[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6101253,"mediaKeyId","2809734-9971e886c36892a1e6a77f44c3147ffe","parentId",2809734,"title","Council approves consent agenda, bond advisory committee and a FY2025 budget amendment; several housing and capital resolutions pass","audioSeconds",643,"startMs",8114000,"endMs",8757000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809734-9971e886c36892a1e6a77f44c3147ffe&start=8114&end=8757","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809734-9971e886c36892a1e6a77f44c3147ffe/thumbnail_8114000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101253/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-approves-consent-agenda-bond-advisory-committee-and-a-FY2025-budget-amendment-several-housing-and-capital-resolutions-pass","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101253-2add1fb7b49910f8a68f9c5a173339f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155391&Signature=TIsw1QuiibGBvQGJHFSgaxhUy0Pj3N4FSu8UW96Het5KRGaZ1Mqpt2um~UbpAGZhfXtKepLmtveP8J113IWTpdBIAGplqwVMs18Nhxt98Wbuy63VF9U0msfH2dasGt5vvk0RSlIMJ0gGByYA21zxqYtTBauzTkJzulbVDfkA0i53ZFxX2kV0dE0FPq3Ky1hda3UwKSxX1WYwsnmW4zfD-7QCrT7dh61yIw~sO00HKw341oCZgOQPrpv938b~jlzCUiJ-R2Xq-mk4t6IvzilYbsxGiiYxvwmMSgrPugp9VEe3ZweHmgrrYbZltjLj5Cal~AMaRILrVkHpTl6IKEGw3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Beaumont, Texas","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Beaumont City Council approved multiple resolutions and one ordinance amendment during its March 25 regular meeting, adopting consent items and a set of measures the city described as necessary to advance capital planning and infrastructure work.

Lede: Council voted to approve nine regular-agenda items including a TxDOT advanced funding agreement for Port of Beaumont wayfinding signs, two \"resolution of no objection\" statements supporting applications for low‑income housing tax credits, a revision to create a bond advisory committee (adopted as an ordinance with appointment language tied to the city’s existing appointments code), and an amendment to the FY2025 budget to fund consultant work on a proposed bond program.

Why it matters: The bond advisory committee and budget amendment together kick off a formal bond planning process for potential voter consideration; council approved a modification of council/manager appointment language and added a residency requirement for appointees consistent with the city code. The council also approved several capital and contract items that adjust project scopes and allow staff to proceed with construction, change orders and grant‑application support.

Votes at a glance (items recorded on the meeting agenda):
- Item 1 — Advanced funding agreement with TxDOT for Port of Beaumont wayfinding signs: approved. The resolution authorizes the city manager to enter an agreement to maintain 16 wayfinding signs to guide heavy truck traffic to port routes.
- Item 2 — Resolution of no objection: Timbers Edge (1075 Pinchback Road) low‑income housing tax credit project: approved. The council issued a formal resolution supporting the developer’s pursuit of 4% tax credits and private activity bond financing.
- Item 3 — Resolution of no objection: Seville (4325 Crow Road) low‑income housing tax credit project: approved.
- Item 4 — Creation of a bond advisory committee: council approved the creation with an amendment to adopt the city’s board/commission appointment language (to require residents and conform to section 2.02.0001) and to convert the action to an ordinance; the motion carried.
- Item 5 — Amendment to FY2025 budget to fund bond consultant work and related tasks: approved (one abstention recorded). The amendment funds outside consultant support for bond planning and outreach.
- Item 6 — Award contract for E. Virginia pump station trash collector reconstruction to Brasstar Contracting Inc.: approved.
- Item 7 — Change order #8, Riverfront Park restoration contract with Kellen Marine Ltd.: approved.
- Item 8 — Change order #7, 48‑inch Pine Street raw water line project with Alco LLC: approved.
- Item 9 — Amendment to financial policies (balanced‑budget definition tied to recurring revenue vs recurring expenditures): approved after staff presentation; council adopted the updated language and asked that it be used for FY2026 budget planning.

Details and context: Several motions were approved after brief discussion; where the transcript did not record a formal roll‑call tally the minutes record the actions as carried. Council discussed timing of bond work and whether to proceed before the May 3 election; staff said consultants need time to convene a committee and recommended moving quickly to meet a November ballot timeline if council so chooses. Council amended the bond‑committee language to reference the city’s existing appointments ordinance to require appointees to be Beaumont residents and to limit simultaneous service on other advisory bodies as the code specifies.

