[{"_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",5980830,"mediaKeyId","5809825-29abd8006ce9853cc42054aa4ce1113d","parentId",5809825,"title","Council rescinds Volter LLC award, awards wastewater switchgear contract to Blackstar Diversified","audioSeconds",118,"startMs",2554000,"endMs",2672000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809825-29abd8006ce9853cc42054aa4ce1113d&start=2554&end=2672","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809825-29abd8006ce9853cc42054aa4ce1113d/thumbnail_2554000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980830/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-rescinds-Volter-LLC-award-awards-wastewater-switchgear-contract-to-Blackstar-Diversified","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980830-50bf3b4fe0f7070bfa4468210bd8e33e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773665638&Signature=cBm2ivFgn~bZj8l~GlnmG9UKKfVCcEtvYw5m8tGuQ9NAgkgM~PPYh3MnrKZqhMLjjmFokcx2HRo~qi5SUh2-WW3shkUDnVoccJLfOEOqM1sq-XJKxHP3WJr0vJuh6iqhwNUOpNowZBLFdOJLoFl-Rb~Bg8E2oZYuBHZEE5pACfLd9YXy3OmLPBT-At7InZ-lCH80fWtHsuQDtPlz~rM1HCQGm4vQqPeevgcbQ5NggjcpfB3mvazboW9ilKP87QD1ssvfarkVqb0WGRwC~ku03MR~RqWtoFhiRLnYRc0j-GhiEWPL7v5xnN~aRfsda825xltvDNka2QBmMMm3SD17rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Beaumont, TX","date","2025-09-17T10:53:58Z","article","At the Sept. 16 meeting, the Beaumont City Council approved a resolution rescinding Resolution No. 25-156 that had previously awarded a contract to Volter LLC for a wastewater treatment plant power-distribution switchgear building pre-purchase project. The council then authorized a new award to Blackstar Diversified Enterprises LLC of New Orleans in the amount of $2,090,596.

Staff explained that the award to Volter was rescinded after the firm could not provide required performance and construction bonds as required by the contract. A staff representative said, \"we were notified that they were not gonna be able to fulfill those terms,\" and recommended proceeding to the next responsive bidder, Blackstar, which staff reported could meet the terms of the agreement.

Nut graf: The action was procedural and based on standard procurement rules: when a successful bidder cannot provide required surety, the city may rescind the award and proceed to the next qualified bidder to avoid project delays.

Council discussion focused on the reason for rescinding the initial award; staff explained the surety deficiency and confirmed Blackstar could meet contract terms. The council voted to rescind and re-award; the motion carried.

Ending: The contract award will move forward to execution by the city manager and procurement staff, and project delivery will follow contract terms.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting Sept 16, 2025 | City of Beaumont","oneSentenceSummary","Council rescinded a previously awarded contract to Volter LLC after the company could not produce bonds and awarded the wastewater treatment plant switchgear building pre-purchase contract to Blackstar Diversified Enterprises LLC for $2,090,596.","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},5980835,"Gift of Life recognized at council meeting for breast and ovarian cancer awareness",310,150000,460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809825-29abd8006ce9853cc42054aa4ce1113d&start=150&end=460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809825-29abd8006ce9853cc42054aa4ce1113d/thumbnail_150000.jpg","/articles/5980835/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Gift-of-Life-recognized-at-council-meeting-for-breast-and-ovarian-cancer-awareness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980835-5a0491af96fc60b74871140e824a9970/orig.mp4?Expires=1773665638&Signature=cdeXFxK2pBCakY2e7z0MZrQox4R~OauvBa82U0C1GpaO0oATbKkrWUWWByjKSfznqCkIDU4kigMJ2Uc3ZBF-iO-r3kc3oxLfij8COk5wFgXKXhPX-1RbmE2ssaNqsdoP1p5i0ZvrbLXv2EnYamPWg3nlrVUg1wE41MnfsuaPbGRzFHfdd8OZMG5N0rnwbp1y3h594nuUcYFRNoVzT-TMoALIZL~VXKw9-WCUgFnhliCEEq-RAx4h086vCxRJyPl2EdehUoogjeaLxW0A4auh25SInGdE-tsFJckyjRVqi2hODA~1~bNUySWiZWIaiymRgbSUc8IWZNMb4sk2panwlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beaumont City Council on Sept. 16 presented a proclamation to Gift of Life recognizing breast and ovarian cancer awareness and the nonprofit's outreach in Southeast Texas. Representatives from Gift of Life thanked the council and described the group's ongoing screening, treatment referrals and education efforts.

