[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6472552,"mediaKeyId","5776269-c53e24b18d47a4e44eb78b6cff9b7088","parentId",5776269,"title","Bellaire council schedules Oct. 20 public hearings on alley abandonment and building-code updates; approves consent contract for sludge disposal","audioSeconds",150,"startMs",4346000,"endMs",4496000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776269-c53e24b18d47a4e44eb78b6cff9b7088&start=4346&end=4496","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776269-c53e24b18d47a4e44eb78b6cff9b7088/thumbnail_4346000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472552/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Bellaire-council-schedules-Oct-20-public-hearings-on-alley-abandonment-and-building-code-updates-approves-consent-contract-for-sludge-disposal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472552-142f5cc7fd01795ea54cdf4e28d094fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1776007212&Signature=eiuL~vDmHd0ZO69nYkfnhV3nNGZ~dACpqlDDAMYZv2zLbzL0K1Tc4TVPmaouJm~2IKDy65YYRW7KBlmvK9F2ivnhayW9JdKmjrl0aECee9awUtpf4C59o2WMTR39bDrR2pkegFNb0ZItlo2Q1KeNVXH6q1Ixa0oHWEeyB2YBdwv3i9OERTWMZpDjsdrr82QjR3zZS6Sv9S4DTXsv3wycDd-7C~o9m4ik8gObz-YMy5QeYCglxUXLmaLX7wEhI-77KNg~3mmCbMD9eehwCNvEyI-tLZaqHi7HOs1tL2QVGB0mCyqbxBQ2z~Jvciwo~vFua94qgsKYrY8RX2LMEkf4rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellaire","date","2025-09-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Bellaire City Council on Sept. 16 set two public hearings for Monday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.: one on a petition to abandon an alley easement abutting 5115 Locust for residential construction, and a separate hearing on proposed adoption and local amendments to the 2024 International Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code. Staff told council the building-and-standards commission recommended the code amendments and that the city posted the proposed changes for public comment; no public comments had been received as of the meeting.

Planning staff (identified in the meeting as \"Travis\") said the alley-abandonment petition met city requirements; council scheduled the hearing as the first step in the process. For the code package, staff said the intention is to hold a single hearing that covers both the code adoption and the related electrical-code provisions; the hearings will follow one another on Oct. 20.

On the consent agenda, the council approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a standard agreement with BFI Waste Services of Texas LP (DBA BFI) for activated sludge disposal from the wastewater treatment plant. The contract includes up to four optional annual renewals and caps any annual price increase at the lesser of the Consumer Price Index (all items) or 5 percent. The consent-agenda package passed unanimously.

Motion and vote summaries

- Alley easement abandonment public hearing (5115 Locust): motion to call public hearing moved by Council Member Witt; seconded by Council Member Giorgio. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Adoption of 2024 International Codes & 2023 National Electrical Code: motion to call public hearing moved and seconded; outcome: approved (unanimous). Staff indicated the National Electrical Code changes include modifications to island receptacle requirements in kitchens that affect builders' prewiring obligations.

- Consent agenda approval (BFI activated sludge disposal agreement): motion to approve moved by Mayor Pro Tem; seconded by Council Member Lewis. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Contract terms include optional renewals and an annual price-adjustment cap tied to CPI or 5 percent, whichever is less.

Why this matters: The alley-abandonment hearing is the statutory first step in considering whether to quitclaim a city easement for private development; the code-adoption hearing may change local technical building rules and affects construction and electrical permitting. The BFI contract covers an ongoing wastewater-plant operational service.

Next steps: staff will publish hearing notices and present the matters for public comment and council decision at subsequent meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellaire - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Council set public hearings for Oct. 20 on an alley easement abandonment at 5115 Locust and on adoption of the 2024 International Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code, and it approved a consent-agenda contract with BFI Waste Services for activated sludge disposal.","taxTitle","Bellaire, Harris County, Texas","taxId",69496,"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},6472556,"Bellaire approves CMAR contract with Sidalco for public-works facility preconstruction services",481,3829000,4310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776269-c53e24b18d47a4e44eb78b6cff9b7088&start=3829&end=4310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776269-c53e24b18d47a4e44eb78b6cff9b7088/thumbnail_3829000.jpg","/articles/6472556/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Bellaire-approves-CMAR-contract-with-Sidalco-for-public-works-facility-preconstruction-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472556-6b15fe6a6ed16073e93ad1646024f892/orig.mp4?Expires=1776007212&Signature=PR6jNERNeGUfGWKMAp~6zPISq~SMWsRBY70KB3628TQfjJK92hqWQCNZYliXZz6xj6CQaBnd7AadK7z25uxaCdpStIe2gz1O~doYBOf3avUft21NkYlY6tLWjGJwSsxH-4Iy0k9Qqd3FxIuC~rGKx5~zAshFcTykMLxm4VI6CdlFQ6ltOjYqr2Z~ZUOfPoIVOXanmRf818l-Fdo5YViBbTj0Ljd5--BIJf6d39II6eJDHuwkD~C1X2giHYRtmFwkdknuV~eYaAvx2Jv3CwyFv59ZJqzcd-Ily6LZgxKSdub77buyIJKayvDxHEViTKQaqRDNCtxxr0fqbu-Wx22nlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bellaire City Council on Sept. 16 authorized the city manager to execute a construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) agreement with Sidalco Inc. for work on the city\u0000s public-works facility retrofit and appropriated $5,000 for preconstruction services.

