Primary Department: County Administration
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Erica Lee Carter, County Administrator
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 to establish a Chief Infrastructure Officer (CIO) designation and appoint the Harris County Toll Road Authority Director Roberto Trevino as CIO for the term July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
end
Background and Discussion:
The Office of County Administration (OCA) 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. The County Administrator manages the department heads leading Harris County’s infrastructure portfolio, which includes the Office of the County Engineer, Harris County Flood Control District, and Harris County Toll Road Authority. These three departments execute planning, engineering, construction, operations, maintenance, policy, and communications functions for vertical and horizontal infrastructure, and represent some of the County’s largest financial, capital, and operational responsibilities.
Recent cross-departmental conversations and planning sessions show that processes and reporting need to improve to ensure that Court directives and related Goals, Objectives, and Initiatives in the Harris County Strategic Plan are implemented effectively <https://oca.harriscountytx.gov/Portals/oca/Documents/Reports/Strategic%20Plan.pdf>.
To enhance collaboration, improve problem solving, and share best practices, OCA proposes the establishment of a Chief Infrastructure Officer designation to be assigned to an existing County Infrastructure subject matter expert. In addition, OCA proposes (under a separate Request for Court Action) to establish an Infrastructure Coordination & Performance Committee (ICPC), which will include representatives from the Flood Control District, the Office of the County Engineer, and the Toll Road Authority; Commissioners Court offices; and OCA; with a representative from the Office of Management and Budget also attending and supporting ICPC meetings.
Examples of opportunities for enhanced collaboration include operations & maintenance, procurement, contracts, emergency/disaster response, subject matter expertise and best practices, communications, and government relations, among other areas.
Expected Impact:
A designated Chief Infrastructure Officer (and the complementary ICPC) would improve communication and collaboration between infrastructure departments and supporting departments, enhance the focus of these departments on key Commissioners Court priorities, enable Harris County to manage its infrastructure investments more effectively, ensure strong alignment with the Commissioners Court’s long-term vision, support the County Administrator’s coordination responsibilities, and foster greater outcomes and accountability.
Alternative Options:
Continue with the current approach to overseeing infrastructure departments.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 2. Connect our community with safe, reliable, equitably distributed, and well-maintained infrastructure.
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:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Action Taken |
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6/11/26 |
6 |
Discussion, Court requested that it come back for 6/25/26 Business Court |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 6/25/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 7/1/2026
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Erica Lee Carter, County Administrator
Attachments (if applicable): Chief Infrastructure Officer details