Houston controller recommends policy change to sustain city during disaster events
Years of hurricanes and extreme weather events have devastated Houston, and Controller Chris Hollins’ office said if the city wants to provide disaster relief and have the money for it, it needs to make certain policy changes.
In a nutshell: Deputy Controller Will Jones told City Council during a Sept. 2 Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee meeting said the city is spending more than it brings in, leaving limited space in the budget for disaster preparedness.
Jones said if the city wants to sustain itself after hurricanes, Houston would need to consider making policy changes, such as:
Raising its minimum fund balance
Increasing the size of its budget stabilization fund
Directing year-end surpluses toward the budget stabilization fund
More details: Council member Abbie Kamin proposed an amendment to the city’s financial policies during the meeting that, if passed, would increase the budget stabilization fund from $20 million to $25 million and replenish it within a year.
Maison Chinoise prepares to launch new contemporary Chinese restaurant in River Oaks
Plastered on the welcoming page of the Maison Chinoise website are these words: "The art of contemporary Asian cuisine." This is what the new restaurant is known for—dishes that combine a fusion of contemporary and traditional Chinese cuisine inspired by the vast culinary landscape of China.
What's on the menu: Starters and appetizers include dishes such as coconut milk bread and Sichuan salt & pepper lamb lollipops, while main entrees include Mongolian beef, pan-seared Chilean sea bass and tofu eggplant claypot
For dessert: On the sweet side, Maison Chinoise offers Texas pecan dumplings, made with caramel pecan xiao lang bao and an apple compote; as well as the Ube Nutella bao, with coconut charcoal, strawberry sauce and sea salt.
The restaurant also offers tea service and an extensive wine list, with a diverse selection of featured cocktails, according to the website.
Houston Arboretum receives $90K grant to help restore woodland habitats
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, a nonprofit that supports nature education and conservation programs, received a $90,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation in early September to help fund the restoration of the center's woodland habitats.
According to a Sept. 2 news release, the grant is a part of the Fall 2025 Conservation Project list and will be used to support hiring Student Conservation Association, or SCA, program participants to help remove invasive plant species at the Arboretum.
The project: According to the news release, the fall conservation project aims to remove those invasive plant species growing within the Arboretum to create a more resilient woodland environment, aiding long-term improvement in ecological diversity and a healthier, more sustainable landscape.
“The Arboretum’s ecosystems do more than protect wildlife; they protect Houstonians," said Debbie Markey, executive director of the Houston Arboretum. “This generous grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation allows us to strengthen the Arboretum’s ability to act as a climate buffer, while also mentoring the next generation of conservation professionals."
Leah Barton to head Harris County Public Health as executive director
After serving more than a year as Harris County Public Health’s interim director, Leah Barton was officially appointed to lead the county’s public health department.
Quote of note: “Over the past year, I’ve had the great privilege of leading Harris County Public Health,” Barton said in a Sept. 2 news release. “During that time, we have opened new health hubs, expanded mobile care, strengthened support for families, and responded to public health challenges across our community. These efforts reflect our shared commitment to making health services more accessible, connected, and responsive to the needs of the people we serve.”
Zooming out: Barton was first tapped to serve in the interim role in 2024 after former HCPH Executive Director Barbie Robinson was removed from her position last August.
