Harris County ESD 9 to hold budget workshop, set FY 2026 tax rate
The Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 board of commissioners will workshop the budget for fiscal year 2026 and adopt an ad valorem tax rate during two public meetings Sept. 25
At a glance: The board will discuss the proposed 2026 budget ahead of the next budget year, which begins Jan. 1. The board will also conduct a public hearing Sept. 25 on the proposed tax rate of $0.0388 per $100 valuation—the no-new-revenue rate—which was set Aug. 28 during a regular board meeting.
More details: Other agenda items of note include:
Discuss and take action on issuing a request for architectural qualifications to design a new training facility.
Discuss and take action on issuing a request for architectural qualifications to remodel the district’s dispatch center.
Discuss and take action regarding a human resources audit for the district, which Commissioner Jaime Martinez requested be placed on the Sept. 25 agenda.
The Sewcial Box owner Debraeyia Drayden confirmed via email, the sewing company is in the process of relocating from the Champions area at 14405 Walters Road, Ste. 760, to Cypress to expand its services.
The details: Per officials, The Sewcial Box is in the process of remodeling a space in Cypress to offer more space for classes and workshops.
Quote of note: “A lot of our current customers and students travel from the Cypress area, and with the lack of specialty fabric and sewing shops I felt the Cypress area was the perfect place to call home,” Drayden said. “We were also limited in visibility due to our current "non-traditional" space and the move allows us to be more accessible and firmly plant our feet, expanding our reach and growth.”
PREVIEW: Harris County commissioners to vote on FY 2025-26 budget
Harris County commissioners will meet Sept. 24 to hold public hearings and discussions prior to adopting the $2.7 billion fiscal year 2025-26 budget for the county, as well as the FY 2025-26 budgets for the Harris County Toll Road Authority and Harris Health System.
The context: For FY 2024-25, Harris County's budget included about $2.9 billion for the county's general fund budget and $274.1 million for the Harris County Flood Control District, as previously reported in Community Impact.
The background: In the months leading up to the September budget adoption, Harris County commissioners and department leaders have implemented a yearlong hiring freeze to save at least $25 million in costs to address a projected $200 million-plus shortfall in FY 2025-26. Other cost-saving decisions commissioners and more than 80 department leaders identified included finding at least 10% in potential cost saving opportunities within their current level of services to address the shortfall in the FY 2025-26 budget, county officials said.
Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess won’t seek third term ahead of 2026 election
Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess formally announced she will not seek reelection for a third term as the district clerk of Texas’ largest county. Burgess said in a Sept. 22 news release that she also won’t pursue another political office.
The details: Burgess and her staff support the legal proceedings within more than 90 courts in Harris County. She first took office in 2019, then went on to win reelection in 2022. Her current term ends Dec. 31, 2026.
Quote of note: “I have truly loved this job and everything we have accomplished,” Burgess said. “When I leave this office on Dec. 31, 2026, it will be with my head held high, proud of our work, and grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Harris County.”
The context: The announcement comes less than a week after Burgess appeared before Harris County commissioners Sept. 18, addressing her request for a raise with the county’s salary grievance committee.
