By George Slaughter
The Katy City Council on February 12 set a municipal election in which voters will decide who will serve on two council seats, a proposed $6 million bond, and proposed changes to the city charter.
Term of office for the council members is three years. Election Day is May 1.
Ward A
Incumbent Dusty Thiele, an insurance executive, was appointed to the council last year following the resignation of Frank Carroll, an attorney. The seat is open, as Thiele is not seeking a term in his own right.
Diane Walker, who works as a virtual assistant, is making her second bid for a council seat. Last year she unsuccessfully ran for the seat held by Janet Corte.
Dan Smith, a territory senior manager, has also filed for the seat.
Ward B
Incumbent Jenifer Jordan Stockdick, a banking executive, is seeking reelection. She was elected in 2019.
Gina Hicks, a cybersecurity professional, has also filed for the seat.
Bond Proposal and Charter Amendments
The May 1 ballot includes a $6 million bond, which comprises two propositions.
Proposition A, for $1.8 million, comprises reimbursement of expenses of Fire Station Number 1 rehabilitation ($800,000), construction of a training tower ($100,000), and expansion of the city fleet maintenance facility ($100,000). It also includes renovation of Katy Police Department facilities ($800,000).
City Administrator Byron Hebert, who gave the council a short presentation on the bond proposal, said city mechanics felt they could do more to maintain city vehicles, but needed more space do the work.
Proposition B, for $4.2 million, comprises improvements to the hike and bike trail system ($4 million), and construction of the parks department administration building ($200,000).
Voters will also get to decide proposed changes to the Katy City Charter. The mayor and council appoint the commission every four years to review the charter and suggest possible changes. Mike Sadler, the commission vice chairman, told the council that he had served on previous commissions and described this year’s review as the “most thorough going-over that we’ve ever had.”
To see the charter with the commission’s proposed changes, see the 121-page document.
Mayor Bill Hastings said that citizens with questions about the election, bond election, or the proposed charter changes are welcome to contact the city secretary’s office at citysecretary@cityofkaty.com.