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Legislation Details
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File #:
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25-5478
Version:
1
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Name:
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Type:
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Investment Memo
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Status:
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Passed
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On agenda:
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8/26/2025
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Final action:
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8/26/2025
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Title:
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Request for approval of a Final Investment Memo for the Pollution Control Services (PCS) Equipment Replacement and Additions (Continuous) project for an incremental authorization of $222,000 for a total FY2026 authorization of $1,032,000.
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Primary Department: Pollution Control Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Latrice Babin, PhD
Managing Department: Pollution Control Services
Managing Department Head/Elected Official: Latrice Babin, PhD
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Final Investment Memo
Project Name: Pollution Control Services (PCS) Equipment Replacement and Additions (Continuous)
Project ID (if applicable): N2002
Vendor Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Achievement (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE 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
Incremental Authorization Requested: $222,000
Total Estimated Project Cost: $5,000,000 (FY26-FY27)
Request Summary:
title
Request for approval of a Final Investment Memo for the Pollution Control Services (PCS) Equipment Replacement and Additions (Continuous) project for an incremental authorization of $222,000 for a total FY2026 authorization of $1,032,000.
end
Project Description:
Procure specialized up-to-date air monitoring, communications, emergency response, field monitoring, and lab equipment to expand laboratory testing capacity and build redundancy to ensure service continuity. The project procures specialized analytical equipment that will be able to perform new required tests, such as monitoring equipment for both air quality and water quality programs. As noted above, the court is only asked to approve FY2026 funding.
The funding will replace equipment that has reached the end of its warranty, was deteriorating, and was no longer usable. This equipment will expand and fortify the lab, update the existing air and water monitoring network, and provide new communications, emergency response, and field team equipment.
Table 1. FY2025 Equipment Purchase Status.
|
Division |
Equipment Name |
Equipment Description |
Units |
Est. Cost ($) |
Actual Cost ($) |
Status |
|
Air |
Motorola APX 6000 XE Radios |
Provides capability for Executive, Water, ER and Air Monitoring Section staff to maintain contact with necessary PCS personnel during monitoring events. |
12 at $5,925 |
$71,100 |
$49,794 |
Complete |
|
Air |
Zero Air System Upgrade |
Provide contaminant free “zero air” to accommodate multiple tasks. Upgrade will provide additional contaminant free air needed to conduct multiple maintenance and calibration tasks simultaneously and relieve maintenance bottleneck caused by limited clean air supply. |
1 |
$6,000 |
$4,628. |
Complete |
|
Air |
Sensit SPODS |
Necessary for the expansion of the CAMP site (12 new sites) for VOC/Particulate monitoring |
13 at $7,000 each |
$91,000 |
$76,041 |
Complete |
|
Air |
Entanglement Aroma EtO Column |
Enhancement of Ethylene Oxide detection capability |
1 |
$30,000 |
$29,750 |
Complete |
|
Air |
RAAM- DJI Matrice 300 Drone and Scentroid DR2000 Flying Lab Kit |
For measurement of pollutants in elevated plumes |
1 |
$31,000 |
$13,206 |
Complete |
|
Air |
RAAM- Vehicle + Customization and Assembly |
Large vehicle, generator/battery bank, AC, custom installation, Aux Diesel tank, internal generator compartment, and racks |
1 |
$502,400 |
$502,400 |
Complete Pending Buildout (included in total RAAM2 Bid) |
|
Air |
RAAM- Entanglement AROMA-TOX |
Dual cavity ring down system analyzer utilized for primary ambient air operations. |
1 |
$265,000 |
$265,000 |
Complete Pending Buildout (included in total RAAM2 Bid) |
|
Air |
RAAM- Weather station + tower |
Provides ambient weather data. |
1 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
Complete Pending Buildout (included in total RAAM2 Bid) |
|
Air |
RAAM- Particulate Sensor |
