Mayor's Press Release
Mayor Whitmire's Happy New Year Newsletter
January 1, 2025 --
Dear Houstonians,
As we welcome a new year, I am reflecting on the achievements we made together in 2024. I have had an incredible journey in my first year as Mayor of the City of Houston. I'm pleased with our progress, and as I travel across Houston, people tell me routinely that I have rebuilt the public's confidence in city government.
People are very excited about the future, and I am motivated to go forward and complete the mission of fixing Houston. Like all major cities, Houston faces challenges, but we solve our problems. Houston has suffered from neglect for too long, with aging infrastructure, poor finances, fraud, waste, and a lack of accountability.
From day one, my administration got to work leading a $6 billion organization with 22,000 employees. My goal has always been clear: to rebuild trust, accountability, and transparency in city government. We've replaced ineffective programs, put strong leaders in important positions, and created solutions that work for Houstonians.
Diverse Leadership
I have appointed experienced and strong leaders like Police Chief Noe Diaz, Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz, METRO Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, the first Latina to lead the transit agency, Sandy Gaw as Houston Public Library Director, and Vonn Tran to head the Planning Department. My team includes Cynthia Wilson, a top advisor, Angela Blanchard, Chief of Recovery/Resilience and Chris Newport, my Chief of Staff.
I assembled a team that looks like Houston and is committed to public service. While we still have work to do, 2024 has been a turning point -- a year marked by resilience, progress, and a shared commitment to building a stronger, safer Houston.
Public Safety as a Priority
On New Year's Eve, just hours after being sworn in, I joined Houston police officers on an overnight patrol. That ride-along showed me firsthand our first responders' daily challenges. One problem I saw immediately was a poorly designed median along Houston Avenue. It made it nearly impossible for emergency vehicles to navigate traffic quickly.
After hearing from officers, firefighters, residents, and a nearby church, I directed my team to remove it -- and we did. That moment set the tone for my administration. Listening to Houstonians and acting on their concerns has guided every decision since that first night.
Two days later, I opened City Hall's doors to greet Houstonians excited to share their concerns and ideas for our city. It was a great listening session. I have not stopped listening and learning from people across our city.
Weathering Storms and Massive Amounts of Debris
Houston endured multiple weather emergencies in '24, starting with a historic winter freeze in January. Temperatures dropped into the teens, exposing gaps in our city's preparedness and infrastructure. We opened warming centers to protect our most vulnerable residents, but the freeze highlighted years of neglect -- aging fire stations, outdated multiservice centers, and a lack of backup generators.
We've made progress, partnering with public and private organizations to address these weaknesses. Then came severe flooding in Kingwood, the Derecho windstorm in May, and Hurricane Beryl in July. These events tested our resilience, leaving enough debris to fill the Astrodome three times and shattering windows in downtown buildings.
In October, I worked with Governor Abbott to secure $32 million in state funding for storm debris removal, sparing Houstonians from a potential property tax increase proposed by several council members.
At the end of December, I ordered the City's Solid Waste Management Department to make another unprecedented sweep for debris/bulk waste collection throughout the city. Solid Waste Management crews and contractors have collected over 100 tons of waste in '24, and we're working hard to tackle more.
At the end of December, I ordered the City's Solid Waste Management Department to make another unprecedented sweep for debris/bulk waste collection throughout the city. Solid Waste Management crews and contractors have collected over 100 tons of waste in '24, and we're working hard to tackle more.
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My top priorities have been rooting out corruption and restoring trust in city government. I joined Harris County District Attorney to announce corruption charges against former Houston Public Works.
In February, I replaced the Houston Housing Authority Board with leaders focused on accountability and efficiency. One of their first actions was halting new leases at The Pointe at Bayou Bend, a project built on top of ash and an old incinerator site. This decision prioritized residents' health and safety and sent a clear message: My administration will not tolerate mismanagement.
We've also prioritized transparency in our finances.
Tackling High Water Bills
One of the biggest complaints I heard during my campaign for mayor was about outrageous water bills. In April, we launched the Water Bill Improvement Plan to address inaccuracies. Since then, we've replaced over 100,000 remote water meter readers, helping families with reliable and accurate bills.
Supporting Firefighters and Families
The City Council unanimously approved a historic labor contract with our firefighters in June. This agreement, which ended nearly a decade of deadlock, provides a substantial $650 million in backpay and raises of up to 34% over the next five years. These significant financial benefits are a win for firefighters, their families, and the future of public safety in Houston.
Building Momentum for the Future
From tax exemptions for childcare facilities to audits of city departments, 2024 has been a year of building trust and momentum. We're working with Ernst & Young to review city spending and operations, ensuring transparency and accountability across the board.
We've also focused on delivering results that matter to Houstonians. This fall, we launched the Let's Play Parks Program, which will renovate 25 neighborhood parks in underserved communities.
We reached a groundbreaking labor agreement with the Municipal Employees Union, raising the city's minimum wage to $18 and improving benefits.
In November, we took a major step by announcing a comprehensive plan to end street homelessness while ensuring public spaces are safe and accessible. We will achieve this goal by partnering with nonprofits and focusing on mental health, substance abuse treatment, and pathways to permanent housing.
Looking Ahead
I will end the year as I started by joining the New Year's Eve night patrol with Houston Police. Recently, HPD, in collaboration with other agencies, made a significant impact through a multi-agency public safety initiative in the Washington Corridor and other areas of town. This initiative led to a dozens of arrests for driving under the influence, speeding, and other crimes, demonstrating our collective commitment to your safety.
This year tested Houston like never before. As we move into 2025, I remain committed to tackling the issues we face, creating opportunities for growth, and ensuring every Houstonian benefits from the progress we make.
I thank you for your trust and support. Serving as your mayor is an honor and a privilege. We are building a city for everyone.
Happy New Year, and let's go to work with optimism and hope for the future!
Mayor John Whitmire
