Mayor Whitmire and City Controller Hollins clash over a projected property tax increase in Houston’s fiscal budget.
HOUSTON — A heated dispute over Houston’s 2025–2026 fiscal budget has erupted between Mayor John Whitmire and City Controller Chris Hollins, as concerns mount over a projected property tax increase and the use of the city’s emergency reserves to cover everyday expenses.
The budget, which was approved by 14 of the 16 city council members, claims to avoid raising property taxes. However, Hollins warns that Houston residents could see a property tax hike of 5 to 8 percent by August.
“Or if they don’t increase the property tax rate, we are going to have more deficit spending,” Hollins said during an exchange on Monday.
Whitmire, who took office in January, said, “We have no plans to raise property taxes. He’s giving political answers.”
The mayor went further, accusing Hollins of playing politics.
“He wants to be mayor, he wants to be something,” Whitmire said. “I’m running the city.”
Hollins, who briefly ran for mayor before exiting the race when Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee joined, was elected as city controller. Now he serves as Houston’s chief financial officer with concerns about the city’s long-term fiscal health.
According to Hollins, Houston was staring down a $330 million deficit, which the mayor addressed by slashing expenses and pulling $107 million from the city’s “rainy day” fund.
“That money is there for financial stability, in case of emergency… but that’s not what we are using it for,” Hollins said. “We are using it to pay our day-to-day bills.”
Hollins also criticized the lack of communication between his office and the mayor.
“We reach out for those times we can meet… and those meetings don’t take place,” Hollins said. “After a while, you get the message, and don’t try as often… and the message is: not interested.”
Whitmire, however, dismissed the claims.
“Because he plays political games… I don’t have time for a campaign, I have a job,” Whitmire said.
The fiscal tension comes as city services may already be feeling the strain. Recycling pickup delays have been reported across Houston, which could be tied to the budget shortfall.
With financial stability and public trust hanging in the balance, the budget feud between Hollins and Whitmire appears far from over.