HOUSTON – A big vote is expected today when Harris County commissioners are expected to hold public hearings and discussions before adopting the $2.7 billion budget for the county.
PREVIOUS: County officials close $202 million budget deficit with strategic cuts and reallocations
The proposed plan, which the county budget director says will be approved by September 24, avoids new taxes while maintaining core public services.
Key budget reductions and savings
The largest source of savings came from scaling back a previously approved law enforcement raise. Originally, $142 million had been allocated for the increases. However, after review, that figure was reduced by $101 million, leaving $41 million allocated and returning the difference to the general fund.
The change is due to a clerical error in the original salaries entered being projected too high.
In addition, 110 county jobs that had remained unfilled for over six months will be officially eliminated, contributing another $36 million in savings. A tax shift adjustment—redirecting taxed income sources to untaxed ones—brought in an additional $32 million.
Departments across the county also conducted internal audits to identify redundancies and inefficiencies. Their efforts resulted in a streamlined budget that freed up another $32 million.
Use of unspent COVID relief funds
Unutilized funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)—federal COVID-19 relief money—also played a key role. Programs funded through ARPA did not use the full allocation, and the remaining $21 million was redirected into the county’s general budget.
Facility and technology cuts
Officials identified several underused county buildings, which are now being decommissioned or repurposed, saving $18 million. Meanwhile, a shift toward more cost-effective technology added another $11 million in savings.
City fleet and jail reform
Excess spending on city fleet maintenance was curtailed, reducing that allocation by $6 million. Additionally, new initiatives aimed at reducing the jail population and outsourcing related services are expected to save $5 million.
A balanced budget
When all reductions and reallocations are added together, the total savings amount to exactly $202 million—the amount needed to eliminate the deficit.
The announcement comes as a relief to both residents and officials, who had expressed concern about the potential for tax increases or cuts to essential services.