Houston Controller to discuss city’s budget shortfall during town hall in Acres Homes

HOUSTON – Houstonians are invited to a town hall meeting Tuesday night about the city’s budget and how cuts impact them.

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Houston City Controller Chris Hollins is hosting the town hall meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center on W. Montgomery Road.

This is the third of four meetings out on by Controller Hollins.

This comes as Mayor John Whitmire unveiled his administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 balanced budget earlier this month.

CLOSER LOOK: Houston projects major budget deficits despite mayor’s push for efficiency in 2026 proposal

Whitmire said much of the money previously used to pay the city’s bills came from federal funding that has since dried up. He said that before considering a tax increase, the city should first focus on cutting waste, without cutting services.

Whitmire said there is no deficit and the budget is balanced for 2026. However, the city faces projected deficits starting in FY 2027, ranging from $100 million to $500 million in the coming years.

MORE: Houston projects major budget deficits despite mayor’s push for efficiency in 2026 proposal

Whitmire said the new budget prioritizes hiring more police officers to improve public safety.

Hollins, who is hosting the meeting, has said he wasn’t involved in coming up with the proposal but is reviewing it.

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He has said he wants to ensure Houstonians understand how our tax dollars are being spent.