Department: Management and Budget
Department Head/Elected Official: Daniel Ramos, Executive Director
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of guidelines and policies related to 2022 voter approved bonds.
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Background and Discussion:
The Office of Management and Budget recommends approval of the attached policies and guidelines in relation to 2022 voter-approved bonds.
On November 8, 2022, Harris County voters approved $100 million in public safety bonds, $900 million in road and bridge bonds, and $200 million in park bonds. For fiscal and transparency purposes, it is important for Harris County to track projects that use 2022 voted authority.
Expected Impact:
The guidelines will support funding allocations for 2022 bond projects in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner that minimizes fees and other non-project costs to the extent possible without impacting project timelines. It will also institute a naming convention, which will allow for the tracking of 2022 projects. It also clarifies allocations per precinct and bond type, as already approved by Commissioners Court on January 31, 2023.
Alternative Options:
The County could not approve guidelines and continue with current policy. Not having a policy would make it significantly more difficult to track which projects are being completed using 2022 voted debt, which makes reporting to the public, bondholders, and ratings agencies more difficult. It would also leave the County more vulnerable to inadvertently violating auditing guidelines, which may have tax, legal, or bond consequences.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportuni...
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