For residents across Harris County Precinct 4, 2025 brought a steady stream of county decisions that shaped everything from neighborhood safety and sidewalks to health services and disaster preparedness. As Harris County Precinct 4—home to more than 1.2 million residents—continues to manage a vast network of 1,600 miles of roads, nearly four miles of bridges, 62 parks, and 10 community centers, many of the year’s investments were designed to strengthen services residents rely on every day.

Commissioner Lesley Briones, now in her third year representing Precinct 4, said the county’s focus throughout 2025 centered on recurring concerns raised by families across unincorporated areas and incorporated communities alike.

“Our work this year was rooted in what the community told us mattered most to their families: public safety, infrastructure, community health, and disaster readiness,” Briones said. “By investing in these non-negotiables, we are creating a stronger, safer Harris County.”

Public Safety Investments With Local Impact

Public safety remained a cornerstone of county spending in 2025. Harris County approved pay parity for law enforcement officers, a move aimed at retaining experienced personnel and stabilizing staffing across a precinct that serves more than a million people. The county also expanded the Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) program to all unincorporated areas, allowing deputies to prioritize violent crime while specialized teams respond to certain mental health- and social-service-related calls.

Additional efforts focused on worker and family safety. A countywide Worksite Safety Policy advanced protections for construction workers, including rest breaks, heat-illness prevention measures, inspections, and whistleblower safeguards. At the same time, $6.2 million was invested in services for survivors of domestic violence and children, supporting organizations such as The Children’s Assessment Center and One Safe Place Houston, which serve residents throughout Precinct 4.

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Infrastructure, Flood Projects, and Getting Around Safely

Infrastructure investments continued across Precinct 4, which maintains a large share of Harris County’s transportation network. In 2025, officials reported progress on 2018 Flood Bond projects, directing remaining bond and partnership funds toward 147 high-impact projects, including 27 located within Precinct 4.

Mobility improvements were also visible at the neighborhood level. The county delivered 50 miles of new sidewalks and began construction on 25 additional miles, addressing long-standing safety concerns in areas without pedestrian infrastructure. Work also began on a major reinvestment at Burnett Bayland Park, one of the region’s most heavily used parks, while the completion of the Sharpstown Trail, a 1.8-mile concrete path, responded directly to community requests for safer pedestrian routes and better transit connections.

Public Health Services Across a Large, Diverse Precinct

Public health funding played a significant role in 2025, particularly in a precinct that sees more than 700,000 visits annually across its community centers. Harris County restored funding for Harris County Public Health, which provides essential services such as vaccinations, mobile health clinics, mosquito control, and animal shelter operations.

The county also increased Harris Health’s budget, supporting hospitals like Ben Taub and Lyndon B. Johnson, as well as clinics and emergency rooms countywide, during a period of federal Medicaid cuts. For Precinct 4 residents, expanded free mobile dental and medical services were offered at the Bayland Community Center Health Hub and other community centers, helping reduce barriers to care.

Preparing for Emergencies and Extreme Weather

Disaster readiness initiatives in 2025 focused heavily on protecting vulnerable residents during extreme heat and power outages. Harris County led an effort to mandate backup power HVAC systems at assisted living and nursing facilities in unincorporated areas, ensuring heating and cooling systems remain operational during emergencies.

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Through the Cool 4 the Summer program, 250 free portable air conditioning units were distributed to seniors and vulnerable residents. Bayland Community Center also received an HVAC upgrade through a $55,000 grant from Daikin and the Astros Foundation, reinforcing its role as a cooling center during extreme heat events. In addition, Precinct 4 finalized its Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and invested in generators and emergency equipment to maintain essential services during disasters and support faster recovery.

Economic Stability and Opportunities for Families

On the economic side, Harris County advanced a historic living wage policy for county employees and contractors, raising pay for thousands of workers. Commissioners also adopted a $2.769 billion balanced county budget, maintaining funding for flood control, public health, roads, sidewalks, and parks without cutting core services.

Precinct 4’s first GRADcafé opened in Gulfton, expanding access to free college and career navigation resources for students, young adults, and families—a reflection of the precinct’s broader role in supporting long-term economic stability.

“In 2025, we delivered results to the people of Harris County,” Briones said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of Precinct 4, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together in 2026.”

As one of Harris County’s largest and most diverse precincts, Precinct 4’s policies and investments often shape daily life in communities across the precinct. Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of county initiatives, infrastructure updates, and public services affecting Harris County Precinct 4 in the year ahead.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.