[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",[32,75,87,97],{"_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",6536832,"mediaKeyId","3667204-c4d1349aec6dd15f3650d59694ccf425","parentId",3667204,"title","Votes at a glance: Port Arthur council approves contracts, purchases and budget amendments","audioSeconds",6218,"startMs",2909000,"endMs",9127000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667204-c4d1349aec6dd15f3650d59694ccf425&start=2909&end=9127","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667204-c4d1349aec6dd15f3650d59694ccf425/thumbnail_2909000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536832/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Port-Arthur-council-approves-contracts-purchases-and-budget-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536832-253dcacccbe99e1f185607e7ecbc44ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407691&Signature=IOv~cA4l5RK3~l2g31n~jGhnet-wVKpOOxpY2OzrBCmADvpzCr8q78FWOIZt~61pDSc4GGDj9vUbj0y8gxhoNq6yrLx~WoQDwJpAapUx-nUXa~gtraONRb1dLqxqi735fxp~6JDTbwe6ueb1v5uO2SpBr6YY4AWVN451GFEnzYagJFk3r8trdRHjprQ2fz-aRzgCogdEO1ncXgsuU~Yn1eIePJzEPF4tSw8XiX7SM5r2nLpV9VmFn5~ZLwiHuPA-xq9fPaV5iwNG4qAdXTaF1KN1NQ9vl0dTFCF0CJjSj0kwv7c83GaYIAeCpOKncbf3wVdGq1wXxCRvfXS8b~yaOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Port Arthur","date","2025-06-04T00:00:00Z","article","At its meeting the Port Arthur City Council approved a slate of routine and non-routine items by voice or motion, including contract authorizations, purchases, and ordinance amendments. Items included procurement and contract approvals, a vehicle/equipment purchase, and a multi-fund budget amendment. A proposed ordinance restricting residency of registered offenders near schools was tabled for revision.

Key votes recorded on the meeting agenda (motions and outcomes as shown in the official record):

- PR No. 24318 — Authorize contract with Preferred Facilities Group USA LLC for the city wayfinding program through BuyBoard cooperative purchasing (funding from Hotel Occupancy Tax transfer to Capital Improvements). Motion made by Councilman Lewis; second by Councilwoman Everfield. Outcome: approved by voice vote. Council discussed and staff clarified that the hotel-occupancy tax (HOT) transfer should appear on both sides of the budget amendment and that the transfer was the intended funding source.

- PR No. 23708 — Accept change order No. 1 and release of retainage for Traffex Inc. (traffic signal installation at Bluebonnet Avenue and Gulfway Drive). Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote. Staff clarified account coding for retainage and equipment accounts.

- PR No. 24355 — Approve third amendment to the city purchasing manual. Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote. Council asked members to review the manual ahead of upcoming procurement discussions.

- PR No. 24265 — Authorize on-call professional services contract with SoCo Group LLC for planning, grants, research, engineering and program management (procurement based on RFP process). Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- PR No. 24301 — Authorize local forfeiture agreement under Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure between Port Arthur Police Department and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- PR No. 24321 — Re-certify Tender Loving Care Center for Children (Legacy CDC) as a Community Housing Development Organization and authorize up to $255,000 in HOME funds for acquisition/site clearance/new construction and related activities (contingent on budget amendment). Motion made by Councilman Lewis; second by Councilwoman Beckham. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

- PR No. 24345 — Purchase one Hogzilla tub grinder for Public Works/landfill division not to exceed $1,000,052 from C.W. Mill & Equipment Company; funds available in Capital Reserve Fund. Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- PR No. 24353 — Approve purchase of approximately 3.8 acres adjacent to Parks & Recreation at 1308 Ninth Avenue from the Port Arthur Housing Authority for $240,500 (funding split from parks and capital-improvement accounts). Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote. Council discussed funding-source accounting across accounts and possible future acquisitions.

