Primary Department: Universal Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Sindhu Menon, Executive Director and CIO
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable):
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MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE 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
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for discussion and possible action regarding the Harris County Broadband Task Force.
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Background and Discussion:
On June 26, 2025, Harris County Universal Services Office of Broadband presented the Harris County 2025 Broadband Roadmap. Harris County’s Commissioners Court unanimously approved the request to start developing the Harris County Broadband Task Force which would comprise of relevant County departments and stakeholders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The Broadband Task Force will serve as an advisory board for the Commissioners Court and make recommendations on projects from the Broadband Roadmap.
Expected Impact:
Increased coordination on long range planning and implementation for broadband projects in Harris County to foster a more innovative, equitable and sound infrastructure.
Alternative Options:
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): H5: Improve broadband reliability and expand wireless access points.
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:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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06/26/2025 |
87 |
Approved a request for approval to start development of a Broadband Task Force which would include relevant County department representation, and other public-private partners, and in parallel work with Harris County’s Boards and Commissions. |
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12/10/2024 |
381 |
Approved a request for approval of a personal services exemption from the competitive bid requirements and that the County Judge execute an agreement with US Ignite Inc. in the amount of $55,000 for broadband plan evaluation and development for Universal Services for the period of December 10, 2024 - December 9, 2025. |
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6/4/2024 |
2 |
Approved a resolution to designate all eligible Harris County facilities as Broadband Community Anchor institutions. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 10/16/2025
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
Contact(s) name, title, department: Sindhu Menon, Executive Director and CIO, Universal Services; Ryan Salmon, Broadband Planning Analyst, Universal Services
Attachments (if applicable):