[{"_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",5980136,"mediaKeyId","5809824-89490734fe2378535785a2b72fb211ec","parentId",5809824,"title","City holds public hearing on HUD annual CAPER; staff says goals largely met","audioSeconds",60,"startMs",3075000,"endMs",3135000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809824-89490734fe2378535785a2b72fb211ec&start=3075&end=3135","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809824-89490734fe2378535785a2b72fb211ec/thumbnail_3075000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5980136/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/City-holds-public-hearing-on-HUD-annual-CAPER-staff-says-goals-largely-met","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980136-6b6b21587a0024373183172557e6408f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776060242&Signature=Wt1qNpFv~lzv5Mg92flmzFPK940p5BGPk74BcpeYX6jkGZAQk~0WYkvZu4IyPCQqFWa4OrsYABUIz8G-hP4fgDqlRsY5J-1C9Nitpo2HWCp2U5bWsRR2ganlJczE2u-T8QcQrwskz6vyGSffp1OtXIqFIebEssG1usskOzbiYmwcwNQkFuiPPoAuArMrYa6MroNG56x209vs-IRnOPm8AmCm3mY2lLGkJUCRRQNwVQQkaVOCFzZvINfC32dYaH6KCtak~imt7Wo439ipw-bp6YRloNpSMx3zIKNkwKT64OcmHQ33euKHaUGvkQ8jZwGsI2uCgy5IPowLTms6-3sZcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Beaumont, TX","date","2025-09-17T17:55:38Z","article","Beaumont City Council opened a public hearing Sept. 16 to receive comment on the city's 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), the annual HUD report tracking use of CDBG and HOME funds and progress on the city's five-year consolidated plan.

Jess Prince, the city's community services manager, told council the CAPER documents accomplishments for the year across affordable housing, demolition and clearance of blighted structures, housing rehabilitation and public-services and public-facilities projects funded by CDBG and HOME. Prince said the report connects each activity to HUD's national objectives and to the geographic distribution of funds among census tracts.

Prince said the city had posted the CAPER online for the 30-day comment period required by HUD and that staff will submit the final report to HUD by the Sept. 30 deadline. She told council the report showed the city was meeting its projected goals and that complete program metrics are available in HUD's IDIS system and on the city's website.

No members of the public signed up to speak during the CAPER hearing; the council closed the public hearing after the presentation and directed staff to submit the CAPER to HUD.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting Sept 16, 2025 | (Full, other version is missing the first 10 minutes)","oneSentenceSummary","Beaumont staff presented the 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) required by HUD, reported progress on CDBG and HOME-funded programs and closed a public hearing with no speakers.","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},5980140,"Council rescinds Volta award for switchgear building and awards contract to Blackstar Diversified",120,2932000,3052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809824-89490734fe2378535785a2b72fb211ec&start=2932&end=3052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809824-89490734fe2378535785a2b72fb211ec/thumbnail_2932000.jpg","/articles/5980140/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-rescinds-Volta-award-for-switchgear-building-and-awards-contract-to-Blackstar-Diversified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980140-34a966414aa633fdc6bf04022d96ed42/orig.mp4?Expires=1776060242&Signature=fIIoIGqbhBPfUYG~SkpKxJWQXhMf4AbtN8lkMLt~iNQMLrzRYzhODZ0P4XacTyE0FrZKY9XhZF5pfo-6xJKdud-RpPT9wVuY2mT44JnX1N0O9uNRO9UQXyHkJ9A0XxuWEJ29oQr2TsYFm5G9L7TBH7MeFbAaDozL3KhcFVKaTjyOVc~LVCYCCyewaGHGlHGLk6w0Fa3Nk28XvkB~YEbsMzUyOJPoUgCgrnVnrG5WDP5dbXUHqdH7eZEjEcs5qO4XhIx2wcvNJwv5swkL7Mjx~SRDr4YfAMSGCYFJgJvvNZJJjHcvmDFR708zJCGv5kM1xj-jZsmeelBgtL8wDJy4Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beaumont City Council on Sept. 16 rescinded an earlier contract award to Volta LLC for pre-purchase work on switchgear at the wastewater treatment plant and authorized a new award to Blackstar Diversified Enterprises LLC of New Orleans, Louisiana.

City staff told the council the previously recommended company, Volta LLC, could not provide required surety and construction bonds during contract execution. Because bonds are a stipulated requirement in the procurement documents, staff recommended withdrawing the award and awarding to the next responsive bidder.

Council voted to rescind resolution 25-156 and to award the contract to Blackstar Diversified Enterprises LLC in the amount stated in staff's reading of the agenda (transcripted as \"in the amount of 2,000,000 to a $90,596\"). Staff explained Blackstar had confirmed it could meet contract terms and bond requirements.

