City Gives Its Workers a Pay Raise

By George Slaughter

Mayor Bill Hastings – City of Katy photo

The Katy City Council Monday gave a $2,600 annual pay increase to full-time city employees through an amendment to the city budget.

In a memorandum to the council urging adoption of the amendment, City Administrator Byron Hebert said the city’s sales tax revenue through January was trending above budget by about $535,000.

The pay raise accompanies a proclamation from Mayor Bill Hastings honoring all city employees as its 2020 Employees of the Year.

“Every employee did what was asked of them and much more,” the proclamation read in part. “We weathered the COVID year by not having to lay off any employees, we did not have to implement pay cuts, we were able to continue to contribute to the employees’ retirement accounts and their healthcare costs. These are challenges we faced as a city and with the grace, positivity and help of all our employees we push through them. While we still have coveted challenges to face, we want to thank you for helping us maneuver through 2020. We are proud to have such honest, hard-working, and loyal people on our team.”

Ward A Council Member Janet Corte and Ward B Council Member Rory Robertson joined in the praise.

“They are amazing employees who have worked so hard,” Corte said. Robertson said the city employees he’s worked with are “professional, incredible individuals.”

Downtown Plaza Update

The council received an update on the downtown Plaza construction project. In a note sent to the council, Chris LeBlanc, vice president of LJA Engineering, said the final inspection of the slab area is scheduled with city staff for Tuesday morning, the electrical conduits are complete, a concrete pour is scheduled for Monday, and block outs are being established for the areas where the trellis foundation will be installed when ready.

LeBlanc said the contractor plans to immobilize after Monday’s concrete pour, and grading work will be the first item to complete. It is expected to take 1-2 days. The irrigation head installation and grass insulation are both expected to take 1-2 days.

Other Actions Taken

In other action Monday, the council:

  • Received the updated annual state-mandated Tier 1 Racial Profiling Data Report for 2020 by the Katy Police Department.
  • Approved the December 14 council meeting minutes.
  • Approved the Smilin’ Rylen Run, set for April 24.
  • Approved a second six-month extension of the final plat for Cane Island, section 38.
  • Approved a $44,342.50 change order for various water line, storm sewer, and traffic control items for the water, drainage, and paving reconstruction improvements for Patna Drive, Rexora Lane, and Caloro Lane in the Riceland Terrace subdivision.
  • Approved an interlocal agreement between the city and Waller County to nominate Igloo Products Corporation as an enterprise project.
  • Declared certain property as surplus and authorized it for sale or disposal. Equipment includes four Chevrolet Tahoes and one ambulance.
  • Authorized the city to issue up to $3 million for street and related drainage improvements. Voters approved the bonds in May 2018.
  • Added two no U-turn signs at the 1300 block of Penn Oak Road.