BY HANNAH BROL, CASSANDRA JENKINS, EMILY LINCKE & ANNA LOTZ
LGBTQIA+ commission presents rst report Members of Harris County’s rst LGBTQIA+ commission presented the organization’s inaugural report during the Nov. 12 Harris County Commissioners Court meeting. The backstory Spearheaded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, the court voted in June 2023 to create the county’s rst LGBTQIA+ commission, which is made up of 10 volunteer members appointed by the court. The commission serves in an advisory function to the court providing recommendations regarding improvements for the LGBTQIA+ community. Major takeaways The commission hosted a series of listening sessions, during which LGBTQIA+ residents and allies voiced concerns on issues like safety, access to mental health resources, representation and support for LGBTQIA+ youth encountering Animal rescue to help county shelter pets ThisIsHouston, an animal rescue, can now provide veterinary care to found pets at Harris County’s animal shelter, follow- ing a contract approval by Harris County commissioners on Oct. 29. About the program State regulations require Harris County Pets—the county’s animal shelter—to hold found dogs or cats for three days so their owner can claim them, according to Oct. 29 meeting documents. Veterinary care during the waiting period—and the cost of care—will now be the responsibility of ThisIsHouston. Put in perspective The contract is expected to help Harris County Pets with ongoing capacity issues. In May, the county animal shelter saw a surplus of at least 300 animals, totaling approximately 690 animals in the shelter.
Sports Authority names new CEO, chair In November, Ryan Walsh and Juan C. Garcia were named the new CEO and board chair, respectively, of the Harris Coun- ty-Houston Sports Authority. What you need to know E ective immediately, Walsh—the former CEO and executive director of the Harris County Sports and Convention Corpora- tion—will be taking the place of former CEO Janis Burke, following her departure in October. Meanwhile, Garcia will be taking the place of former Chair J. Kent Friedman following his departure in October. Garcia’s term is e ective immediately and expires Aug. 31, 2025. The HCHSA was created in 1997 to nance, maintain and build sports venues in Houston, and has since expanded to also promote the region for sports-related events.
“This commission is history-making and gives our community a voice we have
never had before.” BRAD PRITCHETT, HARRIS
COUNTY LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION CHAIR
hostility. The policy recommendations to consider: • Enhancing local data collection through a quality-of-life survey • Becoming the named LGBTQIA+ liaison and advisory council for the Harris County Sheri ’s O ce, and other county departments • Introducing consistent LGBTQIA+ awareness and cultural competency training for Harris County law enforcement agencies • Developing a pipeline of quali ed LGBTQIA+ residents for county boards and commissions • Investing in LGBTQIA+ educational resources
County awards $18.9M to charity projects
On Oct. 29, Harris County commissioners voted to designate $18.9 million in federal funds for 22 local nonpro t organizations. Two-minute impact Funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, the funds can be used to increase the organi- zations’ program capacity by improving facilities or outreach e orts. The county’s contract began Nov. 1 and will run through Sept. 20, 2026, according to Oct. 29 meeting documents. Nine organizations in Precinct 1 and eight organizations in Precinct 2 received funding for their projects. Meanwhile, Precincts 3 and 4 dedicated funding to two separate projects each and one joint project together. Looking back In 2021, the U.S. Treasury allocated $915 mil- lion in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds under ARPA to Harris County. Commissioners have until the end of 2024 to fully obligate the remainder of its $915 million in federal funding.
5 largest Harris County nonpro t donations made Oct. 29 Kids Meals, Inc. (provides meals to preschool-aged children)
$3.5M
Memorial Assistance Ministries (o ers programs promoting family stability)
$2.08M
TOMAGWA Ministries (provides health care to under/uninsured)
$1.44M
HOPE Clinic (provides health care to under/uninsured)
$1.53M
Ibn Sina Foundation (provides health care to under/uninsured)
$1.12M
SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY, NONPROFITS COMMUNITY IMPACT
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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION
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