How to Read the City of Houston Budget

The City of Houston's annual budget is about $6.5 billion. That money pays for police, fire, streets, water, parks, libraries, and every other city service. The budget shows what Houston's leaders actually prioritize, regardless of what they say.

The key documents are at houstontx.gov/budget: the Proposed Budget (Mayor, mid-June), Adopted Budget (Council, before July 1), Budget in Brief (start here), and Capital Improvement Plan (infrastructure projects, 5 years).

Source: City of Houston Finance Department

The General Fund (~$3 billion) is where the political debate happens. Property taxes and sales tax revenue go here:

• HPD: ~35% — the single largest line item
• HFD: ~20%
• Public Works: ~10%
• Parks: ~5%
• Health: ~3%
• Libraries: ~2%
• Everything else: ~25%

Enterprise Funds are self-supporting: water/wastewater, airports, convention facilities. Special Revenue Funds are restricted: grants, hotel tax. Debt Service pays bonds.

Revenue sources: property taxes (largest), sales tax (1% city share), franchise fees (utilities), user fees (water, permits, fines), federal/state grants.

Source: City of Houston; City Controller

Budget process:

1. March-May: departments submit requests
2. June: Mayor releases proposed budget; public hearings begin
3. June-July: Council reviews in committee; Council can amend
4. Late June: Council votes. Fiscal year starts July 1.

How to participate:

• Attend budget hearings in June at City Hall
• Testify at Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee
• Contact your Council Member with specific asks: "I want $2M for trail maintenance in District C"
• Watch the Capital Improvement Plan for your neighborhood

• Budget: houstontx.gov/budget
• Controller (audits): houstontx.gov/controller
• Committee schedules: houston.novusagenda.com