The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) was organized in 1966 by local leaders from Brazoria, Galveston and Harris counties and the cities of Galveston and Houston. H-GAC now covers a 13-county region made up of Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties. H-GAC provides opportunities for local elected officials to work together to resolve significant public issues. The City of Houston has numerous appointments held by elected officials and City staff to various committees and the Board of Directors covering issues such as transportation, criminal justice, homeland security, economic development and the environment.
H-GAC is an important funding resource for Houston. As a state Metropolitan Planning Organization, H-GAC passes through important federal and state grants to the City of Houston. Examples of pass-through grants include: Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) funding of $24,516,418 for various City of Houston construction projects; $216,152 for Solid Waste projects and $75,592 for water quality monitoring. The City of Houston also benefits from participating in H-GAC’s cooperative purchasing program, saving millions of dollars in the purchase of vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, radios and construction equipment.
Local government dues, state appropriations, and state and federal grants and contracts finance H-GAC activities to fulfill its mission to: (1) promote efficient and accountable use of local, state, and federal dollars, (2) serve as a problem-solving and information forum for local governments and (3) help local governments, business, and civic organizations analyze trends and conditions affecting the area. Annual renewal for H-GAC membership in the amount of $83,978.04 is calculated using the City of Houston’s population from the 2010 Census. The dues amount remains the same as last year.
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Bill Kelly, Director
Mayor's Office of Government Relations