Commissioner, Precinct 1· 2017-2028
Rodney Ellis
Harris County
About
Rodney Ellis's reported actions and platform focus on public safety accountability, specifically advocating for local oversight and funding for investigations into fatal incidents involving law enforcement agencies like ICE.
Campaign promises (1)
- public-safetyRodney Ellis advocated that Harris County earmark funding for a local investigation into a fatal ICE shooting.Related votes
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 20
- Total speaking time
- 6:28:26
- Avg per meeting
- 19:25
- Segments
- 7247
Want every word Ellis has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Ellis said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)(General)
Automated License Plate Reader Privacy and Oversight
The contract renewal costs $868,975 for the year.
Data Center Growth and Environmental Burdens
Potential tax abatements and substantial capital investments from private technology corporations.
data center regulation
You might see lower utility bills or more stable energy prices if these centers are forced to pay more for the massive amount of power they consume.
immigration policy enforcement
Taxpayers could be on the hook for massive legal fees as the city and state burn through cash fighting this out in court.
County Treasurer Salary Grievance
The county spent $54.4 million on temporary workers in 2025.
Public Health and Pollution Control Funding
Proposed budget offsets could result in a $1.6 million reduction in psychiatric emergency services.
political candidacy
The race will likely trigger a special election or appointment process to fill her council seat, which will cost taxpayers money.
ICE Shooting Transparency
Diverting local police time to handle federal immigration tasks could end up costing taxpayers more by pulling officers away from local crime prevention.
Housing Affordability and Eviction Prevention
The department is managing a $156 million total budget, with $20.7 million in general fund support.
immigration policy
Shifting these policies could impact the county budget by altering how much local tax money is spent on federal immigration enforcement tasks.
energy infrastructure expansion
You might see more stable energy prices long-term, but local property values could fluctuate depending on how the expansion affects the neighborhood's environmental profile.
Indigent Defense Expansion
The expansion requires significant multi-year budget increases for staffing and operations.
FY 2027 Strategic Hiring Policy and Exemptions
These policies directly dictate personnel expenditures across county departments.
litigation against county
Taxpayers could be on the hook for hefty legal fees and potential settlements if the county's current procurement rules are found to be unlawful.
County Attorney Appointment
None directly specified beyond ongoing operational expenses of the office.
Veterans' Jail Program
The project involves an initial investment of over $1.2 million.
municipal utility regulation
Your monthly electric bill might change, but local leaders argue Abbott's plan won't deliver the promised savings.
business equity program
Local small businesses that rely on these contracts could see their revenue streams dry up if the program is dismantled.
demographic shifts
If we don't shift our budget to follow the people, we'll end up wasting money on empty infrastructure in the wrong places.
Opioid Litigation Settlement Agreement
Brings settlement funds into the county to aid in opioid abatement and remediation efforts.
Decisions during term (27)
Recorded while Ellis was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Request for approval of the sale by Harris County Flood Control District, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, of a 0.05-acre pipeline easement to the Targa Gulf Coast NGL Pipeline LLC from the HCFCD General Sales project, tract…
Request for approval to use general funds in an amount not to exceed $20,000 for purchasing food, beverage, and related supplies for internal meetings, staff training, and employee engagement events from October 1, 2026 through September…
Request for approval to purchase Metro cards, furniture vouchers, gift cards and school uniforms from various retailers in the total amount of $6,000 using general funds and special revenue funds to address emergency needs, uniform needs…
Transmittal by the Office of the Purchasing Agent of a project scheduled for advertisement for general watershed repairs to channels (E) White Oak Bayou, (W) Buffalo Bayou, (H) Hunting Bayou, and (P118) Halls Bayou for the Flood Control…
Request for approval of six (6) agreements utilizing General Funds for Texans Feeding Texans Home-Delivered Meals Projects with Bay Area Meals on Wheels, Inc.; Baytown Meals on Wheels; Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston;…
Request by the Constable of Precinct 4 for approval to accept from the Texas Department of Transportation grant funds in the amount of $5,050.00, with a required match of $3,763.50, for the FY 27 General Traffic Safety Phlebotomy Program.
Request for approval of a renewal option with Autotainment Partners Limited Partnership DBA Planet Ford Lincoln; and Kacal's Oil & Gas DBA Kacal's Auto & Truck Service for general vehicle maintenance and related items for Harris County for…
Request for approval of an award on the basis of best proposal meeting requirements to Joeris General Contractors, LLC in the amount of $3,613,635 for the construction price for construction and renovation of various firing ranges for the…
Request for approval of utilization of a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program contract with General Motors LLC in the estimated amount of $4,200,000 for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) repair, replacement, maintenance parts,…
Adoption of Harris County General Tax Rate
Adoption of FY 2027 Harris County General Fund Budget
Set Public Hearing on Harris County General Fund Tax Rate
Request for approval of additional general funds in the amount of $2,820 to cover parking expenses with Lanier Parking Meter Services, LLC through September 30, 2026.
Request by the Sheriff’s Office for approval to temporarily transfer general funds in the amount of $100,000 to support administrative operations pending receipt of the FY 2027 Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Center Grant.
Request for approval to update the funding code of one position to the general fund effective August 22, 2026.
Request for approval to allocate a total of $260,400 ($195,300-PSGP Grant Funds/$3,500-Houston Ship Channel Security District/$61,600-General Funds) from the FY2025 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) EMW-2025-PU-05052 to the Harris County…
Request for approval to allocate a total of $345,055 ($258,791.25-PSGP Grant Funds/$86,263.75-General Funds) from the FY2025 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) EMW-2025-PU-05052 to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for security…
Request for approval to use general funds to pay for the 2026 assessment activities fees, $8,600, and annual fees, $1,500, for a total of $10,100 to ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the accrediting body for the HCIFS Forensic…
Request for approval to stale date 521 outstanding juror non-redeemed checks and transfer $17,545.00 back into the general fund bank account.
Request for approval of a renewal option and to correct the vendor name from ECON Development, Inc. (as approved) to LASS Engineering and Construction, Inc. (corrected) for general drainage system repairs in South Harris County for the…
Voting record (2)(General)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.