HOUSTON — Houston City Council voted Wednesday to adopt Mayor John Whitmire’s proposed FY 2025 budget, emphasizing public safety, drainage, and infrastructure, including generators for multiservice centers to protect Houstonians during extreme weather emergencies.
The budget does not include any new fees or tax increases.
“This is a responsible budget that we can present to the public,” said Mayor Whitmire, reaffirming his commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility.
The new FY25 General Fund Expenditure Budget, totaling $3.03 billion an increase of $74.3 million, reflects a $12 million expenditure increase from adopted budget amendments. This increase, the slowest in four years, demonstrates the administration’s commitment to strong financial management, with growth in expenditures kept below the rate of inflation.
The budget also funds six police and five fire cadet classes.
- Incorporates $11.7 million of general fund reductions primarily attributable to vacancy reductions.
- This includes items allowing the city to build towards a more sustainable structural budget in FY ’26.
- The adopted budget preserves an unrestricted fund balance of approximately $86 million above the policy-required 7.5% reserve.
“This budget is paid for. So now, after we go through the next months into the fall, cutting out duplication and waste, we will conduct audit reviews and come out with a good government proposal to the citizens of Houston, collaborating on the county, state, and federal levels,” said Mayor Whitmire. “Let everyone know we have a great city and great people, but we have challenges, and if we meet those challenges, we will have a very bright future for our young people.”
The new fiscal year begins July 1, 2024.
Also, during Wednesday’s meeting, city council voted to approve a historic bond agreement to finance backpay and other benefits owed to Houston firefighters. The council did not vote on a proposed collective bargaining agreement because the City Controller had not certified the funds to cover the CBA. The item is expected to appear on next week’s city council agenda.
