After nearly fifteen years of service as the executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District, Russ Poppe announced his resignation June 11 amidst an ongoing push to secure $750 million in flood control aid as Texas gears up for another hurricane season.

“The growing expectations associated with these efforts have adversely affected the quality of my personal life to a point I can no longer sustain,” Poppe wrote. “I am humbled by having worked with very professional and devoted public servants in my 15-plus years here and wish all of you the best in your continued service to Harris County.”

The Harris County Commissioners Court will likely discuss his replacement at its June 29 meeting, HCFCD Deputy Executive Director Matt Zeve said in an email June 14.

As previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper, following pushback against the Texas General Land Office’s announcement that Harris County would receive nothing from the Hurricane Harvey flood mitigation funds May 20, GLO Commissioner George P. Bush said less than a week later he would seek a $750 million direct allocation from the federal government to the county.

"I am committed to working with the Budget Management Office and [HCFCD] staff on finalizing our recommendation to address the district's bond program backstop funding for presentation at commissioners court on June 29," Poppe said. "However, I will begin transitioning over the next three weeks out of my leadership role at the district."