Primary Department: Management and Budget
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Daniel Ramos, Executive Director
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE 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
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for approval of a modification to Harris County’s policy on Non-voted Commercial Paper for Commissioners Court to clarify that General Use debt for Commissioners Court offices can be used on equipment, furniture, or vehicles.
end
Background and Discussion:
On September 19, 2023, Commissioners Court approved a policy on the use of non-voted debt by Commissioners Court offices. This policy was most recently amended on October 10, 2023 and, among other allocations, provides for a General Use allocation every two years of $15 million to Commissioners Court precincts and $3 million to the County Judge’s Office.
Per the policy, “General Use expenditures [include] capital renovations to and construction costs for public works [for] road projects and parks and recreation projects (after any applicable voted authorization has been used) and County facilities such as Precinct offices, parking structures, a public safety facility or emergency shelter, [and] on-site solar or battery energy storage systems.”
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is returning to Commissioners Court to clarify that General Use expenditures also include equipment, furniture, or vehicles that qualifies to use non-voted debt under the Capital Expenditures for Debt Purposes Policy, approved April 23, 2024, stated purposes and restrictions for each commercial paper series, and other relevant State and Federal statutes concerning non-voted and tax-exempt debt.
Expected Impact:
Approving this policy would clarify the policy allowing precincts greater flexibility in using non-voted debt with zero fiscal impact to the County.
Alternative Options:
Commissioners Court could not approve this request and keep the policy as is currently written.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
County Strategic Plan Objective: I: Increase access to safe, clean, and enjoyable green space.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): I3: Prioritize the development of new parks when developing and implementing a plan for how to leverage underused County-owned land, with a focus on equitable access.
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
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
9/19/23 |
30 |
Request for approval of a policy and procedure related to Non-voted Commercial Paper for Commissioners Court. |
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10/10/23 |
399 |
Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 1 for discussion and possible action regarding the County’s policy for Non-voted Commercial Paper for Commissioners Court. |
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4/23/24 |
47 |
Request for approval of Capital Expenditures for Debt Purposes Policy. |
|
1/9/25 |
25 |
Request for approval of the Harris County Commercial Paper Policy and Procedure. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): Multiple
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 3/27/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects & Infrastructure, Office of Management and Budget
Attachments (if applicable):