Strategic Plan

Introduction

Commissioners Court approved Harris County's first-ever Strategic Plan on October 29th, 2024. The purpose of the Strategic Plan is to increase alignment between the County budget and Commissioners Court's priorities and to better guide the work of County departments and partners.

The plan includes Harris County's vision, purpose, and guiding principles; six goals, 23 objectives, and 83 initiatives; and a wide range of metrics for tracking the state of Harris County as a community and the progress of our efforts.

On December 10, 2024, Commissioners Court approved the Strategic Plan in Action to ensure effective implementation of the plan through integration with the County budget, a robust performance tracking framework, and a process for more informed decision making.

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OVERVIEW VIDEO

SP-branding

VISION

By 2050, Harris County will be...

Safe and Fair

All communities are safe and free from violence, trauma, and racial and economic disparities, and the justice system operates fairly for all.

Connected

Every neighborhood has access to well-maintained green spaces, modern infrastructure, and affordable, reliable, and sustainable transportation options.

Thriving

Our economy is inclusive, resilient, and equitable, where all can support their families and build wealth, and businesses large and small can grow and innovate.

Healthy

Everyone has access to health care, and health disparities across communities are greatly reduced.

Resilient

All communities—regardless of race, income, or geography—are free from environmental harms and prepared for climate change and disasters.

Secure

All residents have quality, affordable, and safe housing.

Purpose

To provide community-centered services and infrastructure effectively, efficiently, and equitably, creating opportunities for all to be safe, healthy, and economically secure.

Community-centered services and infrastructure

In a county as large and diverse as ours, one-size-fits-all services and infrastructure may not work for everyone. We tailor our work to the unique circumstances and needs of our distinct neighborhoods. That means listening to residents, understanding problems, and targeting investments and outreach as much as possible. Also, we define infrastructure broadly, to include streets, bridges, channels, parks and other public spaces, trees, trails, fiber cables, and more.

Effectively, efficiently, and equitably

We commit to delivering services with integrity, transparency, and accountability, holding ourselves to the highest standards. Effective services are accurate and high-quality. Efficient services minimize waste of time, funds, and resources. Equitable services are just, fair, and inclusive, shifting more to communities where we have historically underinvested and removing barriers to access, such as language and ability.

Safe, healthy, and economically secure

We believe Harris County should be a place where each person is free from violence and trauma; lives in quality, affordable housing; receives quality resources when facing climate-re lated disasters and environmental hazards; gets quality and responsive mental and health care; and benefits equitably from our growing regional economy.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Serving people first:

We put people at the center of everything we do, provide equitable access to services, and serve with empathy.

Prioritizing equity:

We embrace the diversity of our community and integrate equity in all County work to reduce and prevent disparities.

Leading with accountability:

We set clear goals for improving service delivery, use data and evidence to inform decision-making, measure and communicate progress, learn from success and setbacks, and hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity.

Empowering employees:

We provide opportunities for employees to thrive and make Harris County a place where people want to build careers.

Embracing change:

We embrace new challenges and opportunities, adapt to change, and disrupt the status quo when needed to achieve goals.

Investing responsibility:

We align resources with policy goals, ensure long-term financial sustainability, and follow best practices to deliver high value to those we serve.

Engaging partners:

We respectfully collaborate with communities, local partners, and all levels of government to solve our biggest problems.