Internal Services Department (Los Angeles County)

Internal Services Department (Los Angeles County)
Name	Internal Services Department (Los Angeles County)
Type	County department
Formed	1974
Jurisdiction	Los Angeles County
Headquarters	Downtown Los Angeles
Employees	~3,000
Budget	~$1 billion (annual)
Chief1 name	Chief Administrative Officer (Interim)
Parent agency	Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Internal Services Department (Los Angeles County) The Internal Services Department provides centralized facility management and technical support for Los Angeles County agencies, coordinating procurement, fleet operations, and information technology for entities including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. It interacts with commissions such as the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, municipalities like the City of Los Angeles, and regional bodies including the Southern California Association of Governments and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (California).

History

The department was created amid reforms following interactions with entities like the Los Angeles County Grand Jury, the California State Legislature, and commissions influenced by events such as the Watts riots and administrative shifts after fiscal crises studied by the Public Policy Institute of California, the Brookings Institution, and consultants from Deloitte and KPMG. Early projects involved collaborations with the U.S. General Services Administration, vendors like Lockheed Martin, and design firms associated with projects near LAX and Union Station (Los Angeles). Over decades the department adapted to federal mandates from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, state directives from the California Department of Finance, and local policy from the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office.

Organization and Leadership

Leadership roles align with elected and appointed offices including oversight by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and coordination with the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Officer. Senior executives liaise with leaders at agencies such as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Organizational units mirror structures used by entities like City of San Diego, Orange County, California, San Bernardino County, and corporate counterparts such as Siemens and IBM. Labor relations involve unions including the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Functions and Services

The department administers asset management, facilities operations, fleet maintenance, information technology, printing services, and procurement supporting clients including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, the Los Angeles County Coroner, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, and the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Its IT services complement systems used by the California Department of Technology and integrate standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and compliance frameworks such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act when serving the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Emergency response support coordinates with Federal Emergency Management Agency, California Office of Emergency Services, and regional first responders at facilities like Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Budget and Funding

Funding sources include county appropriations approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, fee revenues from services for agencies like the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and capital financing instruments comparable to those used by the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association. Budget cycles adhere to rules set by the California Constitution and state controls from the California Department of Finance, with audits performed by offices akin to the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller and standards from the Government Accountability Office. Capital projects have been financed in ways similar to financing for Dodger Stadium renovations and Los Angeles International Airport expansions.

Facilities and Infrastructure Management

Facilities oversight covers assets from county campuses comparable to Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area adjacent properties, centralized warehouses, to maintenance at complex sites like LAC+USC Medical Center and county jails. Projects have involved architects and contractors with portfolios that include Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Turner Construction Company, and AECOM, and comply with codes enforced by the California Building Standards Commission and earthquake standards influenced by research from the United States Geological Survey. Energy and sustainability initiatives mirror programs by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and regional greenhouse gas planning led by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Contracts, Procurement, and Vendor Relations

Procurement practices follow county purchasing ordinances adopted by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and procurement frameworks similar to those of the City of Los Angeles. Major contracting historically involved suppliers like General Electric, Honeywell, and construction contractors engaged in projects near California State University, Los Angeles and USC. Vendor relations and compliance have been subject to oversight from authorities such as the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General and influenced by state procurement law including precedents from cases adjudicated in the California Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of California.

Performance, Accountability, and Controversies

Performance metrics are reported to bodies like the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and examined by watchdogs including the Los Angeles County Grand Jury and reporters at the Los Angeles Times, KPCC (89.3 FM), and KCET. Past controversies touched contract awards, procurement protests brought before the California Public Utilities Commission or litigated in United States District Court for the Central District of California, and infrastructure failures reviewed during hearings with officials from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Reforms have drawn on audits modeled after reports from the Pew Charitable Trusts and recommendations from nonprofit advocates such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.

Category:Los Angeles County departments