Harris County announces fiscal year 2025 budget with $5.6M decrease and no tax hike

The Harris County Commissioner's meeting on May 6, 2025, focused on the presentation of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget reflects a significant reduction of approximately $5.6 million, or 7.85%, compared to the previous year, bringing the total proposed budget to $65,622,604.

The budget process involved extensive collaboration among the commissioner's office staff, including Clerk Andrea and CFO Elizabeth, who worked diligently to analyze departmental requests and expenditures. The team discovered that many departments had unspent funds from the current year, allowing them to reduce next year's budget requests.

A key highlight of the proposed budget is that it does not include a millage rate increase, meaning no additional tax burden for Harris County residents. The budget also proposes a 3% cost of living adjustment for employees, effective July 1, and a 1% longevity allowance based on employees' anniversary months.

Several capital projects are included in the budget, such as $1.5 million for courthouse renovations and $2.4 million for an elevated water tank, funded through SPLOST and ARPA. Additionally, the budget allocates funds for site preparation at the Northwest Harris Business Park and enhancements to local parks and recreational facilities.

The meeting also addressed the county's cash reserves, with discussions indicating that approximately $2 million may have been used from reserves in the current fiscal year, although this figure has yet to be confirmed. The commissioners expressed satisfaction with the budget development process and the collaborative efforts of all involved.

Overall, the proposed budget aims to maintain essential services while being fiscally responsible, reflecting the county's commitment to its residents and efficient financial management. The next steps will involve further discussions and approvals from the commission.