[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6497677,"mediaKeyId","5528626-f496b6822c2d9acf6baf77237dec2bc2","parentId",5528626,"title","Bellaire CFO: city remains structurally balanced; third-quarter report flags new drainage fund and pending state funding","audioSeconds",769,"startMs",1711000,"endMs",2480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5528626-f496b6822c2d9acf6baf77237dec2bc2&start=1711&end=2480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5528626-f496b6822c2d9acf6baf77237dec2bc2/thumbnail_1711000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6497677/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Bellaire-CFO-city-remains-structurally-balanced-third-quarter-report-flags-new-drainage-fund-and-pending-state-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497677-5323792a086fbbcc424a4b018c5ccdcf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961086&Signature=T0CTscM8iwWz1YFDe4Xx-qksANTCI9w1jym3UmLEC12xlcfBZeRNXJR8omcx1T~LuASeEnSh72YZ~yCEN5XdcBdvy7eEsaNYFhP~JV-MPMysN0xJyLPVWTaVJ1YYFSVQZKpLGB2m4DP4qBlJEU03XD4OjPYHKlZWGtiAiTwbeff7szrXsSp2fvzujMpUihIF8p4PvY1aWKefZIbjXH~cqlDncCBmmIe3OrqBEiEHVrEto9VUcJA0fRUX3eJXS8BB-pFfuZkHE~tK3OpLbvMIYvpxFpLS~hfuS~chBsxzB~qe0gKlgxw39x~pmK~-Ydp7JJnhqJ4f0z4t7SMCca2Hrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellaire","date","2025-08-04T00:00:00Z","article","Terrence Beaman, Bellaire’s chief financial officer, presented the city’s third-quarter financial report for fiscal year 2025 (period Oct. 1, 2024–June 30, 2025), telling council the city is “structurally balanced” and on track to meet its 60-day reserve requirement for several years.

Beaman said the general fund is projected to close the year about 2% over the adopted budget and “we're projecting to end the year about 3% under the adopted budget” on expenditures, in part because of vacancy-driven savings. He highlighted that as of Aug. 1 the number of vacant positions had fallen from 11 to 7 and noted public safety vacancies were low — “there was only 1 vacant police officer as of August 1.”

On enterprise operations Beaman said water revenues are projecting roughly 5% above budgeted revenue for the year. He attributed part of the revenue performance to a recent rate/tier study by Welldan and to late-fee revenue. He also briefed council that enterprise fund expenses were projecting to end the year about 7% under budget largely because of vacancies and a temporary suspension of a City of Houston “take-or-pay” requirement related to a water-line break earlier in the year.

Beaman described the drainage utility fund as new and “built in arrears,” noting the fund’s 12-month accounting cycle explains why year-to-date figures look under budget now but are projected to normalize by year end. He said drainage fund expenses are projected about 3% over budget (roughly $4,700) under current estimates.

On debt, Beaman said the city’s debt picture remains manageable: the presentation referenced an outstanding debt balance near $92 million and noted recent issuance/retirement activity (paid off roughly $6.8 million and issued about $7 million). He confirmed certificates of obligation are included in the debt presentation and said debt-service collections were strong — the city “pay at 99.8% of the levy” in his reporting.

Beaman and other council members discussed a $54 million state contribution toward the Cypress Ditch/drainage project. Beaman said the city is meeting with financial advisors and staff to plan contingencies and timing, acknowledging uncertainty about when state funds will be delivered but assuring council that the city’s finance team will structure debt/payments to meet obligations if timing shifts. He described a meeting scheduled for the following Friday with the city’s financial advisor and senior staff to review options.

Beaman also reported capital projects underway including the public works facility and the Beller Lift Station review (HDR work orders 3 and 4), described a pending reimbursement issue related to solar panels (awaiting a federal registration number for reimbursement), and summarized investment strategy and benchmarks (TexPool and treasury bill benchmarking).

