SPOTLIGHT – – Important Meetings and Announcements
Bolivar – What has happened to this quiet tree-lined cul-de-sac? See the results of a City reconstruction project promoted by the City Manager and approved by the previous City Council.
Spruce and Fifth Streets –
Delays and excuses. The contract for this project calls for completion by February 15, 2020. Instead not even Fifth Street is completed. Here’s some background on this project.If you haven’t seen the Bellaire PD video of the capture of a burglar at a residence on Pine Street on February 15, 2020, watch it here.
Thanks to a quick response by our officers, a drone donated by the Bellaire Police and Fire Foundation, and the cooperation of Bellaire and Houston police officers (including an intrepid K-nine), the two burglars were captured without incident.
May 2, 2020 – Election on Charter Amendments – Sidewalks! More information to follow.
- Over the past five years our property tax rate has risen from $.3805 in 2015-2016 to $.4473 for 2019-2020, an 18% increase.
- The City’s revenue from property taxes increased – from $15.42 million for 2015 to $20.53 million in 2019. A 33% increase. More than $5 million dollars in five years. Anticipated revenue in 2020 is $21.9 million.
- But no Capital Improvement Cash funds are scheduled to be paid from the General Fund in year 2020. Nothing for Parks or the Library. Why?
- Over those same 5 years our bonded debt increased almost $50 million dollars, to $123.3 million by 9/30/2019.
Our Environment
Recycling, organic gardening, less pesticides – all win/wins for our kids and our community. So are reusable bags!
Find informative articles here.No More City Of Homes?
According to the City manager and staff our longtime City logo, representing Bellaire as a City of Homes, will soon be gone, thanks to City Council and the $50,000 branding study. Read more here.
Author Archives: Lynn McBee
Chapter 14 – Controversy and Changes In The Last Decade Of The 20th Century!
It was the last decade of the twentieth century. There was much speculation and even foreboding by some that the century’s end might be doomsday… Bellaire in the 1990s was fraught with controversy, criminal charges, and a succession of mayors. … Continue reading
Bellaire History In Tangible Form – The Centennial Walk
Are you aware of Bellaire’s History Walk? Lynn’s latest chapter of Bellaire history, History In Tangible Form, explains the background of Bellaire’s History Walk and the various monuments around town. Part of the City’s centennial celebration. Find it here! All … Continue reading
Bellaire’s History: The 1980s – Bellaire Special TIFD District Formed to Rebuild Downtown
From boomtown to slowdown, in 1980 population in Bellaire dropped from a high of almost 20,000 to less than 15,000. President Ronald Reagan defeated Michael Dukakis and reigned for the decade until George H.W. Bush took over in 1989. There … Continue reading
Chapter 11: The 1970s – The Bellaire Recall of its Mayor and Council Members
It was 31 years ago, in 1977, that 4,619 Bellaire voters at a Special Recall Election called by a citizens’ initiative referendum succeeded in recalling from elected office the Mayor and three of the five City Council members. Bellaire citizens … Continue reading
Chapter 10 of Bellaire’s History – The Sixties – Momentous World Changes
When Time Magazine, Inc. published its, “Time 1968 40th Anniversary Special” (© 2008 Time, Inc.) in which it describes that year and the 1960s era as, “War abroad, Riots at Home, Fallen Leaders and Loner Dreams: The Year that Challenged … Continue reading
Chapter 9 of Bellaire’s History – The Fifties Boomtown
Chapter 9 of Lynn McBee’s Bellaire history is available here. Houston growth brings Loops and Freeways and a town divided. A time of growth, with more discussion on zoning and desegregation in our schools. All installments are are available on … Continue reading
Chapter 8 of Bellaire’s History – Turbulence After WW II – 1946-1949
Chapter 8 of Lynn McBee’s Bellaire history is available here. It wasn’t easy to agree on a path to arrive at the style of City government we have today. And we’re still working on it! All installments are are available … Continue reading
FEMA imposes requirements for new structures and limits on existing structures in flood zones. Check with Development Services for more information,
