I wanted to update you on the status of Harris County’s transportation funding and how it will impact those of us in Precinct 4.
At its July 9th meeting, Harris County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 to take a portion of METRO funding away from Harris County Precincts 3 and 4. This vote cost Precinct 4 constituents in road construction funds this year alone. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis also seeks to go after portions of Precinct 3 and 4’s Mobility Funds, which could cost us another $6 million per year. To make matters worse, he also has proposed taking an estimated more from Precinct 4 by reallocating funds from the voter-approved 2015 Road Bond Issue.
Precinct 4 maintains over 2,600 linear road miles with 5,366 lane miles and 327 bridges in an area that is 72% unincorporated. The current formula for distributing most of the transportation funds is significantly based on road and lane miles each precinct must maintain. These funds are used to maintain and build roads that keep traffic moving in your community and provide roadway access for a prompt response for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services that will ensure the continued safety of all residents.
I want you to know how much I appreciate your past support. Unfortunately, I will need that support yet again. As a stakeholder, please voice your opinion on this matter by either speaking at the next Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, or by sending your opinion in advance of the meeting.
Commissioners Court meetings are open to the public and begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Commissioners Courtroom, Suite 934, 1001 Preston Street, Suite 934, Houston, Texas 77002. If you wish to speak at the meeting, you must complete the online appearance request form found at:
https://appearancerequest.harriscountytx.gov/Subject matter: Distribution of Mobility funds in Precinct 4 and the allocation of the 2015 Road Bond funds.
I encourage you and others in your circle of influence to also contact County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who represents you and all Harris County residents on the court.
Email: Judge.hidalgo@cjo.hctx.net
Phone: 713-274-7000
U.S. Mail: The Honorable Judge Lina Hidalgo
1001 Preston, Suite 911
Houston, TX 77002
I invite you to watch the court proceedings on Tuesday at
http://www.harriscountytx.gov/Government/Court-Agenda/Court-Videos and I thank you again for your support.