Earlier this month, Bayou City Waterkeeper staff submitted comments to the Harris County Commissioners Court on the county’s upcoming budget, urging them to prioritize funding for two critical departments: the Harris County Pollution Control Services (HCPCS) and the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD).
We believe that true public safety includes a healthy, resilient community with clean water. That’s why we’re calling on our elected officials to invest in the departments that make that possible. You can review our full comments here.
We’re advocating for:
- Fund Pollution Control Services: HCPCS is our first line of defense against pollution. Its staff inspects industrial sites, monitors our air and water quality, and responds to pollution events. We asked the court to give them the resources they need for proactive enforcement and monitoring, including more investigators, modern lab technology, and better data systems. We also asked them to increase public engagement so residents can easily report environmental concerns.
- Improve Flood Control Transparency: The HCFCD is responsible for mitigating flooding in our region. With billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded projects, we urged the court to prioritize transparency and equity. We asked for an improved, user-friendly public dashboard that provides real-time updates on project status, funding, and timelines. This would help residents see how the 2018 Flood Bond and the 2024 Proposition A tax increase are being used and ensure that all communities—especially those historically underserved—are benefiting from these projects and maintenance.
Your Voice Matters! Learn More and Get Involved
The county budget is a reflection of our community’s priorities. It determines how our tax dollars are spent and what priorities are funded. By speaking up, you can help ensure that Harris County invests in a a safer, healthier, and more resilient Harris County for everyone. Your input is powerful.
Here’s how you can learn more about the Harris County budget and make your voice heard:
- Review the Proposed Budget: The Harris County Office of Management and Budget has released the proposed FY26 budget. You can explore the details and even use their “Balancing Act” tool to see how different funding choices impact county services. Find it on the Harris County Budget website.
- Upcoming Key Dates:
- September 2–4: Budget Hearings. County departments present their budgets to the Commissioners Court. Note: Public comments are not taken at these meetings.
- September 9: Special Meeting – Budget Amendments. This is a key opportunity to provide public comments on proposed budget changes.
- September 18: Commissioners Court: Commissioners Court votes to to adopt tax rates and the FY26 Budget. This is the final chance to provide public comments before the budget is adopted.
- How to Provide Public Comments: You can submit written comments via email to CommissionersCourt@hctx.net. You can also provide public comments in person at the meetings on September 9th and 18th. Be sure to arrive early and fill out an appearance request form to speak.
For questions about our policy work, please contact Guadalupe Fernandez at guadalupe@bayoucitywaterkeeper.org or Usman Mahmood usman@bayoucitywaterkeeper.org.