Government
BY SARAH BRAGER
Harris County to consider future of ARPA programs Harris County commissioners will review the future of several county programs created with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, a 2021 federal aid package supporting local govern- ments after the COVID-19 pandemic. The details With ARPA support set to expire at the end of 2026, commissioners voted Feb. 26 to consider nearly $14 million in general fund appropriations in fiscal year 2026-27 that would allow the county to continue the services. The appropriations could support nine areas, said Tom Hargis, director of grants and partner- ships for the Office of County Administration. Hargis said the ARPA committee will work with county departments to develop a “current level of service” budget for each program to maintain the existing services in the next fiscal year.
$88M clean energy projects advance Harris County commissioners on March 19 authorized $88.3 million to fund projects for the Solar for All plan despite the Envi- ronmental Protection Agency’s attempted termination of grants associated with the program. Harris County filed a lawsuit against the EPA in October to reclaim the promised funds, and officials said a decision
Harris County ARPA-funded services to be considered in FY 2026-27 budget
$4M: Apprenticeship Advantage Program
$2.3M: Food & Nutrition $2.215M: Homelessness $1.23M: Maternal Health
$1.1M: Chronic Disease Prevention $1M: Eviction Support & Diversion/ Legal Aid
$1M: Behavioral Health $600,000: Women's Empowerment Center $500,000: Youth Diversion
is expected later this year. What you need to know
The March 19 vote authorized county staff to execute solar power and battery energy storage projects at approximately 6-10 locations across Harris County, which energy providers will be able to then deploy to qualifying low-income households. County officials said exact sites are still being evaluated.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
What’s next? The action does not guarantee all nine programs will be included in the next general fund. Harris County commissioners are expected to review the initial FY 2026-27 budget proposal around August, with final approval in late September.
Harris County looks to grow public defenders Harris County leaders want to expand the capa- bilities of public attorneys who represent criminal defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, known as
Public defender appointments
Misdemeanor cases
Felony cases
misdemeanor cases. However, county leaders want the office to be able to take on half of all indigent cases in the legal system, a feat that will require more funding and staff. “We want to make sure that we assist people not with just their case but also try and reduce the chances that they return to the criminal legal system,” Chief Public Defender Genesis Draper told Commissioners Court.
269% 154%
30% 20% 10% 0%
indigent cases. The big picture
March data from the Public Defender’s Office shows public attorneys have been appointed to about 15% of felony indigent cases and 30% of
2018 2020 2022 2024 *2026
*THROUGH MARCH 19
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE
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SPRING - KLEIN EDITION
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