Houston City Council Meeting – June 9, 2026: Budget Adoption and Proclamations
Houston City Council Meeting – June 9, 2026
The Houston City Council met on June 9, 2026, to adopt the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, consider multiple proclamations, hear public testimony, and vote on a series of budget amendments. The meeting began with proclamations honoring Memorial Assistance Ministries, The Women's Hospital of Texas (50 years), the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce (10 years), and two first responders (Captain Andy Roseborough and Dr. Joyeth Lagesity). After public comments and discussion, the council approved the budget (15-1) and numerous related items.
Consent Calendar
- Adopted minutes of May 27, June 2, and June 3, 2026.
- Approved routine items including appointments, contracts, and spending authorities on the consent agenda, with several items pulled for separate consideration.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Multiple speakers urged increased funding for BARC (animal shelter), noting that Houston allocates only $6.75 per person compared to ~$14 in Dallas and San Antonio. Speakers from Barrio Dogs, East End Kitties, and other groups called for free spay/neuter services, public education, and an end to "pet rent."
- Residents from Northeast Houston (e.g., Mirtala Tristan, Vernon Bruce Hart, David Espinoza) supported budget amendments 4.01 (illegal dumping) and 4.02 (public works hiring), describing chronic flooding, clogged ditches, and dangerous tree limbs.
- Lucy Moreno complained about solid waste service, including a broken recycling bin and a staff member damaging her property; council members promised follow-up.
- Cheryl Chandler requested an honorary street marker for Reverend Bird Lacey Jr. in Fifth Ward; council expressed support.
- Several speakers advocated for the "People's Budget," opposing a regressive trash fee and calling for more transparency on tax abatements (amendment 1.05).
- Four pastors (Elmo Johnson, F.N. Williams, Reverend Castanõ, T. Leon Preston) spoke in favor of the $5 administrative fee, describing it as a small sacrifice for improved services.
- Additional testimony addressed women's health, youth programs, Juneteenth, and other community concerns.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing – Chimney Rock Park Utility Corridor: Houston Public Works and Parks & Recreation presented a proposal to use a portion of Chimney Rock Park for a new 42-inch sanitary sewer line (trenchless construction). The existing 1958 line has reached its end of life. Alternatives were analyzed, and the preferred route avoids major disruptions. The hearing was closed with no opposition.
- Budget Amendments and Voting: Over two dozen amendments were considered. Key outcomes:
- 1.01 (Ramirez): $216,000 for Crisis Call Diversion Center (passed).
- 1.02 (Ramirez): $115,000 for a licensed therapist on a CERT team (passed).
- 1.03 (Ramirez): Quarterly overtime reporting – referred to committee.
- 1.04 (Ramirez): TIRF affordable housing expenditure report – referred to housing committee.
- 1.05 (Ramirez): Tax abatement accountability report – referred to economic development committee.
- 4.01 (Salinas): $3 million for illegal dumping prevention and cleanup (passed).
- 4.02 (Salinas): $500,000 for public works hiring – withdrawn after commitment to fill 95 inspector vacancies.
- 6.01 (Peck): Analysis required before any increase in the solid waste administrative fee (passed).
- 6.03 (Peck): Sunset of container lease fee at end of FY27 unless council votes to continue (passed 10-6).
- 13.01 (Castillo): $75,000 for LGBTQ+ economic empowerment coordinator (passed).
- 13.02 (Castillo): $500,000 for BARC kennel cleaning and operations (passed).
- 16.02 (Castex-Tatum): $250,000 for recycling education and outreach (passed).
- Other amendments were withdrawn, referred, or voted down.
- Floor Amendment (Salinas): Incorporation of the administrative fee into the city's Water Fund (donation-based) for low-income relief – committed to be brought back for formal vote within two weeks.
- Item 61 – FY2027 Budget Adoption: After extensive debate, the budget was approved 15-1 (Councilmember Pollard voted no). The budget includes a $5 monthly solid waste administrative fee, reorganization of solid waste under Public Works, and funding for water infrastructure, public safety, and illegal dumping.
Key Outcomes
- FY2027 Budget Passed (15-1) with a $5 administrative fee for solid waste, remaining at $5 for FY27 and FY28 with a cap of $25. The budget uses $200 million from the Combined Utility System (CUS) reserves for right-of-way and solid waste integration, with assurances that water and wastewater projects will not be delayed.
- Container lease fee sunset (6.03) unless council votes to continue after FY27.
- $3 million dedicated to illegal dumping (4.01) with quarterly reporting.
- $500,000 added to BARC (13.02) for kennel cleaning and operations.
- $75,000 for LGBTQ+ business coordinator (13.01).
- Commitments to fill 95 public works inspector vacancies and to provide ongoing committee reports on overtime, TIRF spending, tax abatements, and container lease fund performance.
