Houston City Council unanimously approves mayor's budget

First city budget approved in record time

HOUSTON – Houston City Council approved Mayor Sylvester Turner's first city budget in record time and by a unanimous vote.

The office of the mayor said it was in contrast to budget discussions in previous years that lasted into the next morning. The vote came in before noon Wednesday and nearly a month ahead of the normal schedule.

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"Passage of this budget sends a strong message to the credit rating agencies about the importance we are placing on city finances," Turner said. "This was accomplished not by putting hundreds of hardworking city employees in the unemployment line or by cutting critical services that Houstonians rely on and deserve. Instead, it was done via shared sacrifice and laser-fine attention to fiscal management."

Cost increases, voter-imposed revenue limitations, an appraisal system and the economic downturn combined to create a $160 million budget shortfall, the worst fiscal challenge that the city has faced since before the Great Recession, when hundreds of city workers had to be laid off, according to the office of the mayor.

Officials said the mayor's budget eliminates the shortfall, maintains the city's healthy savings account and cuts overall spending by $82 million, compared to the current budget year.

Library and park services were maintained, and there were no layoffs of police and firefighters, officials said. There is also funding for an additional police cadet class for a total of five classes, which the city says is the most in recent memory.

For the first time in years, the number of police officers in the Houston Police Department is starting to inch up, officials said.

"Each city department, the employee unions, City Council, the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones and various other parties worked together to identify cost savings and efficiencies while also minimizing employee layoffs and maintaining the critical services our residents rely on and deserve," Turner said. "I want to thank everyone for coming to the table to work together."

Turner asked City Council early in the budget process not to tinker with his budget proposal, warning that a small change could upset the balance achieved as a result of shared sacrifice and put the city at risk for a credit rating downgrade.

The office of the mayor said the council heeded his request, submitting very few amendments that had no budgetary impact.

The budget adopted is for the fiscal year that begins July 1, officials said.


About the Author:

Troy Blevins is a Digital Content Editor who has been with Graham Media Group since 2012.