The Bellaire City Council voted unanimously Jan. 27 to adopt changes to Chapter 9.5 of the city code that will require annual alarm permits, set renewal fees and establish a tiered penalty schedule for repeated false alarms. The ordinance also authorizes the city to contract with a third-party vendor to administer permit registration, billing and outreach.

Why it matters: Bellaire's police department reported thousands of alarm responses in the last year, nearly all false; the city estimates the cost of responding to false alarms ran into the tens of thousands of dollars. Council's change is intended to ensure accurate contact information, reduce repeat false alarms, and recoup some of the city's costs.

Chief Lynn Lopez told council that in calendar 2024 Bellaire recorded 1,831 alarm responses of which only seven were valid and that using the city's response-cost formula the cost to respond to false alarms was "approximately $108,000." The proposed ordinance creates a registration and renewal regime (staff recommended $25 annually for residential permits and $50 for commercial), establishes a fine schedule for repeat false alarms and allows the city manager to contract for a vendor-managed program.

Council also reviewed three vendor models. Staff recommended a revenue-sharing vendor arrangement (an approximately 80/20 split referenced in the meeting) instead of a flat fee, because the vendor would absorb setup and day-to-day administrative burden and would handle renewals, online portals, mailed notices and appeals processing. The vendor demonstration described an online portal where residents can register, update contact information, track invoices and pay fees.

A council amendment proposing higher fines failed on a 4-3 roll call. The council then approved the ordinance as presented and directed staff to implement the vendor-administered registration and renewal program. Chief Lopez said the city will use officer discretion in classifying and coding calls that arise from major power outages or regionwide events so residents are not unfairly penalized.

Quotes from the meeting include the chief's explanation of administrative cost and the program: "...the cost to the city to respond to those false alarms was approximately, hundred and $8,000," and later, when discussing vendor options, staff referenced a revenue-sharing model of "80/20." Several council members said they will review impacts after a year and may revisit fine levels if the program does not reduce repeat false alarms.

Next steps: Staff will finalize vendor negotiations, create the registration portal and begin a public information campaign before the city starts assessing renewal fees and fines. Councilmembers asked staff to return with usage data and implementation details after the first year.