More Inconsistencies in HCFCD Bond Updates Demand State Audit

7/6/25 – The closer you look at the two most recent 2018 Flood Bond Updates from Harris County Flood Control District – 2024 Year End and 2025 First Quarter – the more eyebrow-raising inconsistencies you see in accounting.

Last week, I reported how “funds remaining” in the 2018 Harris County Flood Bond mysteriously decreased by a billion dollars.

Today, I also noticed inconsistencies with reported “spending” figures that total another $461 million.

Together, the inconsistencies may exaggerate a crisis being used to justify defunding projects in all but Rodney Ellis’ preferred neighborhoods. They make it appear as though we are both spending money and depleting reserves faster than we really may be.

We need a state audit BEFORE defunding any projects.

Compare Reported Spending and Work in Progress

The graphics below come from the two reports. They summarize both money already spent and the value of remaining work in progress. That’s because HCFCD must still pay for work under contract, yet not completed.

At the end of 2024, Spent + In Progress work totaled $3.245 billion.

But during 2025 Q1, the comparable total rose to $3.749 billion.

That’s an increase of $504 million dollars in just three months.

Pretty impressive! Especially when you consider that it’s taken HCFCD seven years to spend $1.5 billion.

The increase didn’t come from money actually “out of pocket.” People would have noticed a surge in construction all over the county.

Q1 Out-of-Pocket Spending Up Only $43 Million

HCFCD actually spent $1.526 billion through the end of 2024.

By the end of the first quarter, actual spending had climbed to $1.569 billion.

HCFCD actually spent – out of pocket – only an additional $43 million in the first quarter. Not nearly enough to account for a $504 million increase in three months. Subtracting $43 million from $504 million means…

HCFCD is claiming “Work in Progress” increased $461 million during the first quarter. But where is it?

No Proof Shown for Spending Commitments

HCFCD’s new management no longer lists active projects on their website. That’s convenient. Previous management used to update it monthly.

And the 2025 Q1 update contains no backup information that provides answers. Neither does the county’s purchasing website. Nor did a review of all Commissioners Court agendas for the quarter. Too much just doesn’t add up.

Long story short: We need a state audit before Rodney Ellis dismantles the 2018 bond program beyond all recognition.

Write your state representative, state senator, the Governor and the Attorney General today. It’s your tax money. Make sure you get some value for it.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/6/2025

2868 Days since Hurricane Harvey

The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.

The post More Inconsistencies in HCFCD Bond Updates Demand State Audit appeared first on Reduce Flooding.