The end product from the recent City Council Workshop is a a 5-year priority plan distributed by the City Manager, and a lot for citizens to digest. For most intents and purposes, for now the future of Bellaire was basically decided in these 2 days.
There will be an election for mayor and 3 City council seats in November, 2019. With the number of distressed business owners/residents, other residents upset about sidewalks, pathways, spending and taxes, we may have a lively election in the Fall. The $47 million bond issue proposed for the November 2019 election may now be on the ballot in 2020.
A Quick Rundown on the 2016 Bonds for Better Bellaire
The estimated costs for the various Public Works projects to be included in the $54.98 million 2016 Bonds for Better Bellaire election were much higher than the actual bids received.
The $5.6 million (Proposition 2) for the municipal facilities has been spent, and about half of the $24.38 million (Proposition 3) was paid to Siemens Industry for the $12.8 million contract for new water meters and renovations to the wastewater treatment plant.
City Council had planned to set aside $4 million dollars for stand-alone sidewalks. Due to strong objections from residents those sidewalks have been “shelved” and the $4 million can now be used for streets and drainage. And a $3 million dollar flap gate project in Group C Phase 2 is under review and and may not proceed.
The decrease in cost for four projects now under way runs from a few hundred thousand for one to over two million dollars for another. Here’s an overview of the City Manager’s original 2017 project selection: Bonds for Better Bellaire 2016 Project Selection
As of mid-May two of the six projects plus the flap gates have not yet been put out for contractor bids, and there appears to be plenty of bond money on hand, or authorized to be sold, left from the 2016 election, as of mid-May around $20 million dollars.
If the City Council plans another bond election on 2020 we have to hope the estimated costs are closer to the final bids.
The priority plan for the next 5 years includes proposals for
- Flood Mitigation
- Public Safety & Mobility
- Budget & Finance
- Community Redevelopment
- Parks and Facilities
Also a new City logo; new Public Works and Library buildings; and more. Sidewalks and pathways are still part of the discussion.
Potential projects for 2020 include
- updating the Comprehensive Plan
- monitor state legislative revenue caps
Find the full Workshop agenda here. Residents must decide if this is the right course for our City.
Of Note: Bellaire’s Debt is $123.8 million at the end of FY2019
Not including the interest. The estimate FY2020 is over $126 million.
You can contact the Mayor and members of City Council via our City Clerk, Tracy Dutton, at tdutton@bellairetx.gov Send comments, ask questions – they are your elected representatives.
Construction on the new Bellaire High school is complete. The original building was demolished during the week of July 13-17, 2021. 
FEMA imposes requirements for new structures and limits on existing structures in flood zones. Check with Development Services for more information,
