Spring - Klein Edition | June 2026

Government

BY SARAH BRAGER

Early Harris Co. budget projections released Harris County officials are gearing up for another summer of tough budget decisions as the projected shortfall for fiscal year 2026-27 could reach up to $257 million, according to a May 14 presentation. The big picture The preliminary projections from the Office of Management and Budget aim to guide priorities over the next several months as commissioners workshop the budget ahead of final adoption in mid-September. Details are subject to change as county officials receive more information. A current level of service and spending forecast, or CLS, shows Harris County is expected to spend approximately $3.06 billion in the next fiscal year. However, projected revenues range about $2.8-2.92 billion, depending on the adopted property tax rate.

Harris Co. renews LPR contract

Harris County projected shortfalls, FY 2026-27 The Office of Management and Budget shared three possible shortfall forecasts May 14.

2026-27 tax rate

Expenditure Revenue Shortfall

Harris County commissioners renewed a contract for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s use of license plate readers to assist with criminal investigations. What you need to know Harris County has approximately 480 LPR cameras, most of which are owned by municipal utility districts, homeowners associations but are administered by the sheriff’s office. The technology does not use facial recognition or any biometric data, a Flock spokesperson confirmed in an email to Community Impact. The $868,975 contract with public safety technology company Flock Safety allows use of LPRs, as well as a sound detection system that identifies sounds such as gunshots and breaking glass, documents show. HCSO facility projects $15.2M New precision driving course $15M Relocation of District 5 patrol station $13.99M Training Academy expansion $12.6M Training facility for active shooter response $8.06M Vehicle Crime Processing Facility improvements $7.6M New District 6 patrol substation $7M New swift water rescue training facility $3.24M Academy Firearms Complex improvements

No-new- revenue rate

$3.056B $2.799M $257M

Midpoint

$3.056B

$2.863M $193M

Voter- approval rate

$3.056B $2.927M $129M

Mid-June: OMB gives another update to Commissioners Court

July 13-16: departmental budget hearings June-August: budget town halls hosted by commissioner precincts Aug. 17: OMB shares proposed FY 2026-27 budget and tax rates Sept. 8: budget amendment process Sept. 17: budget adoption and tax rate approval Oct. 1: New fiscal year begins

SOURCE: OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Commissioners approve extra $19M for HCSO projects Harris County Commissioners Court allocated an additional $19 million to the Harris County Sheriff’s and Fire Marshal’s offices to support ongoing capital improvement projects across eight law enforcement facilities.

More details All projects are on track for construction by late 2026 and early 2027, with estimated completion slated for the second quarter of 2028, according to the county sheriff’s office. Aside from the $19 million boost, funding for the projects comes from a $100 million public safety bond that voters approved in 2022, known as Proposition A.

The May 14 vote increased funding from $100 million to $119.73 million for the projects, which aim to enhance resiliency and technology at facilities in the HCSO’s patrol districts.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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