Regina Rogers, speaking for Gift of Life, said the organization has operated for 28 years and credited local medical partners. \"We have a wonderful group here,\" Rogers said, noting that the nonprofit has provided thousands of mammograms and that, in the past two years, 25 women received treatment as a result of Gift of Life outreach.

Dr. Gwendolyn Lobelay, the organization's medical director, told the council that screenings save lives and cautioned that Pap smears are not screening tests for ovarian cancer. \"A lot of women think that when they have a Pap smear, that is screening for ovarian cancer. It is not,\" Dr. Lobelay said, and encouraged women to raise symptoms with their physicians, including bloating, early satiety and changes in bowel or urinary habits.

Nut graf: The proclamation framed Gift of Life as a long-standing local nonprofit that provides diagnostic access, treatment referrals and prevention education; council members recognized volunteers and survivors in the meeting room.

Supporting details: Regina Rogers read a letter from Allison Lowe, an ovarian-cancer patient, and listed other volunteers and survivors present. The council encouraged attendance at Gift of Life events, including a local 5K and awareness events that were announced during the meeting.

Ending: Council members and staff thanked volunteers for their service and urged residents to learn screening signs and participate in local awareness events.","Beaumont council received a proclamation honoring Gift of Life and its volunteers for breast and ovarian cancer awareness; medical director and survivors spoke about the importance of screening and outreach.",{"_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},5980840,"Beaumont council presses enforcement, explores relocation options for Calder-area homelessness",896,11170000,12066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809825-29abd8006ce9853cc42054aa4ce1113d&start=11170&end=12066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809825-29abd8006ce9853cc42054aa4ce1113d/thumbnail_11170000.jpg","/articles/5980840/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Beaumont-council-presses-enforcement-explores-relocation-options-for-Calder-area-homelessness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980840-1a5a75210e603e5607ea56e8c6596174/orig.mp4?Expires=1773665638&Signature=PzK1Ii8JY5s0rqpx~AxbsC6gbvk78GLFpT~435Rat5UHRvssb3gxTxRNga9yEp-lR1lk0yzKm~JNrq4ZiD~N2PXg0lhRZ7WrA67oY-cwIymBG8CamnHR~hwm4m6j1250soSVS43wSLO19EOYpqeVYwT87ogPf9ghG-EUKZYyUVvfGdU7Bnhy71iUYmwJOd2ykIYqJHdJxrL6~BafcTWUBaL9wwHb3WIB3wKFIU0pTzAvEqYlSawi8hL9-~ms7H3rrRqCKFufol738x93Y~7tBeeDFdzTKXyXbVc86Hq4HzKnUiZb2J~6CAXL88C~-McFtyQ4y1zKBAXQhcAPcLhRHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beaumont City Council used a Sept. 16 work session to review a year of enforcement under the city's camping ordinance and to discuss short-term and longer-term options to address encampments concentrated near Calder Avenue and the McFadden/Salvation Army area.

Assistant City Manager Chris Boone said staff created an interdepartmental task force that includes police, code enforcement, parks, public health, solid waste and planning, and that the team has done targeted cleanups, posted notice signs and pursued nuisance cases against property owners. \"The purpose of today's work session is to review and discuss, the issue of homelessness within the city of Beaumont,\" Boone said.

Staff reported 54 private-property locations identified with camping violations and that council had declared 13 of those properties public nuisances during the past year; eight property owners complied and abated conditions, the presentation said. City crews and contractors removed two abandoned RVs, and city departments run weekly debris and sidewalk cleanups in high-traffic locations; staff also fed cleanup photos into a real-time camera feed in partnership with providers.

Nut graf: Council members expressed urgency about Calder-area businesses and downtown residents and directed staff to return with a cost analysis of city cleanup and enforcement efforts, to seek follow-up meetings with regional partners including the Salvation Army and the Dream Center, and to explore whether existing nonprofit provider locations could be relocated to less residential or commercial industrial sites.

Costs and options: Boone told council that a primitive, city-run campground or managed encampment is not a simple, low-cost fix. \"The initial cost is just the beginning,\" he said, and ongoing management, security, sanitation and case management can run into roughly $1 million a year in other jurisdictions, staff said. For that reason staff had not recommended a primitive camp without a sustainable funding and management plan.

Enforcement and next steps: Council members asked staff to produce a tally of direct city costs (cleanup crews, staff time and contracted removal) and to confirm whether the city has issued citations under the camping ordinance. Staff said they will set up a targeted intergovernmental meeting with the Regional Planning Commission and Jefferson County and will invite local providers, including the Salvation Army and the Dream Center, to discuss potential relocation, partnerships and funding arrangements. Staff also said they will research whether nuisance or zoning tools can be used to address noncompliant provider locations.

