Government
BY MELISSA ENAJE AND SARAH BRAGER
Harris County Constable budgets
Lina Hidalgo not seeking re-election Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo formally announced she will not seek reelection for a third term as judge of Texas’ largest county. Hidalgo said in a Sept. 15 news release that she is keeping her promise not to serve more than two terms. The details Hidalgo has served as county judge since 2019 and was reelected after winning the county seat during the November 2022 general election. Her current four-year term ends Dec. 31, 2026. In the year leading up to the 2026 general election. Hidalgo said her work is not done, and she is excited to see what more can be achieved throughout the rest of her term. “To the voters, it continues to be an honor to serve as your county judge,” Hidalgo said.
FY 2023-24
FY 2024-25
FY 2025-26 proposed
FY 2022-23
+22.8%
$100M $80M $60M $40M $20M $0
+103.2%
+15.8%
+14.7%
+14.9%
+37.4%
+35.5% +23.9%
Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 3 Precinct 4 Precinct 5 Precinct 6 Precinct 7 Precinct 8
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
New HCAD Chief Appraiser appointed Adam Bogard will serve as the new Harris Central Appraisal District chief appraiser starting in January, as Roland Altinger retires after over 30 years in the role. Some context Board Chairman Jim Robinson said Bogard’s experience as the county’s current deputy chief appraiser was beneficial to the board’s evaluation committee. “Adam Bogard has a vast amount of experience at the appraisal district, and his knowledge and background will enable him to continue to provide the leadership nec- essary to provide Harris County property owners with first-class customer service,” Robinson said. Bogard will be responsible for approx- imately 700 employees and more than 1.9 million properties with a total market value of $902 billion, according to the news release. Altinger, who officially announced his retirement in July, will remain in his position until the end of the year. Harris County Constables get $81K raise in 2025 A motion to increase each elected constable’s salary to $260,000 passed Sept. 9 with a 3-1 vote. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis cast the dissenting vote, and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo was absent. The debate Commissioners previously approved a motion
on May 22 that paved the way for increasing county law enforcement pay—a decision that came with a $104 million price tag that required identi- fying necessary savings to provide for raises. County officials said the raise will come from each constable precinct’s budget with no addi- tional funding required from the county. The last salary increase for constables was in September 2024. The final salary approved is an $81,000 bump from the current annual salary of $178,506 Brooke Boyett, director of commu- nications for the Harris County Office of County Administration, said.
Harris County ESD 11 opens 24-hour mobile stations
Harris County Emergency Services District No. 11—the largest ambulance-only emergency service district in Texas—added two new 24-hour mobile health care stations in the Spring commu- nity, according to a Sept. 22 news release. What you need to know HCESD 11 is a governing entity responsible for providing emergency health care to residents within the district. District first responders serve over 700,000 residents within 177 square miles of Northern Harris County, per the release. HCESD 11 has a dozen mobile health care sta- tions spanning the Spring, Tomball and Humble areas. According to the release, the two latest additions include: • Station 411 at the ESD 11 administration build- ing, located at 18334 Stuebner Airline Road, Spring • Station 412 at 21455 Imperial Valley Drive, Houston in partnership with the Ponderosa Fire Department “Your care is our priority. The addition of two new 24-hour ambulances ensures that resources are available around the clock for our commu- nity,” Chief Operations Officer Kevin Nutt said in
Station 411
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Station 412
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IMPERIAL VALLEY DR.
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the release. “Units 411 and 412 are strategically positioned to respond where and when they’re needed most. This expansion strengthens our ability to reduce response times and delivers on our commitment to provide coverage without compromise.”
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