|
Every 12 years, state agencies in Texas undergo a sunset review process. Led
by the Sunset Advisory
Commission, the review strives to provide greater openness in government
decision-making and improved government accountability.
The Sunset Review process begins with the department submitting its
Self-Evaluation Report (SER) to the staff of the Sunset Advisory Commission.
TxDOT's SER is a compendium of all agency-related functions and depicts the
purpose of each program for which the department is involved. The SER also
identifies specific policy issues that it recommends Sunset staff evaluate
through the review process.
Preparing for Sunset Review
To prepare for our Sunset Review in 2009, we hired an outside vendor to
conduct independent assessments of our management and business operations. The
department's operations were divided into five categories. The final audit
reports for each of those five categories are provided below.
|
Date |
Title |
Format |
|
PDF |
|
04/15/08 |
Consideration of Cost in the Consultant Selection Process Evaluation |
 |
|
08/07 |
Consumer Services |
|
|
08/24/07 |
Contracting and Project Delivery |
|
|
09/17/07 |
Field Operations |
|
|
09/12/07 |
Management & Support Operations |
|
|
07/20/07 |
Management & Support Operations Addendum |
|
|
08/29/07 |
Transportation Funding |
|
|
08/29/07 |
Transportation Funding Appendices |
|
|
01/14/08 |
Transportation Funding Addendum |
|
The Texas Sunset Act
The mission and performance of the Texas Department of Transportation are
currently being reviewed by the Legislature as required under the Texas Sunset
Act. The Act provides that the Sunset Commission, composed of legislators and
public members, periodically evaluate a state agency to determine if the agency
is still needed, and what improvements are needed to ensure that state funds are
well spent. Based on the recommendations of the Sunset Commission, the Texas
Legislature ultimately decides whether an agency continues to operate into the
future.
The Sunset Review involves three steps:
- First, Sunset Commission staff will
evaluate the Texas Department of Transportation and, in May 2008, will issue a
report recommending solutions to problems found.
- The Sunset Commission will then meet to hear
public testimony on the agency and the recommendations of the Sunset staff.
This meeting will likely be scheduled for June, 2008.
- Based on public input and the Sunset staff report, the Sunset Commission will
adopt recommendations for the full Legislature to consider when it convenes in
January 2009.
Through the Sunset review, every Texan has the opportunity to suggest ways in
which the mission and operations of the Texas Department of Transportation can
be strengthened. If you would like to share your ideas about the agency, please
contact Jennifer Jones of the Sunset staff. Suggestions are preferred by Dec. 17, 2007, so they can be fully considered by the Commission staff.
Sunset Advisory Commission
P.O. Box 13066
Austin, Texas 78711
512/463-1300
Fax: 512/463-0705
E-mail
Contact the Sunset Advisory Commission
for more information about the Sunset process and Sunset Commission meetings
schedule.
|
