By George Slaughter
Katy City Hall
The Katy City Council Monday set public hearing dates next month for its proposed tax rate and budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The public hearing for the tax rate is at 4 p.m. September 14. The public hearing for the budget is at 4 p.m. September 28. Both meetings are expected to be online as all council meetings have been since the pandemic was declared in March.
The proposed $32 million budget is a seven percent decrease from last year. In a memo to the council accompanying the proposed budget, City Administrator Byron Hebert said the plan was to “hold the current cost until there is a definite sign of economic recovery, then amending the budget during the year to allow for salary increases and additional critical purchases.”
In other action Monday, the council:
- Listened to a presentation by Texas Pride, the city’s new garbage collection services provider, on the transition to that company. Texas Pride begins providing its services in September.
- Discussed work on the Pitts Road detention pond spillway and Pine Forest subdivision.
- Reviewed the city’s Fiscal Year 2020 monthly report, bank statement summary, and check register through July 31.
- Approved the July 6, July 13, July 20, and July 27 meeting minutes
- Approved up to $8 million in refunding bonds by the Katy Development Authority.
- Authorized issuance of up to $1.785 million of unlimited tax bonds by the Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District #161.
- Authorized an agreement with SI Environmental, LLC, for emergency utility services at the wastewater plant, water plants, and lift stations.
- Authorized a support agreement with Tyler Technologies for software maintenance and support services at the Katy Police Department.
- Authorized a short form sale agreement with Idemia Identity & Security USA, LLC, to upgrade the existing LiveScan system for the Katy Police Department.
- Appointed Alan Chapman as an alternate member to the zoning board of adjustment, filling a vacancy.
- Terminated an interlocal agreement between Fort Bend County and the city for fire protection in unincorporated Fort Bend County, effective September 19.