7777af03f5a2575fd9fec28ccf312/orig.mp4?Expires=1776307811&Signature=bnwTWhkf3hSpTF56E6gCGPawnXMHSncFuJe7bQ1PfJzsbygVCKSlDKy8Ru1vZ6ysU2xBhrLnsfQgP6AG2JLHJ97mZAhDBOnTg0oPv07JE0PXLHAf4SR-JCs7KTNQdzOnLFO-KCGtOP0jQo4Y1LmII~hfoUzOOz4KkOzceFnGRIZB8Fhvfh-bvIYRHYPh4JpLP6KXb9n09nH371sf7xj4DvbEAs7gTQJxMvqgFr8i3g0p5Pr6Ly5Bu2ifjk6zFN9LZ3x58IPrslHQIOBxeqz4c3F3DM9UO6I4S08OVbACiRbD42F7kZmm~1Wfgn7L6J3w2Qs0jcuHTwCDu~CfD6dnDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents and neighborhood advocates told the council they want more funding and clearer criteria for ditch reestablishment and local drainage projects funded from the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund (DDSRF) and related programs.

Speakers representing the Northeast Action Collective and Bayou City Waterkeeper urged the council to allocate additional DDSRF funding for ditch reestablishment (the NAC requested an added $20 million) and to increase the Local Drainage Program by $25 million, while establishing a transparent, equitable framework for project selection.

Rosalind Blake, a longtime Northeast Houston resident, asked how she could check the condition of her neighborhood’s drainage ditches and the schedule for being included in the ditch reestablishment program. The department replied that staff would follow up with her and her councilmember’s office to provide location‑specific scheduling information.

Public commenters described flooding as a recurring and worsening problem that disproportionately affects renters and low‑income residents. Faye Ku, a former resident of a frequently flooded apartment complex, said renters lack options to relocate and asked that the city create disaster recovery and relocation supports targeted to vulnerable households. Bayou City Waterkeeper called for prioritizing state and federal low‑interest financing (SRF/SWIFT/WIFIA) and requested more transparency about project prioritization and decision metrics.

Multiple speakers also asked the department to explain apparent differences between budget documents and the mayor’s released budget. Advocacy groups sought a clear accounting of the funding increases for ditch reestablishment and where those increases appear in departmental line items.

Public Works staff acknowledged the public comments, said they would follow up on specific scheduling questions, and noted that the department will provide additional detail on funding allocations and program performance as requested by council members and community groups.","Multiple public speakers and advocacy groups urged the council to increase funding for the Ditch Reestablishment Program and Local Drainage Program, request an equitable project‑selection framework and asked for public access to schedules and project lists.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567367,"Public Works describes reorganization after voluntary retirements; officials pledge targeted rehiring",179,621000,800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85&start=621&end=800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85/thumbnail_621000.jpg","/articles/6567367/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Public-Works-describes-reorganization-after-voluntary-retirements-officials-pledge-targeted-rehiring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567367-ec02006272ab2f5e1d720af9c9a7b0ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1776307811&Signature=jX~5uHza4BEvAud6gvfTKsGX2l40rohKYOTZF5-knjo00X4i5NMflv8E9F5erBePS0UD2Xal9s0WhmPymfeBzgPV0faWHMyfs~p6051ugC2w2lLTyuniSYqXDu8cqtMl6a8LwTItM~ro~yp~rR4yqT8L4jdQOlpbAFnbNaRfTDm90PyrNvfAGtb5mFSfOeCfycWevvkuaMO3fhawSXyA8KjIVbWquJ~hnnx~gFnx~B9K0GPeA~z0cV6bMrsCjX4M2pZqVEGeQ9PFD2g0Qe9K7HBH9giX7pFrOoY-5D3lkPGFnImwKEd7~nnZqE5GrBnmnSnT0QUFlT-ozG9ExMg1iQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Houston Public Works officials described organizational changes prompted by an efficiency study and a voluntary retirement incentive that led to 342 accepted retirements in the department, and explained how the department plans to protect core services such as permitting and inspections.

Randy Mackey said the department reduced supervisory positions by roughly 30% in its first implementation phase, dropping supervisors from nearly 976 to just under 700 and increasing spans of control. Mackey said the workforce change was part of a broader efficiency study focused on organization, operations and finances.

