HOUSON – While Houston water customers wait for relief from inaccurate and unexplained high-water bills that’s left them ‘DRAINED,’ KPRC 2 Investigates has discovered the head of Houston Public Works, memorializing the department with trinkets we’re all paying for.
Investigative Reporter Amy Davis requested interviews with Director Carol Haddock a few times this year. Her staff told us she would talk to us once she and the mayor released the new water plan to help customers stuck with outrageous bills. We assumed that is taking up a lot of her time. But then we saw a video made for her employees.
“Hey everybody. I’m here today to tell you about a special token of appreciation that we’ve been working on. In the spirit of the tradition of the military of commander’s coins, we’re going to be introducing a director’s coin to represent Houston Public Works,” Dir. Haddock said in the video.
The coin is a bright, shiny gold coin bearing Director Carol Haddock’s name.
We found the video when a tipster anonymously forwarded the email Haddock blasted out to every public works employee in mid-January.
The tipster added their own note, “waste of taxpayer’s money!”
A public information request revealed exactly how much we paid. It costs $15,500 for 5,000 gold challenge coins.
“Some people’s water bills are $15,000. And that’s a problem for me, to know that, people are still being faced with this and that we find it right now at this particular juncture, important to put out a challenge coin,” District D Council Member Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz said.
The council member adds every council member had one of the coins at last week’s city council meeting, with no explanation about who it was from or what it was for.
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“Other than placing it on my desk or something of that nature. I see no use for it. Other than a reminder to me of what has not been addressed in the City of Houston,” she goes on to say.
Council Member Evans-Shabazz was one of three council members who pushed for ordinance changes to the city’s code last year to help water customers with high bills. Since then, she says the water complaints from constituents haven’t slowed.
“All I know is I’m still getting the calls from constituents, which means that it’s still a problem,” she said.
In the video Dir. Haddock tells us, “When you pick up the coin and look at it. On the sunshine, the daytime, the vibrancy of Houston. We’ve got that iconic Houston skyline. Which is a powerful tie to who it is that we’re serving on a daily basis.”
For two minutes, Haddock waxes poetic about the coin that she says was designed by a public works employee.
This is not the first time she did something like this. When we began our ‘DRAINED’ investigation, we found Haddock had approved taxpayer money for employee handouts.
Another public works employee asked us why they received these Samsonite backpacks in June. A records request revealed, Dir. Haddock approved the purchase of 180 backpacks for more than $13,000.
I just want to make sure that we don’t lose focus of what is very important to the city,” Council Member Evans-Shabazz adds, “and not towards commemorative articles at this particular juncture.”
Public Works sent Amy Davis this statement regarding the coins:
“Houston Public Works employees are dedicated public servants, who provide essential services to the Houston community - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the tradition of our military, challenge coins are given as a source of morale, pride and to recognize hard work. The HPW Challenge Coin was created during the mayoral transition period to be a physical reminder of our foundational work amid growing uncertainty.
As Director Haddock mentioned in the video to staff, it is a symbol of our values and purpose. Each coin cost less than $4 per employee. It is not unusual for employers to provide gifts as a reminder of one’s commitment to service. Each City of Houston department has budgets for supplies which can include laptop bags, backpacks, etc. Purchasing of all supplies go through the proper procurement channels.
Houston Public Works is committed to providing Houstonians with accurate water bills. Our team has provided adjustments to more than 5,000 customer accounts amounting to $6.3 million in high bill assistance since the nine ordinance changes went into effect in December 2023.
Houston Public Works continues to work with Mayor Whitmire on his plan to provide reliable water bills. Those details will be announced by his administration when the plan is finalized.”
Erin Jones, Public Information Officer, City of Houston | Houston Public Works