Harris County Board approves legal-fee increase, several personnel and consent items; resignation-policy change tabled

The Harris County Board of Education approved several routine items at its January regular meeting, including an increase to the hourly rates charged by outside counsel Hall Booth Smith PC, a slate of personnel recommendations, and the consent agenda covering purchases, finance, enrollment and school nutrition. The board also tabled a proposed change to its GAO employee-resignation policy for 30 days to allow further review.

The board voted to adjust Hall Booth Smith PC’s billing to $220 per hour for partners, $180 per hour for associates and $135 per hour for paralegals, citing rates that had been unchanged since 2020. ‘‘They are respectively requesting an increase in the hourly rates,’’ the superintendent said while summarizing the firm’s request. The motion to approve the rate schedule passed by voice vote after a second.

In other business, the board appointed a district representative to the Harris County Recreation Center Board for calendar year 2026; the chair volunteered to serve, saying Mister…