Hebert’s City Administrator Contract to Be Extended

By George Slaughter

Byron Hebert – City of Katy photo

The Katy City Council Monday authorized a three-year extension with City Administrator Byron Hebert to remain in his post. Hebert has served as city administrator since 2014.

Hebert’s contract extension will include a 3% cost-of-living increase that other city employees will receive if the proposed city budget gets approved.

“I’ve known Byron Hebert for 19 years, ever since he came first here under (then-city administrator and former mayor) Johnny Nelson and (then-mayor) Hank Schmidt,” Mayor Bill Hastings said. “I have always had a great relationship with him.”

Despite this relationship, and the unanimous council vote to extend Hebert’s contract, Hastings admitted that they’ve sometimes disagreed on things when Hastings served as police chief.

“I have not always gotten along with him,” Hastings said. “We’ve butted heads on several occasions. But any time we butted heads with him, I always knew when I left why and when whatever I asked for would come to fruition. So, I’ve got a great amount of respect for him, and I’m certainly glad to see he’s going to be our administrator for the next three years.”

Hebert had been serving as finance director at the time of his appointment as city administrator. He earned his bachelor and master’s degrees from McNeese State University, and an MBA from the University of Houston. He was general manager of Taylor Home Health and self-employed as a website/internet marketing consultant before going to work for the city.

Life Saving Awards

Police Chief Noe Diaz recognized four officers for their efforts in saving lives at the meeting.

Officer Robert McQuarter was recognized for saving the life of a man who was attempting to commit suicide. Diaz said the man lost a relative, was in emotional distress about his situation, and was preparing to jump off the sixth floor of a parking garage when McQuarter, who was off-duty, intervened.

“He kind of snuck up on the guy and grabbed him,” Diaz said.

In the other situation, three officers—Matt Newport, Jeff Guerbach, and Brad Bucklew—were recognized for saving the life of a man who suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Diaz said the officers responded to a call on July 31. Diaz said when the officers arrived, they had to deal with both the victim and his family, who were in emotional distress about the situation.

“The situation was really bad,” Diaz said.

Diaz said officers identified the entry and exit wounds, put on their gloves, and used their fingers to stop the bleeding until paramedics arrived.

“It was a really serious injury,” Diaz said. “They did a phenomenal job.”

Diaz said Fire Chief Russell Wilson told him that had the officers not performed the first aid when they did, the victim would have bled to death. Diaz said the man is in good health today.

“Thank you, guys, for all you do,” Hastings told the officers.

Other Actions Taken

In other action Monday, the council:

  • Passed an ordinance to abandon a five-foot sanitary easement at 2502 Forest Lake Trail. No sewer line was involved.
  • Reviewed the 2019 Certified Appraisal Roll (Certified Approved Taxable Value $2,850,593,759) and 2019 Certified Collection Rate (100 Percent Debt Tax Collection Rate).
  • Set a public hearing on the proposed 2019-2020 budget, which will be at the council’s next meeting on September 23 at City Hall.
  • Discuss, vote, and set two public hearings on the tax rate. The first hearing is set for the 6:30 p.m. September 9, and the second hearing is set for 5 p.m. September 16. Both hearings will be at City Hall.
  • Approved council meeting minutes for July 8.
  • Approved three final plats for Cane Island in Waller County.
  • Approved a $50,000 Convention & Tourism Bureau Hotel Occupancy Tax Application from the City of Katy to pay for a change order to the new visitor center being built across from City Hall.
  • Accepted paving, storm water facilities, wastewater collection, and water distribution improvements for the Cane Island subdivision.
  • Authorized a $28,723 change order for asphalt rehabilitation to AAA Asphalt, of Houston, and authorized use of budgeted funds for the payment.
  • Awarded a $170,703 bid for chlorine and sulfur dioxide to DXI Industries, of Houston, and authorized use of reserve enterprise funds for the payment.
  • Accepted a special warranty deed from the Fort Bend-Waller Counties Municipal Utility District No. 3 for Restricted Reserve “A,” Young Ranch Water Plant and Detention Reserve, in Waller County.
  • Authorized disaster recovery program block grant applications to the Texas General Land Office for Fort Bend and Waller counties.