Harris County Commissioners Court approve $2.8 billion budget for 2026 fiscal year
Commissioners Lesley Briones, Tom Ramsey and Adrian Garcia voted in favor of the county's budget during Wednesday's court meeting. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who has said that it will strike essential county services, and Commissioner Rodney Ellis voted against the budget.
Harris County residents urge commissioners, county judge to work together to reduce budget deficit
The messaging from the public comes as Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and a group of commissioners she deemed the "GOP 3" — even though two of them are Democrats like Hidalgo — elevated conflicting accounts of the budget deficit both in a series of news conferences before and during a nearly 12-hour commissioners court meeting on Tuesday.
Harris County expected to end Mississippi jail outsourcing contract this year, saving at least $4 million
In initial 2025-2026 budget projections, county officials said they expect to lower outsourcing costs by several million dollars as the population at the Harris County Jail has seen a significant dip this year — about 1,200 fewer inmates since early February.
Harris County commissioners signal support for boosted constable pay despite budget crunch
The proposal could significantly boost their salaries from $178,000 per year to more than $290,000 — a figure that's at least 37% higher than the salary of Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who also is an elected official.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, two county commissioners present clashing outlooks on budget deficit
Commissioners Lesley Briones and Adrian Garcia, who are Democrats like Hidalgo, differed in their characterization of a projected $270 million budget deficit and how to trim it. They held dueling news conferences Thursday before commissioners court took up discussions on potential cost-saving measures.
Lina Hidalgo discusses denial of security detail for Paris trip, jail deaths, Harris County budget deficit
During a wide-ranging interview on Houston Matters, Hidalgo declined to say whether she'll seek a third term, adding that a decision is "coming soon."
Harris County faces $270 million budget deficit following approval of deputy pay increase
The pressure was on for commissioners to take up immediate discussions about clearing a path to pay parity for deputies after the Houston City Council approved a five-year, $832 million contract for the city's police officers.
Yesterday, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved an 8% increase to the county's property tax for FY 2025. This increase was higher than the traditional maximum of 3.5% due to this year's disaster declarations.
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Harris County approves 8% property tax rate increase
For a house appraised at $400,000, the new rate would cost an additional $160 more per year. This increase could be higher if voters approve a flood control tax increase this November.
Harris County faces a $129 million deficit in Fiscal Year 2025, budget director warns
Daniel Ramos, executive director of Harris County’s Office of Management and Budget, presented commissioners with a five-year financial plan to avoid the worst-possible outcome of the county’s shrinking cashflow.
Houston Public Media