Charter Amendments - 2017

History

Bellaire citizens first adopted the City's Home-Rule Charter in an election held on April 2, 1949. Since then, the Charter has been amended by election three times, in 1983, 1987, and 2006. 

On November 7, 2016, the City Council of the City of Bellaire, Texas, adopted Ordinance No. 16-067 for the purpose of establishing a Charter Review Commission (the “CRC”) as an Ad Hoc Committee of the City of Bellaire, Texas, to review the Charter of the City of Bellaire, Texas, as last amended on November 7, 2006, and to appoint five (5) members to serve on the CRC for a term of seven (7) months commencing on December 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017.

At the conclusion of the CRC’s meetings, a final report was prepared and presented to City Council at the June 19, 2017 Council meeting. View a copy of the final report (PDF). A brief summary of the amendments are listed below. View a full description of the amendments (PDF)

Following that meeting, the City Attorney prepared a series of propositions that could be placed on the ballot at a special election to be held on November 7, 2017 in conjunction with the City's regular Mayor and Council election. On August 21, 2017, the City Council adopted Ordinance No.17-053 to call a special election for the purpose of amending the Charter.

If you have any questions, or would like more information on the Proposed Charter Amendments please contact the City of Bellaire at 713-662-8222 or visit us in person at 7008 S. Rice Ave, Bellaire TX, 77401.

Unofficial Election results are listed below.

Amendments

Proposition 1:  Relating to conforming the Charter to the general laws of the State of
Texas
For: 1,705 - Against: 255

Proposition 2: Relating to Qualifications of Council Members
For: 1,798 - Against: 179 

Proposition 3:  Relating to Council Compensation
For: 1,548 - Against: 403 

Proposition 4:  Relating to the fine for failing to obey a subpoena
For: 1,472 - Against: 465 

Proposition 5:  Relating to clarifying currently ambiguous language in the Charter
For: 1,792 - Against: 190 

Proposition 6:  Relating to Vacancies on Council
For: 1,730 - Against: 222

Proposition 7:  Relating to the City Manager's authority to sign documents
For: 1,718 - Against: 233

Proposition 8:  Relating to the authority to borrow money
For: 1,667 - Against: 278

Proposition 9:  Relating to the administration of the City's finances
For: 1,716 - Against: 219 

Proposition 10:  Relating to unnecessary provisions
For: 1,680 - Against: 252

Proposition 11:  Relating to Initiative
For: 1,641 - Against: 274

Proposition 12:  Relating to recall petitions
For: 1,653 - Against: 255

Proposition 13:  Relating to referendum
For: 1,630 - Against: 274

Proposition 14:  Relating to referendum
For: 1,671 - Against: 247

Proposition 15:  Relating to franchises
For: 1,393 - Against: 424

Proposition 16:  Relating to transitory provisions
For: 1,400 - Against: 335

Proposition 17:  Relating to Non-Substantive Revisions
For: 1,647 - Against: 280

Proposition 18:  Relating to gender neutrality
For: 1,563 - Against: 400