Bellaire City Council approved the same tax rate for the third consecutive year after approving $ 0.4473 per $ 100 of assessed value for the next fiscal year 2021-2022.

In a 5-2 vote, with board members Catherine Lewis and Jim Hotze dissenting, the board approved the tax rate at its October 4 meeting, which will generate nearly $ 22.3 million in revenue for the city, more than $ 718,000 more than the taxes imposed last time. year, according to agenda documents.

Tax rate approval follows approval of Bellaire’s budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, with general fund revenues totaling nearly $ 23.2 million and expenses under $ 23 million .

In the weeks leading up to budget approval, the council held four budget workshops in conjunction with its public budget hearing.

During the October 4 meeting, board members such as Nathan Wesely expressed frustration with the few operational savings and efficiencies that can be achieved during the budget process.

“I was very disappointed with the process,” he said. “We had the opportunity to ask each department to come forward and tell us how they were going to be more efficient and save money, and all we heard were presentations on how we were going to spend more. silver. “

A key topic of conversation raised by board members at the meeting was how much or how little budget reserve the board would be willing to accept if it wanted to lower the proposed tax rate and save money. money to residents.

“For me, it really depends on how careful a board we want to be with these funds?” Mayor Andrew Friedberg said. “Do we want to shave it to the bare minimum?” “

Hotze was in favor of a lower tariff in order to give a little relief to the residents of Bellaire who will see a 9% increase in their water tariff and a 7% increase in their wastewater and solid waste tariffs in Quebec. during the next fiscal year.

The rate increases were approved as part of the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget process, following a $ 448,000 increase recommended by an independent company from the city’s annual corporate fund to fund transfer. general that the city performs to help pay the administrative staff who manage the corporate fund billing needs.