Provides mobile particulate measurement |
1 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
Complete Pending Buildout (included in total RAAM2 Bid) |
|
Air |
RAAM- Networking |
IT network equipment and installation |
1 |
$8,000 |
$8,000 |
Complete Pending Buildout (included in total RAAM2 Bid) |
|
Air |
RAAM- FLIR Griffin |
Portable GCMS |
1 |
$140,000 |
$140,000 |
Complete Pending Buildout (included in total RAAM2 Bid) |
|
Air |
RAAM- Leman - Model Nitro station 50RC |
Nitrogen generator utilized to calibrate Entanglement AROMA-TOX |
1 |
$10,000 |
$10,000 |
Not Pursuing (Funds used towards total RAAM2 buildout) |
|
Air |
RAAM- GasFind IR |
VOC detection IR Camera |
1 |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
Not Pursuing (Funds used towards total RAAM2 buildout) |
|
Air |
SPOD Development project |
Needed for project to construct and test a custom Sensor Pod prototype. Construction of our own SPODs would reduce maintenance cost by avoiding markup on replacement parts, allow us to customize CAMP SPODs to our needs, and allow us to enhance the weatherproofing of the SPOD design. If successful, PCS built SPODs could begin entering service in the CAMP network in FY ’26. |
1 |
$5,500 |
0 |
Not Pursuing |
|
Lab |
8270 Soil extractor |
Provides the ability to expand the lab's capabilities to analyze both soil and water by method 8270. |
1 |
$94,000 |
$93,943 |
Complete |
|
Lab |
Solid grinder |
Will increase lab capabilities for both 8270 & Oil and grease |
1 |
$5,500 |
$2,371 |
Complete |
|
Lab |
BOD Incubator |
Needed for increase in BOD/CBOD sample collection and analysis |
1 |
$10,000 |
$6,544 |
Complete |
|
Lab |
Oven for Wet Chem |
Increased TSS/TDS sample analysis throughput |
1 |
$8,000 |
$7,242 |
Complete |
|
Lab |
Ultra Zero Grade Air Generator |
Would pay for itself in less than two years and eliminate the use of most cylinders, cutting the cost of delivery, hazmat fees, and cylinder rentals. Also increases the safety measures for the lab operations. The systems are scalable, enabling the lab to add modules as capabilities expand. Needed for the operation of the existing TOC and/or newer system. Generates a constant on demand supply TOC grade zero Air. Can supply two systems |
1 |
$9,000 |
$6,494 |
Complete |
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Lab |
Complete Nitrogen Gas Generator - Extraction Lab |
For extractions lab, replaces nitrogen at existing and upcoming 8270 sample extraction system N2 blow down sample prep evaporator; plus, Oil & Grease systems. |
2 at $15,000 each |
$30,000 |
$36,338 |
Complete |
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Lab |
N2 Tower (Zero Grade Nitrogen)-Volatiles |
Replaces the use of Zero Grade N2 for four systems in the volatiles Lab #1 |
1 |
$7,500 |
$8,551 |
Complete |
|
Lab |
FID Tower (Hydrogen Gas/Zero Air) Volatiles room |
Replaces the use of H2, and Zero Air cylinders. Carrier gas grade H2 for future switch. Scalable to cover multiple systems |
1 |
$25,000 |
$14,360 |
Complete |
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Lab |
FID Tower (Hydrogen Gas/Zero Air) semi-volatile room |
Replaces the use of H2, and Zero Air cylinders. Carrier gas grade H2 for future switch. Scalable to cover multiple systems. The gas generators would pay for themselves in less than two years and eliminate the need for most cylinders, reducing the cost of delivery, hazmat fees, and cylinder rentals. Plus increases the safety measures for the lab operations. The systems are scalable, allowing for additional growth and capabilities. |
1 |
$18,500 |
$14,505 |
Complete |
|
Lab |
N2 Tower (Zero Grade Nitrogen)-for 6-PPD-Quinone analysis (Extraction & evaporation) |
Replaces the use of Zero Grade N2 for four systems, extends capability for 8270 and Oil and Grease extractors and evaporators. |
1 |
$7,500 |
$12,892 |
Complete |
|
Lab |
Shimadzu TOC |
Increase the capabilities by shortening the analytical cycle from 30 minutes to approximately 10 minutes, automate steps of the analysis. |
1 |
$50,000 |
$48,271 |
Complete |
|
Lab |
N2 Evaporators |
To complete the Semi-volatiles extraction and preparation process. Semi-volatiles cannot be processed completely without the evaporator. Necessary for Semi-volatiles plus Oil and Grease sample preparation and extraction processes. |
1 |
$40,000 |
$40,877 |
Pending (Scheduled to be complete FY25) |
|
Lab |
Accelerated Technology System |
Automate temperature readings for refrigerators, freezers, incubators etc., including weekends. Will alarm if temperature out of range |
1 |
$15,000 |
0 |
Not Pursuing |
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Total |
$1,640,000 |
$1,551,214 |
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Table 2. Purchase started in FY2025 and will be completed in FY2026.
