Houston City Comptroller Chris Hollins is removing the fire department agreement from the council’s agenda as the new fiscal year approaches on July 1.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — As much as $8 billion was at stake at the Houston City Council meeting Wednesday, ahead of the start of the fiscal year on July 1.

The municipal budget of $6.7 billion and a $650 million settlement to end a bitter eight-year standoff between the firefighters union and the city. The firefighters union deal is one that Comptroller Chris Hollins says will cost more than $1 billion in total.

“We’re going to issue a bond to pay for that. That bond, if you look at the interest rates currently in the market, and the fact that it’s going to be a payment over 25 or 30 years, similar to a mortgage on a house, it will cost us somewhere between 1.1 and 1.3 billion dollars” Hollins explained.

SEE ALSO: City Council delays vote on Houston’s proposed $6.7 billion budget

Council members had to take both points, which meant they would delay their vote for at least a week. Before the council could sign off on the fire department, Hollins, responsible for certifying all financial items submitted to the council, said he could not do so.

“My office first received the collective bargaining agreement and back pay agreement Monday afternoon, and so we have had less than two days now to review,” Hollins explained.

The combined agreements are approximately 150 pages long.

SEE ALSO: Houston firefighters, working without a contract for 7 years, reach agreement, city announces

“You understand that this was going to be marked this morning, which would give you an extra week? But, obviously, you have your responsibilities,” responded Houston Mayor John Whitmire during Wednesday’s debates.

In response, Hollins said, “Exactly. I have my responsibilities, so we need to understand them before we move forward.”

Hollins later told ABC13, “It’s something we take seriously because my kids are still going to pay for this when they’re taxpaying adults.”

Whitmire’s office confirmed that both items will be placed on the agenda next week. This delay gives the board time to submit additional budget amendments.

The amendments include requesting that about a half-dozen auditors be sent to the comptroller’s office and increasing the salary of a current auditor.

Hollins said auditors will be tasked with finding ways to close the projected $200 million budget shortfall. The mayor said he wouldn’t look to increase revenue until next year. Hollins said a possible tax increase and trash fee are on the table.

Hollins told ABC13 that if the fire department agreement is not approved by July 1, Whitmire could authorize the fire department raises that are scheduled to take effect on that date.

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