New Flood Control director prioritizes maintenance, transparency and CDBG‑MIT/DR delivery

Marcus Stuckett, the newly appointed executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District, presented a FY2027 planning budget focused on expanding in‑house maintenance capacity, accelerating federally funded CDBG‑MIT/DR projects and maturing project‑delivery systems.

Stuckett said the district will invest $170.6 million into a maintenance fund (fund 2891) to create clearer visibility into maintenance spending and to expand in‑house staffing and consultant capacity. “Following the ad valorem tax increase approved in 2024, we’ve been scaling up by increasing staff, equipment, and capacity to deliver at scale,” he said. The district expects significant federal grant work, including an $863M pipeline for CDBG‑MIT/DR and related initiatives; most of that work is grant‑funded but will rely on operating and matching capacity from the district.

The director previewed asset‑management and digital tools (UNIFIER, drones and robotics pilots for enclosed systems) to improve inspections and project planning and described plans for channel maintenance (targeted mowings, invasive species control) and natural channel repair design expansion. Stuckett also committed to monthly reporting and a public-facing dashboard for major projects and maintenance funds, and said the district is building scheduling, estimating and contingency practices to improve on‑time, on‑budget delivery.

Commissioners asked about equity in project prioritization, maintenance camp siting, and permitting constraints tied to NEPA and federal compliance; the district said it will follow its approved prioritization framework and continue public-facing reporting.