Community members from Harris County Precinct 3 offered feedback on tax dollar spending priorities as preparations for the county’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget adoption continue into September, where preliminary budget expenses are estimated to be at least $2.95 billion.

Harris County commissioners are looking at potential countywide cuts to address a $130 million budget shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year.

The results

Votes from community members in attendance during the Precinct 3 budget town hall showcased spending priorities geared toward county initiatives and organizations, including:

  • Law enforcement raises
  • The Harris Center for Mental Health
  • The Children’s Assessment Center
  • Roads, bridges, community centers and parks

Votes from community members in attendance also showcased cuts to spending geared toward the county’s justice initiatives, including:

  • The county legal department
  • Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity
  • Indigent defense
  • Management and finances

Breaking it down

Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey worked through a budget activity to gauge spending priorities with more than 100 community members who attended the July 17 budget town hall at the George H.W. Bush Community Center in Spring. Precinct 3 officials said the purpose of the meeting was to provide clarifications on details within the county’s proposed budget for FY 2025-26.

Harris County Budget Director Daniel Ramos highlighted five different county initiatives in public safety and justice initiatives that would cost the county more than $18 million within the proposed budget, including:

  • $3.1 million for Harris County’s violent persons warrants task force
  • $5.7 million to improve Harris County Flood Control maintenance capabilities
  • $8.5 million for three new criminal district courts to alleviate the county court backlog
  • $2.5 million for cybersecurity projects

Going forward

Harris County plans to hold its FY 2025-26 budget hearings for its more than 70 individual departments from Sept. 2-5, before budget adoption in late September. The free, online budget tool is accessible through the Harris County Office of Budget and Management website.