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Bellaire council shifts Metro rebate money to bolster pavement maintenance
Summary
Council unanimously adopted a budget amendment to direct more Metro sales‑tax rebate revenue toward pavement maintenance, increasing the planned allocation from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 and leaving flexibility for city staff to target urgent repairs.
Council members on Monday approved an ordinance amending the fiscal‑year 2026 budget to increase the city’s pavement maintenance allocation from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000, drawing the additional funding from expected Metro sales‑tax rebate revenue.
Mark Velasquez, who presented the measure, told the council the city anticipates about $2,000,000 in Metro rebates this year and that the extra money will be used to address emergent pavement needs and repairs tied to underground infrastructure work. "Anytime that there's a main break, lateral line issues... we actually have the restoration that comes out of pavement maintenance," Velasquez said. He added the city already has "a very short list" of candidate locations that staff will share with council.
Council members pressed for clarity about the fund balance and project list. Council member Gordon asked whether the change would reduce the Metro fund balance compared with last year; Velasquez said the city is aiming to spend the funds on street‑related needs rather than accumulate balance. Council agreed the allocation provides flexibility to respond when new pavement failures appear. The motion to adopt the ordinance passed unanimously.
The budget amendment was moved by Council member Gordon and seconded by the Mayor Pro Tem; council recorded a unanimous affirmative vote.
