Primary Department: Universal Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Sindhu Menon, Executive Director & County CIO
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable):
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE 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
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for discussion and possible action regarding the Universal Services Technology Assessment Findings.
end
Background and Discussion:
On September 9, 2025, Harris County Universal Services was tasked with conducting a comprehensive assessment of all active software licenses across the County. This initiative aims to verify compliance, ensure efficient use, and identify and eliminate unused licenses. Additionally, Universal Services will assess all technology infrastructure utilized by all County departments. The goal is to propose a consolidation plan that leverages the core competencies of Universal Services, including network, data center, licensing, applications, and other proprietary hardware and software solutions.
Expected Impact:
The findings are expected to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the overall management of the County's technology resources.
Alternative Options:
Without consolidation, departments will continue to purchase technology independently, which could lead to inefficiencies, higher costs, and potential mismanagement of resources.
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:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
3/26/2024 |
225 |
Approval of the eight (8) IT policies including the Information Technology Asset Management Policy |
|
8/6/2024 |
20 |
Approval of the Budget Policy for Countywide Computer (laptop, desktop, and tablet) purchases. |
|
8/6/2024 |
372 |
To direct Universal Services to standardize the endpoint security and implement required security operations center integration to strengthen endpoint security of laptop and other end use devices. |
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8/27/2024 |
157 |
Approval to develop the County-wide Software and Hardware Asset Management Program |
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11/12/2024 |
128 |
Item 24-0780, Countywide Hardware Purchase Approval |
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11/12/2024 |
131 |
Request for approval of the Preliminary Investment Memo for an initial authorization of $1,113,750 and request for approval of commercial paper funding in the amount of $1,115,000 |
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2/6/2025 |
115 |
To direct Universal Services to continue building the Enterprise Technology Asset Management program, and to enhance existing IT policies and processes with the ETAM-specific improvements |
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8/26/2025 |
296 |
Approval to award contract for an asset management tool |
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9/9/2025 |
2 |
Instruct Universal Services to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all active software licenses to verify compliance, ensure efficient use, and identify and eliminate unused licenses. |
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9/9/2025 |
2 |
To direct Universal Services to assess technology across the County including all departments that utilize the County’s technology infrastructure. Universal Services will propose a plan focused on consolidation of technology services across the County that is within the core competency of Universal Services including network, data center, licensing, applications, and other proprietary hardware and software solutions. |
|
9/18/2025 |
143 |
Request for approval of the Change Investment Memo for an incremental authorization of $1,006,800 |
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10/16/2025 |
17 |
Request for approval of commercial paper funding for Universal Services for the Countywide Asset Management Program project in the amount of $1,010,000 for a total CP funding of $2,125,000. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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$ |
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$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
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Total Funding Sources |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
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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 |
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Additional Positions Request |
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Total Personnel |
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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: 12/11/2025
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
Contact(s) name, title, department: Sindhu Menon, Executive Director & County CIO
Attachments (if applicable): HCUS Technology Assessment Findings (PPT)