CITY & COUNTY
News from Harris County & Houston
HIGHLIGHTS HOUSTON Mayor Sylvester Turner announced a new $18 million effort March 29 to combat illegal dumping in the city that will play out over the next three years. The initiative, dubbed “One Clean Houston,” will involve cleaning up illegal dumpsites faster, bolstering enforcement efforts, improving the city’s depository sites and better educating the community on how to dispose of heavy trash. To address staffing shortages in the city’s Solid Waste Department, Turner said the city is increasing the hiring bonus for new truck drivers from $3,000 to $5,000. The city will also hire six new code enforcement officers. Harris County Commissioners Court will meet for its regular meeting at 10 a.m. April 25 at 1001 Preston St., Ste. 934, Houston. Meetings are streamed live at www.harriscountytx.gov. Houston City Council will meet for public comment at 2 p.m. April 18 and regular business at 9 a.m. April 19 at City Hall, 901 Bagby St., Houston. Meetings are streamed at www.houstontx.gov/htv. MEETINGS WE COVER
Harris County supports bill creating 6 new district courts HARRIS COUNTY The creation of six new district courts was supported by Harris County commissioners March 14, after a Texas legislator proposed the additional courts as a solution for the county’s court case backlog. BY EMILY LINCKE BACKLOG BREAKDOWN Harris County’s court case backlog continues to be a challenge. According to Judge Latosha Lewis Payne, who presides over Harris County’s 55th Civil District Court: 122,000
Harris County commissioners approve $7.4M for jail staff bonuses, body cameras
City OKs extension of Downtown sidewalk cafe program
DETENTION DILEMMA The Harris County Jail is experiencing issues retaining staff. According to a March 14 presentation from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez:
BY EMILY LINCKE
assurance; and • The hiring of a third-party expert to improve retention efforts for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Quote of note: “We hope this helps convince some [employees] to stay around longer to stabilize our workforce until the commissioners court is able to implement more significant pay raises that we all agree are needed,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. What’s next?: On March 14, commissioners also heard a presen- tation from Harris County Public Health on needs at the jail, such as: • Expanded virtual care for cardiology and neurology, which were expected to be implemented in March; • Adding a mobile computed tomography scan unit, which is to be implemented this fall;
HARRIS COUNTY Employee retention bonuses and new body cameras for detention officers are key components of the $7.4 million initiative approved by Harris County commissioners March 14. The details: The $7.4 million package—to be funded by the county’s general fund and American Rescue Plan Act money—was approved unanimously and will pay for: • $2,000 retention incentives for all detention officers at a total cost of about $3 million; • The purchase of new body cameras, which will include a panic button, to be worn by detention officers; • The creation of new leadership positions for the jail, such as jail population specialists and a director of health care quality
One-third of the county’s detention staff leave their jobs annually. 150 detention officer positions were unfilled as of March 14. 100 sheriff’s office deputy positions assigned to the jail were vacant as of March 14. $19.75 per hour is the rate being paid to Harris County detention officers.
BY LEAH FOREMAN
68% of the county’s pending cases are family,
HOUSTON City Council members approved on March 22 the extension of an ordinance that closes Main Street to vehicle traffic in Downtown Houston between Rusk and Commerce streets. In doing so, restaurants and bars are able to serve patrons outdoors as part of the city’s More Space: Main Street program. As of late March, five businesses are enrolled in program. All participants noted benefits from the program, such as an increase in revenue as well as customer and employee retention, according to the agenda item. Businesses that apply to be a part of the program and use their sidewalk space to serve customers must design their space in accordance to the city’s design guide and receive appropriate permissions or permits from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
cases were pending in Harris County as of March 14.
How we got here: State Rep. Ann Johnson, D-Houston, filed House Bill 130 in November to create six additional district courts for Harris County. The bill will be considered in the ongoing 88th Texas Legislature, which ends May 29. As of March 16, HB 130 had not yet been considered by legislators, according to the Texas Legislature Online. The cost: County officials estimate creating six new district courts will cost: • $16.9 million annually; plus • An additional $30 million or $140 million to create the courts, depending on if the county opts to renovate facilities or build new ones, respectively. Some of this cost would be funded through the county’s interest and sinking tax rate. The details: If approved by legislators, the courts would be created and implemented over two years, according to Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. All four commissioners approved a resolution supporting
juvenile or civil court cases, while 32% are criminal felony cases.
Johnson’s bill, while Judge Lina Hidalgo abstained from the vote, citing funding concerns. The big picture: On March 14, commissioners approved additional backlog-related measures, such as: • Directing the county’s intergovernmental and global affairs department to work on obtaining state funding for the additional six courts; and • Instructing the county’s Office of Justice and Safety as well as the Office of County Administration to draft a proposal on best courtroom practices for lowering the backlog of cases and reducing costs for the county. 65 new courts — 39 criminal courts, 19 civil courts and seven family courts—would be needed to fully address the county’s need. SOURCES: JUDGE LATOSHA LEWIS PAYNE, HARRIS COUNTY 55TH CIVIL DISTRICT COURT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCES: SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
• New facilities, such as a medical unit—which would include almost 200 patient beds—a central clinic and a dental clinic, which will be considered in the fiscal year 2024 budget cycle; and • Funding for more medical officers and additional substance use help, which will be considered in the FY 2024 budget cycle.
HOUSTON SUPERSTORE 2410 Smith Street (713) 526-8787
WESTCOTT AND MEMORIAL 5818 Memorial Dr (713) 861-4161
SHEPHERD 1900 S Shepherd (713) 529-4849
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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION • APRIL 2023
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