Harris County Judge Calls for Transparency
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has confirmed that she will not be seeking reelection. This announcement came during a press conference on September 16, 2025. Recently, an audit revealed that the Harris County Flood Control District failed to implement a reformed procurement process for selecting project vendors.
Background of the Issue
The audit was called for by Hidalgo’s office after conversations about a major funding shortfall on dozens of post-Hurricane Harvey flood projects. Last year, county commissioners directed the flood control district, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and the county engineering department to implement written procedures for selecting vendors and maintaining process documents. They also required county employees involved in the procurement process to complete conflict of interest forms.
Previous Audit Findings
A 2023 audit found issues with the flood control district’s procurement process, which may have posed "undue risk to Harris County." The audit discovered that the flood control district failed to document how professional services vendors are evaluated and selected. This meant there was no written record of why a particular vendor was chosen for a contract. Additionally, the flood control district and commissioner precincts failed to document that individuals involved in the vendor evaluation process did not have a personal or financial conflict of interest.
Current Audit Findings
The recent audit found that the flood control district, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and the engineering department have independent procurement processes. This means that the county lacks tracking and documentation of contracts over $50,000, except for projects funded by federal dollars. A new policy implemented by the flood control district included conflict of interest certifications and a vendor evaluation and scoring process. However, this policy was not implemented until August this year, after the flood control district requested several extensions.
Response to the Audit
Hidalgo stated that the audit shows apparent risks of conflicts of interest in how flood control contracts are awarded. She emphasized the need for transparency and guardrails to ensure that the county government meets basic ethics standards. On the other hand, the flood control district argued that the audit covers a transition period during which they were actively implementing reforms and updating their procedures. They rejected any implication of unethical behavior in their contracting processes, citing their record of mitigating flooding for Harris County residents.
Next Steps
A follow-up audit is planned for next year to review the flood control district’s implementation of process reforms. This will help to ensure that the necessary changes are made to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure transparency in the procurement process.
Conclusion
The recent audit and Hidalgo’s call for transparency highlight the importance of ensuring that government processes are fair and accountable. The lack of documentation and tracking of contracts poses a risk to the county and taxpayers. It is essential that the flood control district and other county departments implement the necessary reforms to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that contracts are awarded based on merit. By doing so, they can restore trust and ensure that the county government is working in the best interests of its residents.
