Primary Department: Management and Budget
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Daniel Ramos, Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental 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):
title
Request by the Office of Management and Budget for approval of a revised countywide fee update policy which is expanded to cover fines and rates set by Commissioners Court that are not collected by the County.
end
Background and Discussion:
On February 12, 2026, Commissioners Court adopted the Fee Update and Review Policy to establish a consistent framework for reviewing and updating County fees. On June 11, 2026, Commissioners Court ordered OMB to expand the policy to cover fines as well as rates set by the Court that aren’t collected by the County, specifically referencing the maximum nonconsent tow rates which are the maximum rates a wrecker can charge the public for a nonconsent tow. These maximum rates are regulatory in nature and only affect the amount a wrecker can charge and do not impact County revenue.
OMB is presenting the updated policy which now covers fines and these additional rates.
Expected Impact:
The revised policy will formalize the review and update process for fines and rates that are set by Commissioners Court but aren’t collected by the County. This will ensure fine amounts remain aligned with policy objectives and, in the specific case of nonconsent tow rates, will help rates keep pace with costs to provide nonconsent tow services and maintain the incentive for wreckers to quickly respond and resolve roadway incidents involving disabled vehicles.
Specific recommendations for nonconsent tow rates will be separately presented to Commissioners Court for approval.
Alternative Options:
Establish a separate policy specific to updating fines and nonconsent two rates separate from the Countywide Fee Update policy.
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: Choose an item.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
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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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1-29-2026 |
5 |
No action. Item was presented for discussion only. |
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2-12-2026 |
7 |
Countywide Fee Policy Approved |
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6-11-2026 |
482 |
Ordered OMB to amend the fee update policy to include nonconsent tow rates and submit the revised policy for approval on July 9, 2026. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 7/9/2026
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: Daniel Ramos, Executive Director, Office of Management & Budget
Attachments (if applicable):
7-9-2026 Agenda - Revised Harris County Fee Update Policy.pdf