Primary Department: Constables
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Constable James “Smokie” Phillips
Managing Department: Constables
Managing Department Head/Elected Official: Constable James “Smokie” Phillips
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Final Investment Memo
Project Name: Illegal Dumping Camera System
Project ID (if applicable): TBD
Vendor Legal Name (if applicable): ESI, Inc. Fire-Security Protection
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: $100,000
Total Estimated Project Cost: $100,000
Request Summary:
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Request by the Constable of Precinct 7 for approval of a Final Investment Memo for the Illegal Dumping Camera System project, for an amount of $100,000 and request for approval of commercial paper funding in the amount of $100,000.
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Project Description:
Harris County Constable Precinct 7 currently relies on six aging, discontinued pole-mounted cameras used to monitor illegal dumping. These cameras suffer from recurring outages, frozen video feeds, slow PTZ performance, and limitations that hinder the timely retrieval of usable evidence.
To modernize the system, Precinct 7 proposes expanding to a 16-camera environment, integrating the six existing units (after full compatibility validation) and adding ten new 4K PTZ camera sites. New sites will include industrial edge storage, weatherproof equipment, dual-SIM 5G connectivity, and encrypted, private networking. A new business-grade internet circuit, a dedicated server running Milestone XProtect Express+, RAID-protected storage, and seven days of replayable video retention will support the environment.
Cameras will continue to be installed on CenterPoint Energy utility poles by certified Precinct 7 technicians following established safety and access requirements. Universal Services will provide planning-level cost estimates, and the production system will be managed by Precinct 7 IT staff.
Expected benefits include increased camera coverage, improved reliability and cybersecurity, stronger evidence collection, and enhanced enforcement of illegal dumping.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
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Project Scope Breakdown |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
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1 - Xprotect Express+ Base License |
$31 |
FY2027 |
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16 - Xprotect Express+ Device License |
$1,601 |
FY2027 |
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11 - 4K UHD AI-Powered PTZ IP Camera for Extreme Low Light, 6.91- 214.64mm Lens |
$44,595 |
FY2027 |
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11 - Wall-and-Pole Mount for PTZ Camera, White |
$2,242 |
FY2027 |
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11 - Kingston Canvas Go! Plus - flash memory card - 128 GB - microSDXC UHS-I |
$668 |
FY2027 |
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11 - Peplink Cellular Gateway w/ Antenna |
$12,635 |
FY2027 |
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11 - Lantronix SISPM1040-582-LRT Managed Hardened Gigabit Ethernet PoE++ Switch, 8) 10/100/1000Base-T PoE++ Ports (2) 100/1000Base-X SFP Slots 52V-57V DC |
$14,108 |
FY2027 |
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1 - GCON DCS 280 Series Server, 32TB R6 |
$14,580 |
FY2027 |
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Freight Cost |
$585 |
NA |
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Contingency - 10% |
$8,955 |
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Total |
$100,000 |
NA |
Justification & Alternatives:
Precinct 7’s current cameras are no longer supported or upgradable and face persistent reliability issues. These problems pose risks to public safety operations, evidence integrity, and investigative capabilities. A modernized, secure, scalable 16-camera system is necessary to ensure consistent availability, timely video retrieval, and improved quality of surveillance data. The project leverages existing departmental infrastructure and personnel while strengthening environmental protection and neighborhood quality of life.
Alternative Options:
Continue operating the existing equipment: Not recommended because the six active cameras are discontinued, not upgradeable, and subject to continuing reliability and compatibility limitations.
Replace components only when they fail: Not recommended because piecemeal replacement would preserve a fragmented environment and would not resolve server, storage, connectivity, cybersecurity, licensing, and evidence-management limitations.
Delay the project to a later budget cycle: Would prolong reliance on obsolete equipment and continue the risk of unavailable or unusable evidence.
Use a fully hosted or externally managed system: May create higher long-term subscription costs, vendor dependence, data-management concerns, and ongoing support expenses. The recommended department-managed design uses existing Precinct 7 personnel and infrastructure.
The request supports public safety by modernizing technology used to detect, document, investigate, and deter illegal dumping and related activity. It strengthens the reliability and cybersecurity of department-operated public-safety infrastructure and supports environmental protection and neighborhood quality of life.
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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1000 |
12 Month(s) Care Plus for Xprotect Express+ DL |
$289.92 |
Existing |
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Total |
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$289.92 |
Existing |
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County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
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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Address: 5290 Griggs Rd-Houston, Texas 77021
Precinct(s): Precinct 7 Choose an item.
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Commercial Paper |
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Total Funding Request |
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$100,000 |
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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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Anticipated Court Date: 10/15/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Legal funding compliance confirmed by: Paige Abernathy, First Assistant County Attorney-Legal Operations, 10/1/2026
Department Approval by: Constable James “Smokie” Phillips 10/05/2026
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects & Infrastructure, 10/2/2026
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: Constables
Project PeopleSoft ID: TBD
CP Series Description: Commercial Paper Series D 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 Illegal Dumping Camera System 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, Deputy Executive Director, Office of Management and Budget