The Hiram Clarke Fort Bend Redevelopment Authority TIRZ 25 (HCFB) was established in 2013 with a primary focus on enhancing the community through economic development. TIRZs are special zones created by Houston’s City Council that are designed to attract new investments, finance redevelopment, and promote growth in areas that would otherwise go unnoticed and house areas experiencing blight. TIRZs have the ability to help improve cities without relying solely on revenue-capped annual city budgets, all while funding public improvements that benefit the entire community for years to come. Taxes attributable to new improvements (tax increments) from within the zone, are set aside in a fund to finance public improvements within the boundaries of the zone. At its core, a TIRZ is a strategic mechanism that unlocks the power of property tax revenue to fuel community development initiatives.

What Transparency Looks Like in Houston’s TIRZ Program

The City of Houston’s TIRZ program operates under Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code, which sets clear expectations for transparency and public accountability. The City builds on these requirements through internal financial policies and public engagement strategies. 

This includes:

  • Open Meetings: All TIRZ board meetings are subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act and must be posted at least 72 hours in advance.
  • Public Budgets and Capital Plans: Annual budgets and capital improvement plans are reviewed by City departments and approved by City Council. These plans must identify funding sources and reflect responsible financial stewardship.
  • Accessible Documentation: Council-approved resolutions, ordinances, and key financial documents are made available to the public by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (MOED).
  • Annual Reporting: TIRZs must submit annual reports detailing increment revenue, expenditures, and progress on capital projects.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: TIRZs are encouraged to engage the public, including residents and council offices, to ensure alignment with community needs.

These practices form the standard for financial transparency in TIRZ governance citywide.

How TIRZ 25 Maintains Public Accountability

Hiram Clarke Fort Bend Redevelopment Authority TIRZ 25 (HCFB) upholds these standards and has implemented additional practices to ensure the public has access to timely and relevant information about its work. The Authority provides the following through its official website:

  • Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes: All meetings are open to the public and posted in compliance with state requirements. Agendas and meeting materials are archived and accessible for review on our website here.
  • Budgets and Financial Information: Annual budgets, audited financials, and capital improvement updates are available online as well here.
  • Project Updates: Current and planned infrastructure projects are highlighted with context to show how they align with the TIRZ 25 Project Plan.

This approach supports the community’s right to understand how public dollars are used and how redevelopment decisions are made. Through TIRZs, we can channel the financial resources necessary to revitalize neighborhoods, promote economic growth, and create sustainable infrastructure that caters to the needs and aspirations of our community. TIRZs are catalysts for meaningful change, empowerment, and sustainable development. They not only improve the present state of our community but pave the way for a vibrant and prosperous future. 

A Consistent Commitment to Clarity

Transparency is not a one-time action—it’s an ongoing process that reinforces public involvement and informed decision-making. Across the City, and here in TIRZ 25, the goal is to build strong, open channels of communication between local government, community stakeholders, and the residents we serve.To learn more about the Hiram Clarke Fort Bend Redevelopment Authority TIRZ 25 (HCFB), click here. For monthly updates, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.