Houston City Council approves HPD pay raises during budget discussion

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston City Council approved pay raises for the police department during a budget proposal meeting on Wednesday.

Community members who signed up to speak brought their questions, comments, and concerns to the council during the meeting that began at 9 a.m.

The proposed budget is $7 billion, which Houston Mayor John Whitmire says doesn't increase fees or taxes, but rather stresses fiscal responsibility.

Departments such as parks and recreation and libraries could receive millions of dollars less under the proposal.

It's important to note that more than 1,000 employees across the city just took voluntary retirement packages.

RELATED: A third of eligible Houston employees accept buyout package, saving city $11M this fiscal year

There are long-term concerns about the city's financial health. As the finance director recently reported, the city could face a deficit of more than $500 million by 2030. Council member Edward Pollard says that should be on the city's mind now, not later.

"Was there nothing proposed or thought of, what could be done to ensure that in the out years we're budgeting so that we're not faced with a multi-million dollar deficit?" Pollard questioned.

In addition to discussing the budget proposal, council members approved a new contract for HPD that the mayor says would give officers a 36.5% pay raise over the next five years.

The pay raise comes as deputies with the Harris County Sheriff's Office threatened to walk away if they didn't receive their own salary increase.

The HPD chief examined the number of applicants and revealed that 75 recent ones came from the sheriff's office.

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RELATED: HCSO bracing for mass exodus ahead of council vote on HPD pay raises this week