By Jane McNeel Every Friday, a city manager’s report is sent to councilmembers (and any member of the public or media requesting it, if you want an insider’s look at the workings of city government). The report is usually topped with employee news — achievements, a COVID count, comings and goings. In the last six months of 2021, seeing who is the latest mid- and high-level … [Read more...] about WATCHDOG: Bellaire city staffers’ exodus is concerning
Paul Hofmann
Bellaire city manager leaving; mayor sees chance ‘to restore our focus on the issues’
By Charlotte Aguilar City Manager Paul Hofmann will be leaving Bellaire after six increasingly controversial years at the helm, with the Bastrop City Council voting Tuesday night to hire him to run that Austin-area city of about 9,500 residents. His last day on the job in Bellaire will be Aug. 2. Most notably during his tenure, Hofmann led Bellaire through recovery from … [Read more...] about Bellaire city manager leaving; mayor sees chance ‘to restore our focus on the issues’
Evelyn’s Park director stepping down as parking lot controversy continues
Patricia King-Ritter — who’s found herself embroiled in a controversy about the illegal construction of a Bellaire parking lot in a deal between Evelyn’s Park and a Southside Place commercial interest — is stepping down as staff director of the park. The conservancy which operates Evelyn’s announced Monday (June 1) that King-Ritter, the staff director for two years after … [Read more...] about Evelyn’s Park director stepping down as parking lot controversy continues
‘Bad news on top of bad news:’ Bellaire must return $694K in sales taxes to state
By Charlotte Aguilar As it copes with the growing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Bellaire has been socked with what amounts to a $694,000 bill from the state, to return sales taxes the city was overpaid over a period of years. In a notice to City Council in his weekly report, City Manager Paul Hofmann called the notice “bad news on top of bad news.” “Of … [Read more...] about ‘Bad news on top of bad news:’ Bellaire must return $694K in sales taxes to state
Bellaire council to kick off FY 2020 budgeting process tonight
The months-long process to develop and adopt a Bellaire city budget for the 2020 fiscal year will start tonight (July 15) at City Hall, with staff’s formal budget presentation to City Council. City Manager Paul Hofmann will outline the proposal starting at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 7008 S. Rice Ave. According to Hofmann’s written weekly report last Friday, Bellaire’s … [Read more...] about Bellaire council to kick off FY 2020 budgeting process tonight