Investing in infrastructure From the cover
Bellaire wastewater treatment plant
On the ballot
Proposition A: $40 million Drainage facilities and improvements
EDITHST.
E S W O O D B L V
Bellaire’s contribution to the $110 million Cypress Ditch flood mitigation project Land swap with cIty of Houston to obtain land for detention Facilitates future upstream improvements of Cypress Ditch Increase in stormwater conveyance capacity
Y
Bellaire’s $70 million bond will be split between Proposition A, which would fund a $40 million bond for drainage improvements, and Proposition B, which would provide $30 million for water and wastewater facilities. The city’s proposal includes using the funds for major capital projects such as decommissioning Bellaire’s wastewater treatment plant, redirecting the city’s wastewater to Houston and investing in the Cypress Ditch project. Cypress Ditch is a 9,300- foot channel that runs along Bellaire’s southern border and conveys 75% of the city’s stormwater, according to the city’s master drainage plan. Work on Cypress Ditch involves widening the channel to capture more runo and improve overall drainage and ooding issues, city o cials said. The $40 million price would be Bellaire’s contribution to the $110 million project. City Engineer Beth Jones said the remaining $70 million will be funded by partnerships, grants, and federal and state appropriations. If the bond is approved, construction would start in fall 2025. Jones said 95% of Bellaire properties are at risk of ooding, and—with rain events becoming more frequent and intense—the city’s aging infrastructure has become outdated, creating a
BEECHNUT
Houston wastewater treatment plant
N
Proposition B: $30 million Water and wastewater facilities and improvements
critical need for improvement or replacement. “These capital projects are truly what our city needs to move water out of our city,” Jones said. “Delays extend our risks and our costs.” Chief Financial O cer Terrence Beaman said if the bond is approved, sta could account for it in the tax rate set in scal year 2025-26 or through a newly adopted drainage fee. As of early September, he said that a funding decision has not been made. O cials said Bellaire City Council will decide on how to fund the projects and repay the debt after the election. If the propositions fail, the council will have to nd alternative funding sources.
Decommissioning, demolition of Bellaire wastewater treatment plant Redirection of Bellaire’s wastewater to city of Houston treatment plant Relocation, replacement of Bellaire lift station Repurposing city land for stormwater detention
SOURCE: CITY OF BELLAIRECOMMUNITY IMPACT
Other projects
Measuring the impact
Bellaire residents will also join other Harris County voters to choose whether to fund the Harris County Flood Control District’s proposed tax rate of $0.04897 per $100 of valuation, a nearly 58% tax rate increase from last year.
If the tax rate increase passes, an additional $113 million would go directly into a dedi- cated maintenance fund supporting critical maintenance projects, sta ng needs and new resident-focused communication initiatives.
If voters approve the ood control measure, for example, Harris County homeowners with the county’s average property value of $379,030 would see a $60 increase per year in annual taxes, including a homestead exemption, according to the county’s O ce of Management and Budget. The average property values in Bellaire and West University Place are $1 million to $1.6 million, respectively, according to Zillow, a real estate marketplace company. The tax rate increase for a $1 million home is $158.
Major maintenance Among other maintenance needs in Harris County, flood control officials are leading 36 major maintenance projects that are either underway or planned. Estimated costs have not been calculated for 20 of those projects, and the remaining 16 cost a projected $20.8 million.
Precinct 2 Total projects: 11 Estimated cost: $1.9M (costs TBD for 8 projects) Precinct 1 Total projects: 9 Estimated cost: $6.8M (costs TBD for 4 projects) Precinct 3 Total projects: 8 Estimated cost: $6.8M (costs TBD for 3 projects) Precinct 4 Total projects: 8 Estimated cost: $5.3M (costs TBD for 5 projects)
3
Estimated tax increase per year
Property Value
4
290
59
$200,000 $300,000 $500,000 $700,000 $900,000 $1,000,000
+$32 +$47 +$79 +$110 +$142 +$158
99 TOLL
45
10
10
2
99 TOLL
610
149
GALVESTON BAY
1
69
N
SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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