September 16, 2026 | Katy & Fulshear, Texas
There was no shortage of local news across Katy and Fulshear this week. From city government and property taxes to public safety, community events, economic development and a death that brought a search operation to the Katy area, several stories could affect residents or provide important information about what is happening close to home.
The Katy News reviewed recent local coverage and selected six stories from Katy and six from Fulshear and the surrounding Fulshear area that residents should know about.
Six Katy Stories From the Past Week
1. Katy City Council Moves Forward on Flood-Prevention Changes
Katy City Council approved an amendment to the city’s flood damage prevention ordinance at its September 14 meeting.
The change expands flood-prevention requirements for certain structures and could eventually help some residents qualify for lower flood-insurance premiums.
Flooding and drainage remain important issues for a growing Katy community, particularly as development continues to add new homes, businesses and infrastructure. The ordinance change is therefore more than a technical city-code update; it could affect future construction requirements and insurance considerations for some property owners.
2. Katy’s Proposed Budget Could Mean Higher Property Tax Bills
Katy City Council held a public hearing on the proposed 2026–27 city budget this week.
Although the proposed tax rate would decrease by one-half cent, rising property values could still result in a higher average city property-tax bill. Local reporting estimates the average homeowner could see an increase of approximately $14.
The council’s agenda also included a proposed 72-lot subdivision plat, the flood-prevention ordinance update and a wastewater plant repair estimated at $219,647.
For residents, the distinction between a lower tax rate and a higher tax bill is important. The amount a homeowner pays depends not only on the tax rate but also on the taxable value of the property.
3. Questions Continue Around Katy’s Flock Safety Cameras
Katy’s use of automated Flock safety cameras has also received attention this week.
The city has approximately 40 Flock cameras, which are designed to help law enforcement identify vehicles associated with investigations. The technology has become part of a larger statewide discussion about automated license-plate recognition, privacy and how law-enforcement agencies use information collected by these systems.
For Katy residents, the issue involves balancing the technology’s stated public-safety purpose with questions about data, privacy, retention and oversight. Local coverage identified the camera program as one of the week’s public-safety stories.
4. Katy-Area Child Injured in E-Bike Crash
An e-bike crash on Rosener Road sent a Katy-area child to the hospital, according to local reporting this week.
The incident is another reminder of the safety concerns that accompany the increasing use of electric bicycles and other small electric transportation devices.
For families, the incident also highlights the importance of helmets, visibility, roadway awareness and understanding where electric bikes can safely operate.
5. Katy Man Found Dead After Search Near Model Airplane Club
A 74-year-old Katy man was found dead Wednesday after disappearing while searching a wooded area near the Northwest Houston R/C Club.
Ronald Nowak had entered the woods after a remote-controlled aircraft crashed in the area. According to reporting citing the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Texas EquuSearch, Nowak initially went into the woods with friends and later returned alone to search for a missing part.
A search operation continued through the night and into Wednesday before his body was located. Authorities were continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.
The incident brought together professional and volunteer search organizations, including Texas EquuSearch and other search-and-rescue personnel.
6. Katy Vibes Continues Its Community “Edutainment” Effort
Katy Vibes hosted its September community event on September 9, bringing together entertainment and safety education.
The event featured music bingo, karaoke and community activities along with fall-prevention information presented with participation from Memorial Hermann’s injury-prevention efforts and Foot Solutions Katy.
The event is part of the broader Katy Vibes “Edutainment” concept, which combines food, entertainment and useful community education rather than presenting safety information as a traditional seminar. The September program was also promoted as a family and community gathering.
The Katy Vibes events have also included previous community-safety programming involving HCESD 48 and Willowfork Fire Department, making the venue increasingly associated with community education and public-awareness events.
Six Fulshear-Area Stories From the Past Week
1. Fulshear City Council Fires Police Chief Kenny Seymour
One of the biggest local-government stories of the week came from Fulshear.
Fulshear City Council voted unanimously on September 15 to terminate Police Chief Kenny Seymour following an independent administrative investigation.
Seymour had served as Fulshear’s police chief for approximately 15 years and had been placed on paid administrative leave in August. Local reports said the investigation examined allegations involving a relationship with a subordinate, financial ties and issues surrounding the investigation.