Ending: The council’s votes advanced both capital construction work and the initial phase of a bond outreach process; several items will require staff follow‑up (ordinance language to implement appointments, committee selection, consultant scheduling, and further budget workshops).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting Mar 25, 2025 | City of Beaumont, TX","oneSentenceSummary","Beaumont City Council approved nine regular-agenda items on March 25 including TxDOT wayfinding maintenance, two housing tax‑credit support resolutions, creation of a bond advisory committee as an ordinance, and a FY2025 budget amendment to fund bond planning.","taxTitle","Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas","taxId",2805,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101258,"Consultants present $14.5–$19.7 million drainage and master‑plan options for Henry Homburg Golf Course",1485,934000,2419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809734-9971e886c36892a1e6a77f44c3147ffe&start=934&end=2419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809734-9971e886c36892a1e6a77f44c3147ffe/thumbnail_934000.jpg","/articles/6101258/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Consultants-present-145197-million-drainage-and-masterplan-options-for-Henry-Homburg-Golf-Course","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101258-754ea7c17cb13d4826bf051045c9a060/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155391&Signature=bJvCQ7huD8eBVHXmnuQoGmVHr9ZJwLY86siEvDxBKK5FjGBiHLclHbphkpTwNwVzNg06AJeX10ag-dOUtv9Hc~MuCQJrXyWysmzVqON1mSNp8io39iYDLO3x~wmWEcV5UZXjk5rWmwJFPIAvKxtKycloC9yvI9RCoIplKeLlpb68PcUw1QVUssP9YHLisfx5b~7p1MH2IMf7kPVM0cpZ8po37qSMnAtAYnrjPJoKBUU1s82HQfjR8s1pbZcSevt70l8~dm-iofNMDTPdTaA18hwtYtsz5kX9QdmOEbiWU0tYPq-H6zH4rGH3wUHApsNBtHqQLC27zJegp6pijDJGMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City consultants told Beaumont City Council on March 25 that Henry Homburg Golf Course would require major work to resolve chronic ponding and infrastructure decay, and offered two cost tracks: a renovation of existing routing and infrastructure estimated at about $14.5 million, and a full re‑routing and comprehensive rebuild estimated at about $19.7 million.

Baxter Spann of Finger Dye Spann Golf Course Architects, with Mike McClung of Tetra Tech engineers, presented a drainage-focused master plan that included short‑term fixes and a long‑term regrading and irrigation program. Spann said the course is \"well past the maximum life expectancy on all of its systems\" and described fairways that stay wet because they are flatter than 1% slope in many spots.

Nut graf: The consultants recommended near-term work (upsizing undersized culverts at the northern outfall, clearing silted swales and improving roadside ditch grading) and long-term construction of a systematic network of drainage basins, subsurface piping, regrading of fairways into drainage basins, larger irrigation lakes, a new automated irrigation system with central computer control and a new enclosed pump station.

Key findings and costs: The presentation documented severe ponding—consultants noted pockets with up to 6 inches of water in a 5‑year storm and more than 2 feet in major events—and that extensive siltation has reduced on‑site drainage capacity. The irrigation system components were described as 20 to 40 years old, lacking central automation, and with undersized mainlines for an 18‑hole course. The consultants proposed relocating the practice range across Babe Zaharias Drive to create a full‑size driving range, adding a large primary putting green and short‑game areas, and building a new system of 200‑foot drainage basins tied to regraded fairways to move water into irrigation lakes and an overflow pipe to the east drainage facility.

Spann summarized costs: a full master plan with site preparation, earthwork, drainage, irrigation, green construction, bunkers, cart paths and landscaping had a construction subtotal of about $16.7 million; with professional fees and a 10% contingency he gave a total of about $19.7 million. A more limited renovation to replace infrastructure in place was estimated about $14.5 million.

Context and next steps: Recreation Director Jimmy Neal said the drainage study was funded from a prior park system allocation of more than $1 million and thanked public works and engineering staff. Council members asked for the study to be used to plan funding and to return with details on phasing, operating‑revenue projections and how improvements would affect playability and revenue. Consultants said improved drainage would increase playable days, speed play, and could increase rounds and revenue over time, but they did not provide an immediate revenue guarantee.