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Division |
Equipment Name |
Equipment Description |
Unit |
Cost ($) |
Status |
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Air |
Original RAAM reconstruction |
Auxiliary diesel tank and internal generator compartment |
1 |
$200,000 |
Pending (Bonfire) |
|
Air |
Air Monitoring Trailer customization |
Equipment and accessories for air monitoring operations in 2 trailers (1 new) |
1 |
$7,000 |
Pending |
|
Lab |
ICP/MS System Perkin Elmer |
Replacement of aging (16 years) and failing system. The new equipment will increase the lab's efficiency and accuracy with better technology. |
1 |
$240,000 |
Pending (Bonfire) |
|
Lab |
ICP/MS Sample prep system |
Automation of ICP/MS sample preparation, avoiding human error and automating dilutions without human intervention. Higher throughput by quicker sample preparation and loading into the MS. |
1 |
$70,000 |
Pending (Bonfire) |
|
Lab |
Oil and Grease extraction system (water) |
Increase in analytical capability, one system for water |
1 |
$73,000 |
Pending (Bonfire) |
|
Lab |
Oil and Grease extraction system (Soil) |
Increase in analytical capability, one system for soil |
2 at $42,000 each |
$84,000 |
Pending (Bonfire) |
|
Lab |
BOD sample preparation and analysis system |
Provides automation of the BOD analysis, with minimum human intervention and increased throughput ensuring compliance with certification. |
1 |
$111,000 |
Pending (Bonfire) |
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Total |
$785,000 |
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Table 3. Requested purchases for FY2026.
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Division |
Equipment Name |
Equipment Description |
Units |
Cost ($) |
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Environmental Response |
MultiRae Pro |
The big advantage of these is that they can accommodate a higher sensitivity PID than the MultiRaes that we have, and we can network them with the Area Rae’s and broadcast data. I also included sensors for CL2 and NH3 which we currently lack. |
8 @ $9,000 each |
$72,000 |
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Water |
Boat |
Replace 20-year-old boat, decreased upkeep and maintenance |
1 |
$100,000 |
|
Lab |
Conductivity/ph Meter |
Replaces older technology |
1 |
$10,000 |
|
Lab |
H2 generators to switch to H2 carrier |
Will replace helium with H2 due to increasingly higher cost of the more economical to use. |
1 |
$30,000 |
|
Lab |
Muffle furnace (28L) |
With the increase in lab capabilities the current furnace is not sufficient/ large enough |
1 |
$9,000 |
|
Lab |
Milli Q water system for organics |
Would provide cleaner water needed for VOC analysis with lower detection limits (Cyanide, harness, 8260, 8270) |
1 |
$26,000 |
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Total |
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$247,000 |
There might be changes in the County's needs that result in minor operational changes for the project throughout the Fiscal Year, but the overall scope will remain the same and any additional authorization would go through Commissioners Court approval.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
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Project Scope Breakdown |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
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Original RAAM reconstruction |
$200,000 |
1st Quarter FY26 |
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Air Monitoring Trailer customization |
$7,000 |
1st Quarter FY26 |
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ICP/MS System Perkin Elmer |
$240,000 |
1st Quarter FY26 |
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ICP/MS Sample prep system |
$70,000 |
1st Quarter FY26 |
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Oil and Grease extraction system (water) |
$73,000 |
1st Quarter FY26 |
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Oil and Grease extraction system (Soil) |
$84,000 |
1st Quarter FY26 |
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BOD sample preparation and analysis system |
$111,000 |
1st Quarter FY26 |
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MultiRae Pro |
$72,000 |
1st Quarter FY26 |
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Muffle furnace (28L) |
$9,000 |
2nd Quarter FY26 |
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Boat |
$100,000 |
2nd Quarter FY26 |
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Conductivity/ph Meter |
$10,000 |
3rd Quarter FY26 |
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H2 generators to switch to H2 carrier |
$30,000 |
3rd Quarter FY26 |
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Milli Q water system for organics |
$26,000 |
4th Quarter FY26 |
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Total planned FY26 expenditures |
$1,032,000 |
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Unencumbered existing project balance to carry into FY26 |
($810,000) |
Carryforward |
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Total |
$222,000 |
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Justification & Alternatives:
This project ensures that PCS staff have up-to-date equipment and can expand capabilities in protecting the environment and communities throughout Harris County. The Emergency Response, Air Monitoring, and Laboratory Services sections, respectively, continuously use this equipment to perform air monitoring services and process samples, including air, water, solid waste, and unknown samples related to routine monitoring and investigative cases. It is necessary to replace the equipment when it is no longer covered by a maintenance contract and cannot be sufficiently maintained or properly calibrated to ensure optimal efficiency and defensible data.