- PR No. 24354 — Authorize annual GPS software services agreement with T-Mobile Government Solutions for fleet/equipment tracking at an estimated annual amount of $114,447.12; monitoring will be performed in-house. Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- PR No. 24358 — Approve transfer and additional appropriation of $100,000 for outside legal services (Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado & Acosta LLP) for ongoing litigation (Kirk Thomas v. City of Port Arthur et al.). Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- PO No. 7338 — Ordinance authorizing issuance of City of Port Arthur tax notes series 2025 in the principal amount of $6,460,000. Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- PO No. 7337 — Budget amendment ordinance increasing multiple funds and appropriations (General Fund, Hotel Occupancy Tax, CDBG, HOME grants). Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

Items tabled:

- PO No. 7330 — Ordinance amending Chapter 62 (sex-offender residency) was tabled to allow staff and police to reconcile and correct the list of schools and locations referenced in the ordinance. Council directed staff to correct discrepancies between printed and online backup materials and return the item for consideration.

For each approved item, staff indicated appropriate follow-up (contract negotiations, budget transfers, procurement processing or return with finalized contract terms). Where funding-account questions arose, staff pledged clarifications or amendments to ensure proper accounting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Port Arthur - City Council - Jun 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council approved multiple resolutions and ordinances including contracts for wayfinding, purchasing manual amendments, on-call professional services, grants and equipment purchases, plus a budget amendment. One ordinance about residence restrictions for registered offenders was tabled for correction.","taxTitle","Port Arthur City, Jefferson County, Texas","taxId",5749,"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},6536836,"Port Arthur council asks Jefferson County tax assessor to reconsider temporary closure of Port Arthur satellite office",1454,7244000,8698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667204-c4d1349aec6dd15f3650d59694ccf425&start=7244&end=8698","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667204-c4d1349aec6dd15f3650d59694ccf425/thumbnail_7244000.jpg","/articles/6536836/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-council-asks-Jefferson-County-tax-assessor-to-reconsider-temporary-closure-of-Port-Arthur-satellite-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536836-c0d9e3f5fe7efdec83f0e4c6a478699b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407691&Signature=PgDs7U2plBl38ijGMSIqGVMKdj1Q5ce7E2R0haLBX2tFmfKLjCi5IQpbCvmjaaZRhpDruhu5R9lWfVF8nbN83cWDccKIwoBDKoLyIa134BR3KhCfotvo7l6s8mjr04SX9L60~OnbT4oF4U0n2~uSTLS2At-E~zzGQ1~YN9jlxdO4Z53fM~7E0pbZ9N2hZDT6rKHEZTTeWIwGnaWzXNBTa9DB2ok91voflQSdgEW0NPp~pCk21ZeEzyp0bHhW247wkgKztELGJR3Y0GZU6Fu2DqEg-fGMaBWoO7uDBwMKJ-UpxIKX5FNiFBdyizbZZvO247sXX8l~iN~uZPMBazcr4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Arthur City Council approved a resolution expressing opposition to the proposed temporary closure of the Jefferson County tax assessor-collector’s sub-courthouse office in Port Arthur and requesting immediate reconsideration and reversal of that decision.

Council members discussed notices they had recently received and read statements from the county tax assessor’s office. Councilwoman Beckham relayed information from County Tax Assessor-Collector Kate Carroll: staffing attrition countywide, recent retirements and medical leaves, and the office’s need to train new hires. Carroll’s office told the council the closure is intended to be temporary — up to 90 days — while new staff are trained; the office said many services are available online and at other local locations, but that certain services (for example, motor-vehicle title transfers) require in-person visits.

Mayor Thurman Barty and several council members expressed strong opposition to removing services from Port Arthur. Councilman Doucet said the city should ask the county to temporarily reassign staff from other county offices or use temporary staffing pools to maintain service at the sub-courthouse, and several council members said the closure — even if temporarily described — would have immediate negative impacts for residents who rely on in-person assistance.

Councilwoman Everfield said the tax assessor had told her the closure is temporary and that the office hopes to reopen the Port Arthur location sooner than 90 days if staffing permits. Council members asked that the city formally convey residents’ concerns and request that the county maintain local services.

The resolution (PR No. 24364) was moved by Councilman Doucet and seconded by Councilwoman Beckham; the council approved the resolution by voice vote. The action asks Jefferson County to reconsider and reverse the planned temporary closure and to ensure adequate, accessible service in the Port Arthur sub-courthouse while staff training continues.

