Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 4
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Commissioner, Lesley Briones
Managing Department: Commissioner, Precinct 4
Managing Department Head/Elected Official: Commissioner, Lesley Briones
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Final Investment Memo
Project Name: Precinct 4 Tomball Trades and Trailblazer Facility
Project ID (if applicable): TRAILBLZR_SVCTR
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):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Incremental Authorization Requested: $1,100,000
Total Estimated Project Cost: $1,100,000
Request Summary:
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Request for approval of a Final Investment Memo for Precinct 4 Tomball Trades and Trailblazer Facility project, for an initial amount of $1,100,000 and a request for approval of commercial paper funding in the amount of $1,100,000.
end
Project Description:
This project involves the development of a dedicated operational facility for Precinct 4’s Trades and Trailblazers teams. The site is located on Harris County-owned property at 13910 Humble Road in Tomball, TX 77375-a currently unused, 7-acre wooded lot adjacent to the Tomball Service Center. Development will be completed through a combination of contracted work (building structure, roofing, fencing) and in-house trades personnel (interior finishes and paving).
The project scope includes the construction of a 5,100 square-foot enclosed workshop and office space, as well as outdoor parking and storage areas utilizing an existing pavilion and surrounding land. The facility will include a dedicated workshop, administrative workspace with furniture and fittings, secured indoor and outdoor storage for equipment and consumables, IT infrastructure, fencing with badge-controlled access, a security system, and restroom facilities to support approximately 40 Trades and Trailblazer team personnel.
In addition to supporting daily field operations, the facility is designed to play a critical role in disaster response and recovery efforts. During hurricanes, flooding, winter storms, or other emergency events, the facility will serve as a centralized staging and deployment hub for crews and equipment. It will house and protect vital disaster response tools such as generators, barricades, fuel, sandbags, heavy machinery, and other emergency supplies. By offering covered and secure storage, the facility helps safeguard essential assets from weather-related damage, ensuring readiness and longevity.
This centralized setup will allow for faster, more coordinated responses during emergencies and will minimize downtime caused by equipment loss or dispersal. It will also provide shelter and support for staff who may be working extended hours during response operations.
Overall, this investment not only addresses longstanding operational needs for the Trades and Trailblazers teams but also strengthens Precinct 4’s emergency preparedness and resilience. It ensures that the County is better equipped to respond to critical situations swiftly, protect community infrastructure, and support recovery efforts long after an event has passed.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline: Project Scope Breakdown
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Project Scope Breakdown |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
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Building, pilings, roof (outside contractor) - materials and labor |
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August 2026 |
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Single story building shell and foundation pilings (5100sqft building) |
$550,000 |
August 2026 |
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Roof |
$150,000 |
August 2026 |
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Interior work - slab, interior finish (in-house) - materials only, in-house labor |
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Sheetrock and windows |
$30,000 |
August 2026 |
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Lighting |
$15,000 |
August 2026 |
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Studs |
$5,000 |
August 2026 |
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Carpentry (cabinets, shelving) |
$30,000 |
August 2026 |
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Electrical, HVAC, plumbing |
$120,000 |
August 2026 |
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IT (security, Wi-Fi, electronics) |
$100,000 |
August 2026 |
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1.5Ac Paving and 1500ft fencing materials (in-house labor) |
$100,000 |
August 2026 |
|
TOTAL |
$1,100,000 |
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Justification & Alternatives:
Precinct 4’s Trades and Trailblazers teams currently operate without a permanent facility to support their mission-critical work. They are stationed in a parking lot adjacent to the Tomball Service Center, relying on temporary shelters and metal containers for storage and workspace. These makeshift accommodations offer no air conditioning, restrooms, or proper infrastructure, creating difficult and unsustainable working conditions. There are no standard building facilities to support daily operations, forcing personnel to conduct essential tasks in an environment that lacks the necessities of a safe and functional workplace.
All vehicles, equipment, tools, and supplies are stored outdoors, leaving them vulnerable to weather damage and accelerating the deterioration of costly County assets. The parking area is unpaved and becomes especially hazardous and inefficient during heavy rains, limiting equipment movement and creating unsafe conditions for staff and vehicles. These deficiencies not only reduce day-to-day productivity but also increase the County’s maintenance costs and long-term liability.
Beyond daily operations, the absence of a secure, climate-controlled facility limits the County’s ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies. During disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and winter storms, the Trades and Trailblazers teams are essential to response and recovery efforts, including debris removal, street clearing, emergency repairs, and support services for impacted residents. However, the lack of a centralized, secure staging area for equipment and supplies undermines the County’s disaster readiness and delays critical response timelines.
Establishing a permanent facility will enhance operational efficiency, extend the life of valuable County assets, and significantly improve the County’s ability to mobilize resources quickly and safely during emergencies. This investment is not just about infrastructure, it is a strategic measure to protect County personnel, increase service capacity, and strengthen resilience in the face of both daily demands and large-scale disasters.
Anticipated Impact on Other Funds (If Applicable):
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Estimated Cost |
Funding Method (Existing or Future Budget Request Required) |
Estimated Date of Needs |
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Total |
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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.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Decision Analysis Matrix Score (rubric on last page):
Previous Court Action:
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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Address: 13910 Humble Rd, Tomball TX 77375
Precinct(s): Precinct 4
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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Total Current Budget |
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Additional Budget Request |
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Commercial Paper |
$ |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
$ |
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$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
$ |
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Total Funding Request |
$ |
$1,100,000 |
$1,100,000 |
$ |
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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 |
- |
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Anticipated Court Date: 8/26/2025
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
Legal funding compliance confirmed by: Paige Abernathy, Special Assistant County Attorney, 8/14/2025
Department Approval by: Jonathan Castrejon, Director of Finance, August 4th, 2025
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects & Infrastructure, 8/15/2025
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: Commissioner, Precinct 4
Project PeopleSoft ID: TRAILBLZR_SVCTR
CP Series Description: Commercial Paper Series D-3 can be used for (1) construction of public works, (2) the purchase of automobiles, equipment and machinery, including computers, materials and supplies for the operation of the County’s precincts and departments (3) Professional services, including services provided by engineers, architects, attorneys, auditors, financial advisors, and fiscal agents, in connection with the contractual obligations described in (1) and (2).
Commercial Paper is being requested for the Precinct 4 Tomball Trades and Trailblazer Facility project and is expected to be repaid within the next three fiscal years either through bonds, budgetary means or pay-as-you-go sources.
Note: Commercial Paper is issued in increments of $5,000 and the excess is not available to be spent by the department
OMB Financial Management contact: Amy Perez, Deputy Executive Director, Office of Management and Budget