Houston City Controller Chris Hollins outlines ‘hard truths’ about mayor’s proposed budget
On Wednesday, the city council will take up the budget for fiscal year 2026, which must be certified by the controller before taking effect. Hollins has repeatedly clashed with Mayor John Whitmire.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire proposes overtime budget reduction despite $72 million excess in 2025
Whitmire’s administration is requesting a $1 million reduction in budgeted overtime pay heading into the next fiscal year, despite the fact the city overshot that budget by more than $70 million this year. The fire and police department heads say additional recruits will help bring down overtime costs.
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 City Council greenlights gradual increases to streets and drainage fund as part of lawsuit settlement
Instead of immediately complying with a voter-approved charter requiring a certain level of spending on street and drainage projects, the city will ramp up its spending over the next three years. If approved by the trial court, the settlement will help the city save more than $100 million over the next year.
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 mayor unveils 2026 budget with nearly $290 million in cuts, promises no reduction in services
Despite slashes across multiple departments, Mayor John Whitmire said services won’t be affected. Under his proposal, the police and fire departments receive nearly 60% of $3 billion in general fund spending.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire promises ‘balanced budget’ despite daunting projected deficit
Whitmire said the city’s budget will be balanced, even as the finance department and controller’s office had projected a more than $200 million deficit. The details will be released Tuesday.
City of Houston slashes budget deficit as mayor reaches deal with plaintiffs in streets and drainage lawsuit
As a result of a 2019 lawsuit filed by two Houston-based engineers, the city was required to allocate an additional $100 million to a voter-approved special fund for street and drainage projects by the end of June. Under the deal with the plaintiffs, the city will instead gradually increase its contribution to the fund over time, starting with $16 million this fiscal year, $48 million next year and the full amount by 2028.
More than 700 Houston city workers accept retirement incentive ahead of April 28 deadline
In an attempt to close a budget gap of more than $330 million, Mayor John Whitmire signed an executive order in mid-March offering a payment equal to 25% of annual pay as well as five years of employee benefits to about 3,000 workers who were already eligible for retirement. That's more than 10% of the municipal workforce.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire offers voluntary retirement to 2,700 city workers amid budget crunch
The retirement incentive comes on the heels of a hiring freeze. The city faces a more than $330 million projected budget deficit heading into the next fiscal year.
Houston Public Media