Primary Department: County Administration
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Erica Lee Carter, County Administrator
Secondary Department: Human Resources and Talent
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Andrea Coughlin Rowley, Chief People Officer
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Position
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 a position and associated budget effective March 21, 2026.
end
Background and Discussion: The Office of County Administration is responsible for coordinating countywide operational priorities, supporting Commissioners Court directives, and ensuring that departments operate effectively and efficiently in service to Harris County residents.
As the scope and complexity of County operations continue to expand, there is a substantial need for dedicated executive-level operational support to ensure coordination of strategic initiatives, track priority projects, and facilitate communication across departments and leadership teams.
The proposed Chief of Staff position will provide high-level strategic, operational, and administrative support to the County Administrator and executive leadership. The position will serve as the County Administrator’s central executive-level coordination point for major initiatives, translating strategic goals into operational plans while advancing projects remain on track with respect to timelines, resources, and organizational priorities.
The Chief of Staff role is designed to improve coordination across departments, enhance leadership capacity to manage complex initiatives, and ensure that strategic priorities established by Commissioners Court are implemented effectively. Additional responsibilities will include monitoring priority initiatives, overseeing interdepartmental projects and executive communications, supporting executive communications, and identifying and resolving operational challenges that may impact County performance.
Expected Impact: Approval of this position will:
• Improve coordination of strategic initiatives across County departments
• Increase operational efficiency within the Office of County Administration
• Strengthen executive oversight of priority projects and initiatives
• Support improved communication and alignment between leadership teams and operational departments
• Enhance the County’s ability to implement large-scale initiatives and policy priorities
Alternative Options: If this position is not approved, the Office of County Administration will continue to rely on existing staff to manage strategic coordination responsibilities in addition to their current operational duties. This may limit the County’s ability to effectively track and execute large-scale initiatives and may reduce the capacity of executive leadership to focus on long-term strategic priorities.
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): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: The Chief of Staff role will support implementation of Commissioners Court priorities by improving coordination, project management, and communication across departments responsible for delivering services to Harris County residents.
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
02/12/2026 |
263 |
Unanimous approval of the appointment of Erica Lee Carter as County Administrator |
Location: Office of County Administration
Address (if applicable): 1001 Preston St., Houston, TX, 77002
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Executive Management |
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Non-Labor |
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Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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1000 - General Fund |
$124,650.29 |
$10,000 |
$ |
$259,300.58 |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Sources |
$124,650.29 |
$10,000 |
$ |
$259,300.58 |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
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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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Current Position Count for Service |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
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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: 3/19/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 3/21/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Erica Lee Carter, County Administrator, Office of County Administration
Attachments (if applicable):
• Fiscal Review Request Form
• Job Description & 3441