CITY & COUNTY
News from Bellaire, West University Place, Houston & Harris County
Harris County Commissioners Court will meet for its regular meeting at 10 a.m. July 18 at 1001 Preston St., Ste. 934, Houston. Meetings are livestreamed at www.harriscountytx.gov. Bellaire City Council will meet at 7 p.m. July 17 at 7008 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire. www.bellairetx.gov. West University Place City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. July 24 at 3800 University Blvd., West University Place. www.westutx.gov. Houston City Council will meet for public comment at 2 p.m. July 18 and regular business at 9 a.m. July 19 at City Hall, 901 Bagby St., Houston. www.houstontx.gov/htv. MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS SOUTHSIDE PLACE City officials in Southside Place and West University Place celebrated June 28 a $9.9 million federal funding commitment for Poor Farm Ditch flood control improvements throughout each city and in Houston. The work will be carried out by the Harris County Flood Control District at a total cost of $32 million. Design work could last another six months to one year.
Bellaire officials announce upcoming events to weigh in on new comprehensive plan
Houston City Council approves FY 2023-24 budget
Seniors, disabled residents receive higher homestead exemptions
A NEW PLAN The city of Bellaire brought on the consulting firm Kendig Keast Collaborative in April to review the city’s comprehensive plan. APRIL 3 Bellaire approves $118,000 contract with Kendig Keast
HOW IT WORKS A homestead exemption removes part of the value on a homeowner’s property from taxation and lowers the homeowner’s taxes. The following example shows how property taxes owed are calculated based on a home appraised at $300,000 with a homestead exemption of $25,000.
BY MELISSA ENAJE
BY MELISSA ENAJE
The big picture: The city adopted its last comprehensive plan in 2015. The new plan will revisit topics, such as how to guide development in non- residential areas, to set the stage for potential zoning ordinance updates. It will focus on: • Neighborhood integrity • Commercial development and enhancement • Flood risk mitigation
BELLAIRE As the city of Bellaire enters the second phase of updating its comprehensive plan, officials announced the latest events for residents to learn more about the future of their city. As of press time July 3, three events have taken place, and two more are coming up. • July 13: 2-4 p.m. at Bellaire City Library, 5111 Jessamine St., Bellaire • July 13: 6-7 p.m. at Evelyn’s Park, 4400 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire What they’re saying: City Planning Consultant Gary Mitchell, hired as the spokesperson for the plan, shared the plan’s direction with the public in May. “Where are we with the commercial areas in terms of activity? And then the residential standpoint. ... Do we need to make further adjustments?” Mitchell said.
HARRIS COUNTY Commissioners unanimously voted May 16 to increase the homestead exemption for seniors and disabled homeowners. The increase is applied to the appraised value of a resident’s homestead and will go into effect for the 2023 tax year for bills that go out in October. The impact: Those who are legally defined as disabled or for those age 65 or older could qualify for an additional $25,000 off the appraised value of their homes. According to Harris Central Appraisal District documents, if residents are over 65 and disabled, they may either receive the over-65 exemption or the disability homestead exemption, but not both. • For those who meet the age or disability requirements, the $25,000 increase raises the 2022 exemption from $250,000 to $275,000. • The savings for qualified persons would average $130/year. Terms to know: The Harris Central Appraisal District defines a homestead as generally the house and land used as the homeowner’s principal residence Jan. 1 of the current tax year.
BY LEAH FOREMAN
HOUSTON At a June 7 meeting, members of the Houston City Council approved the city’s 2023- 24 budget, including $6.2 billion in expenditures, an increase of $379.2 million or 6.6% from the fiscal year 2022-23 budget. The budget includes pay increases of 3% for police officers, 6% for firefighters and 3% for municipal employees. Police and fire make up $1.6 billion of the budget, includ- ing funding for five police cadet classes and four fire cadet classes. An amendment made to the budget June 7 by District B Council Member Tarsha Jackson reallocates $20 million from the city’s red line funding for general government operations and puts it toward local drainage projects in the city’s most at-risk areas.
Appraised value: Taxable value: $300,000 $25,000 $275,000 Homestead exemption: = -
MAY 16
City hosts informal listening sessions to hear from residents Bellaire City Council and Planning Commission host workshop City hosts open house to hear resident concerns
MAY 23-24 JUNE 13 JUNE 26 JULY 13 SEPT.- OCT. NOV.- FEB.
$275,000
100
$2,750
=
Property taxes owed
$2,750
=
Tax rate
X
• Public safety • Infrastructure • Quality of life • Land use and zoning
City hosts first of five engagement opportunities
SOURCE: HARRIS CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
exemption should negate the impact of rising appraisal values on families across Harris County,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said in a news release. Going forward: Reaching 65 years does not automatically exempt senior homeowners from paying property taxes, according to Harris Central Appraisal District guidelines. • Seniors who need to apply can obtain a homestead exemption form online at www.hcad.org or contact the Harris Central Appraisal District, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at 713-957-7800.
Engagement opportunities set at city library and Evelyn’s Park Future phases include updates, more outreach and work sessions Plan implementation potentially begins
Looking back: At a June 13 open house, attendees voiced concerns about public safety and apartment development, and discussed a medical office development being considered in downtown. Get involved: Feedback can be emailed to zoning@bellairetx.gov.
Quote of note: “Once again, we deliver real savings to people desperate for help. This latest increase of the
SOURCE: CITY OF BELLAIRE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
BUFFALO SPEEDWAY 9733 Buffalo Speedway (713) 838-7486
HOLCOMBE 2314 W Holcombe Blvd (713) 669-1722
WESLAYAN 3902 Bissonnet (713) 218-8144
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