[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6471937,"mediaKeyId","5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5","parentId",5777269,"title","Council members ask for clearer Pleasure Island project coordination after capital items appear in the CIP","audioSeconds",379,"startMs",6896000,"endMs",7275000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5&start=6896&end=7275","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5/thumbnail_6896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6471937/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-members-ask-for-clearer-Pleasure-Island-project-coordination-after-capital-items-appear-in-the-CIP","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471937-6988607ff0890145016edb409f069ba7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936371&Signature=Dwm5QpHuuFxXFZlFVJvS3IOi-jf3fxVidKAdQv5c79Lo4goUH1sbYdlaJavOPBbHmBnzwyRMUrjIY~kNOdRdETggCigAwyzU2FM8ONbdTnNNJiveMQNc-KM7wExZBXHAehJg7kyqAgf4J1cP1gF6qo8-XWvaiLpTsSxifvz35MhVoTBNHWR-J-3mK91pPBYSGZ37EahBbhUT3b-1HHAK8Y85SK1WNljWXAzNhd2uLR1MTmCebkK2Tg-XzRTSztWNBAdlJWdSow0UgymZakUiFe7--vAhLS-8LhFmvlxfvRERqYw3uNfJB7cIcFDlQd4KBItEJBiiinEkKGNM3Ih01Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Port Arthur","date","2025-09-18T00:00:00Z","article","Council members raised questions Thursday about items listed in the capital improvements plan for Pleasure Island, including a $2 million visitor center and a $1.2 million clubhouse-improvement line, and asked staff to ensure advisory committee members appointed by council receive timely briefings and opportunities to provide input.

Council member Beckham and others noted the Pleasure Island advisory committee was created by charter and should be informed and consulted on major projects even when staff or directors bring proposals to the city manager. The city manager and staff said capital projects are included in the capital budget with multi-year horizons and that advisory-committee members are expected to collaborate with staff; the manager agreed to clarify communication and ensure advisory members receive project updates.

Council members also asked for more information on the marina and RV sites identified in the capital plan; staff described marina-condition photos and noted potential revenue impacts from structural changes and dredging. Staff said some items were included at planning or design-level cost estimates and agreed to revise items shown as full construction dollars where only planning/design is appropriate.

Ending: Staff agreed to revise the Pleasure Island capital entries to separate planning/design from construction dollars and to improve coordination with the Pleasure Island advisory committee and council appointees prior to spending decisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Port Arthur - Special City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Council members questioned $2 million visitor center and other Pleasure Island capital items in the proposed capital improvements plan and asked staff to ensure the Pleasure Island advisory committee is briefed and given input.","taxTitle","Port Arthur City, Jefferson County, Texas","taxId",5749,"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},6471941,"Council asked whether street repairs follow the city's survey data after some districts drew larger allocations",299,6164000,6463000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5&start=6164&end=6463","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5/thumbnail_6164000.jpg","/articles/6471941/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-asked-whether-street-repairs-follow-the-citys-survey-data-after-some-districts-drew-larger-allocations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471941-38c34b8dc5ff1c3e596fbcf6188e4ff7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936371&Signature=loUU8S6wFY9aUIYWOgZ5PA6XN9E5Qv97x-~KPKf0E0l2RmGdvQhqG~u3VkyEqzNmh8z5WNJYt5oZ~Ue44q7ehHG3zrQz6egvSco-32zobvd7LFPj21d-yBknbamHZLG0YiUYoCBuCy0CrWyQfJIzgumqlwXHi~0xqBhHTx2bCOi7D-7fR37Dsopktg-nVQD6648v4pmcO~CGQr9D5~BuSjsCofaZj~idkRfSgGDPHS769534SOuG9v7lmE65lqtkYxldSxaz0th-ZD1qVZpFpeYTqdaqr81ctLo19UB3SUiGTHyo8~m1ba66t8CfOno8Kd1fAKFm5RCv6cGAIqqTCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several council members on Thursday asked how the city is selecting streets for the FY2025'26 capital program after observing larger allocations for certain districts.

Council members said work appeared concentrated in District 1 and District 4 and sought assurance that the selection follows an objective inventory. Staff said the city used a pavement-assessment study'referred to in the meeting as the 'x-ray' study'to score every street, and that the list proposed in the budget came from that dataset. The staff member responsible for the street program said about $27 million of proposed streets are in the list and that design work would proceed starting October, with projects moving to construction after design.

Council members noted that when council composition changed in prior years the selection method shifted between linear-footage formulas and the study data; some members asked for consistency and written documentation so single-member districts can review recommended lists. Staff said each proposed street in the budget was allocated to a project and that the selection for the coming year is based on the x-ray results.