Assistant City Manager and City Engineer Beth Jones told council the CMAR delivery method is appropriate for retrofitting an existing building because it allows the contractor and architect to work in tandem during design to produce a reliable cost estimate and avoid surprises at bidding. \"It really allows us to be partners on all respects,\" Jones said, explaining preconstruction services lead to a guaranteed-maximum price (GMP) the council will consider before construction.

Jones said the city received multiple proposals, interviewed three firms, and selected Sidalco. She introduced Gabby Robbins, Sidalco\u0000s vice president, who attended the meeting.

The preconstruction services contract amount is $5,000; Jones said Sidalco\u0000s fee on the ultimate GMP will be 5.5 percent of that guaranteed maximum price. Council members indicated the CMAR approach fits the project sequence and timing; staff expects to return with a GMP for council approval after additional design work.

Motion and vote: Council Member Gordon moved to approve the contract authorization and budget amendment for preconstruction services; the Mayor Pro Tem seconded. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will continue preconstruction design and cost estimating with Sidalco and the city\u0000s architect and return with a GMP (and a separate council action) before starting construction.","Council authorized a construction-manager-at-risk contract with Sidalco Inc. and amended the FY2025 budget to appropriate $5,000 for preconstruction services; the council will return for a guaranteed-maximum-price (GMP) vote later.",{"_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},6472562,"Bellaire council proposes 0.4174 tax rate, adopts FY2026 budget and adds five security cameras",3288,446000,3734000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776269-c53e24b18d47a4e44eb78b6cff9b7088&start=446&end=3734","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776269-c53e24b18d47a4e44eb78b6cff9b7088/thumbnail_446000.jpg","/articles/6472562/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Bellaire-council-proposes-04174-tax-rate-adopts-FY2026-budget-and-adds-five-security-cameras","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472562-356d694577f559ddc6b449b8b77461da/orig.mp4?Expires=1776007212&Signature=YI69Nv0~bOIrzN7wamZymZ-MLFOu-7kmZSuTt8Bi95RA~rMPGQ3MtzAHZZrJS0voJ4NNZ8MtygDdl7V0C1fVS6m-Ly5-QkNH5EIioTUOMPdQhhcMVkGzTpCwVQn6FTD~wBL1u5LOTaW4prWoOpKjDJZB8xYmCm5uPyA0m-awhrVGrI8X46MGwvkTksxkx-tQXcyn7CdqTShxeHkFtWOjkuffYBqBaMfgwnw7pSl9WdR9hmAAzuCuXuTIPJ~R4vAYMwd0ta6JYO0iMhL9NIyIHlsqNuMZ99K5jo0a~Db8PmUor7Z2IQyYsOVGsS1xyK5JrIaN7wIkz6ynHceTqg9ihQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bellaire City Council on Sept. 16 accepted the certified 2025 tax roll, voted to propose a tax rate of 0.4174 per $100 of valuation and authorized publication of a public-hearing notice, and adopted the city\u0000s FY2026 budget with an amendment to add five automated license-plate reader cameras.

The council voted unanimously on each action. The acceptance of the certified tax roll and property tax rates passed on a 5-0 voice vote when one member was absent; the record vote to publish the proposed tax rate and the final vote adopting the amended FY2026 budget each passed 6-0 after all members were present.

