Missouri City councilmembers voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance creating a Department of Internal Services to consolidate oversight of fleet and facilities functions.

City Manager Angel Jones told the council the change follows an organizational assessment that concluded the responsibilities were better managed by a dedicated department rather than remaining as add-on duties under the deputy city manager. “It would be, better to have a department, to provide the day to day oversight over this area,” Jones said.

Jones and staff told council that the divisions for fleet and for facilities already exist and are staffed; the new department will require hiring a department director. Jones said the director will report to the deputy city manager or an assistant city manager and that the city will look for internal candidates as well as external applicants.

Council members asked how the department will change operations and whether it will reduce costs. Jones said a dedicated department would improve responsiveness and allow more proactive maintenance — for example, energy-efficiency measures and preventive maintenance that could reduce long-term costs compared with a reactive approach.

Councilmember Emery asked whether the new department would include LGC operations; staff said yes, the maintenance portion of LGC operations will fall under the new department. The ordinance passed unanimously.

City staff will begin a search for the department director and said they will consider qualified internal employees for the role.