The Fine Print: Houston
What they put in the agenda
Every agenda the site reads, from Commissioners Court and City Council to the port, the transit authority, the college districts and the school boards, is checked item by item. Anything that adds a rule, a fee, debt, surveillance or land control, or that happens behind closed doors, is logged here with the agenda's own words. Anything that cuts or repeals one is logged too, as a rollback.
Showing Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees only. Every government →
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Closed session with attorney on litigation and public finance
Board will meet in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.071 in consultation with board attorney regarding legal matters including Elizondo v. Spring Branch ISD litigation and public finance legal issues.
Oct 26, 2026 agenda, item 10.E: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.071 of the Texas Open Meetings Act in Consultation with the Board's Attorney Regarding All Matters as Authorized by Law, including, but not limited to, discussion of Elizondo v. Spring Branch ISD, Civ. Act. No. H-21-1997, and Legal Issues Surrounding Public Finance
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Closed session on security personnel deployment and audit
Board will meet in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.076 to deliberate on deployment of security personnel or devices and security audits.
Oct 26, 2026 agenda, item 10.D: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.076 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Deliberation of the Deployment, or Specific Occasions for Implementation of Security Personnel or Devices, or Deliberation of a Security Audit
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Closed session on personally identifiable student information
Board will meet in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.0821 to deliberate on personally identifiable information of a public school student.
Oct 26, 2026 agenda, item 10.C: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.0821 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Deliberation of Personally Identifiable Information of a Public School Student
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Closed session on superintendent evaluation timing and format
Board will meet in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.074 to discuss the timing and format of the superintendent's evaluation.
Oct 26, 2026 agenda, item 10.B: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Discussion of the Timing and Format of the Superintendent's Evaluation
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Closed session on routine personnel matters and employee duties
Board will meet in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.074 to discuss routine personnel matters and other personnel matters including duties of employees and public officers.
Oct 26, 2026 agenda, item 10.A: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Routine Personnel Matters and Other Personnel Matters including Duties of Employees and Public Officers
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Closed session with attorney on legal matters and litigation
Board meets in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.071 in consultation with legal counsel regarding matters authorized by law, including Elizondo v. Spring Branch ISD litigation and public finance legal issues.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 5.E: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.071 of the Texas Open Meetings Act in Consultation with the Board's Attorney Regarding All Matters as Authorized by Law, Including, But Not Limited to discussion of Elizondo v. Spring Branch ISD, Civ. Act. No. H-21-1997, and Legal Issues Surrounding Public Finance
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Closed session on security personnel, devices, and audit deliberation
Board meets in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.076 to deliberate deployment or implementation of security personnel or devices, or discuss security audits.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 5.D: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.076 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Deliberation of the Deployment, or Specific Occasions for Implementation of Security Personnel or Devices, or Deliberation of a Security Audit
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Closed session on student personally identifiable information
Board meets in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.0821 to deliberate personally identifiable information of a public school student.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 5.C: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.0821 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Deliberation of Personally Identifiable Information of a Public School Student
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Closed session on superintendent evaluation timing and format
Board meets in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.074 to discuss timing and format of superintendent evaluation.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 5.B: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Discussion of the Timing and Format of the Superintendent's Evaluation
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Closed session on routine personnel and employee duties matters
Board meets in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.074 to discuss routine personnel matters and duties of employees and public officers.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 5.A: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Routine Personnel Matters and Other Personnel Matters including Duties of Employees and Public Officers
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First reading of student safety policy
Board considers new or revised local policy FFF(LOCAL) governing student welfare and student safety.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 4.J: the agenda's words
First Reading of Policy: FFF(LOCAL): STUDENT WELFARE - STUDENT SAFETY CP_First Reading of Policy FFF (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W BU_First Reading of Policy FFF (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W
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First reading of academic achievement policy
Board considers new or revised local policy EI(LOCAL) governing academic achievement.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 4.I: the agenda's words
First Reading of Policy: EI(LOCAL): ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT CP_First Reading of Policy EI (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W BU_First Reading of Policy EI (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W
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First reading of elective instruction policy
Board considers new or revised local policy EHAD(LOCAL) governing basic instructional program and elective instruction.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 4.H: the agenda's words
First Reading of Policy: EHAD(LOCAL): BASIC INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM - ELECTIVE INSTRUCTION CP_First Reading of Policy EHAD (LOCAL)10-13-26 W BU_First Reading of Policy EHAD (LOCAL)10-13-26 W
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First reading of employee standards of conduct policy
Board considers new or revised local policy DH(LOCAL) governing employee standards of conduct.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 4.D: the agenda's words
First Reading of Policy: DH(LOCAL): EMPLOYEE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT CP_First Reading of Policy DH (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W BU_First Reading of Policy DH (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W
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First reading of policy on other types of employment contracts
Board considers new or revised local policy DCE(LOCAL) governing employment practices for other types of contracts.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 4.C: the agenda's words
First Reading of Policy: DCE(LOCAL): EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES - OTHER TYPES OF CONTRACTS CP_First Reading of Policy DCE (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W BU_First Reading of Policy DCE (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W
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First reading of employment practices policy
Board considers new or revised local policy DC(LOCAL) governing employment practices.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 4.B: the agenda's words
First Reading of Policy: DC(LOCAL): EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES CP_First Reading of Policy DC (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W BU_First Reading of Policy DC (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W
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First reading of fiscal management and financial ethics policy
Board considers new or revised local policy CAA(LOCAL) governing fiscal management goals, objectives, and financial ethics for the district.
