HOUSTON \u2013 As Houston City Council prepares for a final vote Wednesday on Mayor John Whitmire\u2019s proposed $7.5 billion budget, members of the Houston People\u2019s Budget Campaign are calling on city leaders to consider a different approach to funding city services.<\/p>\n
More than a dozen supporters of the coalition spoke during public comment at Tuesday\u2019s City Council meeting, urging elected officials to reject what they describe as fee-based solutions and instead adopt alternative revenue proposals.<\/p>\n
The group, which identifies itself as a coalition of taxpayers, climate organizers and immigrant-rights advocates, plans to hold a news conference Wednesday morning outside City Hall ahead of the council vote.<\/p>\n
Mayor Whitmire\u2019s proposed budget includes a new $5 monthly trash administrative fee and a right-of-way charge on water and wastewater utilities. City officials say the measures are needed to help close a budget deficit and create more stable funding for city services. The administration estimates the trash fee would generate roughly $24 million to $25 million annually.<\/p>\n
The proposal has sparked debate across the city.<\/p>\n
Houston Controller Chris Hollins has criticized the plan, arguing it shifts costs onto residents and relies on financial projections that have not been fully explained to the public.<\/p>\n
The Houston People\u2019s Budget Campaign says it has submitted four alternative proposals for consideration. According to organizers, their plans would rely on a property tax-based funding model rather than service fees to pay for priorities, including trash collection, illegal dumping cleanup, drinking water infrastructure, flood mitigation projects, parks, libraries and other public services.<\/p>\n
Advocates argue their approach would distribute costs differently than the mayor\u2019s proposed fees and provide a more sustainable funding source for city investments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people\u2019s budget offers an alternative to the current plans being discussed at City Hall,\u201d organizers said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The budget debate comes after weeks of public discussion over how Houston should address long-term financial challenges while maintaining city services. Mayor Whitmire has defended the proposal as a necessary step toward stabilizing the city\u2019s finances and modernizing the way certain services are funded.<\/p>\n
If approved by the City Council, the new budget would take effect July 1.<\/p>\n
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