HTX-HRM: Impact 11/6/2025

Houston City Council on Nov. 5 tabled its decision to create a new “high-risk” rental property inspection program after several council members said the proposal lacks proper enforcement measures.

What happened: Seven council members, including Letitia Plummer, who proposed the program, voted against tabling the decision during the Nov. 5 meeting, saying Council should pass the ordinance so the program can be implemented and properly evaluated. City Council has the legal authority to amend ordinances after they’ve been adopted, the city attorney said.

However, eight council members and Mayor John Whitmire disagreed and voted to refer back to the ordinance Dec. 10 so the policy can be revised to include clearer enforcement protocols.

“We’re at the finish line with an unfinished product,” Whitmire said during the meeting.

About the program: According to the ordinance, multifamily rental properties that receive too many certified habitability citations within six months would have to register as a “high-risk” building and could face daily fines ranging from $250-$2,000 per violation.

After 27 years of business, Paulie's Restaurant and Camerata Wine Bar will close at the end of the year.

What’s happening: Owner Paul Petronella announced the closing of Paulie's Restaurant and Camerata Wine Bar in an Oct. 27 social media post. Petronella said the restaurant will be closing due to an inability to come to an agreement with its landlord and that the last day of service will be Dec. 31.

A closer look: Paulie’s is known to be one of Montrose residents' favorite neighborhood Italian restaurants, and the announcement is sparking many individuals to share their disappointment over the closure and their favorite memories online.

• 1834 Westheimer Road, Houston

Members of the Quality of Life Committee reviewed $476,669 in grant funds during a Nov. 3 meeting for its SEARCH Homeless Services to create an early childhood development program for low-to-moderate-income families in Houston.

What to know: According to the presentation, the program will provide comprehensive early childhood education to 20 children ages 21 months to 5 years and will include support services to families such as case management, counseling and referral services, transportation and parenting classes designed to reduce barriers and increase household financial stability.

Also on the agenda: Assistant Director of Housing Melanie Parr also recommended providing up to $376,669 in Emergency Solution Grant and Community Development Block Grant funds to the Rapid Re-housing Case Management services to households experiencing homelessness.

The Harris County Flood Control District will hold two virtual meetings Nov. 10 and Nov. 12 to discuss the increased investment in maintenance. 

The gist: During the webinars, titled "One Year Later: See How Your Dollars are Making an Impact," officials will present visible progress and news on projects for 2026. The webinar will begin at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10 and at noon Nov. 12 via Zoom, according to the district's website.

Digging deeper: The Harris County Flood Control District has 36 major maintenance projects on tap across the county’s four precincts, as previously reported by Community Impact. Estimated costs have not been calculated for 20 of those projects, and the remaining 16 will cost a projected $20.8 million.

Harris County commissioners unanimously approved an increase in the county’s fiscal year 2025-26 no-new-revenue property tax rate during the Nov. 4 court meeting. 

The gist: While commissioners adopted the $2.76 billion FY 2025-26 general fund budget and tax rates for the Harris County Flood Control District, Harris County Hospital District and the Port of Houston Authority on Sept. 24, the no-new-revenue rate was expected to be adopted near the end of October, according to Laura Lucas with the county administration office.

By the numbers: The four rates together make a combined property tax rate in the county of $0.6241 per $100 of valuation, an increase from the FY 2024-25 tax rate of $0.6038 per $100 of valuation.

The takeaway: The county’s tax rate document states the no-new-revenue tax rate will raise more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year’s tax rate. The 0.55% increase will raise taxes on a $100,000 home by approximately $2.42, the document states.