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.
Amped Fitness will be opening a new studio in the Spring area, according to management officials.
The details: According to officials with Amped Fitness, the studio is set to officially open Sept. 27, and offers memberships starting at $14.99. At the studio, guests can get access to a number of amenities including:
An indoor basketball court
HydroMassage
Virtual group classes
Women-only areas
Child care
Tanning booths
Recovery zone
The facility will also include an inside sauna space and The Gauntlet, a high-intensity workout space.
Lilly to build $6.5B manufacturing facility at Generation Park, bringing over 600 jobs
Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company—or Lilly—announced plans to build a $6.5 billion manufacturing facility at Generation Park at a news conference Sept. 23. Lilly representatives said the new site will bring 615 new jobs to the area along with 4,000 construction jobs in the area as the site build takes off.
“Texas is stepping up to ensure that we do our part and expand biomedical manufacturing right here in our great state,” Gov. Greg Abbott said at the conference.
The impact: For every dollar Lilly spends in the area, the company estimates up to an additional $4 in local economic stimulation, Lilly officials said in a news release
“$6.5 billion is what we'll spend [for] over $25 billion of economic impact ... here in Texas,” Lilly Chair and CEO Dave Riggs said at the conference.
What’s next: Lilly’s new manufacturing facility is expected to be up and running within five years, according to Lilly representatives.
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.
