According to City Manager Jason Stuebe, the budget contains roughly $93.3 million in expenditures, leaving a surplus of about $52.2 million.
Humble Mayor Norman Funderburk noted several new positions funded in the proposed budget, including six positions at the Humble Police Department, three civilian jailers, a crime scene investigator and a room-and-evidence technician.
Funderburk also noted the proposed budget includes the addition of six new paramedics to staff the city’s new ambulance, which he said was funded by a donation from the Northeast Hospital Authority.
“That’s going to be a big deal for us to cut down on the mutual aid that's been required here,” Funderburk said.
Additionally, the proposed budget includes approximately $4.5 million for the replacement of Humble Fire Department No. 2, which is being funded through Texas General Land Office grant funds, as well as $5.25 million for the city’s new Senior Activity Center.
According to Stuebe, the new fire department was originally projected to cost about $4.5 million when it was designed in 2018, but supply chain issues and inflation have pushed the estimated cost to around $6.13 million
“That's obviously a big number that dips quite a bit into our reserves,” he said.
Stuebe noted the city is working with Harris County and Texas Department of Emergency Management officials to determine additional sources for funding for the project.
The proposed budget also includes funding for several projects that aim to improve drainage throughout the city, including:
- $2.02 million for the Black’s Branch Drainage Improvement Project;
- $1.45 million for the Jordan’s Gully Drainage Improvement Project;
- about $716,000 for the Seventh Street and FM 1960 Bypass Drainage Improvement Project;
- $2.85 million for the Country Village and Treble Drive Drainage Improvement Project; and
- $1.92 million for the South Bender Avenue Reconstruction and Drainage Improvement Project.
“I think we've done a good job of addressing the needs [of the city and] supporting our core services,” Funderburk said. “I think this budget will demonstrate our commitment to public safety and infrastructure.”
Council members will meet at 10 a.m. Sept. 13 to consider formally adopting the budget.