Oct 13, 2026 agenda, item 4.A: the agenda's words
First Reading of Policy: CAA(LOCAL): FISCAL MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - FINANCIAL ETHICS CP_First Reading of Policy CAA (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W BU_First Reading of Policy CAA (LOCAL) 10-13-26 W
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Contract increase for video capturing and editing software and hardware
Board requests approval to increase contract for software and hardware for video capturing and editing for analytical purposes.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item 12.B.2: the agenda's words
Increase Contract for Software & Hardware for Video Capturing, Editing for Analytical Purposes
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Resolution setting 2026 tax rate
Board requests approval of resolution setting the 2026 tax rate. The item does not specify the rate or indicate whether it exceeds the no-new-revenue rate.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item 11.B: the agenda's words
Request for Approval of Resolution Setting the 2026 Tax Rate CP_Request for Approval of Resolution Setting the 2026 Tax Rate 09-28-26 R BU_Request for Approval of Resolution Setting the 2026 Tax Rate 09-29-25 R BU1_Request for Approval of Resolution Setting the 2026 Tax Rate 09-29-25 R
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Closed session with attorney on legal matters and public finance
Board will meet in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.071 in consultation with board's attorney regarding all matters authorized by law, including Elizondo v. Spring Branch ISD litigation and legal issues surrounding public finance.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item 8.E: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.071 of the Texas Open Meetings Act in Consultation with the Board's Attorney Regarding All Matters as Authorized by Law, including, but not limited to, discussion of Elizondo v. Spring Branch ISD, Civ. Act. No. H-21-1997, and Legal Issues Surrounding Public Finance
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Closed session on real property matters
Board will meet in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.072 regarding purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item 8.D: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.072 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding the Purchase, Exchange, Lease, or Value of Real Property
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Closed session on security personnel, devices, or audit
Board will meet in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.076 to deliberate deployment or implementation of security personnel or devices, or deliberation of a security audit.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item 8.C: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.076 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Deliberation of the Deployment, or Specific Occasions for Implementation of Security Personnel or Devices, or Deliberation of a Security Audit
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Closed session on student personally identifiable information
Board will meet in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.0821 to deliberate personally identifiable information of a public school student.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item 8.B: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.0821 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Deliberation of Personally Identifiable Information of a Public School Student
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Closed session on routine and other personnel matters
Board will meet in closed session under Texas Open Meetings Act Section 551.074 to discuss routine personnel matters and other personnel matters including duties of employees and public officers.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item 8.A: the agenda's words
The Board will meet in Closed Session Under Section 551.074 of the Texas Open Meetings Act Regarding Routine Personnel Matters and Other Personnel Matters including Duties of Employees and Public Officers
Deed restrictions
Houston has no zoning; deed restrictions are what keep a business out of a neighborhood, and the city's Legal Department enforces them for neighborhoods. Complaints don't go through 311: they go to drcomplaints@houstontx.gov or the city's complaint form.
