Legislation Details

File #: 26-2817    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Policy Status: Passed
File created: 4/27/2026 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 5/14/2026 Final action: 5/14/2026
Title: Request for discussion and possible action to update the Strategic Hiring Policy to include the Institute of Forensic Sciences as an exempt department.

Primary Department: Management and Budget

Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Daniel Ramos, Executive Director, Office of Management and Budget

 

Secondary Department: Choose an item.

Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular 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 for discussion and possible action to update the Strategic Hiring Policy to include the Institute of Forensic Sciences as an exempt department.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

The Institute of Forensic Sciences has been experiencing case load concerns related to staffing and as a result OMB is recommending the department be exempt from the strategic hiring process. IFS has unique hiring needs that often require positions be posted year round in order to maintain visibility to the specialized pool of candidates, allowing an exemption to the policy would give flexibility to maintain these postings without having to come to court. 

 

 

 

 

Expected Impact:

Reducing vacancies driving caseload concerns, and allowing for continuous postings of hard to fill, highly specialized positions.

 

 

 

Alternative Options:

Continue with the department’s current status in the strategic hiring process.

 

 

 

 

County Strategic Plan Goal:  1. Make Harris County safer and more just.

County Strategic Plan Objective: E: Increase efficiency across the legal system.

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.

 

Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:

 

Prior Court Action (if any):

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Address (if applicable): N/A

Precinct(s): Countywide

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only)

 

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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total)

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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s)

 

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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only)

CAO Reviewer Name and Title

 

CAO Review Completion Date

Click or tap to enter a date.

 

Anticipated Court Date: 5/14/2026

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 5/14/2026

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: Bhumit Shah, Deputy Executive Director, Expenditures, Office of Management and Budget

 

Attachments (if applicable):