Primary Department: Management and Budget
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Daniel Ramos, Executive Director
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Transmittal
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):
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Transmittal by the Office of Management and Budget of a proposed overall CIP Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
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Background and Discussion:
On December 10, 2024, as a part of the approval of the 5-year Strategic Plan, Commissioners Court directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop a 5-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). OMB is in the process of preparing the FY27-31 CIP for Commissioners Court approval and, as a part of the CIP Calendar approved January 8, 2026, is transmitting the expected overall CIP budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
The overall budget applies to the overall portfolio of County projects, and OMB is transmitting its initial estimate based on requests submitted. Commissioners Court will retain full control over the budget and project list, as it will be formally approved together with the County’s operating budget later this summer. Furthermore, Commissioners Court will retain control over each individual project through the investment memo process, through which it can amend approved amounts as projects and time progress.
The overall CIP budget is intended to apply to County departments, including Court offices, for non-voted debt and for Public Safety Bond projects during FY27. This does not include allocations provided in previous fiscal years. The budget does not apply to road and park bond projects, which follow separate procedures outside of the general CIP process.
After consultation with County departments and our financial advisors, OMB expects an overall CIP budget of $725 million for FY2026-27. This represents a notable increase compared to past years. In the early 2020s, Harris County would typically issue approximately $150 million in budget for such projects. Demand for County debt has increased significantly as many large projects are entering construction or implementation, and last year, over $400 million in new debt budget was issued to County departments for projects. Some of the larger new projects that have significant debt budget issuance, starting in FY25 and expected through FY27 include:
• Public Safety Bond projects, which have started to enter construction this year and are expected to enter construction within the next 12 months
• Riverside Health and Safety Complex
• HCSO Complex at 5910 Navigation Blvd
• Pasadena Town Square Mall
• CSCD Atascocita
• Adult Detention Facility Renovation and Upgrade
• New Courts Expansion
• Commissioners Court offices’ non-voted debt for equipment, vehicles, and general use, starting in FY24
• Vehicles, which had historically been paid for with general fund budget
Expected Impact:
This transmittal is an initial estimate of CIP budget recommendations as we begin discussions on overall CIP budget and individual projects. This will allow Commissioners Court to provide guidance to OMB on the County’s CIP.
Alternative Options:
Commissioners Court can provide alternative guidance to OMB on how to proceed with managing CIP projects.
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): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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12/10/24 |
28 |
Request for approval of the Strategic Plan in Action to enable implementation of the County’s Five-Year Strategic Plan |
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1/8/26 |
4 |
Request for discussion and possible action on the FY27 Operating and CIP Budget Calendars. |
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4/30/26 |
3 |
Request for approval of an order authorizing proceedings to issue and sell Harris County, Texas, Permanent Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2026, Unlimited Tax Road Refunding Bonds, Series 2026, Flood Control District Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2026; and Certificates of Obligation, Series 2026 (the “Certificates”, and collectively, the “Obligations”); including the preparation of financing and offering documents and the publication of a Notice of Intent; approving the engagement of professionals in connection with the foregoing; and making other provisions regarding such Obligations, and matters incident thereto; and containing other matters relating thereto. |
Location:
Address (if applicable): N/A
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Capital & Infrastructure |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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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) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 6/11/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 10/1/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects & Infrastructure, OMB
Attachments (if applicable):