PRESS RELEASE
Mayor Whitmire Releases Results of Citywide Efficiency Study
Report Finds Areas for Improvement and Cost Savings in City Operations
February 12, 2025 -- Today, Mayor John Whitmire and his senior leadership team outlined the results of a citywide efficiency study focusing on the City of Houston's 22 municipal departments.
The report highlighted findings that include non-compliant use of city credit cards, employees who spend too much time reading emails and attending meetings instead of effectively serving the public, and 40% of supervisors who manage three or fewer employees.
The report identified multiple areas for improvement while also highlighting the administration's commitment to transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.
From left: Chief of Staff Chris Newport, Senior Advisor Cynthia Wilson, Deputy COS Steven David
Starting in August 2024, the comprehensive citywide assessment supported by Ernst & Young LLP (EY) reviewed four key areas: performance, organization, financial (spending), and forensic accounting.
"It is so revealing why Houstonians are frustrated and why I will not go to them and ask for additional resources until we gain their confidence that we are using their money wisely," said Mayor Whitmire.
Among the key findings:
Performance and Accountability: Houston is already ahead in tracking progress through performance measures but needs to shift from just measuring outputs to tracking real outcomes that matter to residents—like faster emergency response times and reducing disparities across communities.
Operations and Efficiency: Too many employees are bogged down in unnecessary administrative tasks, while outdated structures and narrow spans of control make it difficult to fill vacancies and retain talent.
Spending and Procurement: The current approach to procurement is ripe for improvement. The efficiency study found duplicative contracts, inconsistent vendor practices, and opportunities to save money by strategically managing spending.
Financial Controls and Risks: The study identified vulnerabilities in managing city resources, such as procurement card (P-Card) usage and emergency orders. Strengthening these controls will ensure that every dollar is spent wisely and responsibly.
"This efficiency study highlights my commitment to responsible governance and is an important step toward restoring trust and accountability in how our city government works for Houstonians," said Mayor Whitmire. "We take these findings seriously and are already taking steps to eliminate waste, duplication, and corruption while ensuring taxpayer dollars are managed efficiently and transparently."
On the issue of city vendor management, Chief of Staff Chris Newport stated: "80% of the dollars the city spent in 2024 was with 6% of our vendors. What that means is we could be more strategic in the type of relationship that we have with those vendors and where we spend most of our money. We can consolidate our spending across departments. We can improve these things while maintaining our focus on our MWBE program without compromising on the goals we set for our supplier diversity program and our commitment to small businesses. We stand to realize significant and material savings from bringing discipline and intent."
In response to the organizational analysis, Senior Advisor Cynthia Wilson shared, "This is about us all being better, getting information for employees to make the work environment better for everyone so they can be more effective and efficient."
In response to the citywide efficiency study, Mayor Whitmire's administration has initiated a corrective action plan, including a priority to:
Focus on Results: Revamp how the city tracks and shares progress through updated performance dashboards that are visible to the public.
Streamline Government: Redesign the city's organizational structures to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, create clear career pathways, and ensure municipal teams have the resources to deliver.
Improve Spending Practices: Strengthen procurement processes to eliminate waste, find cost savings, and ensure vendors meet the high standards expected of those serving Houston.
Strengthen Financial Oversight: Implementing stricter controls and monitoring systems to safeguard taxpayer dollars and reduce risks.
"We are dedicated to addressing these issues proactively," said Mayor Whitmire. "Our goal is to make the necessary improvements while maintaining the trust and confidence of Houstonians."
