Harris County Commissioners Courtroom narrowly accepted a $2.8 billion funds for the Fiscal 12 months 2026, ending months of debate over legislation enforcement pay, tax charges and how you can stability essential providers amid rising fiscal constraints.
The funds takes impact Oct. 1 and runs by means of Sept. 30, 2026.
What occurred throughout the discussions?
The funds handed 3-2, with County Decide Lina Hidalgo and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis voting no. Precinct 2 and Precinct 4 Commissioners Adrian Garcia and Lesley Briones joined Republican Commissioner Tom Ramsey (Precinct 3) in supporting it.
Hidalgo blasted her colleagues all through the assembly for supporting the funds, calling it “half-baked” and warning that the county had papered over deficits with one-time revenues, resembling property gross sales and right-sizing departments narrowly.
“We haven’t had a funds this unhealthy, I don’t know since when,” she mentioned. “It’s not regular to have a $200 deficit. It’s not regular to have a hiring freeze. You solely do that in a recession or a melancholy, which we’re not in proper now. It’s not fiscally answerable for households. It’s not clear.”
Whereas I’m dissatisfied that the funds has handed, I’ll by no means cease preventing for the working folks of Harris County. pic.twitter.com/xbfoXPowwn
— Rodney Ellis (@RodneyEllis) September 24, 2025
Ellis, who voted in opposition to one different funds in his profession, mentioned the county had entered the funds season beneath “unprecedented assaults” from the state and federal governments.
“Governor Greg Abbott’s income caps and President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s efforts to intestine providers have slashed entry to well being care, living-wage jobs, reasonably priced housing and protections in opposition to local weather change and disasters,” Ellis mentioned. “These deliberate assaults on native governments are designed to weaken the very communities we serve.”
Different commissioners opined in a different way.
✅ The Harris County Finances for FY25–26 has formally handed!This funds displays our shared priorities — investing in public security, well being, infrastructure, and packages like HART that take a holistic strategy to protecting our communities secure and thriving.As a result of each greenback… pic.twitter.com/91pJ7NPTZ7
— Commissioner Lesley Briones (@HCP4__Briones) September 24, 2025
Commissioners Ramsey, Garcia and Briones defended the funds as a mandatory compromise that maintained core providers whereas protecting taxes inside state-imposed limits and ensured pay parity for officers.
“We’ve saved and even expanded some packages that residents help, resembling HART, flood mitigation, and infrastructure,” Garcia mentioned. “This funds displays what the folks of Harris County requested for: security, stability and providers that work. By a working group and plenty of hours of collaboration, we had been capable of strengthen help for our deputies whereas adopting a accountable bipartisan funds.”
Regulation enforcement pay parity
On the coronary heart of the controversy was a $142 million bundle to deliver constables and sheriff’s deputies’ salaries according to Houston Police Division pay, which was later decreased to $101 million after evaluation.
In the meantime, 110 unfilled county jobs will likely be eradicated, producing $36 million in financial savings. One other $32 million got here from county departments conducting inside audits.
Supporters argued the raises had been important to stop an exodus of legislation enforcement officers to better-paying businesses. Deputies and cadets testified that the will increase would permit them to remain in Harris County with out working further jobs to help their households.
County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez mentioned that with out the pay elevate, the division would have seen a “mass exodus” of officers, creating public security challenges.
“It’s been far overdue for us to ensure that we took care of Harris County Peace Officers,” Gonzalez mentioned. “We perceive there are a whole lot of people who want help providers in the neighborhood. And so we’re a powerful advocate for that. However within the meantime, we additionally want robust legislation enforcement…Deputies and constables are doing an excellent job, nevertheless it’s time for Harris County Peace Officers to be paid pretty.”
Opponents criticized the raises as fiscally reckless and disproportionate. Neighborhood advocates argued that the Courtroom prioritized police pay over social providers, youth packages and public well being.
“For these of us in the neighborhood which are truly following the county and the town funds course of, it’s unfair that elected officers would suggest a half-baked police elevate over important providers,” mentioned Kourtney Revels, who grew up in Precinct 2. “For the town to place us in a deficit, the county to place us in a deficit and have us out right here arguing with the police is totally detestable. Y’all needs to be ashamed of yourselves.”
Tax charge enhance
A tax shift, which brings taxed earnings sources to untaxed ones, adjusts a further $32 million.
The 2026 No New Income (NNR) tax charge for Harris County represents a rise of $0.00123 per $100 of taxable worth. The common residential homestead’s tax affect will increase from $1,168 in 2025 to $1,208 in 2026, reflecting a 3.4% enhance in county property taxes.
In contrast with final 12 months, the accepted funds raises the county’s total property tax collections by 1.5%, or almost $38 million. Whereas the final fund and Port of Houston tax charges fell barely, a rise within the Harris Well being System levy pushed the general mixed charge increased, amounting to a 3.4% enhance for taxpayers.
County Finances Director Daniel Ramos famous within the funds proposal that state income caps and disaster-related changes left Harris County with fewer choices. The Fiscal 12 months 2026 Present Degree of Service forecast projected a deficit as excessive as $313 million beneath the state’s “no new income” charge, pushed by rising jail prices, indigent protection spending and healthcare claims.
Social providers
The vote got here regardless of passionate testimony from neighborhood members warning about cuts to childcare, housing help, youth mentorship and public well being. Advocates mentioned the choice pits weak communities in opposition to legislation enforcement.
A number of residents criticized the elimination of funding for packages like credible messenger mentorship, childcare coaching and case administration in neighborhood improvement. Others warned that indigent protection, flood management tasks and catastrophe preparedness could be shortchanged.
“We have to make sure that each greenback serves the general public good. Our neighborhood’s unmet wants prolong past policing,” mentioned resident Arion Whittle. “Households are asking for stronger investments in reasonably priced housing, healthcare entry, psychological well being help, high quality schooling and infrastructure that makes every day life safer and extra sustainable. A balanced funds should mirror not solely security when it comes to legislation, but in addition security when it comes to steady houses, wholesome neighborhoods and alternative for all. I urge you to make sure that this stuff usually are not overshadowed, however prioritize alongside enforcement.”