Councilmember Hilliard requested clarification of the reason for the change during the meeting; staff answered that Volta could not produce the construction bonds necessary to proceed. The council approved the resolution by voice vote.

The council's action moves procurement forward for the wastewater treatment plant power distribution switchgear project; staff will complete contract execution and return with the completed contract and schedule for work.

","The Beaumont City Council rescinded a prior award to Volta LLC for switchgear pre-purchase at the wastewater treatment plant and approved awarding the contract to Blackstar Diversified Enterprises LLC after Volta failed to meet performance bond/surety requirements.",{"_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},5980144,"Beaumont council presses enforcement, explores relocation options for shelter services amid downtown impacts",896,10885000,11781000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809824-89490734fe2378535785a2b72fb211ec&start=10885&end=11781","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809824-89490734fe2378535785a2b72fb211ec/thumbnail_10885000.jpg","/articles/5980144/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Beaumont-council-presses-enforcement-explores-relocation-options-for-shelter-services-amid-downtown-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980144-63b11a00b204a6c0af1362f15b43d26b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776060242&Signature=aQR~nWXM6V-PZkwq-OpY2T-kpyHosdwr8aRFrpEUXPEnTvYVesgfmnt1ByCkUAdUmjIJP5SwSM1mkatX-qC6z~JSMP7NixBAxSUUKJ-ZnWJ7S6rjcczA1LshxKj6icPFlHDrCSmW4nf5~0OlsBpzhe2~cC48J6suU36VIz98NX24Ougq6iO-1~-6iHsEhD84p4hEVwzKENPP5LZbmRuA4bZI7eQKIivQibEdXgqbapGCR5BOEGWi4L4iRrsdd~n3Hi-7AHboYQK8REGdy40MY4AYXqvIeS2OxFApUK2ppvwD3HnAsLmhB3866Wk4cnJ88i4dbjWAvoRRAobzcJgrjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beaumont City Council spent a work-session segment on Sept. 16 reviewing enforcement of the city's camping ordinance and next steps to address camps and encampment-related impacts in downtown and commercial corridors.

Assistant City Manager Chris Boone led a staff presentation summarizing a year of enforcement activity, including regular clean-ups and interdepartmental coordination among police, code enforcement, public health, parks and solid waste. Boone said staff documented dozens of private-property camping locations, removed abandoned recreational vehicles and cleared high-traffic public areas on a recurring schedule.

Boone said staff has posted notice signs, distributed literature, assisted property owners with no-trespass affidavits and in some cases pursued nuisance declarations for noncompliant private properties. He told the council that eight private-property sites had been abated by owners after city action and that other sites remain in a court process.

The council and staff discussed options that would change the pattern of services and congregation near Calder Avenue and the McFadden/SALvation Army corridor. Several council members urged more immediate action to relieve businesses and residences near concentrated service providers; others emphasized the need for regional coordination and for the service providers to be at the table.

Boone said staff had researched the idea of a primitive or managed campsite and found that operational and recurring costs (security, sanitation, case management) are substantial in other cities and could exceed $1 million per year. He advised the council these costs, plus public-health and safety obligations, mean a permanent, funded plan is necessary before a managed site would be viable.

Council members asked for three follow-up items: (1) a cost analysis that includes staff time and contractor expenses for current cleanup and enforcement; (2) a legal review of options for nuisance actions or other enforcement tools against private property owners or providers that do not comply; and (3) a set of outreach meetings with local providers and regional partners (including the Salvation Army and the Dream Center) to explore relocation, site alternatives and shared funding models. Assistant City Manager Boone said staff will set up those follow-ups and has scheduled initial stakeholder outreach.

Several public commenters who had spoken earlier in the meeting urged action; owners of downtown businesses testified during public comment about repeated vandalism, theft and customer harassment they link to nearby encampments. Property owners and commercial landlords said repeated cleaning and security incidents cost them thousands of dollars and affected tenant retention.

Several council members also requested a clearer single-point hotline or triage contact for business owners and residents to report recurring encampment problems and to receive faster triage by the interdepartmental task force.

On the question of arrests and jail capacity, staff said arrests for violent or serious criminal offenses continue and that citations tied directly to camping enforcement have been limited; staff emphasized that arrest alone is not a long-term solution when the individual has no stable housing or when county-level resources are not available for diversion or longer-term placement.

The council did not adopt an ordinance at the Sept. 16 meeting; it directed staff to return with cost estimates, a legal analysis and the results of scheduled meetings with providers and regional partners.

