The Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department (ARA) provides a wide variety of administrative services to the City of Houston’s departments, such as 311 service request routing, payroll processing, asset disposition, citywide policy management, internal mail services, records management, and insurance risk management.
Our Mission is to efficiently deliver superior administration and regulatory affairs services to our customers through the efforts of a highly dedicated and professional staff committed to world class customer service and excellence in everything we do.
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About the Director
As the first Hispanic director of the Administration and Regulatory Affairs (ARA) Department, Paez was unanimously confirmed by the city council in May of 2013. She has dedicated nearly 30 years as an employee for the City of Houston including 10 years as director of ARA, preceded by 10 years as deputy director. Before joining the City, she worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
As director of ARA, Paez is responsible for oversight of 18 functional units representing a diverse cross section of City services including the BARC Animal Shelter, 3-1-1 Information Services, ParkHouston, Regulatory Permitting, Utility Regulation ... Read more About the Director ...
ARA In the News
- View the ARA Press Releases
City to Begin Towing and Impoundment of Non-permitted Pedicabs Beginning October 1
September 25, 2024 -- Beginning October 1, 2024, Houston Police officers will begin ordering the towing and impoundment of illegal pedicabs that do not have a City of Houston vehicle permit and license. ... Read More ...
Got a problem? Here is who you can call in Houston to help fix it
August 20, 2024 -- Millions of people live in the City of Houston. Inevitably, eventually someone is going to have a problem they will need help taking care of. ... Read More ...
'Clear The Shelters' Campaign: Meet Foster Kitten Miso
August 12, 2024 -- Cory Stottlemyer, BARC Deputy Shelter Director, talks about how BARC is participating in the Clear the Shelters campaign. The nationwide pet adoption campaign is happening now through September 10th. ... Read More ...
Victoria Freeman
ParkHouston Compliance Officer Victoria Freeman won the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) Professional Excellence Award for Superior Parking Compliance Frontline staff at the IPMI annual conference in Fort Worth in June 2023! Congratulations Ms. Freeman and thank you for your dedication to ParkHouston and the Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department.
Animal Control Officer Rebeckah Glaster finds the 'good times' working for BARC
The adage, “time flies when you’re having fun” can be applied to BARC Animal Control Officer Rebeckah Glaster. She’s worked at the shelter for nearly two years, but to let her tell it, the experience still feels like yesterday.
City of Houston Names New Animal Shelter Director
The City of Houston has selected Jarrad Mears, a senior executive at BARC, to run the City’s animal shelter. As director of the shelter, Mears will oversee 124 team members, including enforcement officers, veterinarians, shelter staff, customer service, and outreach employees.