Ending: The presentation gave the council a concrete engineering pathway and a budget range to begin capital planning. No funding was approved at the meeting; council requested supplemental information on phasing, long‑term revenue assumptions and opportunities for grants or partner funding before any commitment.","Architects and engineers recommended regrading, new drainage basins and a complete irrigation overhaul for Henry Homburg Golf Course, offering a basic renovation estimate of $14.5 million and a comprehensive new routing and facilities plan at about $19.7 million.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101263,"Beaumont council hears monthslong debate over fire department overtime, union no-confidence and staffing",483,4314000,4797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809734-9971e886c36892a1e6a77f44c3147ffe&start=4314&end=4797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809734-9971e886c36892a1e6a77f44c3147ffe/thumbnail_4314000.jpg","/articles/6101263/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Beaumont-council-hears-monthslong-debate-over-fire-department-overtime-union-no-confidence-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101263-8484696c2bca2a2bee7d037f13d46bbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155391&Signature=HCWFysVNNL9NfqhvH3D0gQIhoK7Q9JGYhWlzX7-90tKsj4WM~mF6UU3AMhLhQO3VdBclooJpJGTU2PY6MBE0PyikGXD7q7KfjTOG~whzjLLSH0f5EKNYSjCoHCGpckivCCqWIVrrDyXufEXH~3iqT1QvnCZcp4kBXaNkg7fzNkmPaQACrj9r1cYPO-f9ahhnsZvSHF-PHsxFQyurFTqgj0KTKhbn4jYOOyFe30JzrlsXRA4wy~Op4R5RjIK77ngqQxgl4WHdb2mimt5qNA6V1pPU6Xo6~BPm~GTUxgYf-7G3G7Nd5Q6OyG9F6dEQAQbQ7RN9WP1BCo1rDBrDULDv3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beaumont City Council spent more than an hour on March 25 reviewing a surge in fire-department overtime and public unrest after the firefighters’ union circulated a vote of no confidence in Fire Chief Earl White. Assistant Finance Officer Duncan Brown told council the city’s overtime costs have risen sharply since 2020, with the Fire Department showing the largest increase and a multi-year growth in overtime spending.

The presentation laid out the core issue: the Beaumont Fire Department’s overtime grew far faster than other departments after the city combined EMS operations into the fire department in 2022. \"Annualized growth rate for sworn overtime is 24.69%,\" Brown said, and the department’s total overtime since 2020 was presented as approximately $17.9 million. Brown said the 2025 figure shown to council was an annualized projection from the first five months of the fiscal year.

Council members and residents said the spike in overtime is straining the budget and drew attention to staff shortages, sick leave, and residency patterns among firefighters. Multiple speakers from the public criticized the union’s vote of no confidence and defended Chief White; others urged the council to prioritize resident taxpayers’ interests. Christopher Jones, identified as a Beaumont resident, called the union’s action “a tantrum … a maneuver by union representatives and a small group, seeking leverage, disguised as concern.”

Why it matters: the overtime increase affects the city general fund and the council’s budgeting choices. Brown and Chief White described several drivers: the EMS integration, litigation that paused civilian EMT hiring, retirements and resignations, and an increase in sick-leave usage since 2021. Chief Earl White told the council he is pursuing recruitment initiatives—dual-certification and a cadet program—and said the department is auditing sick-leave use. \"When firefighters are riding in med units, we're paying them more,\" council members noted during questioning; Chief White explained that filling EMS shifts with sworn firefighters raises labor costs because those employees are paid at higher base rates.

Details and debate: Brown showed the council that civilian EMT/paramedic hiring was suspended during litigation, which led to backfilling med-unit shifts with higher-paid firefighters. Chief White said starting pay figures discussed in the meeting were roughly $18 an hour for EMTs, about $22 for paramedics, and about $30.31 for firefighter/EMT certified staff, which increases costs when those employees are used to staff medical units. Brown and Chief White said the city has begun steps to recruit more candidates, including a firefighter cadet model and a sign-on bonus for civilian EMTs and paramedics (described in the meeting as $3,000 for EMTs and $5,000 for paramedics, paid in installments tied to training milestones).

Council members pressed on sick-leave monitoring and the practical effect on operations: a number of speakers said only 37 of 229 firefighters live in Beaumont; Chief White explained residency rules were struck down by state law and the department cannot require residency. The chief said he has added hiring preferences for city residents on civil-service test scores and is enforcing sick-leave rules. He also said the department logs long workweeks for many employees and the city is watching for fatigue and safety implications.

What council directed or passed: there was no formal council vote changing policy during this meeting. Brown and Chief White presented a list of initiatives the department is implementing to reduce overtime: expanded recruiting (dual- and single-cert tracks and cadet programs), targeted sick-leave audits to verify policy compliance, restoring a pre‑COVID unit assignment to reduce minimum manpower requirements, and re‑evaluating training and support units to limit costly overtime. Councilors asked staff to continue work on recruitment incentives and report back in the budget workshops.

