Primary Department: Public Health Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton, Executive Director
Managing Department: Public Health Services
Managing Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton, Executive Director
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Final Investment Memo
Project Name: PHS ULV Spray Units
Project ID (if applicable): TBD
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):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Incremental Authorization Requested: $101,454
Total Estimated Project Cost: $101,454
Request Summary:
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Request by Public Health Services for approval of a Final Investment Memo for the PHS ULV Spray Units project, in an amount of $101,454, and request for approval of commercial paper funding in an amount of $105,000.
end
Project Description:
The primary goal of this project is to replace aging Ultra Low Volume (ULV) spray units that are approaching or have exceeded their service life due to sustained, intensive use in support of the Mosquito and Vector Control Division (MVCD) mission. ULV spray units are essential tools used for nightly adulticide operations to control adult mosquito populations, prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases, and protect residents throughout Harris County.
During the peak mosquito season and periods of heightened disease transmission risk, these units are operated nightly, typically 5 days per week for approximately six months each year, accumulating an estimated 720 to 960 operational hours annually per unit. Over time, this constant use has resulted in significant wear and degradation of equipment performance. Additionally, during local weather events and disaster recovery efforts, ULV units are often required to operate for extended and prolonged periods, further accelerating equipment fatigue.
The declining reliability of the current ULV fleet threatens MVCD’s ability to conduct timely, effective adult mosquito control operations. Equipment failures reduce treatment coverage, delay response efforts, and increase maintenance downtime and associated costs. To maintain the current level of service and ensure continued public health protection, MVCD must replace these deteriorating ULV sprayers with new, efficient units. These needed replacements will allow MVCD to sustain nightly operations, ensure accurate adulticide applications, and maintain operational readiness to respond promptly to surveillance data and disease detection events.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
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Project Scope Breakdown |
Quantity |
Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
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Purchase and Installation of ULV Equipment |
9 |
$101,454 |
2026 |
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Total |
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$101,454 |
- |
Justification & Alternatives:
Our current ULV sprayers are approaching or have exceeded their service life due to prolonged use. Without the acquisition of new ULV spray units, the size and reliability of our ULV spray truck fleet will continue to decline, limiting our ability to respond effectively to vector-borne disease impacts across Harris County.
The condition of the existing fleet presents an immediate concern. Many units are more than 12 years old, and maintaining operations require salvaging parts from non-functional equipment. Several units are no longer repairable, resulting in escalating maintenance costs and increased operational risk.
Operationally, the remaining sprayers are increasingly unreliable despite frequent maintenance efforts. While upgrades or retrofits may offer short-term extensions of service life, they are insufficient to support high-demand operations during peak mosquito season or emergency response events. New ULV units are compatible with our current smart flow system, enabling tablet-based tracking of pesticide applications and ensuring continued operational efficiency and accurate regulatory record-keeping.
Anticipated Impact on Other Funds (If Applicable):
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Estimated Cost |
Funding Method (Existing or Future Budget Request Required) |
Estimated Date of Needs |
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County Strategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N: Improve the health behaviors of community members.
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): N1: Improve coordination of public health efforts and campaign delivery among local health agencies and nonprofits.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Previous Court Action:
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Action Taken |
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Address: 6104 Dixie Drive
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
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Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request |
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Commercial Paper |
$ |
$105,000 |
$105,000 |
$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$105,000 |
$105,000 |
$ |
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Total Funding Request |
$ |
$105,000 |
$105,000 |
$ |
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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 |
- |
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Anticipated Court Date: 3/19/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Legal funding compliance confirmed by: Paige Abernathy, First Assistant County Attorney-Legal Operations, 3/8/2026
Department Approval by:
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects & Infrastructure, 3/9/2026
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: Public Health Services
Project PeopleSoft ID: TBD
CP Series Description: Commercial Paper Series D-2 can be used for (1) construction of public works, (2) the purchase of automobiles, equipment and machinery, including computers, materials and supplies for the operation of the County’s precincts and departments (3) Professional services, including services provided by engineers, architects, attorneys, auditors, financial advisors, and fiscal agents, in connection with the contractual obligations described in (1) and (2).
Commercial Paper is being requested for the PHS ULV Spray Units project and is expected to be repaid within the next three fiscal years, either through bonds, budgetary means, or pay-as-you-go sources.
Note: Commercial Paper is issued in increments of $5,000, and any excess is not available for departmental spending.
OMB Financial Management contact: Fahad Gulzar, Acting Deputy Executive Director, Office of Management and Budget