This year's Diwali celebrations will be brighter than ever in the Houston area after Harris County Commissioners Court on Thursday approved fireworks sales for the holiday for the first time.

Harris County Commissioners voted to add a fireworks sales season specifically for Diwali, despite concerns raised by fire chiefs about potential safety risks.

Elected officials will receive a 9.2% raise this year – their first pay increase since 2016 – but Harris County's eight elected constables won an even higher 17.5% increase after taking their salary complaints to a grievance committee last month.

For a house appraised at $400,000, the new rate would cost an additional $160 more per year. This increase could be higher if voters approve a flood control tax increase this November.