CITY& COUNTY
News from Harris County
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS HARRIS COUNTY More than $10 million in tax credits were claimed by low-income families in Harris County through a partnership with BakerRipley, according to a news release regarding the county’s adoption of the federal government’s expanded child tax credit. HARRIS COUNTY Three senior employees with the county—Aaron Dunn, Wallis Nader and Alex Triantaphyllis—are facing indictments for the felony charges of misuse of official information and tampering with record in connection with the county’s canceled $11 million COVID-19 vaccine outreach contract with Elevate Strategies as of April 11, according to the Harris County District Clerk online records. Jersey Village City Council Will meet at 7 p.m. May 16 at 16327 Lakeview Drive, Jersey Village. 713-466-2100. www.jerseyvillagetx.com Harris County Commissioners Court Will meet at 10 a.m. May 10 at 1001 Preston St., Ste. 934, Houston. 713-274-1111. www.harriscountytx.gov MEETINGSWE COVER
2020Annual Community Survey shows Harris County residents’ median income increased
Federal funds set aside for prosecutors
BY CYNTHIA ZELAYA
BY DANICA LLOYD
Civilian employed population age 16 years and over 2015 2020 Management, business, science and arts 34.7% 37.4% Harris County’s workforce increased by 120,000 from 2015 to 2020. EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION
HARRIS COUNTY The U.S. Census Bureau published its Annual Com- munity Survey 2020 5-year estimates on March 17, showing changes in the number of commuters on Harris County roads and an increase in tele- commuters. Although the pandemic caused a disruption in predicted trends, the U.S. Census Bureau went on with its survey collection, adjust- ing its methods to account for bias and unresponsiveness. The average and median income of Harris County residents increased between 2015 and 2020 estimates. The median income increased from $54,457 in 2015 to $63,022 in 2020, while the average income rose from $81,214 to $93,184. The number of employed people grew 7.7% in Harris County, while overall population increased 7.44%. Management, business, science, the arts, production and transportation all saw an increase in workers.
HARRIS COUNTY Commis- sioners approved the allocation of federal pandemic relief money to fund prosecutor positions at the district attorney’s office at their April 5 meeting after hearing an update on the county’s criminal court case backlog—which consists of 24,000 misdemeanor cases more than six months old and 18,000 felony cases more than one year old, officials said. About $7.5 million will cover additional prosecutors and salary increases for existing prosecutors. District attorney’s office officials said they need to be fully staffed to retain prosecutors and continue chipping away at the backlog. Despite recent budget increases, Chief of Staff Vivian King said during the meeting 50 previously approved positions were not funded and would have put the office at a $6 million deficit.
Sales and office
23.5% 21%
Service
17.4% 16.8%
Natural resources, construction and maintenance Production, transportation and material moving 12.9% 13.4%
11.5% 11.4%
SOURCE: AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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CYPRESS EDITION • MAY 2022
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