Primary Department: Public Health Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton, Executive Director
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Position
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable):
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for approval of one position effective December 13, 2025, to support the Environmental Public Health Division.
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Background and Discussion:
The Environmental Public Health Division of Harris County Public Health is responsible for over 8,500 retail food establishments located within the unincorporated areas of the county and for 23 cities that do not have their own health departments. Through routine inspections, public health investigators identify and correct violations related to food storage, preparation, sanitation, and employee hygiene, thereby preventing foodborne illness and outbreaks. The program also promotes compliance with health regulations, educates food operators on safe practices, and supports consistent enforcement across all establishments.
Expected Impact:
Adding a part-time inspector to the retail food establishment inspection program would increase inspection capacity, allowing the department to complete more routine inspections, re-inspections, and complaint investigations in a timely manner. This added capacity enhances public health protection by identifying and correcting potential food safety risks more quickly, reducing the likelihood of foodborne illness outbreaks. The additional position would also improve responsiveness to complaints and special event...
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