The Harris County Commissioners Court remained divided over how to balance public safety, fiscal responsibility and community priorities. Credit: Office of Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis

Harris County Commissioners Court narrowly approved a $2.8 billion budget for the Fiscal Year 2026, ending months of debate over law enforcement pay, tax rates and how to balance critical services amid growing fiscal constraints.

The budget takes effect Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2026.

What happened during the discussions?

The budget passed 3-2, with County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis voting no. Precinct 2 and Precinct 4 Commissioners Adrian Garcia and Lesley Briones joined Republican Commissioner Tom Ramsey (Precinct 3) in supporting it.

Hidalgo blasted her colleagues throughout the meeting for supporting the budget, calling it “half-baked” and warning that the county had papered over deficits with one-time revenues, such as property sales and right-sizing departments narrowly.

“We haven’t had a budget this bad, I don’t know since when,” she said. “It’s not normal to have a $200 deficit. It’s not normal to have a hiring freeze. You only do that during a recession or a depression, which we’re not in right now. It is not fiscally responsible for families. It is not transparent.”

Ellis, who voted against one other budget in his career, said the county had entered the budget season under “unprecedented attacks” from the state and federal governments.

“Governor Greg Abbott’s revenue caps and President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s efforts to gut services have slashed access to health care, living-wage jobs, affordable housing and protections against climate change and disasters,” Ellis said. “These deliberate attacks on local governments are designed to weaken the very communities we serve.”

Other commissioners opined differently.

Commissioners Ramsey, Garcia and Briones defended the budget as a necessary compromise that maintained core services while keeping taxes within state-imposed limits and ensured pay parity for officers.

“We have kept and even expanded some programs that residents support, such as HART, flood mitigation, and infrastructure,” Garcia said. “This budget reflects what the people of Harris County asked for: safety, stability and services that work. Through a working group and many hours of collaboration, we were able to strengthen support for our deputies while adopting a responsible bipartisan budget.”

Law enforcement pay parity

At the heart of the debate was a $142 million package to bring constables and sheriff’s deputies’ salaries in line with Houston Police Department pay, which was later reduced to $101 million after review.

Meanwhile, 110 unfilled county jobs will be eliminated, generating $36 million in savings. Another $32 million came from county departments conducting internal audits.

Supporters argued the raises were essential to prevent an exodus of law enforcement officers to better-paying agencies. Deputies and cadets testified that the increases would allow them to stay in Harris County without working extra jobs to support their families.

The budget funds law enforcement raises but draws criticism over deficits, hiring freeze and cuts to social services. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez (pictured) welcomed the move. Credit: Clyde Jiles/Houston Defender

County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said that without the pay raise, the department would have seen a “mass exodus” of officers, creating public safety challenges.

“It’s been far overdue for us to make sure that we took care of Harris County Peace Officers,” Gonzalez said. “We understand there are a lot of individuals who need support services in the community. And so we’re a strong advocate for that. But in the meantime, we also need strong law enforcement…Deputies and constables are doing a good job, but it’s time for Harris County Peace Officers to be paid fairly.”

Opponents criticized the raises as fiscally reckless and disproportionate. Community advocates argued that the Court prioritized police pay over social services, youth programs and public health.

“For those of us in the community that are actually following the county and the city budget process, it’s unfair that elected officials would propose a half-baked police raise over essential services,” said Kourtney Revels, who grew up in Precinct 2. “For the city to put us in a deficit, the county to put us in a deficit and have us out here arguing with the police is absolutely detestable. Y’all should be ashamed of yourselves.”

Tax rate increase

A tax shift, which brings taxed income sources to untaxed ones, adjusts an additional $32 million.

The budget sets the stage for continued debate as Harris County enters a challenging fiscal year. Credit: Getty Images

The 2026 No New Revenue (NNR) tax rate for Harris County represents an increase of $0.00123 per $100 of taxable value. The average residential homestead’s tax impact increases from $1,168 in 2025 to $1,208 in 2026, reflecting a 3.4% increase in county property taxes.

Compared with last year, the approved budget raises the county’s overall property tax collections by 1.5%, or nearly $38 million. While the general fund and Port of Houston tax rates fell slightly, an increase in the Harris Health System levy pushed the overall combined rate higher, amounting to a 3.4% increase for taxpayers.

County Budget Director Daniel Ramos noted in the budget proposal that state revenue caps and disaster-related adjustments left Harris County with fewer options. The Fiscal Year 2026 Current Level of Service forecast projected a deficit as high as $313 million under the state’s “no new revenue” rate, driven by rising jail costs, indigent defense spending and healthcare claims.

Social services

The vote came despite passionate testimony from community members warning about cuts to childcare, housing support, youth mentorship and public health. Advocates said the decision pits vulnerable communities against law enforcement.

Several residents criticized the elimination of funding for programs like credible messenger mentorship, childcare training and case management in community development. Others warned that indigent defense, flood control projects and disaster preparedness would be shortchanged.

“We need to ensure that every dollar serves the public good. Our community’s unmet needs extend beyond policing,” said resident Arion Whittle. “Families are asking for stronger investments in affordable housing, healthcare access, mental health support, quality education and infrastructure that makes daily life safer and more sustainable. A balanced budget must reflect not only safety in terms of law, but also safety in terms of stable homes, healthy neighborhoods and opportunity for all. I urge you to ensure that these things are not overshadowed, but prioritize alongside enforcement.”

I cover education, housing, and politics in Houston for the Houston Defender Network as a Report for America corps member. I graduated with a master of science in journalism from the University of Southern...