The mayor's voluntary retirement incentive (VRI) produced 342 departures in Public Works — about a 35% take rate from those eligible — and Mackey said 217 of the departures were frontline positions. He told council there is budget to rehire critical positions and that the department will “backfill those positions that are essential to getting plan review out” and will use professional services to augment staff while recruitment proceeds.

On permitting and inspections specifically, the department said it aims to maintain or improve performance targets despite the turnover. Mackey pointed to the permitting center's deputy director and credited staff for minimizing service disruptions but acknowledged interruptions are likely during reorganization. Council members requested clearer guidance for constituent offices on how to route code‑enforcement and permitting inquiries now that functions from the Department of Neighborhoods are moving into Public Works.

Mackey said the department had over 800 vacancies prior to VRI and that rehiring will focus on critical roles; he said the target fill is about 200 positions in the near term and that some positions will remain vacant because they were eliminated as part of efficiency efforts.

The presentation also noted that the permitting center will adopt service targets, including a goal to review 80% (target moving toward 90%) of construction plans within seven business days and to award notice to proceed for contracts within 30 days to improve delivery and payment cadence for contractors.","After a voluntary retirement incentive that produced 342 departures, Public Works told council it reduced supervisory headcount, increased spans of control and will rehire for critical frontline positions while using contractors and reorganized teams to maintain services.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567372,"Public Works outlines East Water Plant financing, meter replacements and water‑loss targets",2742,165000,2907000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85&start=165&end=2907","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85/thumbnail_165000.jpg","/articles/6567372/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Public-Works-outlines-East-Water-Plant-financing-meter-replacements-and-waterloss-targets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567372-c52bc3497fe36feda844035385e79c28/orig.mp4?Expires=1776307811&Signature=drn0CkZrUgzQsjSUx5wjOaNKVhONC6Jk~SYwQwsx70lXbMFnTpKx-bDbmqr~xx9yiW4m-ZRPR7iR42fnmxbmKFKW2Qlvrly6q2jezay7hK5rYIQciCg7E6WkECUWAORNyeJy2TFnFGK-MYoz4dA8pXo-s0O-XPNzeBjazRgWZEnwAM8lI0tjl1WwnOjxtz69kOcdgthrPXMWSSXbHlSNZDTwQByPBlsVBht6pZpxvXCU703CYi-Dmc-uKWh-RSZVpC~6ih~V7wfGO3MPGNDmCdUHJfODUJtod0GmlglybQpN0kCVmBsKQ5aZb-D20Kx3zHovktCq0CO-iMngITF9oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Houston Public Works detailed financing and operational steps aimed at stabilizing the city's water system, including low‑cost loans secured through the Texas Water Development Board for the East Water Purification Plant and plans to pursue WIFIA financing, while setting annual targets to rehabilitate pipe and replace meters.

Randy Mackey, Director of Public Works, said the department secured “approximately $1,000,000,000 in low cost financing” from the Texas Water Development Board for the East Water Purification Plant, which the department estimates will translate into roughly $250,000,000 in interest savings over the life of the project. Mackey added the department is “potentially” pursuing up to $2,000,000,000 in WIFIA financing.

The department also previewed a target of rehabilitating 3% of the drinking‑water distribution system annually, which equates to roughly 216 miles given a system length cited in the presentation, and to inspecting 10% of wastewater lines annually under the city's consent decree. Mackey said a realistic near‑term estimate might be closer to 1% in the first year but that the goal is a sustained 3% replacement rate for a mature utility.

Sameer Salanki, HPW CFO, said the combined utility system operating fund (Fund 8300 and related funds) reflects rate adjustments consistent with the cost‑of‑service study adopted in ordinance 2021515. Salanki also described a refinancing effort that yielded present‑value savings of about $53,000,000.

On meter replacements and billing, the department reported progress on the water bill improvement plan: roughly 26,000 remote read devices were targeted, and the department has reduced the number of accounts on estimated or “set usage” billing from earlier highs to about 14,000 accounts remaining; about 7,000 are harder cases requiring owner coordination. Mackey said the city plans a programmatic meter replacement of about 25,000 meters per year to avoid future meter‑reading and estimation problems.

Mackey also cited a modeled citywide water loss of roughly 32 billion gallons per year and said department analysis indicates about two‑thirds of that loss may be concentrated in about 6% of the pipe by length, which informs prioritization for pipeline replacements.

