Harris County officials convened a special Commissioners Court meeting and held competing press conferences to address a projected budget shortfall of $200 million to $270 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The deficit, exacerbated by a $140 million pay increase for sheriff’s and constable’s deputies approved in May 2025, has sparked debate over cost-saving measures and funding priorities.
Commissioners Adrian Garcia (D–Pct. 2) and Lesley Briones (D–Pct. 4) held a joint press conference, rejecting claims of imminent service cuts or tax hikes.
They emphasized operational efficiencies, such as maintaining vacant county positions, and suggested the deficit could be reduced to around $150 million without layoffs or tax increases. Garcia called references to service cuts or tax hikes “false narratives,” urging collaboration to finalize the budget.
In a separate press conference, Democrat County Judge Lina Hidalgo underscored the severity of the shortfall, warning that essential services like public health and emergency response could face cuts.
She attributed much of the deficit to the recent law enforcement pay raises, which she argued should have been put to a voter referendum.
Hidalgo proposed reducing the precinct budgets of Commissioners Garcia, Briones, and Tom Ramsey (R–Pct. 3), which total $90.3 million per precinct, but the motion failed to receive a second.
Ramsey has advocated for the county to spend only on legally required budget items, saying the county has more than enough money.
“Since 2019, we have increased tax revenues in Harris County by $750 million,” said Ramsey.
The proposed general fund budget for FY 2025-26 reflects increased expenditures driven by indigent defense, employee raises, and rising healthcare costs.
Rising property appraisals may still increase tax bills for residents, even if the tax rate remains unchanged.
During the meeting, Commissioners Briones, Garcia, and Ramsey supported the constable salary increase to aid retention, while Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis (D–Pct. 1) opposed it, citing affordability concerns amid the deficit. Commissioners approved raises for elected constables, increasing their salaries to $290K per year.
Public budget hearings are scheduled for early September with a final budget vote expected later that month.
