Primary Department: Economic Equity and Opportunity
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Estella Gonzalez, Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
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 approval of amendments to the Essential Workers Board’s Bylaws.
end
Background and Discussion:
On November 30, 2021, Commissioners Court established the Harris County Essential Workers Board (EWB), adopting the EWB Bylaws and directing the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity (DEEO) to launch the EWB. The purpose of the HCEWB is to provide feedback and recommendations to the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity (DEEO) and other relevant Harris County Departments and, where appropriate, serve in an advisory capacity to Commissioners Court on Harris County programs, policies, and initiatives that recognize and support workers.
The EWB Bylaws allow for the board to request amendments to the Bylaws by a majority vote of the board members, to be ratified by a majority vote of Commissioners Court. The board recommends the attached amendments to the Bylaws following a majority vote.
The first amendment adds a Parliamentarian position to the Executive Committee and delineates the duties of the position. The second amendment introduces consequences for non-attendance at board meetings without prior notice.
Expected Impact:
These amendments will encourage accountability from members and provide additional support to the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary in ensuring adherence to the Bylaws.
Alternative Options:
The Court can decide to not approve the amendments and have the bylaws remain the same.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 3. Make our economy more inclusive.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): L1: Design a set of policies for Harris County to set dynamic living wage rates and ensure essential worker protections and high-quality benefits for all Harris County contracts, employees, and economic agreements.
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: N/A
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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2/6/2025 |
302 |
Transmittal of the Harris County Essential Workers Board’s 2024 Annual Report |
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6/4/2024 |
440 |
Transmittal by DEEO on behalf of the Harris County Essential Workers Board describing their inaugural town hall held on April 15, 2024 |
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1/9/2024 |
236 |
Transmittal by DEEO of Essential Workers Board’s 2023 Annual Report |
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1/31/2023 |
162 |
Approval of the stipend policy for the Essential Workers Board
(EWB) members |
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5/10/2022 |
281 |
Approved DEEO establishing a Stipend Policy |
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11/30/2021 |
251 |
Creation of the Essential Workers Board |
Location:
Address (if applicable): Countywide
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Program Planning and Innovation |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
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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: 9/18/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): N/A Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department:
Estella Gonzalez, Executive Director, Economic Equity and Opportunity
Jie Wu, Director, Program Planning and Innovation Division, Economic Equity and Opportunity
Bryonne Cummings, Assistant Director of Policy and Special Projects, Economic Equity and Opportunity
Attachments (if applicable):
EWB Bylaws Amendments
Revised HCEWB Bylaws