Primary Department: Universal Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Sindhu Menon, MS, MBA, CGCIO, CISA, PMP, ITIL, CISSM
Secondary Department: County Engineer
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Milton Rahman, PhD, P.E., PMP, CFM, ENV SP
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
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 discussion and possible action to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other software improvements for the permitting process.
end
Background and Discussion:
On September 9, 2025, Commissioners Court directed the Office of the County Engineer (OCE) to develop a plan for using artificial intelligence (AI) and other software improvements for permitting. OCE has conducted research on AI software tools and is collaborating with Universal Services to develop a Project Delivery Plan.
Universal Services currently manages and supports the ePermit system in collaboration with OCE. On December 11, 2025, Commissioners Court directed Universal Services to establish governance on the standards, analysis, deployment, management, and training of all A.I. software and tools across departments within the County’s network to ensure security compliance with all federal and state laws, and County’s policies.
Universal Services will partner with OCE and relevant departments such as Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO), Flood Control District (FCD), Public Health Services (PHS), and any other departments to identify the need, assess the risk, propose and build the AI solution for e-permitting, and ensure a smooth deployment. Universal Services will oversee the project management of end-to-end solution in collaboration with OCE and relevant departments.
OCE seeks to transform its permitting process by integrating AI capabilities into its existing ePermits and Platting systems. The goal is to improve turnaround times, enhance operational efficiency, and provide greater transparency to constituents. This initiative builds on the current permitting infrastructure and leverages AI to automate initial document reviews, streamline workflows, and introduces a public-facing permit tracking dashboard. Coordination with Fire Marshals Office, Harris County Flood Control District and Public Health will be also assessed for AI integration.
Benefits
o Faster processing times: Potential to reduce permit processing time by 50%.
o Improved Transparency: Applicants can see real-time status updates.
o Operational Efficiency: Staff can focus on complex cases while AI handles routine checks.
o Automation and Performance Improvements: Use AI to reduce simple, repetitive, and redundant tasks.
The AI-driven enhancements to the existing permitting and platting platforms will focus on:
• Automated Document Review: AI will scan (pre-checks) submitted documents to flag missing or non-compliant items, reducing manual review time.
• Permit Lifecycle Tracker: A dashboard and a mobile application that allows applicants to monitor each step of their permit’s process-from submission to approval or rejection.
• Efficiency Metrics & Service Level Agreements (SLA) Monitoring: AI will support internal dashboards to track performance against SLAs, enabling data-driven improvements.
• Human-in-the-Loop: Quality assurance and quality control that will assist but not replace human reviewers, ensuring compliance with legislation and maintaining quality control.
• AI Development: Integration of contextual AI, machine learning, and predictive modeling techniques using ePermits data to assist customers, streamline processes, and improve overall public service delivery.
Next Step: Universal Services will collaborate with the Office of the County Engineer, Fire Marshal’s Office, Flood Control District, Public Health and other departments to implement a recognized AI platform and integration with ePermits and other permitting systems.
Expected Impact:
The adoption of a new and enhanced AI solution will assist the public with transparency, efficiency, communication and processing of permitting applications.
Alternative Options:
Not utilizing AI tools in the permitting process may result in manual permitting process, longer processing times, inefficiencies in processes, and lack of transparency for constituents.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
County Strategic Plan Objective: H: Improve the condition and resilience of County transportation, flood control, and other infrastructure.
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
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: N/A
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
9/9/2025 |
8 |
To direct the Office of County Engineer to report back to Commissioners Court by November 13, 2025, with a plan for using artificial intelligence and other software improvements to make the permitting process faster, more accurate, and easier for the public to use. |
|
11/13/2025 |
12 |
Request for discussion and action of a plan to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other software improvements to make the permitting process faster, more accurate, and easier for the public to use. |
|
12/11/2025 |
154 |
To direct Universal Services to establish governance on the standards, analysis, deployment, management, and training of all A.I. software and tools across departments within the County’s network to ensure security compliance with all federal and state laws, and County’s policies. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 1/8/2026
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
Contact(s) name, title, department: Sindhu Menon, MS, MBA, CGCIO, CISA, PMP, ITIL, CISSM - HCUS
Girish Ramachandran, CTO, HCUS
Attachments (if applicable):