Nearly 80% of Houston residents who participated in a budget survey said they would like to see more spending on infrastructure.
What happened
During the June 2 Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting, the Kinder Institute for Urban Research presented the findings of the city’s Your Two Cents budget survey.
The survey, which was live from April 14 to May 27, received around 920 responses, which many council members found disappointing, and said they would like to have more participation next year.
Participants were asked about 13 categories of programs and services:
- Addressing homelessness
- Animal welfare
- Development services and permitting
- Economic and workforce development
- Health services
- Housing
- Houston Fire Department
- Parks and recreation
- Police
- Solid Waste Management
- Infrastructure
- Library services
- Neighborhood enforcement
Dylan Simburger, research analyst with the Kinder Institute, said researchers were able to hear from someone in every City Council district, although District C had the most respondents with 269.
By the numbers
Infrastructure—categorized as roads, better drainage and pipes and electric grids—was a category that most residents wanted to see more funding for, Simburger said. Only 10% said they would be okay with less spending on infrastructure due to budget constraints.
The survey also found that nearly 58% of respondents want the city to spend more on Solid Waste Management and programs addressing homelessness.
Of the 13 categories discussed in the budget, public safety received the most support in decreased spending, with 27% of respondents saying the city should spend less on police, and 19% saying they should spend less on the fire department.
The survey also asked if the city were to spend more money on public safety, how they would like to spend it.
About 33% said they would want “a lot” more spent on mental health crisis intervention and homelessness prevention and response.
About 30% said they would also want to spend “a lot” more on investigations and police patrols. Another 30% said they would only want “a little” more spent on those categories.
The survey also showed that 62% of residents would support raising taxes to fund garbage services. However, most respondents—52%—said they would not support a $5 garbage fee per month. However, 62% said they would support a $2-a-month fee.
“Five dollars seemed to be the sweet spot for half of the residents for the garbage fee that they would pick,” Simburger said.
Moving forward
Houston residents can still give their comments and opinions on the budget, including during the June 3 City Council public session. Council is set to vote on the budget June 10.