Ending: Council members said they want faster relief for Calder and downtown businesses and residents and asked for an actionable plan and cost estimates at a follow-up meeting.","The council held a work session on homelessness enforcement, discussed camping-ordinance cleanup steps and said staff will pursue cost estimates and meetings with regional partners and providers about relocating services away from Calder and downtown.",{"_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},5980845,"Beaumont council adopts FY2026 budget, keeps property tax rate unchanged",5400,2880000,8280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809825-29abd8006ce9853cc42054aa4ce1113d&start=2880&end=8280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809825-29abd8006ce9853cc42054aa4ce1113d/thumbnail_2880000.jpg","/articles/5980845/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Beaumont-council-adopts-FY2026-budget-keeps-property-tax-rate-unchanged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980845-b3a7c9630c3cd1280b0d8bd84b8b445f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773665638&Signature=D2YYkHPf4sYxi8jEjD8IHm09xVXVxhmiXiiBWvaUW2a9qxIdD~SeFQ5mTxj-Qi8IdELt9NTgt787VDodS2-CxbY-wHbFn-eZU-cfMl8CuGDARns6TbbVgBPexn1sDroewMWYDujj0lrgZQT9DGUaQ7TrUkIxa~diChXkKmFriBE14HONp2OVA4n6ivT8Wf44tWsVR5WwGJaBPVoyXji7uKypaJLEjfjcvq2bUZOY43o5D9gGOPwTTX4MxPOZ7thcoK~3-F2e0Nifux~zWvw6UxL4gY2deonfwzu8EUXk1GqBnum9uroMNYy8B2FxSLyYkslk6QaWixwdQCesHur5IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beaumont City Council adopted a fiscal year 2026 operating budget and set the city's property tax rate at 0.659663 per $100 valuation at a Sept. 16 meeting, keeping the headline tax rate unchanged while approving pay increases for public safety and one-time capital purchases. The council also approved a capital program and the city's master fee schedule.

City Manager Brandon Williams told the council the budget \"is a balanced budget\" and highlighted several changes made after council feedback, including a plan to preserve a larger fund balance and a freeze on senior citizen residential water rates. Williams said staff reduced expenditures by about $3.1 million after council input, increasing the general fund balance to $41,722,082.

The adopted tax rate breaks down to a maintenance-and-operations rate of 0.478628 and a debt service rate of 0.181035 per $100 valuation. Council members recorded votes for the budget, capital program and tax-rate ordinance during the meeting; each motion passed on recorded votes with all present members voting in favor.

Nut graf: The budget vote preserves city services and funds planned capital needs while responding to council direction to grow reserves and limit costs the public would directly feel. Council and staff framed the adopted plan as a compromise between one-time capital spending, personnel costs and a desire to maintain a healthy reserve.

Most important items: the budget keeps the overall tax rate steady and funds a compensation step for city employees and phase 3 of a compensation study, with an across-the-board civilian cost-of-living adjustment and larger increases negotiated for sworn public-safety labor. Williams told the council the budget incorporates a third year of compensation study adjustments and a 3% civilian cost-of-living adjustment, while the police and fire pay packages account for a multi-million-dollar increase in wages and benefits.

Supporting details: Williams said the general fund balance will be 25.7% under the adopted plan and that the water fund will hold higher reserves; he also said staff will finance some capital purchases to keep more cash on hand. Williams explained that a recent insurance move into the Texas Municipal League risk pool reduces the city's exposure to catastrophic losses.

Council members emphasized oversight and affordability. Councilman Turner and others said they wanted an even higher fund balance; the administration replied it had increased reserves and cut proposed one-time purchases after council feedback. Turner asked for clearer early engagement from council members on priorities so staff could avoid presenting large one-time spending items that the majority would later ask to cut.

Action and outcome: The City Council voted to adopt the FY2026 operating budget, to adopt the FY2026 capital program, and to adopt the tax rate and related ordinance. The votes were recorded in roll-call format and each motion carried.

Ending: Staff said the budget is a guideline to be managed throughout the fiscal year and that directors will continue to monitor hiring, overtime and other expenses to keep actual results in line with the adopted plan.","The Beaumont City Council on Sept. 16 adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget, set the property tax rate at 0.659663 per $100 valuation and approved pay increases and one-time capital purchases while preserving a larger-than-required fund balance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council rescinds Volter LLC award, awards wastewater switchgear contract to Blackstar Diversified

Gift of Life recognized at council meeting for breast and ovarian cancer awareness

Beaumont council presses enforcement, explores relocation options for Calder-area homelessness

Beaumont council adopts FY2026 budget, keeps property tax rate unchanged