Council members asked follow-up questions about water meter splits (sprinkler/irrigation meters), the status of take-or-pay suspension with Houston, the reimbursement for solar panels and timing for state drainage funds. Beaman committed to provide additional detail where available and to incorporate updates into the FY2026 budget adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellaire - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Bellaire’s CFO reported the city is structurally balanced through the third quarter of FY2025, highlighted stronger-than-expected water revenues, noted that the drainage utility fund is still normalizing and said staff is planning for timing uncertainty around $54 million in state drainage funding.","taxTitle","Bellaire, Harris County, Texas","taxId",69496,"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},6497681,"Bellaire council approves consent items and ordinance calling a general election, 6-0",478,4322000,4800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5528626-f496b6822c2d9acf6baf77237dec2bc2&start=4322&end=4800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5528626-f496b6822c2d9acf6baf77237dec2bc2/thumbnail_4322000.jpg","/articles/6497681/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Bellaire-council-approves-consent-items-and-ordinance-calling-a-general-election-6-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497681-76d33803eee9c035b0bc8ab23f90492f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961086&Signature=fRmC43nAixKf3qF9QTNiZ5y8RHBDbses4slQIOz4qPkj~jnCTuFp6zXEKn8Tke9XxUpsunKme4Qbby3pq-OoI2dddk1h0uhOYUP4Hc6DYpMewySXpxVt-T3o0-gfj43FIdDQPRsMxKi4GAbKWcnJmbACNppol-IEQD82D-i2TljoQE3XYZ-VbyuBN9uQtEMDiUjRlECOXkwDUdlTL4Sj0mua24AlZumgcnV4gEqUtiBxUMSnwwt7ix11jjI37b0HKz0KBtvHaF7uQY0M80RzRNTbq13Pqx7dWy~G8dmyl0p5B9GcL~dO4ruxwhjxibOoxf3LRZpcITAOubb~a51ACg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bellaire City Council on Aug. 4 unanimously approved a pair of consent items and adopted an ordinance calling a general election to fill the mayor's seat and council positions 1, 3 and 5.

The council approved an amendment to work order No. 3 with Dura Group Inc. for engineering services related to the city’s regional drainage improvement program in the amount of $82,000 and authorized the city manager to execute required documents with Sterling McCall Ford for purchase of a fire department medic unit. Both items were adopted on a single consent motion moved by Council Member Lewis and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Frazier; the motion carried 6-0.

Council then approved an ordinance calling for a general election to elect the mayor and three council members; the motion was moved by Council Member Lewis and seconded by Council Member Witt and passed unanimously, 6-0. The ordinance also provides for a runoff if necessary and “establishes election precincts, polling places, and appoints election officials,” according to the ordinance language read into the record. The transcript did not specify a calendar date for the general election beyond the ordinance text discussed at the meeting; the ordinance language was presented by City Clerk Tracy Dutton.

Votes at a glance:
- Amendment No. 1 to Work Order No. 3 (Dura Group Inc.) — motion to approve passed 6-0; moved by Council Member Lewis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Frazier; ordinance/contract amendment amount: $82,000.
- Ordinance authorizing purchase of a fire department medic unit (Sterling McCall Ford) — approved 6-0 as part of the consent agenda.
- Ordinance calling a general election for mayor and council positions 1, 3 and 5 — adopted 6-0; motion moved by Council Member Lewis and seconded by Council Member Witt; the ordinance includes provisions for a runoff and establishes precincts and polling places; the transcript does not specify the calendar date beyond the ordinance text.

The actions were routine approvals the city staff had recommended for the council’s consent agenda, and the council did not remove either item for separate discussion. The council’s unanimous votes settled the items during the Aug. 4 meeting; any implementation steps (contract execution, procurement and election preparation) will be carried out by staff per the adopted ordinances.","The Bellaire City Council unanimously approved two consent items — an $82,000 amendment to a drainage work order and purchase authorization for a fire department medic unit — and adopted an ordinance calling a general election for mayor and three council seats.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6497669,"Resident warns Bellaire council of increasing encampments near Paseo Park and transit station; staff describe outreach response",176,337000,513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5528626-f496b6822c2d9acf6baf77237dec2bc2&start=337&end=513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5528626-f496b6822c2d9acf6baf77237dec2bc2/thumbnail_337000.jpg","/articles/6497669/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/Resident-warns-Bellaire-council-of-increasing-encampments-near-Paseo-Park-and-transit-station-staff-describe-outreach-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497669-90d987d29bc4a5e368ff89903ff3cfec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961086&Signature=M6MVjs~Ah2KLFlBDCUc5~XaC4ECuxKv~jyGDRp25G2lek96kf62G7yos-UUhNRWLptZrAdTGXRyazldzKtUowwXq4jyo~unht4XtrB~tET4nQYVOVEW8Rh5RIHsfKoY5b7SFWH5RAkSHzNVVn9sWye2nUlSa4a2b8ErnbxFRckyrQExsEyvePJrZm0mxB7SLQce5Vab4WuutOqoD96aGNfJ-I9V35SmOynol57rkKWPZwQpe3RISHA7sFy~Wdmo~pmH71oKY-xwbW9P-AD6dS5rPvC17oLdkjq4fFiZDG0EE8LflyINeHZeLH6oHH~GrO8sOszUZhts1N6HzbYlU7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tim Sullivan, a Bellaire resident, told the council that Paseo Park tiny homes are “filling up fast” and warned of spillover to Bellaire’s transit station if downtown services are reduced.

