The Houston Emergency Center is requesting City Council’s approval of the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network’s annual budget of $54,000,000 for budget year 2021 (January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021). This is an increase of approximately $1 million from their 2020 budget.
The Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network is the governmental agency that administers the 9-1-1 system, providing coordination and other collateral support for participating jurisdictions within Harris and Fort Bend Counties. Through the 9-1-1 system, emergency calls from citizens are referred to the appropriate emergency response agency such as police, fire and ambulance services, as well as other agencies including Crisis Hotline, Poison Control and emergency management operations.
Due to its intergovernmental functions and pursuant to State Law, the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network annual budget must be approved by the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network Board of Managers, Harris County Commissioners’ Court, and the City of Houston City Council.
A copy of the budget was delivered to each Council Member during the month of November 2020. Additionally, a copy of the budget is available for review in the City Secretary’s office and copies are available from the Houston Emergency Center. In summary, Greater Harris County 9-1-1 will reimburse the City of Houston approximately $17 million for 178.5 positions associated with HEC 9-1-1 call taking.
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David F. Cutler, HEC Director