Ending: Staff said the list is ready for council review and that design work is scheduled to begin in October; council members encouraged staff to continue sharing the street-inventory data and to coordinate with district representatives while preparing the final program.","Council members asked staff to confirm that street project selections come from the city's pavement-condition study (the \"x-ray\" machine data) after questions arose about district allocations; staff said proposed streets for the coming budget were selected from that study and design work will begin in October.",{"_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},6471946,"Council hears staff projection of smaller ending fund balance, warns property tax revenue will be constrained",715,3835000,4550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5&start=3835&end=4550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5/thumbnail_3835000.jpg","/articles/6471946/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-hears-staff-projection-of-smaller-ending-fund-balance-warns-property-tax-revenue-will-be-constrained","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471946-021ab9eedb82b8881b87bd7e0d857797/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936371&Signature=RVwBC2DYXj2r0-~WVbi9K4JxQMJ8kAN3OU1aObrPY6zWLCU5uZpi0xqy0i2SiQIBh2aPcgCZ5qjan0WUx7nYeJ9ibXmfelzOlhe33QwRGY~30tkR6yDUglZsEfDvWTiN2F5lyfOke6F~Il2FWn2d8bURRLVw0Vu51z8WwvV2FE4qoRzyetwdvcSpszfwMBAs~2BsY4D4Jscpg7WiWlyejr77UxlwyjnO0tFEQyi8otN6htl8Z0o9IpKRgKMlb3hIs~1J3mOiVfWdyYHfz5xwlwGTseD-LtaN2yitZbZWTxJTdzhuYFdk0I5XxjkcgON8g2WluLvAPYBBZtDTpwhgbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff told the Port Arthur City Council on Thursday that the estimated ending general fund balance for the current year is $18,062,689, down from the 2024 audited balance of $25,662,689 and driven in part by enterprise subsidies and prior-year expenditures.

Council members flagged two revenue risks for the coming year: a statutory reduction in the city's allowable property-tax growth (discussed as a change imposed by the Texas Legislature) and ongoing subsidies for water and sewer operations. Council members discussed that recent state law changes limit the percentage by which property tax revenue can grow and noted the impact across several budget years.

Finance staff presented the methodology used to calculate a 60-day operating reserve and noted projected operating reserves would be in line with that benchmark under the proposed budget; staff also said the proposed budget includes operating reductions in many lines and a lower tax rate projection.

Council members urged staff to identify expense reductions and said the council will hold additional budget workshops and public hearings before adopting the budget. City staff warned that, under current assumptions, funding next year's budget without a change in the tax rate or other revenue would likely be difficult; council members discussed the possibility of seeking voter approval in future cycles for a higher rate if necessary.

Ending: Council directed staff to provide further budget detail, emphasized the need to protect reserves and scheduled additional workshops and public hearings ahead of the adoption deadline.","Finance staff and council members reviewed projected year-end fund balance and warned that property-tax revenue restrictions will constrain future budgets; council discussed options including cuts and voter approval for rate changes.",{"_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},6471951,"Port Arthur council hears case for $1 million fire overtime request tied to training, ISO rating and hydrant repairs",368,2538000,2906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5&start=2538&end=2906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5/thumbnail_2538000.jpg","/articles/6471951/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-council-hears-case-for-1-million-fire-overtime-request-tied-to-training-ISO-rating-and-hydrant-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471951-bc2a00607b32429d7ff8fcf3ee9be1b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936371&Signature=MovgG5SXeifwVRA~aVxluVLp4Y5pyWyESawIfilrRn6ETSvIlCgPZvOy48t6SRERj505ysm~gPyZw38kbglJdBECxnpLhQ4jZ80zgFYQq34Zl1x1IzJu~M2fhHVaiZPg63U47VqM00emY4LBi2bR0WXJXu6kv1IFLkm3jauFgz3I2mDs4oSmMGEl-z3onaHL4fJ3V0q1Qu8O0rUcoudT3XSKpJY1S~cuTuFhn2-MoSjwuAgdBr2qdXI0NYH48C4hbZdEM1hnCj05yPImqE0lxhYKVgUOtT9Cw7v9oFHQ0snv2eiG4TzF7eAg7-NHmi7Oz53AsKEk3B~9GMbLj6HVOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Port Arthur's proposed budget includes a $1 million overtime request for the fire department to support training, certifications and readiness tied to the city's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, Assistant Fire Chief Antonio and city management told the council on Thursday.

Council members asked for more specificity: how many firefighters will attend what classes, the cost per training, and whether those trainees will leave gaps on day shifts. Assistant Fire Chief Antonio described specialized teams'including a dive team with extensive state-level certifications'and said higher certification levels improve the city's ISO score, which helps determine insurance costs for property owners. City Manager Dr. Thigpen framed the request as an investment to maintain the city's ISO Class 2 rating.

