No citizens commented during the public hearings on the budget and proposed tax rate for Bridge City Tuesday evening. Next year’s budget has been increased by a little over 11 percent from this year’s. The tax rate was increased to 49.92 cents per 100 dollars value for next year. Later during the City Council meeting the budget was approved by a unanimous vote of the members attending the meeting. The Council will vote on approving the tax rate at its meeting on September 15.
The City Council awarded a contract for almost $739,928.20 to Allco for asphalt road repairs in Bridge City. The contract is partially covered by a block grant from the Texas General Land Office. City Manager Jerry Jones said that even though the bid exceeded the grant money available Bridge City will proceed with the project. Jones explained that guidelines of the block grant do not allow for negotiations on contractors’ bids the city must accept the bid, re-bid the whole project, or you don’t do it at all. Jones added that Bridge City has adequate funds in its road and bridge budget to make up the $230,159.37 difference between the contractor’s bid and the grant money. Included in the project will be the addition of two additional streets Glynn and Louise for new asphalt surfaces.
Bridge City became the latest city to adopt an ordinance Tuesday evening regulating the pollutant discharge in storm water. The ordinance is required by the Environmental Protection Agency. Bridge City joined several other cities in Orange County to form a coalition to work together to comply with the EPA regulation. City Manager Jones said an attorney firm in Beaumont is handling most of the regulations including drawing up the ordinance that was passed by the various city councils. Jones added that Bridge City will still be responsible for issuing the permits involved with the ordinance. Jones said that most contractors are familiar with the permitting process since they have been doing it for awhile, but contractors of residential property will have to do that now. Jones indicated the permits will cost approximately $45 for contractors doing the construction.
The property on West Roundbunch Road in Bridge City near Bridge City Bank was believed to be the future site of a super Walmart store. The property which is owned by Dr. David Olson has had some work done on it recently, but Bridge City Mayor Kirk Roccaforte said that does not mean a Walmart is going to be there any time soon. Roccaforte informed the City Council and citizens at the meeting that Dr. Olson had leveled and mowed the property just to get it in better shape and improve the appearance, but that nothing is in the works at this point to be added to the property.
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