Government
BY SHAWN ARRAJJ & MELISSA ENAJE
Harris County’s burn ban in effect until October A burn ban is in effect until at least October in unincorporated Harris County after commissioners approved a measure Aug. 8 citing extreme tempera- tures and continuous dry conditions. Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen said excessive heat conditions and a lack of rain have elevated various environ- mental levels that could cause potential forest fires. Quote of note “The burn ban is in place to reduce the potential of a devastating wildfire happening in our commu- nity,” Christensen said. Zooming out As of Aug. 25, Harris County’s average drought scale was 761, according to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index. The index measures drought con- ditions on a scale from 0-800. Conditions between 600-800 have the potential to lead to intense, prolonged fires.
Ballot proposition could affect City Council agendas
$2.5B Harris Health bond election OK’d Voters in November will get to decide whether or not to fund a $2.5 billion expansion for the Harris Health System in a move that could expand health care access for more than 1 million uninsured residents. Harris County commissioners unanimously approved Aug. 17 placing the bond referen- dum on ballots for Nov. 7 elections. Digging in In part, the bond would fund a new Level 1-capable trauma center at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in northeast Houston and increased capacity at Ben Taub Hospital. The cost Over the next 10 years, the bond could increase tax bills by just under $6 per month for the average homeowner.
Commissioners raise vet staff salaries Harris County commissioners approved adjusting the base salary for key positions within the county’s Veterinary Public Health Division on Aug. 8, which includes animal control officers, technicians and veterinarians. The additional funding of more than $563,000 for the market-rate salary adjust- ments will be absorbed within Harris County Public Health’s current budget, Executive Director Barbie Robinson said. Going forward Commissioners will also consider adding three veterinarians to the county payroll, according to the proposed fiscal year 2023-24 budget that is up for adoption in September. Officials from the county’s public health services department recommended the addi- tional positions to improve shelter operations.
What’s allowed:
Houston voters will get a chance to decide in November whether the city should amend its char- ter to allow members of the Houston City Council to place items on the council’s weekly agenda. What happened Council members voted Aug. 2 to approve placing the item on ballots for Houstonians to vote on during this year’s election Nov. 7. Zooming in Currently, the mayor in Houston has sole dis- cretion to determine what should and should not be placed on the agenda each week. If the charter amendment is approved by voters, any council member would be able to place an item on the agenda as long as they had the backing of at least two other council members. Agenda items would still need a majority of the council’s approval—at least nine votes in favor—in order to pass the council.
Approved ceremonial fires
Empowering the council An item on Nov. 7 ballots will give voters the chance to amend Houston’s charter related to weekly Houston City Council agenda topics.
Noncommercial cooking, such as backyard cookouts and barbecues
Welding performed under county fire code requirements
How it works:
• Only the mayor can place an item on the agenda • Council members can request items be placed on the agenda, but all items require mayoral approval
Sale or use of fireworks, but fire marshal’s office discourages using fireworks during the ban
What’s not:
What would change:
No outdoor, open burning is allowed except in outdoor burning activities authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Those actions found in violation of the burn ban will be considered a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500.
• A council member could place an item on the agenda if they have the support of at least two other members • The mayor would not be able to veto the placement of an item if three council members back its placement
SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
HOUSTON SUPERSTORE 2410 Smith Street (713) 526-8787
WESTCOTT AND MEMORIAL 5818 Memorial Dr (713) 861-4161
SHEPHERD 1900 S Shepherd (713) 529-4849
Powered by FlippingBook