Houston Public MediaMay 21, 2025

A month before Houston City Council’s deadline to approve a budget for fiscal year 2026, the city’s chief financial officer is raising concerns about the lack of a final decision in a lawsuit over city spending on streets and drainage.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/city-of-houston/2025/05/21/521992/city-controller-raises-serious-concerns-about-houston-budget-without-court-ruling-on-drainage-settlement/

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City controller raises ‘serious’ concerns about Houston budget without court ruling on drainage settlement

An agreement between Mayor John Whitmire's administration and the plaintiffs in a 2019 lawsuit against the city would save the city $84 million in fiscal year 2026.

Houston Public Media
Houston Public MediaMay 9, 2025

As Houston City Council members kick off budget hearings next week, the city faces economic turmoil caused by President Donald Trump’s trade and immigration policies as well as a legislative tug-of-war over toll road funding with Harris County.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/city-of-houston/2025/05/09/521024/city-of-houstons-2026-budget-complicated-by-possible-recession-potential-legislation/

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City of Houston’s 2026 budget complicated by possible recession, potential legislation

At about $1.5 billion, property taxes comprise the largest share of the projected $2.9 billion in the city’s revenue for fiscal year 2026, which starts in July. Sales tax comes in second at $902 million, and that’s where Robert Gilmer of the University of Houston forecasts potential problems.

Houston Public Media