Primary Department: Tax Assessor-Collector
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Annette Ramirez
Managing Department: Tax Assessor-Collector
Managing Department Head/Elected Official: Annette Ramirez
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Final Investment Memo
Project Name: HCTO Department Furniture
Project ID (if applicable): TBD
Vendor Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Achievement (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Incremental Authorization Requested: $1,593,921
Total Estimated Project Cost: $1,593,921
Request Summary:
title
Request for approval of a Final Investment Memo for the HCTO Department Furniture project, in the amount of $1,593,921 and request for approval of commercial paper funding in the amount of $1,595,000.
end
Project Description:
The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar’s Office (HCTO) is committed to improving the constituent experience and advancing operational excellence across all service areas. As part of this commitment, the office is undertaking a comprehensive modernization of seating for all tax office employees, conference rooms, and constituent-facing areas. This investment directly enhances customer service and safety, supports employee well‑being, and aligns with the County’s broader goals of creating safe, efficient, and welcoming public environments.
Much of the office’s seating is decades old and far beyond its useful life. Many chairs are torn, unstable, or broken, with some requiring temporary fixes such as duct‑taped armrests. In several cases, damaged furniture has even ruined employees’ clothing. These conditions undermine professionalism, create safety risks, and negatively affect morale.
HCTO serves more constituents than any other County department and is often the first point of contact for residents seeking essential services such as property tax payments, voter registration, and auto title and registration. The condition of our facilities directly shapes how the public experiences County services. Providing comfortable, functional seating is a basic but essential part of delivering high‑quality service.
This project invests in ergonomic seating that supports the health and posture of employees, many of whom spend long periods seated. Updated seating in waiting areas and conference rooms also creates a more comfortable, accessible, and dignified environment for constituents.
This modernization is a practical, high‑impact investment that benefits both employees and the community. It reinforces HCTO’s commitment to professionalism, service excellence, and a constituent‑focused approach to public service.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
|
Project Scope Breakdown |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
|
Department Furniture |
$1,393,921 |
Q4 of FY 2026 |
|
Contingency (~15%) |
$200,000 |
- |
|
Total |
$1,593,921 |
|
Justification & Alternatives:
The alternative to upgrading department furniture is to keep the current seating and continue operating with its existing limitations. However, doing so would extend safety risks, reduce employee comfort, and negatively affect the professionalism of the tax office environment. Many chairs are damaged, unstable, and beyond repair, increasing the likelihood of workplace injuries, lower morale, and unnecessary disruptions. As the County’s most frequently visited department, outdated and deteriorating furniture also reflects poorly on the quality of service provided to constituents.
Anticipated Impact on Other Funds (If Applicable):
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Fund Code |
Description |
Estimated Cost |
Funding Method (Existing or Future Budget Request Required) |
Estimated Date of Needs |
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N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
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$- |
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- |
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Total |
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$- |
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- |
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Previous Court Action:
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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Address: Multiple
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
HCTO Department Furniture |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request |
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Commercial Paper |
$ |
$1,595,000 |
$1,595,000 |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$1,595,000 |
$1,595,000 |
$ |
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Total Funding Request |
$ |
$1,595,000 |
$1,595,000 |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 6/11/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date: 6/15/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Legal funding compliance confirmed by: Sandra Staine, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 6/2/26
Department Approval by: Sonate Adeyemi, Chief Finance Officer, Harris County Tax Office, 6/3/2026
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects & Infrastructure, 6/3/2026
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: Tax Assessor-Collector
Project PeopleSoft ID: TBD
CP Series Description: Commercial Paper Series D-2 can be used for (1) construction of public works, (2) the purchase of automobiles, equipment and machinery, including computers, materials and supplies for the operation of the County’s precincts and departments (3) Professional services, including services provided by engineers, architects, attorneys, auditors, financial advisors, and fiscal agents, in connection with the contractual obligations described in (1) and (2).
Commercial Paper is being requested for the HCTO Department Furniture project and is expected to be repaid within the next three fiscal years either through bonds, budgetary means or pay-as-you-go sources.
Note: Commercial Paper is issued in increments of $5,000 and the excess is not available to be spent by the department.
OMB Financial Management contact: Fahad Gulzar, Acting Deputy Executive Director, Office of Management and Budget