HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — After weeks of back and forth, Harris County commissioners worked to finalize a budget and at times, the frustration in the room was evident.
On Tuesday, a packed room greeted commissioners ahead of the budget discussion. More than 150 speakers addressed commissioners.
The majority of them urged officials not to increase law enforcement pay. Earlier this year, Commissioners Lesley Briones, Adrian Garcia, and Tom Ramsey voted to increase deputy pay after Houston increased its police pay.
The budget director said the increase added $100 million to the budget. A figure Hidalgo reminded the room of numerous times.
While doing so, Ramsey left the room every time. ABC13 asked his communications person why. She told us the commissioner wanted to hear from the public, and not Hidalgo’s made-up commentary.
Hidalgo said overall the county faced a $200 million deficit. The impacts of closing the gap depended on who you asked.
“Robbing Peter to pay Paul,” Hidalgo said. “You’re going to increase pay for public health, but you’re going to cut public libraries.”
“Most importantly, no resident is facing programs that are being cut,” Garcia said. “The public will continue to see the same level of service.”
To close the gap, Garcia and Briones said they want a hiring freeze, not filling open positions, and selling county property. They say decisions won’t impact most neighbors.
To emphasize their views, their offices passed out charts breaking down the cuts. Hidalgo’s office did too.
At one point, Hidalgo held up a chart from Briones, calling it “fake.” Hidalgo said neighbors will feel the cut impacts.
She said people will be impacted by less air testing, fewer library staff, and cuts to programs to keep people out of jail.
To lessen the blow, Commissioner Rodney Ellis proposed staggered raises. He suggested increasing law enforcement pay by 75 percent this year, and 25 percent the following year.
“If our friends at city hall make a decision six months from now or a year from now, and they increase it even more, what do we do,” Ellis said.
A phased approach that was voted down three to two. As commissioners worked on other ways to cut the deficit, there was another walkout.
This time it was Hidalgo. “I’m going to let you continue with the court,” Hidalgo said. “I don’t want to be part of this nonsense.”
When the court resumed, Hidalgo returned. Commissioners plan to continue working into Tuesday night to finalize a budget that must be adopted by the end of the month.
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