","At a Sept. 16 work session the Beaumont City Council received a year-one enforcement update on the camping ordinance, directed staff to pursue follow-up with providers and regional partners, and asked for cost and legal analyses to consider relocation, nuisance actions and other next steps.",{"_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},5980146,"Beaumont council adopts $2026 budget, holds tax rate steady as fund balances rise",5299,3255000,8554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809824-89490734fe2378535785a2b72fb211ec&start=3255&end=8554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809824-89490734fe2378535785a2b72fb211ec/thumbnail_3255000.jpg","/articles/5980146/Beaumont/Jefferson-County/Texas/Beaumont-council-adopts-2026-budget-holds-tax-rate-steady-as-fund-balances-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5980146-55b52bc94b28b568c603cb7d33a180e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776060242&Signature=o1Z40UzrKcnPn-l0j677Iu-VkVA7QsP-QLfVi8aI08ec6NfIIXS5SbwhyzsS3giYpFLSWlKcrpupAW-OQKU4tw4cF-I79lbEUKu5NklreD1p8Ax8vQLRRJn4GClkZwZIy69JvEdOLb1V7XvHxE96kTU7PucoG9VHScshcwooJ-9n2Sx1mb1R0Yf6UT1TDhWmsovjSJX9Ir5003M7wKa0laRmcjdDm4SsS-tAwCgPyWJMVef8LVT-NWnTrEYxG8Fzjw8u4GQ2jLA9yp0O36iQ5Gb50yOt6DIQz9-jsRo2p8DaFjbFfXLo7GdCkPH4mhwjSVNh6xn9bz7wv5YXrTDBqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beaumont City Council approved a fiscal year 2026 operating budget, a capital program and a property tax rate on Sept. 16 after a multi-hour presentation and extended discussion by city staff and council members.

The council voted 7-0 to adopt the budget ordinance and to set the city's property tax rate at 0.659663 per $100 of assessed value, a rate the city said keeps the millage unchanged while state law requires the council to state an effective increase because of rising property valuations. The council also approved a capital program and related implementing actions.

City Manager Williams told the council the budget was developed after workshops, public input and council direction, and emphasized the administration's effort to grow and protect fund balances while meeting operating and public safety needs. He said staff adjusted the draft after council feedback to reduce proposed use of reserves and preserve a stronger fund balance.

City Manager Williams said the administration reduced proposed expenditures by roughly $3.1 million from an earlier draft, raising the general fund balance to about $41,722,082 and setting the general-fund reserve at 25.7 percent and the water fund reserve at roughly 30.2 percent. He also said the administration preserved the tax rate and froze water-rate increases for qualifying senior customers.

The budget includes raises for city employees: a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for civilian employees and phased compensation-study increases for selected positions; multi-year contract increases for the Beaumont Fire Department also were built into the figures. Staff told the council projected increases for sworn public-safety salary costs together account for several million dollars of the spending plan.

Council members pushed staff for clarity on the projection methodology and asked for tighter control of recurring overtime costs, especially in the fire department. Councilman Turner and others said they wanted a larger, more conservative fund balance; the city manager responded that the adopted budget meets the council's direction and that staff will continue active, monthly budget management.

The council approved the tax-rate ordinance in three recorded votes: overall rate 0.659663 per $100; maintenance-and-operations rate 0.478628 per $100; and debt-service rate 0.181035 per $100. The vote on the ordinance ratifying the budgeted tax increase also passed 7-0.

Staff noted outside metrics supporting fiscal stability: Moody's credit commentary and a recent unmodified audit opinion. They also said the city had increased property values and sales tax collections in recent years, which contributed to revenue projections and allowed the council to adopt the budget without increasing the millage.

Looking forward, staff told the council the budget remains a working document: directors will monitor hiring, overtime and expenditures throughout the year and return with adjustments as needed. Council members asked for more visibility into overtime drivers, vacancy savings, and the precise recurring costs of personnel increases.

The council's action also included approval of the FY2026 capital program and several consent items tied to capital projects earlier on the agenda.

The budget ordinance and tax-rate ordinances took effect after the September 16 votes; staff said detailed budget documents and a public-friendly summary are available on the city's website.

","Beaumont City Council on Sept. 16 adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget and related capital program and set the city's property tax rate at 0.659663 per $100 valuation while increasing reserves and limiting residential water-rate impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City holds public hearing on HUD annual CAPER; staff says goals largely met

Council rescinds Volta award for switchgear building and awards contract to Blackstar Diversified

Beaumont council presses enforcement, explores relocation options for shelter services amid downtown impacts

Beaumont council adopts $2026 budget, holds tax rate steady as fund balances rise