Mayor Whitmire's September Update Newsletter

Mayor Whitmire's September Update Newsletter

October 1, 2024 --

Dear Houstonians,

As Mayor of this great city, one of my most important responsibilities is ensuring that our first responders and city workers -- those who serve us every day -- are recognized and fairly compensated for the vital work they do. This year, we successfully increased compensation for these dedicated individuals, acknowledging their invaluable service to Houston. Whether it's our police, firefighters, emergency personnel, or city staff, they are the backbone of our city, and we remain committed to ensuring they are supported and appreciated.

At the same time, Houston's strength is found in the diversity of our people, and this month the city was proud to celebrate the contributions of the Hispanic community, during Hispanic Heritage Month. Our city thrives because of the rich traditions, culture, and history that our Hispanic neighbors bring to every part of Houston life. By preserving these traditions and lifting up their voices, we not only honor our past but also ensure a brighter, more inclusive future.

Mayor John Whitmire

Taking Care of Business

State of the City 2024

The State of the City event was truly an incredible gathering, with a full house and an energy that was both positive and inspiring. It was a moment to celebrate all we've achieved together in the past eight months, from our city's strong response to the May derecho and Hurricane Beryl to reaching a collective bargaining agreement with the Houston Professional Firefighters Association. The enthusiasm in the room reflected the unity and pride we all share in making Houston a great place to live, work, and thrive.

While we celebrated our accomplishments, we also recognized the challenges ahead, and I'm confident we will continue to tackle them together. From addressing quality-of-life issues like homelessness to ensuring our essential services remain strong, I look forward to working alongside each of you to keep Houston moving forward.

The energy and support in that room reminded me why I'm ready to give you the best years of my life, committed to building a brighter future for our city.

Houston Police Cadet Raise

I'm proud to share that we have taken a significant step to support our Houston Police Recruiting Department. In September I announced a $10,000 raise for our police cadets and additional incentives to attract and retain top talent. This comes as we're visiting Cadet Class #268 with Police Chief J. Noe Diaz.

Effective September 10th, our HPD cadets will see their base salary jump from $42,000 to $52,000. They'll also receive a $5,000 one-time incentive upon completing the academy and TCOLE Certification, boosting their total first-year compensation to $57,000. After the probationary period, salaries will increase to $62,574.

This investment reflects our commitment to the brave men and women who risk their lives to keep Houston safe. As I told the cadets, this pay increase is just the beginning. We want to attract the best to our force and let everyone know that Houston is the place to be.

I've attended many police cadet graduations, but this event was special as I addressed the cadets still in training. With 46 cadets in Class #268 set to graduate in March 2025, and funding for six cadet classes in the FY 2025 budget, we're paving the way for a stronger HPD.

I encouraged the cadets to help recruit new officers and always put the community first. I hope to see some of you rise to leadership roles in the future. Remember, when you interact with the public, treat them with the care and respect you would your own family.

Together, we're building a better, safer Houston.

Pay Raises and Minimum Wage Increase for City Workers

The City of Houston has reached a tentative labor agreement with HOPE AFSCME Local 123, our municipal workers union. This new contract will provide pay raises and increase base wages for around 11,000 of our dedicated city employees, including 311 operators, library workers, Solid Waste drivers, and Public Works crews.

Starting with a $3,000 flat raise in the first year, followed by a 3.5% raise in each of the next two years, this contract also raises the minimum wage for city workers from $15.00 to $16.75. For our lowest-paid workers, including janitorial and maintenance staff, this could mean a pay increase of up to 10% in the first year.

Beyond pay increases, the agreement includes other benefits like new bilingual pay, improvements to the internal dispute resolution process, and a program allowing employees over 60 to retire while continuing city health insurance until they become Medicare-eligible.

I'm excited about this progress, which must still be approved by union members and City Council. It's one of the reasons I ran for mayor -- to ensure our city employees are recognized as the heroes they are.

In Your Community

Mexican Independence Celebration

Celebrating Mexican Independence Day with Que Onda Magazine and our vibrant community was a fantastic day. So many community leaders and Hispanic community members were there as we honored 214 years of rich Mexican history. The contributions of the Hispanic community to Houston's culture and growth are invaluable, and I'm excited to continue building a future where that legacy thrives.

Visiting Our Fire Departments

During the last couple of months, I have had the privilege of visiting several fire stations around our city to see firsthand the conditions our firefighters work in while carrying out their life-saving duties.

It was a humbling experience to witness the dedication and resilience of these brave men and women who put themselves on the line for our safety every day.

Our firefighters, along with all first responders, deserve not only our gratitude but also the best possible support and resources. As a city, we owe it to them to ensure they have what they need to continue serving and protecting us.

These visits reinforced my commitment to improving their working conditions and making sure they know how much we appreciate their service.

Celebrations and Observances

We Remember 9/11

As we paused to remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, we honored the lives lost and the bravery of our first responders and military members who made the ultimate sacrifice. While we often hear the numbers and names, it's important to remember that each represents a real person-mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends-whose dreams and futures were tragically cut short.

• Watch the highlights of our 9/11 ceremony HERE

The best way we can truly pay tribute to those we lost is by taking care of those who continue to serve us today. Let's carry their memory forward by fostering a community that stands together, supports one another, and lifts each other up every day.

Celebrating Hispanic Excellence in Houston

As we honor the rich culture and heritage of Houston's Hispanic community during Hispanic Heritage Month, the Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Awards (MHHA) Committee is proud to recognize those who have made significant contributions to improving the quality of life for Hispanics in our city. Each year, remarkable individuals who have demonstrated leadership, dedication, and a commitment to enhancing the vibrancy of our diverse community are selected. These honorees exemplify the values and spirit of service that drive Houston forward.

• More information on the outstanding individuals who have received this prestigious award

October is for Baseball and the Houston Astros

The Houston Astros will kick off their pursuit of a third World Series title since 2017 on Tuesday afternoon, as the American League West champions take on the rising Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park. #Relentless #Go Astros

As we move forward, I want to thank each of you for your continued dedication to making Houston a better place by looking out for your neighbors and family. Together, through collaboration and shared effort, we'll keep improving our city and ensuring it remains a place we're all proud to call home. Let's keep working hand in hand to build a brighter future for everyone.

Mayor John Whitmire

The City of Houston publishes bi-monthly newsletters to keep our residents updated on everything happening in the Mayor's Office as well as within our various City departments.

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