The presentation acknowledged slide typos in performance figures for waterline repair response and committed to providing corrected data to council members.

Mackey: “If we can cut down by two thirds, by replacing 6% of the pipe, think about what that does for the strain on the system as a whole.”","Public Works described secured low‑cost financing, potential WIFIA loans, a target to rehabilitate 3% of drinking‑water pipeline annually and a multi‑year meter replacement program tied to reducing a large annual water loss.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567377,"Houston Public Works lays out $3.2 billion infrastructure budget, new performance measures",1676,70000,1746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85&start=70&end=1746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3335250-49c22829b8b6727b1afcaf45c411ea85/thumbnail_70000.jpg","/articles/6567377/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Houston-Public-Works-lays-out-32-billion-infrastructure-budget-new-performance-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567377-34d6865130fa2cc7fd83dd9d5e48314f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776307811&Signature=SAbHIjPzAJZmWs8xdBcOtePuDgf4AnDyqKRfECP-sjLv9surIhdNi7lIbrbGZPIYm0Yb5JIM8eoYFNVJnBZfMRFCb5WC24-C54bnBNhPGT7kSBAVhaUZn8IJa-CkyLDqRMnp1a-xO4mDXKqabMDWSHCYR1JLL-KBa-awVKAgzbvm91Q4Z9yx43Q8PV1luLr0y0Sjhy3J87-rw9FqKoJZfd84TDZknTOiWSQtAUAFvUFZ4ILjCL2KwzbYBkLQGkNxITcPXDg9hNkhW3rb-BoeRc8znGii5I5l6yUzxVxYyezF-VuBA3XHRTLHPMzBskreSQZbYLd1A7RVMAk00yvQVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Houston Public Works officials on the department's budget presentation to the City Council committee previewed fiscal 2026 priorities, telling council members the department will direct the bulk of its resources to infrastructure projects and new performance measures.

The presentation, delivered by Randy Mackey, Director of Public Works, and Sameer Salanki, Public Works chief financial officer, highlighted about $3.2 billion in infrastructure spending in the fiscal 2026 operating plan and a five‑year capital improvement program totaling roughly $8.3 billion. Mackey said the department is shifting to outcome‑based budgeting and introduced 10 new performance measures intended to track efficiency and delivery.

Mackey and Salanki said the department will prioritize measures that include annual rehabilitation of 3% of the drinking‑water distribution system, replacing about 25,000 water meters per year, completing at least 1,000 lane miles of transportation network work annually, reestablishing 500 miles of roadside ditches and assessing 10% of wastewater lines each year to meet consent‑decree obligations. They noted these metrics are a “work in progress” and that additional performance measures will be developed in workshops with staff.

The presentation also summarized fund‑level changes across Public Works, including operating funds for Houston Water, utility billing (about 488,000 accounts), the Houston Permitting Center, transportation and drainage operations and the combined utility system. Salanki said the FY26 budget assumes a 6% increase in the combined utility system rates per the cost of service study adopted under ordinance 2021515 and noted refinancing and debt management actions that produced present‑value savings.

Council members pressed for clarity on revenue and fund transfers, the use of fund balance, and which programs were driving cost increases. Mackey and Salanki said some line‑item figures in the slide deck contained typographical errors and committed to supplementing the council with corrected performance numbers after the presentation.

In closing, the department emphasized the connection between the new performance measures and the department’s recent efficiency study, which reduced supervisory positions and reorganized service lines to improve “spans of control” and speed of delivery.

Mackey: “We are moving forward to begin rehiring individuals in those critical positions,” while also saying the reorganization will create efficiencies that reduce the need to refill every vacancy.

Public comment that followed the presentation focused heavily on ditch reestablishment and local drainage funding; speakers urged additional DDSRF allocations and greater transparency in project selection.","Houston Public Works presented its fiscal 2026 operating and capital priorities, emphasizing a $3.2 billion infrastructure budget, 10 new department performance measures and organizational changes following a recent efficiency study.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Permitting Center to absorb Department of Neighborhoods functions; $10.6M budget and staff transfers planned

Neighbors press city for more DDSRF dollars, transparency on ditch reestablishment and local drainage projects

Public Works describes reorganization after voluntary retirements; officials pledge targeted rehiring

Public Works outlines East Water Plant financing, meter replacements and water‑loss targets

Houston Public Works lays out $3.2 billion infrastructure budget, new performance measures