Harris County – Harris County commissioners are grappling with difficult decisions about flood control projects as they face a significant funding shortfall, despite having one of the largest flood control programs in the nation.
During Thursday’s Commissioners Court meeting, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey revealed that despite having $5.2 billion in total funding for flood control projects, including the $2.5 billion bond voters approved in 2018, the county still falls about $1 billion short of completing all promised projects.
Recommended Videos
“We need to be transparent about what we can and cannot do with the money we have,” Ramsey said. He presented a detailed breakdown of the finances that his staff spent months analyzing. “It shouldn’t be this complicated, but we need to make sure every dollar is spent wisely.”
Key Numbers:
- $2.5 billion: Original voter-approved bond (2018)
- $2.7 billion: Additional secured funding from other sources
- $1 billion: Amount already spent on projects
- $700 million: Remaining funds for future projects
- $1 billion: Current estimated shortfall
On Thursday, July 10, the court unanimously approved a motion to protect federal grant money and existing partnerships, particularly Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that require local matching dollars. This decision ensures the county won’t lose access to millions in federal funding for critical flood control projects.
“We have to honor our commitments to our federal and state partners,” said Commissioner of Precinct 2, Adrian Garcia, who seconded the motion. “These partnerships help us stretch our local dollars further,” Garcia said.
What’s Next?
The Commissioners Court will meet in September to make crucial decisions about remaining projects. They’ll need to prioritize which flood control projects in Quartiles 2, 3, and 4 can move forward with the remaining $700 million.
Impact
For Harris County residents, this means some promised flood control projects may face delays or require additional funding sources. The county is focusing on:
- Completing the most critical (Quartile 1) projects
- Protecting projects with matching federal funds
- Maintaining transparency about what can be accomplished with available funding
The funding challenges come despite Harris County securing significant federal support, including approximately $865 million in federal funds through the General Land Office (GLO) – money that required significant advocacy from local leaders and community groups.
As Harris County continues to grow and face increasing flood risks, officials acknowledge they may need to return to voters in the future for additional funding. For now, they’re focused on ensuring current funds are used effectively and transparently while protecting crucial partnerships that bring additional resources to the county’s flood control efforts.
