[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6471966,"mediaKeyId","5777239-85789771e7215c510dbb592eaa331ca1","parentId",5777239,"title","Houston to test wireless emergency alert to cell phones Friday; city urges residents to check settings","audioSeconds",178,"startMs",1057000,"endMs",1235000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777239-85789771e7215c510dbb592eaa331ca1&start=1057&end=1235","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777239-85789771e7215c510dbb592eaa331ca1/thumbnail_1057000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6471966/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Houston-to-test-wireless-emergency-alert-to-cell-phones-Friday-city-urges-residents-to-check-settings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471966-f1ef33818f40f4eae9686a4592c91258/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714321&Signature=hCBuQkCkWQVbFyQtGp9rPE93VURSt9XsfGcijJFPUfeRgsPlhrKns9UffBNnEiAGLstEF~m4v2D9F8cDnGAV6AObWAqVk0Y2Fu2wafLKc-41OZpfNXwpZK04Yz7fUWnOHluyDGOeGSYzsIDE2tGdCknywudG4o0XAlhjWBwFq6xgN3BjGnW8LMAol6O06xfYpjdg~BUz2zBUrMDx3hw9VTZ5qdLTWawUnJA03ISwxg1JnrbkVZxPZriauuorVxySv2r8ISc-LGLkoeG~YK8iWcQPE1KmTjVJXEfaPxKig5zVnucN5vx52k1gDQI1zGigZ6pftGUSsqPaatdj6q-9FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston","date","2025-09-03T00:00:00Z","article","The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management (OEM) announced a citywide Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) test scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5. The message will be sent to cell phones inside the city's geographic boundaries and will be clearly labeled as a test; no action will be required of residents.

OEM staff said the test message will use the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) channel — the same delivery mechanism used for AMBER alerts — but it will be categorized as a public safety alert rather than an AMBER alert. City staff said they have coordinated with major carriers, including AT&T and Verizon, to ensure the message is delivered and to test options such as language preference so residents who select Spanish should receive the message in Spanish.

The OEM presentation emphasized that the WEA differs from AlertHouston, the city's opt-in alert system. OEM said AlertHouston messages are opt-in and sent more frequently; WEA is reserved for “true life-safety imminent threats” that require immediate public action. The test will last about 15 minutes; OEM said once someone receives the test message they should not get additional duplicates.

OEM also noted the test helps confirm how international cell phones roaming in the city will receive message routing ahead of large events such as the World Cup, and it will exercise translation options for residents whose phones indicate Spanish as a preferred language. OEM urged residents to verify that Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled in their phone settings and posted step-by-step instructions on the city website. Officials also encouraged council members and media partners to spread the word to constituents ahead of the test.

Council members asked follow-up questions about how the city would communicate if cell towers are down during a storm; OEM officials acknowledged the limitation and said they would continue to review backup communications strategies as part of overall emergency planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Houston - Consolidated Session Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City officials will send a Wireless Emergency Alert test to cell phones within Houston at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5; the message will be clearly labeled as a test and residents are urged to make sure emergency alerts are enabled on their phones.","taxTitle","Houston, Harris County, Texas","taxId",2797,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471971,"Houston controller reports $328.1M fund balance; urges higher reserves ahead of convention center financing",479,130000,609000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777239-85789771e7215c510dbb592eaa331ca1&start=130&end=609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777239-85789771e7215c510dbb592eaa331ca1/thumbnail_130000.jpg","/articles/6471971/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Houston-controller-reports-3281M-fund-balance-urges-higher-reserves-ahead-of-convention-center-financing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471971-dbe27941dfe35bf85a7d6d89e91609eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714321&Signature=JLwjUcAb~iqh~cNSQ4Zb9c29KzMRlHi8XSzxIbp9eNlMcLJ8860NQYiExBzjgX2Lp~6WeAvEhlOhoFXSjOuIS9VR1LIH6ip0USj5l17DX7xHPhNSGHgZCuL62k6E6LNfIj93NEt1QZEgTkSbEDcH1rFkRY0F4XRaYBukzdiEZtzDjrviAOiarLAMHLxu0wy2nqEFt5Z7Nt0Eb~~IOlp7-GIV1~C6eUMN-0HSYDvPkmH0adSGbypgjd07hZzr88ejb92TLSuFD7Ahjl4U8a6kzHgBf1-4ZBZ8NpYGPsgkVRRSApQ3XiR8Q27THiOYzZsV9wdNHrDnRSXuUKxWOyqFBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city controller's office presented the monthly financial report for the period ending July 31, 2025, reporting a projected ending general fund balance of $328,100,000, equal to 12.9% of expenditures (excluding debt service and pay-as-you-go items). The council voted to accept the report.

The controller said that the office's projection is approximately $17.5 million lower than the finance department's projection, citing a lower revenue projection as the primary reason. The report notes the controller's office projection remains about $137.6 million above the city's stated target of holding 7.5% of estimated expenditures (excluding debt service and pay-as-you-go).

