Legislation Details

File #: 26-5391    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Financial Authorization Status: Passed
File created: 8/7/2026 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 8/17/2026 Final action: 8/17/2026
Title: Request for approval to establish a new department to assign certain individuals receiving Harris County health benefits.

Primary Department: Human Resources and Talent

Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Andrea Coughlin Rowley, Chief People Officer

 

Secondary Department: N/A

Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Financial Authorization

 

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 for approval to establish a new department to assign certain individuals receiving Harris County

health benefits.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

On August 7, 2025, Commissioners Court approved the Harris County Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) as a Local Area Agreement (LAA) organization, allowing eligible employees to participate in Harris County's employee health and welfare benefit plans. To support the ongoing administration of these benefits, it is recommended that a new department be established within the County's human resources and financial systems (STARS) for HCHSA employees.

 

Establishing a dedicated department will allow Human Resources & Talent to accurately assign HCHSA employees for benefit eligibility, enrollment, premium billing, and payment processing. A unique department will also improve reporting, financial reconciliation, and administrative oversight related to HCHSA's participation in the County's benefits program. Upon approval, Human Resources & Talent will coordinate with Universal Services, the Auditor's Office, and the Office of Management and Budget to establish the department and implement the necessary system updates.

 

 

 

Expected Impact:

There is no significant fiscal impact for this change.

 

 

Alternative Options:

N/A

 

 

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: N/A

 

Prior Court Action (if any):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

08/07/2025

18

Approval to allow HCHSA to participate in Harris County benefits plan.

 

Location:

Address (if applicable): N/A

Precinct(s): Countywide

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

Benefits & Wellness

 

 

Current Fiscal Year Cost

Annual Fiscal Cost

 

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Recurring Expenses

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Existing Budget

 

 

 

 

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Total Existing Budget

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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only)

 

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No. of Grant Years

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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)

 

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)

CAO Reviewer Name and Title

 

CAO Review Completion Date

Click or tap to enter a date.

 

Anticipated Court Date: 8/17/2026

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

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: Sarah Acosta, Director, Benefits & Wellness, Human Resources and Talent

 

Attachments (if applicable): N/A