Council staff and members noted logistical details supplied by the tax assessor’s office: most vehicle-sticker purchases and some payments can be completed online or at participating retailers (HEB, Kroger); a small subset of services (notably title transfers) must be completed in person. The tax assessor’s office provided an August 25 reopening deadline if the office must remain closed the full 90 days but said it might reopen sooner.","After public concern and a briefing from the tax assessor's office, the city council approved a resolution urging reconsideration and reversal of a temporary 90-day closure of the Jefferson County tax office satellite at the Port Arthur Sub-County Courthouse.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":44,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":50,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536842,"Port Arthur council approves negotiating a contract for expanded nonhazardous industrial-waste handling at city landfill",496,3405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667204-c4d1349aec6dd15f3650d59694ccf425&start=2909&end=3405","/articles/6536842/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-council-approves-negotiating-a-contract-for-expanded-nonhazardous-industrial-waste-handling-at-city-landfill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536842-379f5b3fa43cbf24f30f04507f636361/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407691&Signature=CeiPsS2wDGCg9lqLRW2w8o-FqKZe6YjbUmlEYeBsXdc9PDIXQh~UsDnFiAuERQZPetkrY5IhrSWecElETLmrjr35PpCGm8nK~NmyJ2I1X24dbkh3CrC17F1JWImbH7nQlOS-lqqZzEJrutopRMa-3OJmkS8YGUmBLAYOhJM7rlV5tUQUyJCg81bRbFizfbZZnLmqrR4AGzcjy4-zdaNEK5t~G6sZGBEiIDlDIIP-o3em~VvBsnkIrF14BTppqjOWa5RkinDixQL2orgtw6QTKW6vyE68xksaOeddeKa50iCAe48XKupIhkO5qUW~2a3T3Jbxt8MYZAvOUDnm5V87FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Arthur City Council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to negotiate a contract with Environmental Industrial Services Group (EISG) of Houston for a study, design, permitting, construction and operation of a facility at the city landfill to accept non-hazardous industrial wastes that are not permitted under the current landfill permit (PR No. 24356).

City staff told council the facility would accept non-hazardous industrial material such as chemically contaminated soil, asbestos and certain sludges after processing, but it will not accept hazardous waste. The new cell would be constructed on the footprint of the existing landfill; staff said the landfill has roughly 240 acres overall and a projected life expectancy in excess of 100 years.

City staff explained the regional need: there is no similar permitted facility within about a 40–50 mile radius, and firms now haul such wastes to facilities in Houston or Louisiana. Preliminary industry estimates provided to staff suggested potential regional demand and revenue in a range of about $2.5 million to $5 million per year, but staff emphasized those are preliminary figures.

Rates discussed in council backup and by staff include a higher rate for out-of-city customers (example cited: $28 per cubic yard) and a lower in-city rate (example cited: $13 per cubic yard) for “special waste.” Staff and some council members said the arrangement could stabilize landfill finances and support a self-sustaining solid-waste operation.

Council members asked about the project location, environmental protections and the landfill’s remaining capacity. “The land that section is gonna be on the existing landfill,” staff said, and added that the new facility would be a separately permitted and stringently regulated cell under Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards.

The resolution to negotiate with EISG passed by voice vote after a motion and second; no roll-call tally was given in the council record. Councilman Lewis made the motion; Councilwoman Everfield seconded.

