By George Slaughter
Chris Harris (photo courtesy Chris Harris)
The Katy City Council Monday night adopted a $32 million budget for 2019-2020, a 13% increase from last year’s budget. It also slightly reduced the property tax rate from last year.
The budget provides for four new positions in the fire department, four new positions in the police department, two new inspectors in the permits and inspection department, and a city project manager. The budget also calls for a 3% cost-of-living increase for city employees. Last year’s budget included a similar increase.
The property tax rate was set at $0.40 per $100, a slight decrease from $0.48672 per $100 last year. The amount of property tax revenue is going up, however, as residential development continues in Cane Island, Falls at Green Meadows, Lilac Bend, the Reserves of Katy, and Young Ranch.
The council also authorized $582,076 in reserve funds for expansion of the parking lot serving the library, municipal courts, and police department, as well as for police and fire equipment. City Administrator Byron Hebert said before the meeting that this expenditure was not part of the budget.
Harris Appointed Mayor Pro Tem
The council Monday approved the nomination of Council Member at Large Chris Harris as mayor pro tem.
Harris said he hoped to be a unifier in his new role.
“I’m very happy to be able to serve the citizens of Katy and the mayor, to serve as a liaison between the mayor and the council,” Harris said. “We have a lot of positive things going on in Katy, and I want to continue our moving forward.”
Mayor Bill Hastings first nominated Harris in July, but the council rejected the nomination. Ward A Council Members Frank Carroll and Janet Corte urged that Ward B Council Member Durran Dowdle remain in the post, citing his experience.
Dowdle was elected to the council in 2014 and was appointed mayor pro tem in March 2017. Harris was elected in 2018.
Hastings said at the time that he would continue to nominate Harris until the council approved the appointment. Council members remained at odds until last month, when Carroll proposed, and Harris agreed, that the matter would be revisited—with Harris expected to be renominated and approved—after the budget was approved.
The mayor pro tem serves in the mayor’s absence and must be a council member. The Katy City Charter says the mayor nominates the mayor pro tem, but the council must approve the mayor’s choice. City Attorney Art Pertile said that cannot either appoint or remove a mayor pro tem on his own.
Rice Festival Volunteers Sought
The city is seeking volunteers to help with the annual Katy Rice Festival, set for October 11-13 in downtown Katy.
The city hosts the festival in partnership with the Rotary Club of Katy. It is a family-friendly event that features art & craft vendors, a beer garden and other food options, a carnival and kid zone, live music, a rice cooking competition, and a student arts competition.
Proceeds from the festival are given back through student scholarships, and donations to local charities through the Rotary Club.
Hours for Friday, October 11 are 6-11 p.m. That evening’s theme is “Octoberfest,” with live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and carnival. This evening is free to the public.
Saturday features the Rice Festival Parade, set for 9 a.m. Festival gates will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday hours are 12-6 p.m.
Admission for Saturday and Sunday are $5 for adults, and free for kids age 12 and under.
“The City of Katy is looking forward to another successful Katy Rice Festival, but it takes a village,” Kayce Reina, city marketing director, said. “Thankfully, Katy is the best village. We are in need of adult volunteers. Parents, if your high school student needs volunteer hours, this is an excellent opportunity. But I encourage parents to volunteer with their child—make it family time, all while serving our community. The event is lots of fun, so volunteer today.”
For more information about the festival, visit http://www.katyricefestival.com. To volunteer, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094faeaa2da2fe3-volunteers1.
Other Actions Taken
In other action Monday, the council:
- Recognized Fire Chief Russell Wilson for his appointment by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. The commission develops and enforces statewide fire service standards and provides education and assistance to the industry, according to a news release announcing the appointment. Wilson’s term expires Feb. 1, 2025.
- Reviewed the city’s bank statement and check register through August 31.
- Approved minutes for the July 22, August 12, and August 7 council meetings, as well as the August 23 budget workshop.
- Approved the closing of selected streets for the 2019 Katy Rice Festival Parade, set for 8-11 a.m. October 12.
- Approved the blocking of selected streets to create a “no parking zone” for the 2019 Katy Rice Festival. Affected streets will be blocked from 7 a.m. October 11 through 10 p.m. October 13.
- Approved the closing of 4th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, from 4-8 p.m. October 26, for a family event sponsored by First Methodist Church Katy, 5601 E 5th Street.
- Approved a 9.4-acre final plat for Cane Island Detention Pond North, in Waller County.
- Designated Hastings as representative, and Ward A Council Member Janet Corte as alternate, to the Houston-Galveston Area Council 2020 General Assembly.
- Approved the moving of uncollectable water, sewer and garbage accounts from October 1, 2016 thru September 30, 2017 to a bad debt historical account.
- Authorized Hastings to sign a medical director services contract the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The contract takes affect October 1 and runs for one year.
- Authorized the use of $354,870 in 2019 Drainage Bond Funds for the city’s portion of the Harris County Community Development Block Grant Allocation for the Patna Drive drainage project. The council authorized $76,518 in January and $69,278 last October towards this project.
- Designated Hastings and City Administrator Byron Hebert as signatories for documents requesting funds pertaining to the Community Development Block Grant Program.
- Adopted policies to ensure compliance with federal rules and regulations for receiving federal funds for Community Development Block Grant Projects. The policies involve citizen participation, fair housing, and a code of conduct.
- Authorized Hastings to sign an agreement with ezIQC Buy Board for flooring upgrades to Fire Station 2, 25420 Bell Patna Dr. “This contract covers the costs of product and installation of vinyl flooring for the upstairs portion of Fire Station 2,” Wilson wrote in a memo to the council urging authorization. “This floor was not finished as part of the station building and currently has subflooring. only. The area is to be used for repair and servicing of our self-contained breathing apparatus. It will also be used for inventory storage of our fire protective bunker gear and uniforms. We have been unable to use this area because of it being only partially finished.”
- Authorized Hastings to sign an amendment Tyler Technologies, Inc., Computer-Aided Dispatch Upgrades to include cross streets for addresses.
- Authorized Hastings to sign an Interlocal Agreement for additional law enforcement between the city and Katy Management District No. 1.
- Authorized resolution authorizing Hastings to sign an amendment to the business services agreement with Consolidated Communications (CCI). “This change is necessary for the fire alarm control panel to be in place and the certificate of occupancy to be issued,” Richard Oliva, city IT manager, wrote in a memo to the council urging authorization.
- Passed an ordinance to appoint Tara Wilson to the Keep Katy Beautiful Board of Directors. Wilson replaces Sarah Denman on the board.
- Passed an ordinance to add job descriptions for call taker, Fire/EMS training captain, parks and recreation coordinator, and tourism and marketing event coordinator.