Seymour’s attorney disputed aspects of the investigation and its findings. The city has said the matter followed an independent administrative review.
The police-chief decision is significant because it involves one of the city’s most visible public-safety leadership positions and comes as Fulshear continues to grow.
2. Fulshear Launches Business Retention and Expansion Program
The City of Fulshear has launched a Business Retention and Expansion Program designed to work with existing businesses and identify challenges affecting the local business community.
The program involves city officials working with local and regional partners to better understand business needs and support the city’s economic future.
For a rapidly growing city, keeping existing businesses connected to city government can be just as important as attracting new development.
3. Fulshear’s Growth in Multifamily Housing Continues
Fulshear officials are also examining the city’s growing number of multifamily housing options.
Recent reporting said Fulshear has nine multifamily living options currently open, with two additional developments under construction. The increase reflects the broader population growth and development occurring throughout the Fulshear area.
Multifamily development can bring additional housing choices, but it also raises questions about traffic, infrastructure, utilities, schools and the long-term planning needed to accommodate a growing population.
4. Fort Bend County Considers Major Tesla Manufacturing Project
A major economic-development story affecting the broader Fulshear and Fort Bend County region involves Tesla.
Tesla is considering a roughly 3,057-acre site in Fort Bend County for a potential solar manufacturing facility known as Project Crystal Sun. Lamar Consolidated ISD has moved forward with its portion of a state economic-incentive process connected to the proposed project.
The proposed project has been described as a potential $10.1 billion investment, although Tesla has not finalized Fort Bend County as its location and the project still requires additional approvals.
Residents have raised both potential economic benefits and concerns involving traffic, infrastructure and other community impacts.
It is important to note that this is a broader Fort Bend County development story rather than a City of Fulshear project.
5. National Night Out Planning Begins Across the Fulshear Area
The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging residents in unincorporated areas of the county around Katy and Fulshear to participate in National Night Out.
Residents can register neighborhood block parties and community gatherings for the October 6 event. The registration deadline is October 2 at 5 p.m.
National Night Out gives residents an opportunity to meet law-enforcement personnel and neighbors while promoting community safety and neighborhood involvement.
6. Grand Parkway Traffic Incident Highlights Fulshear Road Safety
A rolled-over 18-wheeler temporarily closed all eastbound lanes of the Grand Parkway between FM 359 and Bois D’Arc Road in the Fulshear area on September 8.
Fulshear Police reported the closure and later announced that the roadway had reopened around 11:30 a.m. Information available at the time did not indicate the cause of the rollover or report additional details about injuries or the truck’s cargo.
The incident serves as another reminder of the transportation challenges facing a fast-growing area where major highways, local roads and new development increasingly intersect.
What This Week’s News Says About Katy and Fulshear
Taken together, the week’s stories show several themes affecting both communities: continued population growth, increasing development, public-safety concerns, city government decisions, transportation issues and the need for community involvement.
In Katy, city government is dealing with flood-prevention requirements, the upcoming budget and property taxes, while residents are also watching public-safety technology and road safety. At the same time, community organizations and businesses such as Katy Vibes continue creating opportunities that combine entertainment with public education.
In Fulshear, growth remains a central issue. Development, housing, business retention, transportation and public safety are all occurring alongside changes in city leadership.
The police-chief decision is particularly significant for Fulshear residents because it puts the city’s police leadership under a spotlight at a time when the community is experiencing rapid growth.
Why Residents Should Pay Attention
Local government decisions can have a direct effect on homeowners, renters, businesses and families.
A city ordinance can affect construction. A budget can affect taxes and services. Development decisions can affect traffic and drainage. Police leadership can affect public-safety administration. Economic-development incentives can influence future jobs and infrastructure needs.
Community events can also play a role by connecting residents with organizations, public-safety agencies, businesses and local leaders.
For residents of Katy and Fulshear, keeping up with local news is therefore about more than knowing what happened. It is about understanding what is changing around them and knowing when a local decision may affect their neighborhood.
The Katy News will continue tracking local government, public safety, community events, development and other issues affecting Katy and the surrounding communities.