“We are only going to get worse,” Tim Sullivan said, expressing concern that people who cannot or will not use services downtown will “hop on a metro and they'll be transported to our lovely transit station.” He urged cooperation among Houston Police Department (HPD), Metro Cares and TxDOT and said he has contacts and has spoken with the city manager and HPD about a coordinated response.

City Manager Sharon Satina and council members responded that Bellaire police and staff already conduct outreach and offer services. Satina said the police “contact those individuals and offer services” and that the city offers free transportation to resource providers when individuals accept help. She added Metro Cares has been contacted and that HPD’s hot team has also engaged.

Council members and the mayor discussed jurisdictional challenges at the transit station and acknowledged ongoing coordination with Metro and HPD. The mayor said the city has “made Metro aware of the fact that that is we spend an inordinate amount of time there and we have asked their help.” Several council members emphasized a desire to balance respect for individuals’ rights with providing assistance and public-safety responses.

No formal action was taken at the Aug. 4 meeting; council and staff described continuing outreach and planned interagency coordination. Tim Sullivan offered to share contact information and said HPD is “ready to talk.”","A resident urged the council to act as small homeless encampments and two 'tiny home' residents are appearing near Paseo Park and the transit station; city staff and council described ongoing outreach with Metro's care unit, HPD hot team and police offers of assistance but noted constitutional limits in open parks.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6497673,"City attorney’s summary: key 89th Texas Legislature changes Bellaire must track — zoning notices, procurement and bond language among them",1211,2749000,3960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5528626-f496b6822c2d9acf6baf77237dec2bc2&start=2749&end=3960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5528626-f496b6822c2d9acf6baf77237dec2bc2/thumbnail_2749000.jpg","/articles/6497673/Bellaire/Harris-County/Texas/City-attorneys-summary-key-89th-Texas-Legislature-changes-Bellaire-must-track-zoning-notices-procurement-and-bond-language-among-them","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497673-40eca0d4323ec01e26caf30d94938e1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961086&Signature=ZIOCGfN~t-Hjv14otkAnF4~rvxQWF8lulvUXgiPfrxUL027rx58DaIp1D9C2bIpHkEHwwk9j3ez7mxDP5MhqCRP9LgYzX3A8doQeqJKkOWGEDtN~qLm4s8ISOuZjmVX4r~CUas2aJt6phFscFIe7FZfYxt4wEF6v0OpoHZE-QYMhjayJ9G6tx-z0m24~V~xEiS6Al0PUdIgVil2~EqquRltxh5KgV27JkoPxR7~ye~wNWQqQAXpPuwMaMqcxRQ8kY7ozG8JQt6KEESzkpAVzedkLlreeuiyHk2uGUo0C8yOJ1PcoL5mfacBLTmVHtbAUTaJj9manIUoixOufyyS~Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alan (presenter) summarized actions from the 89th Texas Legislature and identified bills city staff will monitor for municipal impact.

He told council that HB21 revised how some housing finance corporations operate — a change that will protect smaller cities from out-of-jurisdiction entities stripping taxable value under certain financing arrangements. He also discussed HB24, which adds notice requirements for zoning changes and clarifies the 20% protest calculation that triggers a supermajority vote requirement; and HB2844, which preempts certain local regulations of mobile food vendors.

Alan flagged that open meetings law changes increase the posting requirement to “at least three business days” before a meeting (effectively expanding notification time for Monday meetings) and that new budget-related notice requirements include posting a taxpayer-impact statement when budget items are on an agenda. He said the competitive bidding threshold rose from $50,000 to $100,000, which will increase the city manager’s procurement authority and could reduce the number of contracts that must come before council.

On public information, he said license-plate numbers will no longer be classified as confidential — simplifying video redaction — and the law clarifies that any governing-body member has a right to access agency information (a “special right of access”). Alan also described a new requirement for state bond-report portals and a change to ballot language: propositions that will impose or increase taxes must include an all-caps statement on ballots that reads in effect “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE.”

Council members asked follow-up questions about deed restrictions, accessory-dwelling-unit proposals that failed, potential future bills that could further constrain lot sizes in larger cities and how these laws interact with local land-use controls. Alan advised the council to stay engaged with the Texas Municipal League and with the city’s legislative contacts to anticipate future bills that could affect Bellaire.","The city’s legislative update highlighted several state law changes and proposals that affect Bellaire, including new notice requirements for zoning changes, higher procurement thresholds, public information changes and a new ballot-labeling requirement for tax-related bond propositions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bellaire CFO: city remains structurally balanced; third-quarter report flags new drainage fund and pending state funding

Bellaire council approves consent items and ordinance calling a general election, 6-0

Resident warns Bellaire council of increasing encampments near Paseo Park and transit station; staff describe outreach response

City attorney’s summary: key 89th Texas Legislature changes Bellaire must track — zoning notices, procurement and bond language among them