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File #: 25-3538    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Interlocal Agreement Status: Passed
File created: 5/28/2025 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 6/12/2025 Final action: 6/12/2025
Title: Request for approval of an interlocal agreement with the Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 89 to exchange wastewater surveillance data and all related appurtenances for the wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) program.
Attachments: 1. 0612_PHS_ILA with HC WCID 89.pdf

Primary Department: Public Health Services

Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton ─ Interim Executive Director

 

Secondary Department: N/A

Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Interlocal Agreement

 

Project ID (if applicable): N/A

Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 89

 

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 an interlocal agreement with the Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 89 to exchange wastewater surveillance data and all related appurtenances for the wastewater based epidemiology (WBE) program.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

The purpose for this agreement is to discuss each Party’s role for the coordination of the wastewater testing, analysis, and subsequent exchange of information between the parties through the WBE program, a program developed by Harris County Public Health designed to test and analyze wastewater data. This will allow our program the opportunity to expand surveillance coverage, streamline operations through standardized protocols, and train staff in advanced analytical methods. These efforts will ensure our team is well-equipped to respond to emerging public health threats effectively.

 

Expected Impact:

Installing wastewater samplers enables wastewater surveillance to function as an early detection system for potential outbreaks or surges in communities. When paired with clinical case data, this approach provides public health officials with better insights to implement necessary strategies, improving public health intervention and mitigating the spread of disease.

 

Alternative Options:

There are no alternative options.

 

County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.

County Strategic Plan Objective: R: Enhance disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resiliency.

Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1):

Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2):

Economy Initiative (Goal 3):

Health Initiative (Goal 4):

Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5):

Housing Initiative (Goal 6):

 

Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:

 

Prior Court Action (if any):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

N/A

 

 

 

Location:

Address (if applicable): N/A

Precinct(s): Countywide

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

 

 

 

Current Fiscal Year Cost

Annual Fiscal Cost

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

Recurring Expenses

Funding Sources

 

Existing Budget

 

 

 

 

 

$

$

$

$

 

$

$

$

$

 

$

$

$

$

Total Existing Budget

$

$

$

$

Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

 

$

$

$

$

 

$

$

$

$

 

$

$

$

$

Total Additional Budget Request

$

$

$

$

Total Funding Sources

$

$

$

$

Grants - Proposed Budget (To be filled out by Grants staff only)

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

No. of Grant Years

Local Match Source - Existing Budget:

$

$

$

 

Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request:

$

$

$

 

Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total)

$

$

$

 

Personnel(Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs)

 

Current Position Count for Service

-

-

-

-

Additional Positions Request

-

-

-

-

Total Personnel

-

-

-

-

 

Anticipated Court Date: June 12, 2025

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): June 12, 2025

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: Jennifer Kiger, MPH, Director, Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Emerging Diseases, Public Health Services

 

Attachments (if applicable): Interlocal Agreement, Signature Page