The Houston City Controller's Office held a Budget Town Hall at Ripley House on May 8, 2025, aimed at engaging the community in discussions about the city’s financial planning and budgetary processes. The event began with an introduction from a representative of Baker Ripley, a nonprofit organization dedicated to community development in Greater Houston. The representative highlighted the organization's extensive outreach efforts, including nonpartisan voter engagement initiatives that have successfully increased voter turnout in previous elections.

Following the introduction, the audience was informed about the structure of the meeting, which included a presentation from City Controller Chris Hollins regarding the city budget. Hollins, who has served as the city’s chief financial officer since January 2024, oversees a budget exceeding $6 billion and is committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility. He emphasized the importance of community involvement in the budgeting process and the role of his office in ensuring efficient use of city resources.

Hollins also shared his background, noting his previous experience as Harris County Clerk, where he implemented innovative voting measures that significantly increased voter participation. His educational credentials include degrees from Morehouse College, Yale Law School, and Harvard Business School.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for audience members to submit questions, ensuring that community concerns would be addressed. This town hall represents an ongoing effort by the City Controller's Office to foster transparency and engage residents in the financial decision-making processes that affect their lives.