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We are spared from more budget talk for at least a few months.<\/p>\n
Emily Hynds has been independently covering Houston City Council meetings since June 2020. In her monthly Houstonia column, she shares all the latest intel about what\u2019s happening at City Hall. Want to check the meetings out for yourself? Read this companion guide.<\/p>\n
IN THIS MONTH\u2019S DISPATCH:\u00a0The budget was approved, including a new $5 monthly fee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We Made It Through Budget Season<\/p>\n
Councilmembers approved the city\u2019s budget<\/a> for the next fiscal year, which runs from July 2026 through June 2027. Mayor John Whitmire<\/a> proposed the $7.5 billion budget on May 6, and the city followed up with town halls and a series of department-specific workshops to explain budgets and take questions. Controller Chris Hollins also hosted budget-related town halls, during which he heavily criticized the mayor\u2019s proposed budget.<\/p>\n Hollins called the new $5 garbage fee a regressive tax and shared a tool he created\u2014the not-so-subtly titled \u201cThis Fee is Garbage<\/a>\u201d\u2014to compare the new fee with a potential property tax rate increase. On the day of the vote, all councilmembers voted in support, except for Councilmember Edward Pollard of District J, who voted no, and Tiffany Thomas of District F, who was absent.<\/p>\n Councilmember Amy Peck of District A proposed a budget amendment to sunset a monthly Solid Waste container fee meant to cover the cost of replacing old and broken trash cans and recycling bins with new ones. Peck complained about poor service delivery, saying it can take up to three months for residents to receive their new cans, and noted that the fund does not spend what it takes in; the container fund\u2019s balance is projected to have over $8 million unspent dollars this fiscal year.<\/p>\n Mayor Whitmire asked her to withdraw the amendment, promising the fund will be better managed going forward. Councilmember Peck pushed the issue, forced a vote, and it passed, even though Whitmire did not support it. Ten councilmembers voted for the amendment and six voted against. Now, the Solid Waste container fee will be discontinued at the end of this year unless City Council reviews the program and decides to extend it. They hate to give up revenue, though, so renewal is likely.<\/p>\n Peck\u2019s move is also a reminder that, though it\u2019s a rare exercise of power, councilmembers can propose amendments to the budget without the mayor\u2019s support. With enough support from their colleagues, it could even pass. The relatively new Proposition A now allows a coalition of three councilmembers to put an item on the weekly agenda without the mayor\u2019s say.<\/p>\n Five Bucks a Month for Garbage<\/p>\n Mayor Whitmire used the budget to usher in one especially sweeping reform: incorporating the Solid Waste Department<\/a> into the Houston Public Works (HPW) Department. Previously, the ~$117M Solid Waste budget was funded largely by property and sales taxes from the city\u2019s general fund. Placing the Solid Waste Department within HPW means it will now be funded by revenue from people\u2019s water bills, including a new $5 fee intended to supplement the department\u2019s income. Critics say it\u2019s neither fair nor safe to take revenue meant to maintain the city\u2019s water system to pay for solid waste. The mayor\u2019s administration argues it\u2019s a practical solution and that the water system is flush with cash, anyway.<\/p>\n Citizens showed up at every budget public hearing, town hall, and workshop to complain about increasing financial burdens on the city\u2019s poor. Controller Hollins said that increasing the property tax rate would make more sense and ease the constraints on people in lower-income brackets. Last fiscal year, Mayor Whitmire included a property tax rate increase in his proposed budget but didn\u2019t follow through; instead, he took money from the city\u2019s fund balance (a.k.a. the city\u2019s savings account).<\/p>\n After hearing people\u2019s concerns, the administration approved a measure on June 17 that will allow people to apply for financial assistance<\/a> when the new $5 fee appears on their water bills in August. Applicants must provide various documents to prove their eligibility for assistance, because, of course, they can\u2019t make it easy, but at least it will be possible.<\/p>\n The Price of Police at 419<\/p>\n On June 3, council approved $750,000 to reimburse police working overtime at 419 Emancipation Avenue for at least the next two years. Colloquially known as 419, the new transition shelter for unhoused people opened in June and offers temporary housing, medical care, and other services. Residents in surrounding neighborhoods expressed concern, even opposition, to the facility, with some demanding increased police presence. The city agreed to house an HPD Homeless Outreach Team at 419, ensuring a 24\/7 police presence at the facility. At-Large 3 Councilmember Twila Carter explained that the officers\u2019 shifts at 419 are actually their second jobs, warranting overtime funding. Still, it wasn\u2019t clear why these positions wouldn\u2019t be considered standard. HPD and Councilmember Carter did not immediately respond to requests for clarification on this issue.<\/p>\n Speed Bumps at Triple the Cost<\/p>\n City Council approved an agreement with Harris County to fund 288 speed cushions in Districts E, I, and H to slow down drivers. Several councilmembers explained that speed cushions are now triple their original price, making them cost-prohibitive (a presentation from the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program quoted each cushion at $5,000 per location<\/a>). Councilmember Martha Castex-Tatum of District K said Houston Public Works stopped funding speed cushions because the slowing effect they provide doesn\u2019t justify the expense. Councilmembers originally paid for speed cushions with the approximately $1 million they receive annually to spend at their discretion, but rising costs are making that harder. Councilmember Joe Panzarella of District C notes that while speed cushions can be efficient, \u201cthere are a lot of different alternatives to making streets safer.\u201d He added that redesigning streets to have wider sidewalks and high-visibility crosswalks is another option that has proved successful.<\/p>\n Coming Up: Goodbye, World Cup. Hello, Hurricane Season.<\/p>\n Though the last World Cup game hosted in Houston is on July 4, the FIFA Fan Fest in East Downtown is ongoing, welcoming fans onto its grounds every tournament day through July 19 to watch games and participate in related activities. And every day, money is being spent. City Council approves World Cup-related spending almost weekly, including meal reimbursements and housing for first responders, but that spending will wind down as the tournament does.<\/p>\n