The Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining and improving streets, street lights, traffic signals, drainage, water, sewer and sanitation systems, and also overseeing a multi-million-dollar program of major improvement projects, known as capital projects.
Additionally, the department is responsible for repairs and routine maintenance to city buildings, equipment, vehicles and rights of way. The department also provides engineering assistance to other city departments.

The Public Works Department includes 14 divisions and 109 employees, plus responsibility for the privatization agreements that help provide residents water and sewer service (Meter Reading Specialists) and garbage pick up (Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District).

The department has an operating budget of $9.6 million and oversees a capital projects budget of $61.2 million