Staff noted the proposal does not change the city’s policy on hazardous waste: the facility would accept only non-hazardous industrial waste streams under the appropriate TCEQ permit conditions. Because the city would seek new permits and construct a separate cell, staff said the project would be subject to standard permitting, monitoring and operational controls required by state regulators.","Council authorized the city manager to negotiate with Environmental Industrial Services Group (EISG) to study, design, permit, construct and operate a facility to accept nonhazardous industrial waste not currently allowed under the city landfill permit.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536847,"Port Arthur council authorizes notice to pursue up to $18 million in certificates of obligation after debate on project allocations",1028,1851000,2879000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667204-c4d1349aec6dd15f3650d59694ccf425&start=1851&end=2879","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667204-c4d1349aec6dd15f3650d59694ccf425/thumbnail_1851000.jpg","/articles/6536847/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-council-authorizes-notice-to-pursue-up-to-18-million-in-certificates-of-obligation-after-debate-on-project-allocations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536847-77d6b1ef821bc34e711d7246560cf920/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407691&Signature=JcD~mXq-j8IhMUanBlKRZsBiIanMv2uJDWMWgQ9nGcWBp8vtnWQ2CZ4XErYmQ0J5rIFG0Q3nSs5A1r-TNNEYkWjmYa8FOGf6KT9SIWaWE18vBEKIezwmaP-ivotVUZTcx2Z-VEGN4EnUltUQGBelnaWq1~BPJyx7drJEFzo-wtUDO~lpR9pCu97pLJc458eJIbH0EU-PeHbZK9JZs05YiomDKeESUltI5FIsf0evHhCRReyo2LyW6dZ0v~sCAJ9QYvTF7I2odDSNr1SRStLa6qV-ReKgD6JPpyfSMUF2I0JShUPYs3jgJIgt85pcDK7rJM8wxqHbM8jzueOJqgZauQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Arthur City Council voted to publish notice of intent to issue up to $18 million in combination tax-and-revenue certificates of obligation to fund city public-works projects and professional services, the council voted unanimously after an extended discussion about which projects would get money.

The council approved a resolution (PR No. 24351) authorizing the publication of a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation and to distribute a preliminary official statement. The action starts the public and procedural steps required to sell the debt; council members and staff said a detailed, project-level allocation will be developed before the bonds are priced and sold.

Why it matters: Certificates of obligation allow a city to borrow without a separate voter election. Council members said the issuance would fund streets, water-utility work and other capital needs; several members pressed for a clearer breakdown of how the $18 million would be assigned before the sale so voters and the council can see specific uses.

City financial advisers and staff told the council that the action before them was a not-to-exceed authorization to begin the process, not a final approval of allocations. “This $18,000,000 is a not to exceed and that number will be further refined as we get closer with the information and the feedback on the project sizing as well as the certification of your taxable assessed valuation and what is going on in the interest rate markets,” said Mr. Burton, a financial adviser to the city.

Mayor Pro Tem Dusett and Councilman Dusett (remarks throughout) and other council members pressed staff on timing and on the effect on the city’s interest-and-sinking (I&S) tax rate. Staff said the planned structure would be designed so the city’s debt-service tax rate would not increase as a result of the issuance. “It will be structured in a way to make sure that your I and S tax rate, your debt service tax rate, remains the same,” staff said.

Council members asked for the next steps to include: (1) a specific project list with dollar allocations for each category (streets, water utilities, etc.), (2) confirmation of the city’s certified taxable assessed valuation, and (3) updated interest-rate and market analysis before pricing on July 29. Ron (city finance/manager staff) said the council would see a detailed list and recommended amounts before the bonds are priced.

Council members also discussed the broader legislative environment: Mr. Burton told the council that legislation debated in the recent Texas legislative session had threatened limits on local debt issuance but that, as of June 2, those measures were not adopted and the city retains the authority to issue debt under current law. He advised the council to consider the next legislative session when planning long-term capital strategies.

The council moved and seconded the resolution and approved it by voice vote; no roll-call tally was read into the record. The motion to begin the issuance process was offered by Councilwoman Becker and seconded by Councilwoman Hamilton; the mayor declared the resolution approved.

The council and staff said they will return with a refined project list and specific dollar allocations before final bond pricing, and staff emphasized that the notice before the council is a permissive step to permit public notice and additional review rather than a binding commitment to exact allocations.","The Port Arthur City Council approved a resolution to publish notice of intent to issue up to $18 million in combination tax-and-revenue certificates of obligation, beginning the formal process while leaving final project allocations to be refined before sale.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Port Arthur council approves contracts, purchases and budget amendments

Port Arthur council asks Jefferson County tax assessor to reconsider temporary closure of Port Arthur satellite office

Port Arthur council approves negotiating a contract for expanded nonhazardous industrial-waste handling at city landfill

Port Arthur council authorizes notice to pursue up to $18 million in certificates of obligation after debate on project allocations