The controller highlighted key revenue changes behind the update. Property tax revenue was upwardly revised by about $43.9 million following a revised population estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau (as of July 1, 2024). Transfers from other funds increased by $9.6 million, primarily because of reimbursements related to TRS '24, and interfund transfers rose about $1.3 million, including reimbursements from the airport following Houston Police Department pay raises. Sales tax receipts for June 2025 totaled $84.3 million, roughly $7.6 million (9.9%) higher than June 2024; fiscal year 2025 sales tax finished at $919 million, about $36 million (4.1%) above FY2024.

The controller's presentation also described the city's approach to variable-rate debt, noting a practice of keeping no more than 20% of outstanding debt of each type in variable-rate form. At July 31, 2025, most debt classes were within that guideline; however, the convention and entertainment category had 43.78% in variable-rate exposure. The presentation attributed that elevated interim exposure to Houston First drawing $200 million in interim financing for design and feasibility work on the upcoming convention center expansion. The controller said permanent, fixed-rate financing is expected to close in January 2026 and that Houston First's variable-rate exposure should revert toward historic levels after permanent financing closes.

Beyond current balances, the controller urged strengthening the city's disaster readiness and general fiscal resilience. The controller referenced an insights report delivered to the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee titled “Weathering the Storm,” and recommended three measures: raise the minimum reserve requirement, protect the rainy-day fund from non-emergency drawdowns, and direct year-end surpluses and clawbacks into emergency savings.

Council members asked that staff compare Houston’s reserve practices with peer cities and identify revenue options other cities use (trash fees, utilities, etc.) to see whether comparable frameworks might be feasible in Houston. Finance staff indicated they would refresh prior analyses and coordinate with the finance department and outside advisors.

The council voted to accept the monthly financial report.","City controller presented the monthly financial report showing an estimated $328.1 million ending fund balance (12.9% of expenditures) for FY2026 projections, warned reserves remain below many peers, and discussed interim borrowing by Houston First for the convention center expansion. Council voted to accept the report.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471961,"Votes at a glance: Houston City Council accepts financial report; several appointments and ordinances approved",3278,103000,3381000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777239-85789771e7215c510dbb592eaa331ca1&start=103&end=3381","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777239-85789771e7215c510dbb592eaa331ca1/thumbnail_103000.jpg","/articles/6471961/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Houston-City-Council-accepts-financial-report-several-appointments-and-ordinances-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471961-bef85c02d6d7fd1030001ec35ff9fb7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770714321&Signature=XdLagF0-SzxURN~XpE3M80ktSRjLLEsDZHCuubC87jgltFbpDoQTnocdqcs79lp~Fu4FbyaqTzugRhduoMKsEM~-W2qLQpLDO2w5r2yy2BBRkhZwPR80KUXBZai388kxUGtz20Z~QssXVDa2YGAeaUyatET8WHzqE1-BnPmfx87nNr5YqljE8fgSV~E9yGaLYFZnh2qJamKQZXivO7G9lcmN0qPM-pk2JZJRebX5L0Zj8uxDf5pffZMSq9XcmXTKHJgZ0wIcrOES9QmtetNQElEWJ6WIgQ9nqIMP-TRwPMNadcURraII8ZCLjzhZucHIOxb2qzLU40RbgAnXe9Fttw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston City Council completed a series of procedural votes and consent items during the Sept. 1 meeting, including acceptance of the monthly financial report and several personnel appointments. One appointment was tagged for later consideration.

Key outcomes reported on the record:

- The council voted to adopt the minutes referenced on the agenda.

- The council voted to accept the monthly financial report for the period ending July 31, 2025.

- The council moved several appointment items. Item 1 (appointment of Dr. Tran to the Health Department) was tagged to allow additional time for council members to meet the nominee. Appointments corresponding to items labeled on the agenda as 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were moved, seconded, and approved as recorded in the meeting.

- Consent and routine items were approved. Under the property category the council approved item 7; under resolutions item 8 passed. Several ordinance items were listed on the agenda; the council approved the balance of ordinances on the consent list and later took separate votes on items removed for separate consideration. Items removed for separate consideration (including items numbered 14, 16 and 21 on the distributed list) were individually approved following brief council remarks. Item 24 was also approved.

- During the meeting the council voted to take several agenda items out of order to accommodate nominees and presenters; that procedural motion passed.

Where the transcript records only a procedural voice vote — “All in favor say yes. Those opposed, nay. Motion passes.” — the outcome is recorded as approved on the public record. The transcript does not provide recorded roll-call tallies or named individual votes for these motions in those instances.

Below is a structured list of actions recorded on the public transcript.","During the Sept. 1 meeting the council approved routine procedural items, accepted the monthly financial report, confirmed multiple appointments, approved consent items and several ordinances, and tagged one appointment for follow-up. Several items were removed for separate consideration and later voted on individually.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Houston to test wireless emergency alert to cell phones Friday; city urges residents to check settings

Houston controller reports $328.1M fund balance; urges higher reserves ahead of convention center financing

Votes at a glance: Houston City Council accepts financial report; several appointments and ordinances approved