Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and commissioners go back-and-forth on county budget

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the clock is ticking when it comes to finalizing the county's budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Hidalgo said the county faces a $220 million deficit and might have to scale back essential services as a result.

Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said that won't be needed.

"We're going to take care of the basic core services," Ramsey said.

Ramsey said the Harris County Office of Management and Budget will be presenting a balanced version of the nearly $3 billion budget at Tuesday's commissioners court meeting.

"There's a lot of conversation that the sky is falling," Ramsey said. "That's not what this budget is."

It's a similar message heard from other members. Commissioners Adrian Garcia and Lesley Briones held a news conference on Tuesday and said the budget deficit isn't as bad as Hidalgo is telling everyone it is.

"It is at approximately $48M," Briones explained. "Then, we have identified other savings, for example a thoughtful, and targeted hiring freeze."

The pair have other ideas as well including not filling open positions, asking county departments to cut budgets by ten percent, and selling property.

"There are efficiencies," Garcia explained. "While that may be a big word for some, at the end of the day you'll see how those efficiencies are done and how we'll put those to work."

Hidalgo said she's still waiting on specifics. She created a document and wants commissioners to fill it out with exactly how they're going to make cuts.

"We can't just let folks get away political CYA because they're denying that there is a deficit," Hidalgo said.

While other commissioners have put forward ideas on how to close the budget, held budget community meetings, and sent out budget surveys, Hidalgo hasn't.

"I didn't put us in this situation," Hidalgo explained. "I believe that no programs should be cut and that we shouldn't be at a deficit."

The final version of the budget will be voted on next month.