Primary Department: County Engineer
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Milton Rahman, PhD, P.E., PMP, CFM, ENV-SP
Managing Department: County Engineer
Managing Department Head/Elected Official: Milton Rahman, PhD, P.E., PMP, CFM, ENV-SP
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Final Investment Memo
Project Name: Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Permitting
Project ID (if applicable): TBD
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: $490,000
Total Estimated Project Cost: $490,000
Request Summary:
title
Request for approval of a Final Investment Memo for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Permitting project for an amount of $490,000, and request for approval of commercial paper funding in the amount of $490,000.
end
Project Description:
On September 9, 2025, Commissioners Court directed the Office of the County Engineer (OCE) to partner with Harris County Universal Services (HCUS) to develop a plan for using artificial intelligence (AI) and other software improvements for permitting. The goal of the AI for Permitting and Platting Automation project is to make the permitting process faster, more accurate, and easier for the public to use.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Implementation services will include the following items:
• Project Kickoff & Governance Alignment
• Enterprise Integration & Platform Configuration Complete (vendor-built AI solution)
• Shadow Mode Validation Commences (internal and external testing)
• User Acceptance Testing & Operational Readiness Complete (Finalize AI solution)
• Production Go-Live
• Hypercare Stabilization & Optimization Complete
Deliverable: Integrated AI solution with ePermits and platting systems.
On August 6, 2026, Commissioners Court approved an agreement with Archistar, Inc. in the amount of $1,998,600 for Integrated AI Permitting and Platting Automation and related services for the Office of the County Engineer for the period of August 6, 2026 - August 5, 2028 with three (3) one-year renewal options.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
|
Project Scope Breakdown |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
|
Project Kickoff & Governance Alignment |
$73,500 |
10/2026 |
|
Enterprise Integration & Platform Configuration Complete (vendor-built AI solution) |
$122,500 |
11/2026 |
|
Shadow Mode Validation Commences (internal and external testing) |
$73,500 |
12/2026 |
|
User Acceptance Testing & Operational Readiness Complete (Finalize AI solution) |
$98,000 |
12/2026 |
|
Production Go-Live |
$73,500 |
12/2026 |
|
Hypercare Stabilization & Optimization Complete |
$49,000 |
3/2027 |
|
Grand Total |
$490,000 |
|
Justification & Alternatives:
Justification:
The adoption of a new and enhanced AI solution will improve permitting process by resulting in faster turnaround times, enhance operational efficiency, and provide greater transparency to constituents.
Alternative:
Not utilizing AI tools in the permitting process may result in manual permitting process, longer processing times, inefficiencies in processes, and lack of transparency for constituents.
Anticipated Impact on Other Funds (If Applicable):
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Fund Code |
Description |
Estimated Cost |
Funding Method (Existing or Future Budget Request Required) |
Estimated Date of Needs |
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- |
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$- |
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- |
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Total |
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$- |
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- |
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
Previous Court Action:
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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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. |
|
1/8/2026 |
143 |
Request for discussion and possible action to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other software improvements for the permitting process. |
|
8/6/26 |
115 |
Request for approval of supplemental funding in the amount of $754,000 for FY2026 for annual recurring subscription for an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pre-Check Platform. |
|
8/6/26 |
346 |
Request by the Office of the Purchasing Agent for approval of a North Central Texas Council of Governments (TXShare) Cooperative Contract award on the basis of lowest quote meeting specifications and that the County Judge execute an addendum to an agreement with Archistar, Inc. in the amount of $1,998,600 for Integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Permitting and Platting Automation and related services for the Office of the County Engineer for the period of August 6, 2026 - August 5, 2028 with three (3) one-year renewal options, Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Interlocal/Cooperative Agreement. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Integrated AI for Permitting and Platting Automation |
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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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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request |
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Commercial Paper |
$ |
$490,000 |
$490,000 |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$490,000 |
$490,000 |
$ |
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Total Funding Request |
$ |
$490,000 |
$490,000 |
$ |
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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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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 8/25/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 8/25/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Legal funding compliance confirmed by: Sandra Staine, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 7/29/2026
Department Approval by: Dr. Mike Etienne, Chief of Planning & Development Services, OCE
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects & Infrastructure, 7/29/2026
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: County Engineer
Project PeopleSoft ID: TBD
CP Series Description:
OMB Financial Management contact: