Department: Purchasing
Department Head/Elected Official: DeWight Dopslauf
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Amendment
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): National Center for State Courts
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request that the County Judge execute an amendment to a consulting services exemption agreement with National Center for State Courts to decrease the amount by $41,977 to extend the term of the Master Agreement, modify the scale of services, and reduce funding for the Office of Management and Budget for the extended period of February 29, 2024 - May 31, 2024, Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: 0% - NonDivisible.
end
Background and Discussion:
Courts in Harris County are facing large workloads resulting from a backlog of cases due the combination of Hurricane Harvey and the pandemic. During the past budget season the Courts made requests for additional resources based on the growing volume of work. Additionally, the Office of Court Management specifically requested that a workload assessment be conducted to understand appropriate staffing levels for their courts.
To that end, the Office of County Administrator inquired about consulting services from the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to train, review, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding caseflow management practices and evaluate the judicial resources needed to accomplish the workload. This includes assistance in addressing case backlogs, impacts on case volumes and related impacts on overall caseflow management in the areas of effective calendaring, jail overcrowding, and managing caseload volumes as the courts emerge from pandemic influences. The impacts on the number of pending criminal cases have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of action will result in increased difficulties on efficiently and effectively disposing of pending and newly-filed cases. In addition, NCSC will be evaluating the need for additional judicial resources that would permit the criminal courts to effectively manage the case workload.
The NCSC is uniquely positioned to provide these services as it has been providing research, education, information, technology, and direct consulting services to state and local court systems for over 50 years. The NCSC brings a broad range of resources to justice system studies, including an expert staff, a history of work with diverse jurisdictions nationally and internationally, and institutional links to other national court-related organizations. The NCSC’s familiarity with the unique nature of courts and justice systems enhances its ability to work effectively and efficiently with judicial officers, administrators, court personnel, and representatives of court-related agencies.
Expected Impact:
This project will be focused on analyzing caseflow management practices and training court leaders on
effective caseflow management practices, preparing a report with findings and recommendations for caseflow
management changes, if requested, conduct a training course for both judges and for court staff specific to the jurisdiction’s plans, reaffirm caseflow practices to target for the courts and provide facilitation assistance for caseflow management best practices.
At the same time, NCSC will work with the courts to evaluate the need for judicial resources necessary to
accomplish the workload. Since the NCSC will be conducting a statewide workload analysis in the Fall of 2022
through a separate engagement with the State of Texas’ Office of Court Administration, NCSC will be able to
use information gathered during that process to provide additional information to the County on the need for
judicial resources.
Alternative Options:
Lack of resourcing and caseflow support would stymie the ability for Courts to expeditiously move the case
backlog creating further pressures on jail population and public safety initiatives.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
6/14/2022 |
243 |
Approved |
|
3/14/2023 |
311 |
First Amendment |
|
9/19/2023 |
350 |
Second Amendment |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
|
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|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
1000 - General Fund |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 2/27/2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 2/27/2024
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Mark Webster, Chief of Staff, Harris County Office of County Administration; Luke Herdrich, Senior Buyer, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter, Amendment