Consider and take appropriate action regarding an update to the Space Standards for offices and departments in County buildings. (Commissioner Gómez)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Facilities Management Department (FMD) and PBO-Economic Development and Strategic Investment Long Range Facilities Planning Division (EDSI-LRFP) are working jointly to update the process through which requests for new space allocation can be evaluated and prioritized within the larger context of county needs. Space Standards provide appropriate spaces for effective public service delivery and help the County maintain an environment consistent with the County government's goals and legislative mandates. Space Standards also provide a consistent, fair, transparent, and transparent tool to support decision-making on how physical space is used and assigned.<br id="isPasted"><br>The County’s Space Standards were last updated in 2009, with a supplement approved in 2011. Over the past fifteen years, the County has grown and evolved in population, service provision, and workspace needs. The goal of updating the Space Standards is to align Travis County facilities with adaptive workplace principles and establish a reputation as a trusted and well-run county. These standards apply to both County-owned and leased facilities, covering planning, programming, design, and construction. <br><br>Updated Space Standards will build upon a strong foundation of strategic efforts already completed by the County to modernize how work is done and how physical space is used. Several complementary initiatives have laid the groundwork to inform the focus and direction for next steps:<br><ul><li>Climate Action Plan (March 2020): This signified the County’s commitment to being part of the solution to the climate crisis and lays out activities the County can take over time. Strategic space planning plays a key role in advancing these environmental goals by supporting hybrid work and optimizing space use.</li><li>Long-Term Telecommuting Strategy (May 2020): The Commissioners Court adopted a long-term goal to have 75% of eligible County employees telecommute on an ongoing basis. This strategic direction shapes the need for more flexible and efficient space usage.</li><li>Remote Work Initiative: Launched to increase the number of employees telecommuting instead of commuting to physical worksites every day, this initiative reinforces the need for work environments that are adaptable and support mobility, flexibility, and collaboration.</li><li>Telework Dashboard: The County developed a dashboard that visualizes the telework makeup and trends of the workforce, including measurable benefits. This data supports evidence-based decisions in the space planning process.</li><li>Deloitte Adaptive Work Project: The County engaged Deloitte to help reimagine the County’s workforce and the workplace. The recommendations, now moving into implementation, highlight the importance of reconfiguring how and where work gets done, reinforcing the need for a coordinated, strategic approach to space allocation.</li></ul>These efforts support the formation of next steps of designing and implementing a