Harris County could face increased fees, and program cuts to close its $129M deficit

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Faced with a nearly $130 million deficit, Harris County officials are working on a way to close it, and we've learned it could include increased fees and program cuts.

Increased fees and program cuts could be coming

This week, Harris County is holding budget hearings. During the first day, budget director Daniel Ramos made a ten second remark that caught our attention.

"Really, where we're at is people," Ramos said. "We're kind of past digging into vacancies and digging into unspent funds. We're really at the point where you're making decisions with who's staying and who's going."

On Wednesday, Ramos clarified he was talking about what could happen next year if improvements aren't made. He told ABC13, right now, he's not recommending layoffs in the upcoming budget proposal.

As for a more immediate impact, Ramos told commissioners they may have to consider increased fees and program cuts.

"We really going to have to decide, what function are we going to stop doing," Ramos said. "What is the least impactful to our residents, and what are the things we're going to focus on maintaining."

At this point, we aren't sure what fees or programs are being looked at. Ramos plans to present a budget proposal in mid-August.

Rice report shows how bad the deficit could climb

Recently, the Baker Institute at Rice analyzed the county's budget. In the report, it shows if costs climb, the deficit could climb to $300 million.

"They're going to have to cut some spending," Baker Institute fellow, Bill King explained. "Cut some positions. Eliminate some programs. It's going to have to get more efficient."

King said one area county officials should look at is its workforce. County auditor figures show from 2017 to 2023 the county added 1,188 workers. From 2023 to 2025 the figures show 2,020 employees were added.

Last year, the county instituted a hiring freeze as part of its budget. ABC13 is waiting to see if it'll continue in the new budget proposal.

"They do appear to be sort of top heavy when you look at the number of managerial positions that there are," King said.

Despite the deficit, King said the county is in a better financial situation than the city of Houston, which recently closed a $209 million gap. "Overall, Harris County's in reasonably good shape if they make relatively minor course corrections in how they're spending money," King explained.

Who's to blame? It depends on who you ask

As county leaders start to work on a plan to close the deficit, how they got there depends on who you ask. Ramos said a decision to increase deputy pay played a role.

Last year, after the city of Houston increased police pay by 37 percent, the county gave deputies a large raise as well. Ramos said that added more than $100 million to the budget.

In a post several days ago, Judge Lina Hidalgo talked about the budget concerns. She took aim at the deputy raises saying, "My colleagues are considering an additional increase in salary for the constables, to the tune of $330K. That would mean elected constables have received a 148% salary increase over the last two years while every other department has been asked to cut their budget by up to 10% for two years. Even if this latest increase does not pass, the court has already awarded the elected constables a 46% pay raise, so they currently make $260,000 a year."

Commissioner Adrian Garcia blames the higher cost of goods.

"Much like almost everyone in America, Harris County is being impacted by the affordability crisis. Despite this, we will deliver a balanced budget that prioritizes public safety, improves our infrastructure, and protects people during weather emergencies. Paying deputies what they deserve, building and improving roads, and maintaining core county services are nonnegotiable, and I'm 100% confident our final budget will reflect those principles," Garcia's spokesperson said.

Commissioner Rodney Ellis said elected officials outside of the county are to blame.

"The state has forced us into a budget deficit, made worse by Donald Trump's cuts to grant funding and social safety net programs. My commitment is to protect the services that keep Harris County families and communities safe, healthy, and able to build a better life," Ellis said.

Commissioner Tom Ramsey blames spending on programs he said the county isn't obligated to be funding. "The problem is the expansion of government. Of the $3B budget, there's over $550M in non-statutory spending - things we aren't required to do. We must address our statutory responsibilities, like the jail, infrastructure, and public safety before expanding social services. We've implemented costly policies that sound great but create more confusion than solutions. This is bloated government operating in a corporate manner, and it's getting out of hand. We need to get back to the basics," Ramsey said.

On Wednesday, Eyewitness News reached out to Commissioner Lesley Briones' office, and her office sent the following statement:

"Harris County's financial security is under attack. The Trump Administration cut nearly $600 million in federal grants that support vital programs our over five million residents rely on. From refugee healthcare to food assistance for families and seniors, disaster preparation and relief organizations, and legal services for immigrants, the fallout from losing these funds creates ripples through our community," said Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. "Federal cuts, combined with unfunded state mandates, have increased county costs and strained the system. As a result, Harris County will be forced to make tough decisions as we plan the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Still, I remain committed to balancing our budget and protecting core services: economic opportunity, public health, public safety, infrastructure, and disaster readiness and response. These smart investments will build the safer, stronger Harris County that all our families deserve."