Ending: Council members and speakers agreed the firefighters are providing essential services and that the issue is operational and fiscal. Several residents urged the council to protect Chief White; others called for greater transparency and stricter enforcement of leave policies. The council did not take a personnel action during the meeting.","City officials, the fire chief and dozens of residents debated a sharp rise in overtime, the effect of integrating EMS with the fire department, and a union vote of no confidence in Chief Earl White. Staff presented data showing large overtime increases; the council discussed recruitment, sick-leave use and legal limits on residency rules.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101248,"Nonprofits and cultural groups pitch hotel‑occupancy‑tax projects to Beaumont council for FY2026 funding",205,14365000,14570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2809734-9971e886c36892a1e6a77f44c3147ffe&start=14365&end=14570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2809734-9971e886c36892a1e6a77f44c3147ffe/thumbnail_14365000.jpg","/articles/6101248/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Nonprofits-and-cultural-groups-pitch-hoteloccupancytax-projects-to-Beaumont-council-for-FY2026-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101248-0f7035b775e7b68a79567478ef689e6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155391&Signature=OX1Ow2dMzKgGJjehScf379tmS~c8UN1YnIHy4V9xA2LCIwD5Yr940xiKM0tr0i6dgtBRATNLy2qtKwIBShpmAlQpi0R5TU28ivHxSWn4Z~8AyPI8ZhXtLJm725BxcICywhz2dyuE20wL2RiACc5cg5s3Fom5qfOo7ViLgZIUXrU56TgKqc0HcW81hc3ourtkWqLMYFQkJiNaYfOjCbav1IyWiPEQynkhwMTNYATvv5NpbIXSLHXLS0GNo8UiUokouw5J7Qp4YdgZyZM-q-OgACwCq31ATd4AC9ZvdZUhiv34679gAE58UUitKqbNq5fhiQTFmbusqgJs5xuFqiuvFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beaumont City Council held a public hearing on March 25 to receive requests for fiscal‑year 2026 hotel‑occupancy‑tax funds. Representatives of museums, festivals and cultural organizations described year‑round programming and visitor counts and asked the council to continue or expand tourism marketing and event funding.

The applicants described varied tourism impacts. Lynn Castle of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas noted the museum’s 75th anniversary and said AMSET tracked more than 37,500 visitors in fiscal year 2024 with increased out‑of‑town attendance and digital reach. Colleen Hartel, executive director of the Beaumont Botanical Gardens, said the gardens plan to remove a large interior fountain and replace aging lobby flooring at the Binks Horticultural Center to improve rental capacity and cited a quote‑estimate of about $55,000 to reframe historic stained glass for relocation.

The Beaumont Children’s Museum reported 69,710 attendees in 2024 and said collaborations with downtown events have produced increased visitation; the museum asked for HOT funds to support expanded marketing and special events, including a fishing tournament that draws regional visitors. BoomTown Film Festival and BoomTown organizers described a multi‑day film and music event that drew attendees and filmmakers from across the country and said they plan to expand the festival to encourage multiple‑night stays.

Nut graf: Applicants emphasized that hotel‑occupancy‑tax expenditures support visitor‑facing programming that produces overnight stays—festivals, museum exhibitions, and rental venues that attract event planners and travelers. Several organizations said they collect hotel data from renters and attendees and coordinate with the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau. Councillors asked clarifying questions about tracking hotel stays, outreach and the estimated tourism effect of proposed projects.

Other presenters included the Texas Energy Museum, the Beaumont Heritage Society (John Jay French Museum), the Downtown Beaumont Cultural Arts District, AIM Dance (Summerfest), and a technology‑focus conference pitch (Onyx Cyber) aimed at workforce and visitor attraction. The council closed the hearing after the applicants’ presentations; no funding decisions were made at the hearing.

Ending: Staff will process requests and present funding recommendations for council consideration under the city’s HOT allocation process and review schedule; applicants were reminded of deadlines for required documentation.","During a public hearing the Art Museum, Botanical Gardens, children’s museum, film and arts festivals, and heritage and energy museums described programming and visitor numbers as they sought Beaumont hotel‑occupancy‑tax funding for FY2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves consent agenda, bond advisory committee and a FY2025 budget amendment; several housing and capital resolutions pass

Consultants present $14.5–$19.7 million drainage and master‑plan options for Henry Homburg Golf Course

Beaumont council hears monthslong debate over fire department overtime, union no-confidence and staffing

Nonprofits and cultural groups pitch hotel‑occupancy‑tax projects to Beaumont council for FY2026 funding