HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston Mayor John Whitmire's $7 billion FY 2026 budget passed Wednesday.

Historic raises for first responders:

Whitmire's administration struck a deal with the Houston Professional Firefighters Association, ending a bitter eight-year dispute. City Council unanimously approved the agreement, which City Controller Chris Hollins said could cost taxpayers up to $1.5 billion over the next three decades.

The administration also struck a deal with the Houston Police Officers Union. The deal, which is also estimated to cost the city upwards of $1 billion, makes the department the highest paid in the state, according to Chief Noe Diaz.

Street and drainage settlement:

In 2010, Houston voters approved a charter amendment, which established a drainage fee to fund street

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