- Planned amendments to allow low-income relief for the administrative fee via the Water Fund within two weeks.
- Proclamations declared June 9, 2026 as "Memorial Assistance Ministries Day," "The Woman's Hospital of Texas Day," "Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Day," and "Captain Andy Roseborough and Dr. Joyeth Lagesity Day."
- Honorary street marker for Reverend Bird Lacey Jr. to be voted on at a future meeting.
Meeting Transcript
The chair recognizes Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck for a proclamation to Memorial Assistance Ministries to recognize that nonprofit's efforts. Oh, you got it. Yeah, got it. Okay. There you go. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem and Mayor. It's my honor to present this proclamation today to Memorial Assistance Ministries, one of my favorite organizations in District A. Whereas for more than 40 years, Memorial Assistance Ministries has empowered individuals and families across Greater Houston by providing the resources, skills, and support needed to achieve stability and long-term success through education, workforce development, financial empowerment, and comprehensive support services. And whereas on March 18th, 2026, community leaders, partners, and supporters gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Hamill Education Workforce Training Center, marking a significant milestone in Ma'am's continued growth and service to the community. And whereas the new 21,000 square foot facility expands Ma'am's Spring Branch campus and serves as a hub for career readiness, English language and computer education, small business development and innovation, and whereas as part of its growing our impact together initiative, a 22 million dollar campaign designed to meet the evolving needs of the Houston community. This expansion will enable Ma'am to serve more than 21,000 individuals annually and increases education and workforce training programs by 50%. And whereas the City of Houston congratulates Memorial Assistance Ministries on the expansion of its services and recognizes the organization's ongoing commitment to helping thousands of hardworking Houstonians build stronger and more secure futures. Thank you, Councilman Vice Mayor Pro Tim Peck for bringing the Memorial Assistance Ministries to our attention. It's another example of the contributions of so many groups, nonprofits right to Houston's greatness. Congratulations on your new facility. Is Ma'am Day in the City of Houston. Congratulations. Thank you, Mayor Whitmeyer and Councilmember Peck. My name is Sonya G. It's my honor to be able to serve as the President CEO of Ma'am. My dad and my grandparents came to Houston over 80 years ago with a dream to make a better future for their family. And they found that opportunity here in Houston. They own some of the first businesses, and they certainly faced barriers. But what I'm so proud about is they, in addition to building a great future for their family, live their lives in service to help others to have opportunities just like they found in our amazing city. So I'm proud to be a Houstonian, I'm proud to be a product of Houston ISD of Rice University, and I'm proud that today, in a city that continues to grow, Ma'am gets to serve over 20,000 people and their pathways to lifelong stability. As you all know, we have an incredible city, so diverse with so much opportunity, but we also have a city with the largest poverty rate of any major city in the U.S. And so there's so much work for us to be done. It has been our honor and privilege to work together with Councilmember Peck and her team, and we're thankful for all of you and the service that you do to ensure that every single family, just like mine, now for two, and hopefully on our third generation, continue to have opportunities to live stable, healthy lives and to contribute to the vibrancy of our amazing city. So thank you so much for this incredible honor. We and my team that's here today love getting to work with our amazing community, and we're grateful for the recognition of the work that we do every single day. Council Member Huffman. Thank you. I continue to be impressed with Ma'am every single day. Thank you so much to you and your entire team. Congratulations. Thank you. Good luck. The chair now recognizes Councilmember Salinas for a proclamation to the women's hospital of Texas in honor of its 50 years of service. Thank you so much. So I have the honor of reading the uh presenting the proclamation to the women's hospital of Texas, whereas the women's hospital of Texas was founded in 1976 by a group of local physicians who recognize the need for a hospital exclusively devoted to the care of women and newborns, and who intentionally chose to name women's rather than women's to honor each patient as an individual and to reflect the personalized patient-centered approach to care. Whereas, since its opening, the women's hospital has delivered more than 300,000 babies and delivers more babies each month than any other hospital in the state of Texas. Whereas the hospital is a home to a level four Neil NATO intensive care unit, which provides the highest level of care for premature and critically ill newborns and is designed as a level four maternal program for obstetrics and high-risk pregnancy care. Whereas, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the women's hospital, Texas, the City of Houston proudly joins a community in celebrating the pioneering Houston and Texas institution and recognizes dedicated staff and leadership for their extraordinary contributions and lasting impact on the health and well-being of Houston women and families over the past five decades and counting. Thank you, Councilman Salinas, and what an excellent opportunity to tell us about the history of the woman's hospital. I just learned for myself why it's not the women's hospital, but it's a woman's hospital to emphasize the singular care of each and every individual. Thank you. Congratulations on your 50th year. We all know the best years are yet to come. So congratulations.
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