Hi! Bellaire has come a long way in the last 100+ years and thanks to longtime resident Lynn McBee the City’s history will unfold on these pages. A Bellaire historical article first published in 2008 will be posted every 2 weeks or so and the table of contents will grow accordingly. Click on the title to access a complete article. Welcome to Bellaire, Texas!
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Check Current Agendas on menu bar for City Council, Board, and Commission Meetings
SPOTLIGHT – – Important Meetings and Events
Randalls Store Is Closing – Last day is scheduled for the end of February 2021. No plans have been announced for the building or the 3-acre site, located in the UV-D District.
Spruce and Fifth Streets – Now the subject of a lawsuit, the $3.2 million in contracts for this project called for completion by February 15, 2020. A drive through the area feels as though you’re in a fun house. Here’s some background on this project.
Over the past five years our property tax rate has risen from $.3805 in 2015-2016 to $.4473 for 2019-2020, an 18% increase. But for the past 3 years, from 2018-2020, the property tax revenue has barely increased.
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.
However there has been little annual gain since 2018. Per the Harris County Tax Office, the annual increase in Bellaire’s property tax revenues over the past 3 years has flattened: $20,028,121 in 2018, 20,534,596 in 2019, and $20,658,141 for 2020.
And no Capital Improvement Cash funds were scheduled to be paid from the General Fund in year 2020. Nothing for Parks or the Library. Where did that $5 million in addtional revenue go?
Over those same 5 years our bonded debt increased almost $50 million dollars,
Our Environment
Recycling, organic gardening, less pesticides – all win/wins for our kids and our community. So are reusable bags! Find informative articles here.
100 Years of Bellaire History!
Click on the Trolley to view the Table of Contents for Lynn McBee’s history of Bellaire. Great information on your Home Town!
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.
Find Updates on the actions of the Harris County Flood Control District actions that affect Bellaire and Southwest Houston – the Brays Bayou Watershed.
Construction on the new Bellaire High school began in 2018.
The new school was financed by the 2012 HISD bond election and completion is expected in 2022.
Little FREE Libraries
You’ll find Little Free Libraries popping up throughout Bellaire. Loftin Park, Evelyn’s Park, Ware Family Park, plus private LFLs. “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin
Leaks at or near water meters have been reported around town. City crews make repairs for some residents, but others are advised to call a plumber. Check with the City, ask if Siemens is responsible for the repair.