Cypress Edition | October 2024

Election

BY MELISSA ENAJE

Harris County Flood Control District of icials said 40% of flood control infrastructure countywide has less than 10 years left on its lifespan, and 35% need serious repairs in the next 20 years. Voters will choose in the Nov. 5 election whether to approve a tax rate increase for the HCFCD—from $0.03105 to $0.04897 per $100 valuation—to help fund infrastructure and deferred maintenance work. If approved, the owner of a $379,030 home—the average value in the county— would see a $60 increase per year in taxes after homestead exemptions, according to the Of ice of Management and Budget. Flood control district seeks tax rate increase

Zooming in

The number of assets the HCFCD has to oversee and maintain has grown with the county. At least $1 billion in project maintenance costs have already been deferred, HCFCD Executive Director Tina Petersen said. While local tax incentives have supported various ood control projects, she said necessary maintenance funding has remained at over the past decade. “This is a problem decades in the making. [The Harris County Flood Control District] is 87 years old. Many large investments have been made in the organization’s history, but quite a number of them were in the ‘50s and ‘60s,” Petersen said. Following the approval of the budget for ’scal year 2024-25 on Sept. 19, at least $10 million will go to maintenance assistance, ood control o˜cials said. If the tax rate increase passes, $113 million would go directly into a dedicated maintenance fund supporting critical maintenance projects, sta˜ng needs and new resident-focused communication initiatives.

Harris County Flood Control District historical maintenance costs and capital expenses

Maintenance expenses

Percent increase, 2010-22 +207.49% +14.4%

Capital expenses

$500M

$400M

$300M

$200M

$100M

0

SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET¦COMMUNITY IMPACT

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