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Houston council approves 2026 budget and multiple ordinances, OKs payroll and invoices
Summary
At its Dec. 15 meeting, the Houston City Council adopted Ordinance 2025-114 (the 2026 budget) and approved Ordinances 2025-115, 2025-116 and 2025-117, plus routine payroll, invoice payments of $270,103.32, vendor contracts and appointments. All listed motions carried with six yes votes.
The Houston City Council adopted the citys 2026 budget and approved a package of ordinances and routine financial items during its Dec. 15 regular meeting. Mayor Samuel Kelley presided; a quorum was present.
Council members voted to place Bill No. 114 on second and final reading to become Ordinance 2025-114, establishing the 2026 budget for the City of Houston. The motion, moved by Alderwoman Kimberly Bittle and seconded by Alderman Don Romines, carried with six yes votes.
Why it matters: adopting the budget sets spending priorities and department authority for the coming year and triggers administrative steps for implementation.
Other formal financial actions included approval of payroll for the Dec. 114 pay period (motion by Alderwoman Sheila Walker, seconded by Alderman Don Romines) and approval of invoice payments dated Dec. 12 and Dec. 15, 2025, totaling $270,103.32 (motion by Walker, seconded by Alderwoman Ann Tottingham). Both motions carried with six yes votes.
Council also placed and approved three amendments to the Code of Ordinances: Bill No. 115 (amending Section 22-166(a)) moved through first and then second reading to become Ordinance 2025-115; Bill No. 116 (amending Chapter 22, Article V, Section 22-143) became Ordinance 2025-116 after first and second readings; and Bill No. 117 (amending Section 22-175) became Ordinance 2025-117 after the readings recorded in the minutes. Each motion carried with six yes votes.
The council approved agreements and appointments, including authorization for the mayor to sign the City Attorney and Municipal Prosecutor Services agreement and renewal of the Senior Aging Food Delivery agreement. Separately, Eric Willoughby was appointed to the Park Board by a 6-0 vote.
All recorded motions in these items show six affirmative votes from the council members present (Alderman Fred Stottlemyre, Alderwoman Chelsye Scantlin, Alderwoman Sheila Walker, Alderwoman Ann Tottingham, Alderman Don Romines and Alderwoman Kimberly Bittle); Joe Honeycutt was absent.
Next steps: Ordinance adoptions and contract renewals authorize staff to implement budget and program actions under the citys administrative processes; the minutes show no additional public hearings or returns noted at this meeting.
