COH will vote on FY 2016 budget

[trymahjong]

From Cohen enewsletter

Council began their deliberations over the budget for Fiscal Year 2016, which begins July 1, 2015. Mayor Parker’s proposed budget totals $5.1 billion, with the General Fund (or tax-supported portion of the budget) totaling $2.4 billion. Highlights include:

Body Camera Implementation

Houston Police Department will be allocated $2.8 million for the program's first phase.

Tax Relief for Seniors

Property tax exemption for seniors and the disabled will be doubled, providing approximately $250 of tax relief for the average senior household. This allocation will allow Houston to comply with the $1.1 billion property tax Revenue Cap.

Pothole Repair

The Public Works and Engineering Department's budget for pothole and skin patch repairs will be increased by $3.6 million.

Council is expected to vote on the proposed budget and their amendments on Wednesday, June 17th. Council meetings are open to the public and begin at 9:00AM in Council Chambers at City Hall. Meetings are also streamed live online via HTV.

[trymahjong]

From Costellos enewsletter

ity Council Adopts Fiscal Year 2016 Operating Budget

June 17, 2015, 11:08 P.M. - City Council just adopted, in an 11 to 4 vote, the Fiscal Year 2016 Operating Budget. The total budget includes $5.1 billion in spending, $2.3 billion in the tax-supported General Fund and the remainder in Special Revenue and Enterprise Funds, including the airport and water/sewer system.

The tax-supported operating budget grew by $134 million over the last year with the bulk of the increase caused by contractual obligations for employee compensation, health benefits and pension contributions.

The adopted budget complies with the financial policy to maintain a fund balance of 7.5% of operating expenditures less debt. The importance of having adequate reserves cannot be overstated since projections show a $126 million budget deficit in Fiscal Year 2017.

Amendments passed by council:

A $5.5 million increase to the Council District Service Fund. Funds for the increase were transferred from the General Government business area.

HPD to allocate $250,000 toward efforts to remove cars from the bayous, if Harris County matches the funds.

The Department of Neighborhoods to use up to $497,000 for weed mowing and debris removal services.

Council Member Costello supported cost cutting measures in excess of $20 million; however, these measures failed to receive a majority vote of council. He also attempted to disallow the use of ReBuild Houston funds for 380 Agreement reimbursements. He wanted this $6.4 million to go to much needed street and drainage projects instead. His amendment to accomplish this was narrowly defeated.

[Blue Dogs]

Will it impact the taxpayers?