[{"_1":2,"_113":-5,"_114":-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",[32,74,84,94,104],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6043864,"mediaKeyId","3625068-cb4c89a905658a1841047d01c194fbdc","parentId",3625068,"title","Council authorizes BEDC to acquire 65-acre tract near I-35; staff outline infrastructure needs and costs","audioSeconds",591,"startMs",2527000,"endMs",3118000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625068-cb4c89a905658a1841047d01c194fbdc&start=2527&end=3118","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6043864/Belton/Bell-County/Texas/Council-authorizes-BEDC-to-acquire-65-acre-tract-near-I-35-staff-outline-infrastructure-needs-and-costs","mediaUrl","author","Belton City","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Belton Economic Development Corporation on March 11 asked the city council to authorize purchase of roughly 65 acres west of I-35 (adjacent to Salado Business Park). The council approved BEDC's authorization to execute amended real estate contracts for the acquisition.

Cynthia, BEDC executive director, said the 65-acre purchase is structured as two contracts because a residence occupies about five acres (priced at $1,500,000) and the remaining approximately 60 acres are priced at $3,000,000. BEDC said it is in a 90-day feasibility period and negotiated commission and earnest-deposit terms with the seller.

BEDC reported that about 12 acres of the tract appear suitable for industrial development, while roughly 31 acres lie in the flood plain (which limits building placement but can be used for parking or drainage). A Phase I environmental assessment showed no need for further investigation but again recommended cleaning scrap and plugging wells.

On utilities, Cynthia said Central Texas Water has a line on Amity Road, but the preferred long-term solution would be to extend the City of Belton's water line, with a rough 12-inch-line cost estimate of about $2,000,000. Preliminary wastewater extension estimates are substantially larger: BEDC presented a range of about $4.8 million to $6.0 million to extend sewer service in a way that would serve this and other sites; staff cautioned that final alignment and cost would follow coordination with the city's wastewater master plan. BEDC said its fund balance (approximately $11.2 million) could cover the acquisitions without debt, though infrastructure costs would require additional planning.

After discussion about timing, utility costs and strategic land-banking, councilmembers moved and seconded a motion to authorize the BEDC executive director to execute the amended contracts; the motion passed by voice vote.","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","Belton City Audio City Council Meeting March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved BEDC's request to acquire about 65 acres west of I-35 (partially in Salado ISD), with BEDC reporting site constraints, floodplain acreage, and utility-extension cost estimates; council approved the acquisition unanimously.","taxTitle","Belton, Bell County, Texas","taxId",69404,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6043868,"Belton Economic Development Corporation seeks council approval to buy 62-acre tract near I-14; council approves",779,1715000,2494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625068-cb4c89a905658a1841047d01c194fbdc&start=1715&end=2494","/articles/6043868/Belton/Bell-County/Texas/Belton-Economic-Development-Corporation-seeks-council-approval-to-buy-62-acre-tract-near-I-14-council-approves","The Belton Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) sought council approval March 11 to acquire approximately 62 acres near I-14 for light-industrial development; the City Council approved the BEDC executive director's request.

Cynthia, the BEDC executive director, told council the board negotiated a purchase price of $2,907,000 and had a 90-day feasibility period. BEDC's due diligence found roughly 40 to 41 acres suitable for light-industrial development and about 15 acres that would require substantial earthwork. The site lies mostly outside city limits: Cynthia said about 51 acres would require voluntary annexation and rezoning to light industrial for BEDC's intended use.

BEDC reported a Phase I environmental assessment that recommended no further investigation but noted cleanup of scattered scrap and brush and plugging several wells. Staff said power is available nearby (Encore noted phase 3 availability), and that water service is in the Dog Ridge Water service area; the existing six-inch line at the site may need to be upsized to eight- or 12-inch for required fire flows. BEDC provided a preliminary wastewater alignment and a rough cost estimate of about $800,000 to extend sewer service to the site, but said final alignment and costs would be determined in collaboration with the city's wastewater master plan.

Cynthia said BEDC has approximately $11.2 million in fund balance and that BEDC can afford the purchase without issuing debt. After questions and comments from council members about strategic use of reserves and utility extension costs, a motion to approve the contract carried by voice vote.

BEDC indicated it will continue coordination with city staff on annexation, rezoning and utility extension planning and will return as necessary with design and funding details.","The Belton Economic Development Corporation asked the council to approve acquisition of a 62-acre tract near I-14 for industrial development; the council approved the contract. BEDC reported due diligence findings, development constraints, and that the purchase can be funded from BEDC fund balance without issuing debt.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":50,"_51":91,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":92,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":93,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6043873,"Council hears proposal for building life-safety grant program, votes to postpone for criteria and application development",1229,398000,1627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625068-cb4c89a905658a1841047d01c194fbdc&start=398&end=1627","/articles/6043873/Belton/Bell-County/Texas/Council-hears-proposal-for-building-life-safety-grant-program-votes-to-postpone-for-criteria-and-application-development","City staff presented a proposed building life-safety grant program March 11 intended to help fund nonresidential interior life-safety improvements — for example sprinkler systems, asbestos and lead remediation, energy-efficiency upgrades and ADA accessibility work — and the council voted to postpone approval to a future meeting so staff can return with formal criteria and an application packet.

