Frequently asked questions
Take a look at the questions and answers on this page designed to help Beaumont residents understand what’s on your November 2025 ballot.
Don’t see your question here? Scroll down to the bottom of this page and drop us a line.
About the bonds
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Cities often fund large projects through General Obligation (GO) bonds, which require voter approval. These bonds allow cities to raise money for long-term capital projects such as roads, parks, public safety facilities, and other infrastructure.
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If voters approve a bond proposition, the City sells bonds to investors. These are repaid over time with property taxes (both residential and business).
Think of bond debt like a home mortgage — spreading the cost of long-term improvements over many years, so current and future residents who use them share the cost.
The City does not issue all bonds at once. Instead, bonds are sold gradually as projects move forward, which helps keep the property tax rate more stable.
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The City Council has placed $264 million in projects on the November 2025 ballot. These cover citywide improvements in:
Infrastructure
Public safety
Parks
Economic development
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In spring 2025, the City Council appointed a 17-member Bond Advisory Committee (BBAC) to review more than $1.35 billion in potential projects. After reviewing options and gathering community feedback, the committee recommended $210 million in projects.
City Council considered those recommendations, along with additional citizen input, and voted to place $264 million in projects on the November 2025 ballot.
Click here to learn more about the BBAC process. -
Public input shaped the program. Residents participated through:
A community survey (April 10 – May 6, 2025)
An in-person open house (July 12, 2025)
An online open house (July 4 – 14, 2025)
Feedback from these opportunities helped prioritize projects that reflect community needs and goals.
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If a bond proposition fails, the City cannot issue bonds or other debt (such as Certificates of Obligation) for those specific projects for three years.
About the venue tax
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The Venue Tax is a proposed 2% increase to Beaumont’s Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). It would be paid only by visitors staying in hotels, motels, or short-term rentals—not by residents.
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Revenue from the Venue Tax would help fund the construction, maintenance, and operation of a new convention center in downtown Beaumont, integrated with the proposed Riverfront Hotel.
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The venue tax is estimated to bring in $1.0 – $1.2 million per year.
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Beaumont has not built a new convention center in decades.
The Riverfront Hotel project creates an opportunity to build a modern, connected facility.
The Venue Tax allows the City to support this project without increasing taxes on residents.
TAx IMPACT
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If all five bond propositions are approved, the City’s financial advisors estimate the tax impact at about $14.25 per month for the average single-family home in Beaumont.
Once voters authorize bonds, City Council decides when to issue (or sell) them. This flexibility means the Council can adjust the timing—such as delaying projects—if economic conditions change.
If the venue tax is approved, there will not be a change to the tax rate. Only hotel guests visiting the city pay Hotel Occupancy Tax.
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The City of Beaumont works to make the most of its budget each year, but like many cities, infrastructure needs often exceed what annual funding can cover.
Bond debt works much like a home mortgage — it is repaid over time — while regular operating expenses are more like daily household costs, such as groceries, that must be paid immediately.
Just as a home is paid for over many years, major capital projects—like a police headquarters, parks, or road improvements—have a long useful life. Spreading out their cost ensures that both current and future residents who benefit from them share in paying for them. Most bond debt is financed over about 20 years.
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If the bond propositions are approved, the City of Beaumont is under legal obligation to spend bond funds on projects specified in the proposition(s) that voters approve in this election.
About the election
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All registered voters in the City of Beaumont are eligible to vote. The deadline to register or update your address is Monday, October 6.
Need to check your voter registration status? Click here. -
If you’re not sure you’re registered to vote or need to check your voter registration, you can check your status here.
You have until October 6, 2025 to register to vote in the November 2025 election. -
From October 20 through October 31, you can vote at any Jefferson County polling place. Those poling places — plus their hours — are listed on this page.
Looking for a printable list of Early Voting times and locations? Click here
Looking for a printable list of Election Day times and locations? Click here -
To vote in person in Texas, you must present photo identification. There seven accepted forms of photo ID that you can present at the polls when voting in person. Those are:
Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
United States Passport (book or card)
If you do not have one of these forms of photo ID, you may fill out a form called a “Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID)” at the polls and present an alternative form of ID. This could be a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or a voter registration certificate.
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To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must meet one of the following requirements:
65 years or older
Sick or disabled
Out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting
Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
Confined in jail, but otherwise eligible to vote
If you meet one of these requirements, you can apply for a mail-in ballot (see below for instructions).
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Beaumont citizens who are registered voters and eligible to vote by mail (see above) can apply for a mail-in ballot.
Click here for a mail-in ballot application in English.
Click here for a mail-in ballot application in Spanish.
All applications for mail-in ballots must be received by the County Clerk’s office by October 24, 2025. You can submit your application by one of the following methods:MAIL:
Jefferson County Clerk
P.O. Box 1151
Beaumont, Texas 77704HAND DELIVERY:
Jefferson County Clerk’s Office
1085 Pearl St.
Beaumont, TX 777013. FAX *:
409-839-2394E-MAIL *:
elections@jeffersoncountytx.gov
* An applicant submitting an application for ballot by mail via fax or e-mail must also submit an application for ballot by mail via mail within 4 days.
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learn about all of propositions on your ballot