- Deed restriction cases reviewed and enforced by the city: 530 in 2024-25, an estimated 550 in 2025-26, and a target of 550 for 2026-27. Nuisance lawsuits handled: 15 in 2024-25, an estimated 10 in 2025-26. [City of Houston FY2027 budget, Legal Department]
- The city's list of reported deed restriction violations has not been updated since Oct. 20, 2015. [data.houstontx.gov]
Code enforcement
- 40% of the City of Houston's Neighborhoods code citations and 36% of Public Works citations were dismissed; the top reasons were "Nolle Prosequi" (the city dropped it), "Officer Not Present" and "Insufficient Evidence." Inspectors made 95,688 residential inspections from Jan. 1, 2024. [KPRC, Nov. 21, 2025]
- Code enforcement inspectors from Neighborhoods and Public Works have been merged into one Community Code Enforcement division in Houston Public Works. Targets for 2026-27: 13,500 weeded-lot cuts, 87% voluntary compliance, 325 demolitions. [City of Houston FY2027 budget, Neighborhoods]
- The Municipal Courts do not publish code citations and how each ended (fined, dismissed, deferred), and the city's code violation dataset was last updated in 2023.
Code and nuisance complaints to Houston 311, by type, and the average days each took to close, from the city's 311 extract.
| Case type | Cases | Closed | Average days to close |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking Violation | 1,175 | 643 | 6.3 |
| Traffic Signal Maintenance | 1,162 | 882 | 1.2 |
| Container Replacement | 984 | 945 | 1.4 |
| Weeds/Trash/Stagnant Water on Property | 950 | 88 | 5 |
| Trash Dumping or Illegal Dumpsite | 562 | 179 | 4.8 |
| Traffic Signs | 509 | 367 | 4 |
| New Resident Container | 494 | 471 | 1.3 |
| Building Code Violation | 403 | 337 | 2 |
| Container Repair | 340 | 311 | 1.3 |
| Heavy Trash Code Violation | 335 | 119 | 5.4 |
| Health Code | 261 | 25 | 5.7 |
| Junk Motor Vehicle - Private Property | 163 | 34 | 5.1 |
| Bandit Sign - Right of Way | 157 | 148 | 1.8 |
| Traffic Signals | 104 | 54 | 4.9 |
| Dangerous Buildings | 54 | 12 | 3.9 |
| MultiFamily Habitability Violation | 49 | 28 | 1.8 |
| Fire Code Complaint | 49 | 40 | 2.6 |
| Occupancy Violation | 38 | 36 | 2.4 |
| Container Placement | 25 | 3 | 4 |
| Graffiti on Private/Commercial Property | 12 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Drainage System Violation | 11 | 5 | 4.6 |
| Donation Box Violation | 8 | 6 | 2.1 |
| Sign Code Violation | 7 | 5 | 4.5 |
| Malfunctioning Railroad Signal | 4 | 0 | |
| Graffiti - ATT Telephone Equipment | 4 | 0 |
By council district: A 707 (2.5 days) · B 978 (2 days) · C 1,066 (3.1 days) · D 1,118 (2.6 days) · E 370 (2.2 days) · F 337 (3 days) · G 512 (2 days) · H 1,037 (2.7 days) · I 822 (2.7 days) · J 328 (3.1 days) · K 557 (4.1 days) ·
Ghosts in the machine
These cities pass ordinances, set tax rates and sign contracts, and none of it appears here: their agendas could not be read by machine in the last 90 days (scanned images, script-only pages, or no posted agendas). Unseen is not clean.
- 9,613 residents · Jacinto City (0 agendas read, 0 new items; newest agenda posted is for May 28, 2026)
- 4,385 residents · City of Hunters Creek Village Its website does not answer this site's public-records reader, and has since Oct 23, 2026. Its meeting agendas are public records the city must post under the Texas Open Meetings Act; nothing it approves can be shown here until it lets them be read.
- 3,704 residents · City of Taylor Lake Village Its website answers "forbidden" to this site's public-records reader, and has since Oct 23, 2026. Its meeting agendas are public records the city must post under the Texas Open Meetings Act; nothing it approves can be shown here until it lets them be read.
- 3,128 residents · City of Piney Point Village (0 agendas read, 0 new items)
- 816 residents · City of Hilshire Village (0 agendas read, 0 new items)
Scorecard, last 12 months
Points: New rules 3 · Money 4 · Surveillance 4 · Land control 3 · Strings attached 2 · Secrecy 2 · Rollback −3 · the same weights The Fine Print uses everywhere. The Fuckery Meter adds tax rates, consent agendas, closed sessions, missing notice and withheld records.