City Chief Financial Officer Terrence Beaman summarized how the rates were calculated under Chapter 26.04 of the Texas property tax code and the state\u0000s truth-in-taxation framework. \"So it's an important time here for us when we annually get together and we set our property tax rate for the upcoming year,\" Beaman told council before the vote. He said the appraisal district certified the city\u0000s taxable values on Sept. 5 and presented three statutory rates: the no-new-revenue rate (0.4177), the voter-approval rate (0.4174) and the de minimis rate (0.4153). Beaman recommended adopting the voter-approval rate of 0.4174 and explained the total rate breaks into a maintenance-and-operations (M&O) portion and a debt portion.

Beaman said the city's overall assessed value rose about 3.7 percent year over year and that an average Bellaire residential taxpayer would see roughly a $2 difference in annual taxes under the proposed rate compared with last year. He also told council the city plans to publish a notice of public hearing and to hold the statutorily required public hearing (the CFO said staff would publish notice this week and return for the public hearing on Oct. 6).

Council members pressed staff on specific line items in the appraisal report, including an unexplained $600,000 line for \"taxable value of annexed property.\" Beaman said that line comes from the appraisal district's software reports and can fluctuate; he offered to provide more detail if council wanted it. Council members also questioned why the amount of value under protest changed from last year; Beaman said timing of the certified roll versus earlier July estimates explained much of the difference.

On the budget, the council adopted the FY2026 spending plan (Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026) after an amendment to add five Flock Safety cameras. Council member Witt moved the amendment and cited prior successes with the camera program; the cameras were to be placed at council and police discretion to cover identified hot spots. The amendment specified recurring monitoring costs of $15,000 annually and a one-time installation cost of $3,250 (total annual recurring line: $15,000; first-year budget impact including installation: $18,250). The amendment and the final amended budget adoption passed unanimously.

The budget adoption also included the formal ratification vote required under state law for the tax increase reflected in the spending plan; council ratified that measure 6-0.

What happens next: staff will publish the required notices and hold the public hearing on the proposed tax rate. Beaman said the city will return with any further refinements needed before levying the tax rate for tax year 2025.

Votes at a glance

- Acceptance of certified 2025 tax roll and property tax rates: motion moved by Council Member Witt; seconded by the Mayor Pro Tem. Outcome: approved (5-0 voice vote; Council Member Giorgio absent at the time). Evidence: council accepted the submitted certified 2025 tax roll and property tax rates.

- Record vote to propose tax rate 0.4174 per $100 valuation and authorize publication of a notice of public hearing on tax increase: motion moved by Council Member Lewis; seconded by Council Member Gordon. Record vote (each listed below) 6-0; outcome: approved.

- Adoption of FY2026 budget (Oct. 1, 2025 \u0000 Sept. 30, 2026), as amended to add five Flock Safety cameras (installation $3,250; recurring monitoring $15,000 annually): motion to adopt moved by Council Member Witt; seconded by Council Member Lewis. Outcome: approved (record vote 6-0).

Why this matters: The elected tax rate determines how property value growth is split between taxpayers and city revenue and funds roughly 60 percent of Bellaire\u0000s general revenue, including public safety, operations and the capital program the council continues to prioritize. Small changes in rates can shift revenue available for the capital improvement program and city services.

Key numbers and context

- Proposed tax rate (voter-approval rate): 0.4174 per $100 valuation (proposed and adopted for publication/public hearing).
- No-new-revenue rate (statutory calculation): 0.4177.
- De minimis rate: 0.4153.
- Average appraised residential value reported by staff: about $1,100,000 (average taxable value was lower after homestead exemptions).
- Illustrative tax payment at the proposed rate for an average Bellaire residence: $3,668 (Beaman\u0000s presentation showed a roughly $2 difference from the prior year).
- Bond authority referenced for drainage projects: $6,000,000 (staff later sought direction to proceed with a bond sale timetable, separate council direction recorded during the meeting).

Sources and attribution: statements and numerical figures attributed to Terrence Beaman, Chief Financial Officer, and to council members who spoke (Witt, Lewis, Gordon, Giorgio, Mayor Pro Tem and the Mayor). The appraisal figures referenced were those certified by the Harris Central Appraisal District and used in the city\u0000s truth-in-taxation calculations.","The Bellaire City Council on Sept. 16 accepted the certified 2025 tax roll, voted to publish a public hearing on a proposed tax rate of 0.4174 per $100 valuation and adopted the city\u0000s FY2026 budget (beginning Oct. 1, 2025) with an amendment to add five Flock Safety cameras.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bellaire council schedules Oct. 20 public hearings on alley abandonment and building-code updates; approves consent contract for sludge disposal

Bellaire approves CMAR contract with Sidalco for public-works facility preconstruction services

Bellaire council proposes 0.4174 tax rate, adopts FY2026 budget and adds five security cameras