Here’s the Houston department that suffered the biggest budget cuts

Houston’s Department of Planning and Development could see the largest budget cut under Mayor John Whitmire’s $6.7 billion proposal for the fiscal year beginning in July. Compared to its estimated expenses for the previous year, the ministry could see its operating budget decrease by 31%.

The planning department oversees, among other responsibilities, land development, sidewalk construction, historic preservation and transportation planning. He also helps manage the Houston Permitting Center.

It was also one of the first departments to undergo leadership changes after Whitmire took office in January. Margaret Wallace Brown, appointed by former Mayor Sylvester Turner to lead the department in 2019, retired after nearly four decades of work for the city. She was replaced by her deputy Jennifer Ostlind.

The department received $17.8 million in the mayor’s proposed budget. Just $3.5 million — instead of the $5 million estimated for fiscal year 2024 — would come from the general fund, which is primarily funded by property and sales taxes and used for essential city services. The remainder of its funding would come primarily from a special stand-alone revenue fund generated by permit review and other user fees.

Earlier this year, Whitmire directed all departments except police and fire to identify ways to cut 5 percent of their spending to address Houston’s growing financial challenges. The mayor’s final proposal includes a more modest $11.7 million in savings across all city departments, primarily through the elimination of vacant positions, according to Finance Director Melissa Dubowski.

However, the funding reduction is not expected to have a significant impact on the ministry’s core services. The decrease is due to the end of several one-time funding sources that supported projects, including the expansion of Houston’s bike share program and a historic preservation application tracker, according to Ostlind. It’s also due to the elimination of an internal accounting practice that previously moved money between the general fund and the special revenue fund based on staffing needs.

The Department of Housing and Community Development will see the second largest budget reduction – 25% – from the previous year’s estimated spending.