Council members also questioned staffing numbers and the fire department's requested headcount. Staff noted a typographical error in the personnel schedule: the department's authorized strength should read 118 (not 111) under the civil service agreement. The council asked staff to provide a clear explanation and the updated personnel page.

Separately, the council pressed for details on hydrants: staff said Port Arthur has approximately 2,800 hydrants and estimated about 200 may be out of service; the most recent replacement cost cited for a single hydrant was about $8,000 to $10,000. Staff said hydrant replacement funding historically relied on competitive grants and that the city has applied for water infrastructure grants to replace lines and associated hydrants as those projects proceed.

Council members agreed training and equipment are important but asked staff to prioritize documentation and cost breakdowns for the overtime request before the budget vote.

Ending: Staff committed to deliver the requested line-item breakdowns and the corrected personnel schedule before council votes on the budget.","Fire and city staff told the council a $1 million overtime allocation funds training and certifications tied to the city's ISO rating; council asked for details on numbers and costs and for hydrant repair plans after staff said about 2,800 hydrants exist and roughly 200 may be out of service.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6471955,"Port Arthur council members press for clearer budget treatment of reclassified positions",376,183000,559000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5&start=183&end=559","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777269-0b753c7f52bfa8e5e8e97f58b7a9f0f5/thumbnail_183000.jpg","/articles/6471955/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-council-members-press-for-clearer-budget-treatment-of-reclassified-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6471955-0d70f2e9ec4629f285f1d5f1f7104649/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936371&Signature=SAE~UHA0Qolqq7SbtOZAP5go5YdYVIbhVjEhIeOa6cId1pH2JoAQa5QvUJl8MwNWX~FCAzzXk-9ma0d2ozHvXuJNvSbcLWnQrJl4mID7ppE1nIUidkx39k3CjjczXTdBnQ36CIlww33chYrkCaEaDxkXewRJJWPDuS6LNV-k-91okMeaz66QYcfoO~LbQxwq8wYrZ0lWb8QflSPxddfUxsywz2Y3AxXcWrs7MY6j7u0ed68Kczoxa1DfVzUSJPf79Xa9w8ja71LP1hUX8kOPtbfpUB1n2hFavhb9PJbj6ieR3Oq2FffTyDNBqKnpiFqyVPk6XZehTXyKkirsF0UbNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilman Doucet pressed Port Arthur staff on Thursday about how reclassified jobs are shown in the city's proposed budget, saying the city manager \"does not have the authority to change range and pay\" without council approval and urging that positions with newly increased pay ranges be listed as new positions in the budget.

The discussion, held during the council's final budget workshop before adoption, centered on whether reclassifications that raise a job's pay range must be treated as new, funded positions. City Manager Dr. Thigpen told the council the city follows Personnel Policy 17-57(b), which delegates final reclassification decisions to the city manager after human resources and wage-and-compensation review, and that reclassification is a process that can include compensation adjustments.

The exchange grew from a review of the personnel schedule. Doucet said that reclassified jobs with larger ranges are effectively new positions because they were not funded in the prior year's schedule and therefore should require council action to appropriate additional dollars. Dr. Thigpen and staff responded that the budget differentiates between positions that are numerically new and reclassifications of existing positions, and that some reclassifications carry no additional budgetary impact because duties remain equivalent.

Council members also asked for a corrected and final personnel schedule to be delivered before the council votes to adopt the budget. Finance staff confirmed a summary report of positions'new positions, reclassifications and title changes'was distributed at the meeting and that the final personnel schedule would be updated and provided before the September 23 meeting.

Council members said their concern is not reclassification itself but how money is appropriated and tracked. \"This is about budget,\" Doucet said, emphasizing that if a position is not funded in the approved budget, adding new compensation should come back to council for approval. Other council members urged staff transparency and said the paperwork requested by council had been produced.

Staff agreed to deliver the corrected personnel schedule in time for council review prior to the scheduled public hearing and vote. The council did not take a formal vote on any personnel item during the workshop; the discussion concluded with an agreement to provide updated documentation.

Ending: Council members reiterated that the personnel schedule must be current when they vote on the budget and directed staff to supply the corrected schedule before the next meeting.","Council members debated whether reclassified jobs that increase pay ranges should be counted as new positions in the FY2025–26 budget and asked staff to supply an updated personnel schedule before final adoption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council members ask for clearer Pleasure Island project coordination after capital items appear in the CIP

Council asked whether street repairs follow the city's survey data after some districts drew larger allocations

Council hears staff projection of smaller ending fund balance, warns property tax revenue will be constrained

Port Arthur council hears case for $1 million fire overtime request tied to training, ISO rating and hydrant repairs

Port Arthur council members press for clearer budget treatment of reclassified positions