Houston City Controller disputes $2.6M car wash contract

Houston City Controller Chris Hollins has declared a $2.6 million contract for city-owned car wash services null and void, alleging that Mayor John Whitmire violated the City Charter by bypassing required financial oversight.

Hollins stated that the City Charter requires his office’s certification before the City Council can approve expenditures via ordinance, resolution, or motion. He claims the administration attempted to circumvent this by changing the agenda item’s label from ‘ordinance’ to ‘motion’ during the October 7 City Council meeting, but maintained that the legal requirement for certification remains unmet.

A primary point of contention is the funding source; Hollins noted that nearly 40 percent of the proposed contract would be drawn from funds dedicated to flood mitigation and drainage maintenance. While Mayor Whitmire’s office argued that fleet upkeep is necessary to combat flooding, Hollins maintains the link is insufficient to justify using those specific funds.

City Attorney Arturo Michel defended the procedural change, stating it was not an unusual procedure intended to allow the item to move forward. However, Hollins has notified the service provider that the city will not honor any payments under the contested contract.