Bob, the staff presenter, said the program grew from downtown revitalization recommendations in the Imagine Belton Plan (adopted in 2022) and earlier Beautification Committee and Economic Development Subcommittee work. The proposal in the presentation included a suggested maximum grant of $50,000 per project with a 1-to-1 match, limited initially to commercial (nonresidential) work within three downtown-focused zones: Main Street (three subzones), central downtown and uptown.

Council members asked detailed questions about scope: whether mixed-use buildings that contain residential units would qualify (several members favored allowing commercial portions of mixed-use projects to qualify), whether brand-new construction would be eligible (several members recommended excluding solely new construction and focusing on renovation/remediation), and how the program would interact with TIRS funds and potential BDC contribution. Staff said current funding available through the TIRS budget restricts awards to properties inside that boundary until additional funds are identified; staff also noted potential future supplementation from BDC and other sources.

Councilmember (unnamed) moved and another councilmember seconded a motion to postpone the item to a future meeting so staff could draft application criteria and bring a packet back; the motion passed unanimously.

Council members asked staff to return with clearer rules about mixed-use projects, thresholds for remodeling versus new construction, whether to fund engineering costs and options for scaffolding or other pedestrian-protection measures in downtown projects.","City staff presented a proposed building life-safety grant program aimed at funding nonresidential interior safety and remediation work (sprinklers, asbestos abatement, ADA improvements). Council members asked for clarified criteria and application materials and unanimously voted to postpone final approval to a future meeting.",{"_33":95,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":96,"_41":97,"_43":98,"_45":99,"_47":100,"_49":50,"_51":101,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":102,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":103,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6043878,"Belton holds public hearing, then approves up to $17.7 million in certificates of obligation",231,156000,387000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625068-cb4c89a905658a1841047d01c194fbdc&start=156&end=387","/articles/6043878/Belton/Bell-County/Texas/Belton-holds-public-hearing-then-approves-up-to-177-million-in-certificates-of-obligation","The Belton City Council held a public hearing March 11 on a proposed certificate of obligation issuance with a maximum principal amount not to exceed $17,700,000 and then approved the issuance.

Mister Rogers, city staff presenting the proposal, told the council the package covers five projects: three utility projects led by the wastewater treatment plant and two general-government projects, a fire engine and a public safety center. He said the maximum maturity would be 20 years and that utility bonds would be paid with utility revenue; general government projects would be paid with general fund revenue.

Council members praised staff work on the financing. \"By far the biggest one's the wastewater treatment plant,\" Rogers said. Several councilmembers described the financing as sensible for taxpayers and said the city had taken steps in structuring the issuance (including shorter maturities on a portion of the bonds) to keep costs efficient.

The council closed the public hearing, received no public speakers, and moved the item to approval. The chair called for a motion; the motion to approve carried by voice vote.

The paperwork for pricing, award and closing will follow the council vote: the bonds are slated to be priced in April, the council will return with a recommendation to award the certificates at a subsequent meeting, and the sale would close about a month after award.","The council held a public hearing and approved issuance of certificates of obligation for up to $17.7 million to finance wastewater, utility, and general government projects including a wastewater treatment plant, a fire engine and a public safety center.",{"_33":105,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":106,"_41":107,"_43":108,"_45":98,"_47":109,"_49":50,"_51":110,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":111,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":112,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6043883,"Belton City Council approves consent agenda including February 25 minutes and senior center memorandum",21,135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625068-cb4c89a905658a1841047d01c194fbdc&start=135&end=156","/articles/6043883/Belton/Bell-County/Texas/Belton-City-Council-approves-consent-agenda-including-February-25-minutes-and-senior-center-memorandum","The Belton City Council on March 11 approved a two-item consent agenda that adopted the minutes of the Feb. 25 council meeting and amended a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Belton Area Citizens for Seniors concerning the senior center.

The council chair explained that the items could be enacted by a single motion and that any councilmember could pull an item for separate consideration. A motion to approve the consent agenda was moved and seconded and the council voted in favor.

The approved amendment to the memorandum was not described in detail during the meeting minutes presentation. The council did not receive public comment on the consent items during the meeting.

The action clears routine business from the council docket so members can focus on the evening's other agenda items, including a public hearing on proposed certificates of obligation and economic development land acquisitions.","The Belton City Council approved a two-item consent agenda March 11, adopting the Feb. 25 meeting minutes and amending a memorandum of understanding with the Belton Area Citizens for Seniors regarding the senior center.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council authorizes BEDC to acquire 65-acre tract near I-35; staff outline infrastructure needs and costs

Belton Economic Development Corporation seeks council approval to buy 62-acre tract near I-14; council approves

Council hears proposal for building life-safety grant program, votes to postpone for criteria and application development

Belton holds public hearing, then approves up to $17.7 million in certificates of obligation

Belton City Council approves consent agenda including February 25 minutes and senior center memorandum