BY MELISSA ENAJE & KEVIN VU
Houston drainage settlement slashes budget shortfall by a 3rd A multi-year drainage lawsuit has reached its end after Houston Mayor John Whitmire and the plain- tiffs reached an agreement April 16 to allow the city to fund millions of dollars in drainage infrastructure by 2028. The overview Originally, Houston would have been required to pay $100 million toward future drainage and street projects by the end of June, which would’ve led to the budget deficit ballooning to $330 million, up from $230 million. However, under the new deal, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff Chris Newport said Houston will fund these projects over time. This new deal allows Houston to give $16 million to the drainage fund this fiscal year and $48 million the following
Harris County election boundaries to change Harris County commissioners will consider adjusting election precinct boundaries to 16 different voting precincts throughout the county in May. Explained The 16 election precincts throughout Harris County have exceeded the state’s registered voter population requirement that calls for no more than 5,000 registered voters in each precinct, according to the county website. The River Oaks and southeast Houston areas have 5,078 voters and 5,150 voters in each area, respectively, and are up for consideration for re-precincting. However, according to the Harris County Voter Registrar website, re-precincting will not result in changes to any voter ballots in terms of the contests in which they vote.
Budget workshop schedule Houston will start working on the fiscal year 2026 budget in May, starting with a $230M shortfall.
May
Five-year forecast and budget overview 7 Finance, legal and general services 13 Planning and development, housing and airport system 14 16 Health department, solid waste and public works 15 Mayor’s office, City Council and fire department 19 Controller’s trends report, library system, police department 20 Parks and recreation, Department of Neighborhoods
SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON/COMMUNITY IMPACT
year. Newport said Houston should be able to pay the full amount by 2028. These funds will go into the Dedicated Drain- age and Street Renewal Fund that the city can use to spend specifically on future drainage and street projects.
WHEN MEMORY FADES, HOPE DOESN'T
Cognitive decline can steal the past, but it doesn’t have to steal the future. Pioneered to curb the effects of cognitive decline, Circle of Friends® is a unique, evidence-based program for building brain fitness. It was developed by Belmont Village in collaboration with the nation’s top universities and healthcare institutions — and it works. Residents enjoy a rich, therapeutic program of physical and mental activities designed to maintain brain function and build self-esteem. BelmontVillage.com/HuntersCreek | 832-479-4426
HUNTERS CREEK
©2025 Belmont Village, L.P. | ALF 106016
9
HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook