TEXAS FACILITIES COMMISSION UNDERGOES THE SUNSET REVIEW PROCESS
Over the past few weeks, I have written about a number of state agencies that are undergoing the sunset review process. As a reminder, this is the process in which the state has to identify and eliminate government waste, duplication and general inefficiencies in state agencies. The Texas Legislature established the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission in 1977. The sunset review process is designed to review each of the state agencies every twelve years. This review is done by taking up a certain number of the state agencies each time the Texas Legislature convenes. In this week’s article, we are going to review the Texas Facilities Commission.
The Texas Facilities Commission (the “Commission”) is an agency that is tasked with supporting state government with asset management, design, strategic planning, maintenance, construction and leasing of state agency facilities. The Commission works to maximize both efficient and strategic uses of state owned facilities. By focusing on this objective, the Commission works to try and reduce the long term dependence for state agencies on leased space. They also look at ways of finding reductions in energy consumption and also enhancing the energy efficiencies of the state facilities. By doing so, they identify many potential cost-saving programs that can be evaluated as a protocol by all projects as well as any ongoing operations. Additionally, the Commission works to create a functional, safe and clean work environment for the state agencies by implementing the best practices for the operations of the state facilities. By doing so, they operate with a mission to have the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability. This allows the Commission to deliver state agencies services with a strong commitment to excellence and innovation.
In 2011, the Commission managed both the design and construction of a portfolio of 83 projects that were worth $439 million. The commission manages and maintains a large portfolio of approximately 1,000 leases which accounts for around a total of 10.7 million square feet. Additionally, they also have an inventory of state-owned office space, service facilities, parking garages, and warehouses that total over 14 million square feet throughout 288 cities here in the state. The commission also provides property management for new construction as well as major renovations for state facilities along with the design, planning, construction, and procurement phases of the project. They handle the repairs of these facilities, as well as conduct both routine and deferred maintenance services and utility services.
The Texas Facilities Commission administers what is called the State Surplus Program. This program is a state and federal surplus program that has property available to the general public for the sale of various state-owned items such as surplus furniture, vehicles and equipment. This program helps state agencies to relinquish state property that is no longer needed for the daily functions of the respective agencies. In addition to state property, they also handle the sale of lost or abandoned items that are left at state airports. The facilities that these items are available for sale or auction are located in Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth.
If you are interested in learning more visit the Texas Facilities Commission
Some of the other agencies we will review in the upcoming weeks include the Texas Education Agency, Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Texas Workforce Commission, as well as a number of other agencies. If you would like to learn more please visit the Sunset Advisory Commission.
If you have any questions regarding the Texas Facilities Commission or the sunset review process, please don’t hesitate to contact either my Capitol or District office. My offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
