Primary Department: Fire Marshal
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Laurie L. Christensen, Fire Marshal
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Position
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):
title
Request for approval of fourteen (14) positions, effective May 16, 2026, and direct the Office of Management and Budget Office, (OMB), to transfer OMB-managed secondary fire code funds in the amount of $5,933,104 to support fire & life safety inspections in unincorporated Harris County.
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Background and Discussion:
The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office (HCFMO) is requesting authorization to create fourteen (14) new positions to enhance fire and life safety inspections within unincorporated Harris County. This expansion is designed to address critical legislative mandates, including HB 3687 regarding Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and HB 33 concerning school safety. The additional staffing will ensure continuous compliance with the adopted Fire Code across high-priority occupancies such as schools, boarding homes, and hotels.
Furthermore, these positions will provide essential support for special events, bars, and taverns, while bolstering logistical and GIS mapping capabilities. These enhancements are vital for the safety and security planning of upcoming large-scale international events, including FIFA 2026. To meet these operational demands, the new staffing model will include weekend scheduling and increased availability.
Fiscal Impact and Funding
The proposed staffing plan involves phased implementation with the following fiscal considerations:
• Total Operational Costs: Year 1 is estimated at $2,526,914, and Year 2 at $2,641,018.
• Revenue Projection: Based on the new fee schedule and operational permits, total revenue is projected at $2,913,401.
Funding for these positions will be supported by the Fire Code Fund (OMB Fund 202), which currently maintains a balance exceeding $10 million. Pursuant to Local Government Code § 233.065, these funds are restricted to the administration and enforcement of the fire code. HCFMO requests Commissioners Court to direct OMB to transfer the amount of $5,933,104 from the OMB controlled Harris County Fire Code Fund to provide a two-and-a-half-year funding subsidy, ensuring operational stability until full implementation and cost recovery are achieved.
As all positions support operational permits, there is no expected increase in workload for plan reviews within the Office of the County Engineer.
Expected Impact:
The approval of these positions and the associated funding transfer will significantly enhance public safety in unincorporated Harris County by ensuring rigorous enforcement of the Fire Code and compliance with critical state legislative mandates regarding school safety and emergency preparedness. By expanding specialized inspection teams for high-risk occupancies and large-scale international events like FIFA 2026, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office will reduce fire and life-safety hazards for vulnerable populations while providing the logistical and GIS capabilities necessary for complex security planning. Ultimately, this strategic investment creates a sustainable, revenue supported staffing model that balances immediate operational demands with long term fiscal responsibility through the dedicated use of Fire Code funds.
Alternative Options:
Failure to approve this request would result in several significant risks and operational deficiencies for Harris County:
• Limited ability to support new State mandates.
• Operational inefficiencies and revenue loss.
• Underutilization of restricted funds.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: M: Ensure that Harris County remains the best place in the region to start and grow a business, with a focus on equitable economic growth.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Prevention Services Bureau |
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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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Other - Fire Code |
$369,189 |
$ |
$369,189 |
$369,189 |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$369,189 |
$ |
$369,189 |
$369,189 |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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|
Other - Fire Code |
$459,375 |
$334,260 |
$793,635 |
$2,641,018 |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$459,375 |
$334,260 |
$793,635 |
$2,641,018 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$459,375 |
$334,260 |
$793,635 |
$2,641,018 |
|
Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
|
Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
|
Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
65 - |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
14 - |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
79 - |
- |
- |
- |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 5/14/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 5/16/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Rodney Reed, Chief of Staff, and Tanisher Spiller, HR Manager, Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office
Attachments (if applicable):
• Fiscal Review Request Form
• HCFMO Operational Permits Risk Analysis_5.8.2025
• (6) 3441 New Positions