Two Harris County Commissioners Court meetings in September included several actions that will help fund, maintain, and advance flood risk reduction projects across Harris County.

On September 17, Commissioners Court unanimously approved a fiscal year 2027 Flood Control District general fund budget of approximately $266.2 million.

Commissioners Court also unanimously adopted a Flood Control District property tax rate of $0.05266 per $100 of taxable value. Of that amount, $0.04023 is designated for maintenance and operations and $0.01243 for debt service. The adopted rate is higher than the 2025 rate of $0.04966 per $100 of value.

Those dollars help provide the financial foundation for the Flood Control District’s work, including maintaining existing infrastructure, advancing projects, and meeting financial obligations associated with previous investments.

Moving Projects Forward

At its September 22 meeting, Commissioners Court approved the routine agenda unanimously, including a series of Flood Control District items.

Among the actions were agreements connected to Texas Water Development Board grant funding for eight Flood Control District projects. Those projects are located in the Addicks Reservoir, Halls Bayou, Cypress Creek, Carpenters Bayou, Greens Bayou and San Jacinto River watersheds.

They include work such as the South Mayde Creek Bypass and West Little York Stormwater Detention Basin, erosion repairs at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve, Greens Bayou Mid-Reach design, and improvements along Halls Bayou.

Commissioners Court also approved actions supporting other Flood Control District work, including the Meyergrove Phase 2 Stormwater Detention Basin, the Clear Creek Federal Flood Risk Management Project, and ongoing major maintenance in the Cypress Creek watershed.

Tracking Federal Grant Funding

The September 17 meeting also included discussion about federal disaster recovery and mitigation funding being used for Flood Control District projects.

Flood Control District staff told Commissioners Court that some projects are being reviewed closely as federal spending deadlines approach. The discussion included the Greens Bayou Mid-Reach project and funding for subdivision drainage projects. Staff said a more detailed project-by-project update, including expenditures and funding that may be at risk, is planned for Commissioners Court in October.

Why This Matters

Flood control projects can take years to construct. Before work can begin in the field, projects often require funding agreements, engineering contracts, property acquisition, environmental reviews, and other approvals.

The actions taken during the September meetings help keep that work moving while also providing funding for the day-to-day maintenance of Harris County’s extensive infrastructure network.

Without continued funding and maintenance, infrastructure can deteriorate, projects can be delayed, and opportunities to use outside grant funding can be lost.

Visit hcfcd.org to explore Flood Control District projects and follow updates on flood risk reduction and maintenance work across Harris County.