Harris County Commissioners Court finally approved the 2026 budget on Wednesday after months of infighting between Democrat commissioners.
Commissioners Adrian Garcia (D), Lesley Briones (D), and Tom Ramsey (R) voted in favor, while Commissioner Rodney Ellis (D) and Democrat County Judge Lina Hidalgo opposed the plan. Much of the debate centered on law enforcement raises.
At a press conference earlier this week, Garcia and Briones joined law enforcement leaders to announce secured funding for pay parity. They argued deputies and constables in Harris County had been earning far less than their counterparts in Houston.
For reference, in fiscal year 2024, county constables made about $133,000 a year. That rose to $178,509 in FY 2025. With the newly approved budget for FY 2026, salaries jump again—to $260,000. Constables in Harris County will now make more than the governor of Texas, the mayor of Houston, and even the vice president of the United States.
Hidalgo has repeatedly blasted the raises as reckless. At last week’s meeting, she said, “There was a 60% pay raise for elected constables. I think the constables are important. They have important jobs. I support them, but they are an important political force too. There is no rhyme or reason to decision making around the budget, unless you realize that the rhyme or reason is this end goal of being re-elected at all costs.”
She argued that boosting constable pay while refusing to raise other salaries was motivated by fear of political backlash, since constables are allowed to endorse candidates.
The final budget totals about $2.7 billion. Cuts include a 72 percent reduction for the Sheriff’s Office medical division and a 48 percent reduction for the Office of County Administration. Most justices of the peace saw cuts ranging from 1 percent to 18 percent. Other departments received increases, some dramatic: county appointed court attorney fees jumped 179 percent, elections operations rose 96 percent, and district court appointed attorney fees climbed 64 percent.
Core services such as road maintenance, public health, and parks will remain largely unaffected. However, the county will begin the fiscal year under a hiring freeze that includes replacement workers, meaning departments that lose staff to resignation or retirement must operate with fewer employees.
The budget also comes with a tax rate increase of two cents per $100 in property valuation. Commissioners opted against presenting voters with a major tax hike, choosing instead to push through a small increase.