Due to the existing equipment's age, condition, and use, Pollution Control will continue to have equipment requirements. The requested equipment is specialized analytical equipment unique to conducting emergency response, air monitoring services, and sample analysis, including air, water, solid waste, and unknown samples related to routine monitoring and investigative cases. If the request is not funded, PCS cannot perform proper air monitoring services, and laboratory services will be outsourced. It is most efficient and cost-effective for laboratory services to be conducted in-house for continuity of process and ability to defend data in enforcement cases.
Anticipated Impact on Other Funds (If Applicable):
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Fund Code |
Description |
Estimated Cost |
Funding Method (Existing or Future Budget Request Required) |
Estimated Date of Needs |
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$- |
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- |
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$- |
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- |
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Total |
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$- |
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- |
County Strategic Plan Goal: 5. Minimize the impact of climate change and disasters.
County Strategic Plan Objective: Q: Encourage residents, businesses, and public entities to significantly reduce their environmental footprint for the health of our region.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): S1: Leverage RAAM mobile units to collect data on environmental injustice in Harris County.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Previous Court Action:
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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9/10/2019 |
212 |
Project Authorization |
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12/3/2019 |
4d3 |
CP Funding Allocated |
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1/28/2020 |
4h2 |
CP Funding Allocated |
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3/9/2021 |
21-718 |
Project Authorization |
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3/30/2021 |
21-1009 |
CP Funding Allocated |
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5/11/2021 |
21-2180 |
Project Authorization |
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5/25/2021 |
21-2414 |
CP Funding Allocated |
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8/10/2021 |
21-3789 |
CP Funding Allocated |
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9/28/2021 |
21-5000 |
CP Funding Allocated |
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12/14/2021 |
21-6707 |
CP Funding Allocated |
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1/4/2022 |
22-0061 |
Bid Awarded |
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1/25/2022 |
22-0647 |
CP Funding Allocated |
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3/8/2022 |
22.05 |
Request for approval of commercial paper funding for Pollution Control for the Pollution Control Services (PCS) Equipment Replacement and Additions project in the additional amount of $125,000 for a total CP funding of $2,270,000. |
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10/25/2022 |
22.19 |
Request for approval of commercial paper funding for the Office of the County Engineer for the Pollution Control Renovation project in the additional amount of $2,170,000 for a total CP funding of $6,275,000. |
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7/18/2023 |
23.10 |
Request for approval of commercial paper funding for Pollution Control for the Pollution Control Services (PCS) Equipment Replacement and Additions project in the additional amount of $275,000 for a total CP funding of $2,545,000. |
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3/26/2024 |
24.08 |
Request for approval of commercial paper funding for Pollution Control for the Pollution Control Services (PCS) Equipment Replacement and Additions project in the additional amount of $220,000 for a total CP funding of $2,765,000. |
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8/29/2024 |
24-5517 |
Request for approval of FIM in the amount of $2,130,000 |
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09/19/2024 |
178 |
Request for approval of a Final Investment Memo for the Pollution Control Services (PCS) Equipment Replacement and Additions project for an additional $2,130,000 for a FY25 authorization of $2,423,000 |
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11/12/2024 |
24-7115 |
CP funding allocated in the amount of $1,000,000 |
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12/10/2024 |
40 |
Request for approval of commercial paper funding for Pollution Control for the Pollution Control Services (PCS) Monitoring and Equipment project in the additional amount of $1,130,000 for a total CP funding of $4,895,000. |
Address: 101 South Richey Suite H Pasadena, TX 77506
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 8/26/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 10/1/2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Legal funding compliance confirmed by: Paige Abernathy, Assistant County Attorney, 7/22/2025
Department Approval by: Latrice Babin, PhD 8/15/2025
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects & Infrastructure, 8/6/2025
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: Choose an item.
Project PeopleSoft ID: N/A
CP Series Description: N/A
OMB Financial Management contact: N/A
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