The City Council passed Mayor John Whitmire's $7 billion budget Wednesday after completing major consolidations of city departments and implementing sweeping financial cuts. WINNERS AND LOSERS: Which Houston department got the biggest cut in Mayor John Whitmire's 2026 budget?

Council members Edward Pollard, Tiffany Thomas and Abbie Kamin voted against the budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which was supported by the other council members. Their concerns included slashed departmental budgets and more than $100 million in deficit spending.

Houston City Council members voted to approve Mayor John Whitmire's $7 billion budget on Wednesday, amid months-long debate over cuts, consolidations and disputed claims that the proposal would completely tackle the city's current historical deficit.