Harris County Commissioners Court will take up three items Thursday, August 6, that hit Spring-area residents directly: the future of the county's minority contracting program after a federal court struck down Houston's version, a third-quarter budget update tied to a projected $129 million shortfall, and a proposal to design a trail connecting the Cypress Creek and Spring Creek greenways.

All three items appeared on the Monday, August 3 agenda but are listed again on the Thursday, August 6 agenda for "discussion and possible action," indicating commissioners have not yet taken final action.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey placed the minority- and women-owned business equity program on the agenda after U.S. District Judge David Hittner ruled Houston's similar program violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, according to a Community Impact preview of the meeting. A couple from Spring filed the underlying lawsuit in 2023, alleging they had to pay $143,000 to a minority-owned competitor to finish part of their five-year, $1.3 million city contract. That same couple has a pending case against Harris County's program, putting the county's own policy under direct legal threat.

Harris County's MWBE program, run by the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity, was established in November 2020 with a goal of awarding at least 30% of county contracts to minority- and women-owned firms. A county survey had found those businesses received only 9% of contracts despite representing roughly 28% of the local market. According to county social media posts, participation grew from 9% to nearly 30% in four years, with approximately $400 million awarded to those businesses.

Budget gap looms over tax decisions

Commissioners are also receiving a third-quarter budget projection for fiscal year 2026-27. According to county budget documents, recurring expenses are projected to exceed recurring revenue by approximately $129 million at the voter-approval tax rate. At the no-new-revenue rate, that gap widens to $257 million.

The biggest cost drivers: law enforcement ($79 million), inflation ($41 million), employee health insurance ($38 million), and statutory legislation costs ($32 million). Property taxes account for 81.5% of General Fund revenue, making the eventual tax-rate decision central to closing the gap.

The budget office will also present options for selling or leasing underutilized county real estate to generate revenue. Ramsey hosted a Budget Town Hall on July 21 at George H.W. Bush Community Center, where he and Budget Executive Director Daniel Ramos gathered resident feedback on FY 2027 priorities.

A county budget priorities survey remains open through Friday, August 7, giving Spring-area residents a chance to weigh in before the budget is finalized.

Ramsey also proposed an interlocal agreement with the Houston Parks Board to design a shared-use path connecting the Cypress Creek Greenway to the Spring Creek Greenway. The agreement covers land acquisition, engineering, and related support services.

The proposal follows Precinct 3's May announcement of a new hike-and-bike trail along Faulkey Gully in the Cypress Creek area. Precinct 3 maintains Harris County's largest unincorporated region, serving more than 1.2 million residents across 1,000 neighborhoods.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis separately requested a presentation on revenues and expenses generated by the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston.

Commissioners Court meets Thursday, August 6, at 9 a.m. at 1001 Preston St. in downtown Houston. Meetings are available to livestream at harriscountytx.gov.