By Anne Marie Kilday
The Bellaire City Council will hold a public hearing Monday on a proposed $31.3 million city budget for the 2016 fiscal year. The hearing starts at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers at Bellaire City Hall, 7008 S. Rice Ave.
Bellaire City Manager Paul Hofmann proposed the $31.3 million budget to the council last month. The council will hold two budget workshop meetings – on Tuesday, August 18, and on Monday, August 24. Both workshops will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at city hall.
The budget proposed to the city council does not include a property tax rate increase, said Assistant City Manager Diane White.
“The city council is scheduled to receive the final (tax) roll and the truth and taxation presentation on September 14,” White explained. “After that, there will be public hearings and a final tax rate will be considered by the city council in November.”
Property and sales taxes are the largest source of revenue for the city, bringing in 60 percent of Bellaire’s overall revenues. Total General Fund tax dollars are proposed to be $11.1 million and property tax dollars to the Debt Service Fund will be $5.9 million.
Salaries and benefits make up the largest portion of the city’s General Fund budget at 73%. The largest expense for the city’s Enterprise Fund is the purchase of water from the city of Houston. The city’s $6.8 million debt service fund pays for the city’s outstanding total debt and principal of $106.5 million, which is scheduled to be fully paid off in 2039. The city’s bond rating, from Standard and Poor’s is AAA.
Although the budget does not propose an increase in Bellaire property taxes, the council also will consider recommendations from the city manager for fee increases on some city services, including a $3.34 monthly increase in the price of garbage collection; an increase on admissions to Bellaire’s two swimming pools, as well as increases on permit fees for new residential construction and remodeling.
The proposed budget includes several projects to improve public infrastructure and facilities, including:
*Pro-active street maintenance $2.03 million, with $1.2 million from Metro and $800,000 in city revenues,
*Completing the Municipal Facilities Site Plan and Design at no cost,
*Conducting a storm water drainage plan, at a cost of $45,000, and;
*Upgrading the wastewater system, at a cost of $250,000.
The budget also provides for funds to improve the appearance and management of public rights-of-way, including: $70,000 for shade and playground structures in city parks, $16,000 for seasonal banners, $31,000 for holiday decorations and $36,000 to expand mowing of city rights-of-way.
In addition, the proposed FY 2016 budget includes $99,100 for maintenance at Evelyn’s Park. Construction on the first phase of construction at the new park started in July.
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