Council Considering FY2014 Budget
Having completed comprehensive reviews of each City department’s budget, Council is assessing Mayor Parker’s budget proposal and amendments submitted by Council Members. The Mayor’s proposed City budget totals $4.9 billion, with the General Fund, or tax-supported portion of the budget, totaling $2.2 billion. Council is slated to vote on the FY2014 budget on Wednesday, June 19th, and the new fiscal year will commence July 1st, 2013.
On the Agenda
The Houston Police Department (HPD) Victim Services Unit (VSU) was created in 2001 to provide adequate support and assistance to crime victims. This unit provides services to over 1,000 victims per month. To increase its capabilities, Police Chief McClelland submitted a grant application for state funding for an additional VSU community liaison. Council approved a resolution in support of the grant application, which officially authorizes HPD to apply for the grant.
What’s Happening in the Annex
The Uptown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) was recently expanded to include Memorial Park. This partnership will provide funding for the creation and implementation of an updated Master Plan for the park. Council Member Cohen met with the Memorial Park Conservancy’s Executive Director, Shellye Arnold, and Chairman, Jim Porter, to discuss the Master Plan process and the community’s role in developing it. To ensure that the stakeholders are included in this process, the Conservancy is requesting a single point of contact for each group. Any interested parties should contact sarah@memorialparkconservancy.org with this information.