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Emily Hynds has independently covered Houston City Council meetings since June 2020. In her monthly Houstonia column, she shares all the latest intel about what’s happening at City Hall. Want to check the meetings out for yourself? Read this companion guide.

IN THIS MONTH’S DISPATCH: Drainage money for car washes, the property tax rate, and a fire inside a fire station.

Drainage Money for Car Washes?

Mayor John Whitmire bypassed City Controller Chris Hollins to use funds dedicated to drainage and stormwater for car maintenance, including car washes. At the September 30 meeting, Controller Hollins initially declined to certify the item despite the mayor’s argument that it was acceptable because the vehicles are deployed on stormwater and drainage projects. Rather than agree to Hollins’ demand to change the funding source, the mayor brought the item back on October 7 as a motion, not an ordinance. The mayor’s administration claimed they didn’t need the controller’s certification.

Some councilmembers say this move is illegal. District J Councilmember Edward Pollard called it a “slippery slope” that could open the city up to liability down the line. “These are dedicated dollars [Controller Hollins] deemed not a proper use of funds,” said Pollard, who suggested the money should come from the general fund. “I don’t think it’s good policy or governance to have the controller’s office advise us one way and then we find another technical way to get around that ruling.”

The Mayor’s Office did not respond to Houstonia’s request for comment, but Whitmire said during the City Council meeting that “the controller’s job is to certify that funds are available, not to set policy.”

At-Large 4 Councilmember Alejandra Salinas grilled City Attorney Arturo Michel on why the item was changed to a motion, eventually getting him to agree it was because the administration didn’t think it could get certified otherwise. Councilmembers Salinas, Pollard, and District C Councilmember Joe Panzarella voted no, but that wasn’t enough to stop it from passing. In a statement to Houstonia, Controller Hollins said, “Although council voted on the item, the vote is null and void. The contract is invalid, and the city will not make payments under it.”

The City’s Property Tax Rate Remains Flat

Houston has two property tax revenue caps: one enacted by Houston voters in 2004 and another by the state in 2019. The city initially proposed to raise the tax rate this year from $0.51 per $100 of assessed value to $0.55. Then, in October, City Council voted unanimously to keep it at $0.51—the same rate it’s held since 2023. But keeping the tax rate the same will affect the city’s budget, raising the deficit from $22 million to $88 million—meaning Houston will be deeper in the hole.

Several councilmembers said it didn’t feel right to raise property taxes during an affordability crisis (they cited Harris County’s recent 7.6 percent property tax hike as an example). In response, Mayor Whitmire said the city intends to save money by doing “more with less.” This means addressing inefficiencies, reducing duplication and corruption, and considering more retirement incentives. The mayor said he will also seek collaborative projects with the county, such as sharing park maintenance costs, and pursue state funding during the next legislative session. “It’s amazing how successful we’ve been in comparison to other jurisdictions. But you don’t hear much about it because we’re doing it quietly,” Whitmire said. “We really don’t toot our own horn. We do not have a PR machine like other municipalities.”

Not all councilmembers supported the decision. At-Large 5 Councilmember Sallie Alcorn argued that while she understands the rationale for keeping the tax rate low, the city will eventually need more revenue to serve its constituents. Houston might be a “low-cost / low-service city,” she says, but not every resident wants that. Most Houstonians understand that vital public services, including police officers and firefighters, cost money. “As a taxpayer, I don’t want to live in a low-service city,” she said.

The city’s finance director, Melissa Dubowski, said the proposed tax increase would cost the average Houstonian $100 a year and bring in about $87 million annually—a figure that raises the question of whether that cost is worth the services it would fund.

Councilmember Pollard added that Houstonians pay a “shared sacrifice” in the form of taxes for city services. Instead of unilaterally setting the tax rate, the city should inform the public about potential changes, what they would get in exchange for any increases, and allow feedback to guide the decision.

A Meta-Fire

City Council approved $250,000 to repair damage at Fire Station 17 on Navigation Boulevard, caused by a fire that broke out in the cab of a fire truck docked inside the station in August. That’s right—a fire, inside a fire truck, inside a fire station. Don’t worry. No one was hurt, and emergency operations were not affected.

Coming Up:

The old Sunnyside landfill will get a new life. The city approved a $300,000 contract in mid-October with the Houston Land Bank to begin community engagement on redevelopment. “Any decision regarding this property, which is long overdue, will be thoughtful, informed, and reflective of the needs and long-term interests of the Sunnyside community,” said District D Councilmember Carolyn Evans-Shabazz.

It’s election season in Texas, and every vote counts. Visit harrisvotes.com to get your sample ballot and find a voting location near you. Early voting runs through Friday, October 30, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Most races in this election are partisan, so you could vote along party lines if you don’t have time to research. If you do, check out the judicial polls from the Houston Bar Association and the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston. For added perspective on the nonpartisan HCAD board races, the Houston Chronicle editorial board published a series of endorsements, and The League of Women Voters’ guide includes candidates’ answers to survey questions. Now, get out there and vote—people literally died for our right to do so.

Houston City Council meetings take place almost every week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 901 Bagby St. They are also livestreamed via HTV.