HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Harris County just passed its new budget, and there’s already concerns about what next year will look like.
Harris County’s new budget is barely two weeks old, but the interim county administrator says its impact is already being felt on staff.
“I think departments are tight,” Harris County interim county administrator Jesse Dickerman said. “It’s going to be tight, especially as we ask them to do new things.”
Dickerman is referring to the new tasks employees will perform because some departments can’t fill positions. And while commissioners voted to implement a hiring freeze to help cut a $200 million deficit, that doesn’t mean they aren’t hiring people.
On Thursday, commissioners voted to unfreeze $6 million worth of positions. While they were able to do that, there’s concern that they may become stricter, as they did 15 years ago when the budget director said no new employees could be hired.
“There was much more draconian than the one we’re attempting to implement,” Harris County Office of Management and Budget Executive Director Daniel Ramos said.
“We may get to that draconian period. It depends on what happens in the upcoming cycle,” Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis said.
ABC13 isn’t sure how bad it could be.
Ramos said he’ll update commissioners on a possible deficit next month. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said she’s bracing for more cuts.
“I don’t know how they’re going to get more money next year,” Hidalgo explained. “From where to end these freezes, I don’t see how this ends.”
Other commissioners aren’t as worried and are glad to see departments being selective on new hires.
“This isn’t a bad thing in terms of this exercise in terms of having conversations about what we have and what we don’t have,” Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey said.
It isn’t just the county staring at future deficits. This week, Houston council members debated increasing taxes.
They decided against it, but some council members say the deficit could grow to nearly half a billion dollars in five years if no changes are made. While ABC13 doesn’t know what Harris County faces yet, commissioners are concerned it could be large and are already bracing for ways to deal with it days after passing its latest budget.
For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Copyright © 2025 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Niko Travis is a dedicated health writer with a passion for providing clear, reliable, and research-backed information about medications and mental health. As the author behind TrazodoneSUC, Niko simplifies complex medical topics to help readers understand the benefits, uses, and potential risks of Trazodone. With a commitment to accuracy and well-being, Niko ensures that every article empowers readers to make informed decisions about their health.
