Whitmire's budget passage comes after months of working to implement cuts and consolidations across city departments.

Houston City Council members voted to approve Mayor John Whitmire's $7 billion budget on Wednesday, amid months-long debate over cuts, consolidations and disputed claims that the proposal would completely tackle the city's current historical deficit.

Ahead of a 14-3 vote to pass the $7 billion spending plan, concerns were raised about new legislation affecting the city's public safety pension funds.