Primary Department: County Attorney
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Jonathan Fombonne, County Attorney
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Financial Authorization
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 County Attorney for approval of an Order Authorizing Settlement in connection with Harris County, Texas v. Amrollah S. Gourtani, et. al; Precinct 3; Cause No. 1246817; In the County Civil Court at Law No. 2 of Harris County, Texas; CAO File No. 25EMD0002.
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Background and Discussion:
The above is an eminent domain matter involving the North Eldridge Parkway - from South of Pine Drive to South of Lakewood Meadow Drive - 2021 located in Precinct 3. Harris County acquired a drainage easement over 5,666 SF land for purposes of building drainage infrastructure to support improvements to North Eldrige Parkway. The County’s retained appraisal expert concluded a fair market value of $36,829.00. The landowner representing themselves demanded $79,324.00. The Special Commissioners awarded $36,829.00 at the administrative hearing held on May 15, 2025. The landowners timely filed an objection, and the case was set for non-jury trial. The parties engaged in court ordered mediation and reached an agreement on just compensation totaling $50,000.00. This will result in an additional payment of $13,171.00 above the amount previously awarded and deposited into the registry of the Court.
The Engineering Department Real Property Division and Precinct involved in the acquisition and project participated in the settlement discussions and this settlement is acceptable to them.
An order authorizing the settlement of this lawsuit is attached for use by the Court if it decides it would be in the best interest of the County to settle this claim.
Expected Impact: N/A
Alternative Options: N/A
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
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
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Precinct(s): Precinct 3
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Anticipated Court Date: 3/19/2026
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: Tuan Nguyen, Senior Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney’s Office; Kelsey Bowdoin, Administrative Supervisor, County Attorney’s Office
Attachments (if applicable): Order