Primary Department: County Attorney
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Jonathan Fombonne
Managing Department: County Attorney
Managing Department Head/Elected Official: Jonathan Fombonne
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Final Investment Memo
Project Name: CAO 1010 Lamar Reallocation
Project ID (if applicable): CAO_1010LAMAR
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: $1,200,000
Total Estimated Project Cost: $3,200,000
Request Summary:
title
Request for approval of a Final Investment Memo for the CAO 1010 Lamar Reallocation project for an incremental amount of $1,200,000 for a total authorization of $3,200,000 and commercial paper funding of $1,200,000 for a total allocation of $3,200,000.
end
Project Description:
The Harris County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) represents Harris County government, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network in all civil matters, including litigation. The Office also provides critical legal advice to county officials and employees.
To perform these duties effectively, staff require adequate office space, a safe work environment, and the necessary equipment to provide timely, high-quality legal counsel. Currently, our facilities are insufficient to meet these needs, and many employees have been required to telework due to space constraints.
The County’s Space Committee has addressed this challenge by providing a new facility at 1010 Lamar, Houston, TX. This move will:
• Enable full in-office operations and collaboration
• Support recruitment and retention of top legal talent
• Enhance productivity and morale, particularly for early-career attorneys
• Strengthening the Office’s ability to serve Harris County, supporting the County’s strategic goal of making Harris County safer and more just
This funding is to furnish the new facility according to the updated design, provide computer equipment and software for employees returning to the office from remote work, and purchase appliances for breakrooms and reception areas. We are requesting funds for Phase 2 to purchase new furniture and remodeling. Commissioner's Court previously approved an Investment Memo back in November 2025 for $2M as a part of Phase I. The Harris County Attorney’s Office is undertaking a comprehensive relocation of all departments from 1019 Congress and 301 Main (Sweeney Building) to the new facility at 1010 Lamar. This move will consolidate operations, support increased litigation demands, and enhance collaboration across the Office and with County stakeholders.
The relocation will accommodate approximately 340 employees and 20 interns, in addition to 50 open permanent positions to address increased workload and service demands. Current plans include 3 reception areas, 20 conference rooms, 11 breakrooms, 409 offices, 50 intern workstations, and other specialty rooms needed for HCAO operations. HCAO is working with the Office of Management and Budget to determine the exact furniture and equipment from the order that will qualify to use CIP funding. Any ineligible items will be funded with another appropriate funding source.
The project ensures that all staff and interns are supported in a modern, ergonomically designed workspace that promotes collaboration, operational efficiency, and public service excellence. Adequate furniture, technology, and appliances are critical to achieving Harris County’s strategic goals in safety, infrastructure, the economy, health, climate/resilience, and housing.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
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Project Scope Breakdown |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
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Previously Approved: Phase 1 - Furniture (including contingency) |
$2,000,000 |
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Current Ask: Phase 2 - Furniture (including contingency) |
$1,200,000 |
- |
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Grand Total |
$3,200,000 |
- |
Justification & Alternatives:
With the transition to a new building, the Harris County Attorney’s Office faces essential facilities and equipment needs to ensure a safe, efficient, and collaborative work environment.
HCAO has not purchased a complete set of furniture in over 20 years. While small pieces have been added over time to accommodate staff growth, these efforts have been insufficient. We have relied on Public Surplus and the Lockwood Warehouse to replace damaged or unsafe furniture; however, the available items are dated, mismatched, and incompatible with the design and layout of the new workspace.
To properly furnish the new facility, we must procure modern, ergonomic, and functional furniture - including standard and adjustable-height desks, ergonomic chairs, conference tables, and seating suitable for mediations, depositions, special commissioner hearings, Juvenile Board, and CJCC meetings hosted by our office.
Additionally, we must purchase Appliances for breakrooms and complete sets of computers and equipment to support the Division’s transition from remote operations to an in-office environment. Required items include monitors, docking stations, keyboards, printers, scanners, computers, laptops, software licenses, and office phones.
Without this investment, employees would be forced to move outdated and incompatible furniture into the new space, compromising safety, accessibility, and productivity. Furthermore, Divisions currently operating remotely would remain unable to return fully to the office.
In-person collaboration is crucial to achieving our mission and advancing the County’s strategic objectives. A properly equipped and well-designed workspace fosters teamwork, strengthens interdepartmental coordination, and enhances delivery service to County clients and stakeholders.
This project directly supports the County’s Justice/Safety, Infrastructure, Economy, Health, Climate/Resilience, and Housing Initiatives by promoting safe, sustainable, and inclusive environments that improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of County operations. By investing in these items, the County would be investing in a safer and more just County for its employees and, first and foremost, - the community.
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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$- |
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- |
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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: 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:
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
11/13/2025 |
129 |
$2M approved as a part of Phase I furniture purchase |
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Address: 1010 Lamar, Houston, TX 77002
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
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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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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request |
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Commercial Paper |
$ |
$1,200,000 |
$1,200,000 |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$1,200,000 |
$1,200,000 |
$ |
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Total Funding Request |
$ |
$1,200,000 |
$1,200,000 |
$ |
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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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- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
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Anticipated Court Date: 3/19/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 3/19/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Legal funding compliance confirmed by: Paige Abernathy, Special Assistant County Attorney, 10/31/2025
Department Approval by: Regina G. Richard, Operations Manager, County Attorney’s Office, 03/06/2026
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects and Infrastructure, 3/6/2026
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: County Attorney
Project PeopleSoft ID: CAO_1010LAMAR
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 CAO 1010 Lamar Reallocation 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