By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday reconfirmed Council Member-at-Large Chris Harris to serve as mayor pro tem. Harris, a U.S. Justice Department analyst, was first elected to the council in 2018 and reelected last year. Mayor Bill Hastings nominated Harris upon his election in 2019. The mayor appoints the mayor pro tem, who serves in the mayor’s absence, but the appointment must be approved by the council. Ward A Council Member Dan Smith […]
Katy City Council
New HCC Campus to Open in 2022 on Colonial Parkway, Near UH-Katy Campus
By George Slaughter Houston Community College President Dr. Zachary Hodges provided the Katy City Council with an update Monday on the college’s plans to relocate its Katy campus further west, closer to the city itself. The new location will be at 22910 Colonial Parkway, across the street from the University of Houston Katy campus. HCC planned to have the campus opened by now, but weather and pandemic challenges have pushed out the opening to next […]
Smith, Hicks Sworn in as Katy City Council Members
By George Slaughter Katy City Council Members Dan Smith and Gina Hicks were sworn into office Wednesday at City Hall. Smith was elected to a Ward A council seat, and Hicks was elected to a Ward B council seat. Their terms expire in May 2024. Katy Municipal Judge Jeffrey Brashear performed the swearing-in ceremony. Smith, a territory senior manager, defeated Diane Walker, who works as a virtual assistant. He drew 446 votes, or 72%, to […]
Smith, Hicks Elected to Katy City Council
By George Slaughter Katy city voters braved the rain Saturday to elect two new city council members, approve $6 million in bonds, and approve updates to the Katy City Charter. In the Ward A council race, Dan Smith, a territory senior manager, defeated Diane Walker, who works as a virtual assistant. Smith received 446 votes, or 72%. Walker received 172 votes, or 18%. “I am humbled by the results of the election and excited for […]
Council Tasks Advisory Board with Making Animal Control Department Recommendations
By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday tabled a proposed $7,000 pilot program intended for providing animal vaccinations upon intake, choosing instead to await best practice recommendations from its new animal control advisory council. The vote to table came after both a recommendation from Mayor Bill Hastings and a contentious council discussion. Mayors in Katy do not vote on council agenda items. Hastings said he has never spoken either in favor or against a […]
Absentee Voting Begins for City, School Board Elections
By George Slaughter Absentee balloting began Monday for races and bond elections in both the City of Katy and the Katy Independent School District. Election Day is May 1, but the city and school elections have different end dates for absentee balloting. City of Katy Two seats on the city council, a $6 million bond issue, and updates to the Katy City Charter, are on the ballot. In the Ward A council race, incumbent Dusty […]
City Appoints Parker Fire Chief
By George Slaughter The Katy City Council Monday appointed Kenneth Parker as permanent fire chief. Parker had served as interim fire chief since last October, when former chief Russell “Rusty” Wilson took a similar position with the Mesquite Fire Department. “I’m excited,” Parker said in an interview. “I have been here in Katy and seen the growth. I feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to be chief for this city.” Parker said his […]
Meet the Katy City Council Candidates: Gina Hicks
By George Slaughter Gina Hicks, a cybersecurity professional, is seeking a Ward B seat on the Katy City Council. She faces incumbent Jenifer Jordan Stockdick, a business owner, who was elected in 2019. In addition to the council race, voters will decide whether to approve a $6 million bond proposal. The proposal has two propositions: Proposition A, for $1.8 million, is for construction of improvements to municipal public buildings. These include reimbursement of expenses for […]
Meet the Katy City Council Candidates: Jenifer Jordan Stockdick
By George Slaughter Jenifer Jordan Stockdick, a business owner, is seeking re-election to her Ward B seat on the Katy City Council. She faces Gina Hicks, a cybersecurity professional, In addition to the council race, voters will decide whether to approve a $6 million bond proposal. The proposal has two propositions: Proposition A, for $1.8 million, is for construction of improvements to municipal public buildings. These include reimbursement of expenses for Fire Station No. 1, […]
Meet the Katy City Council Candidates: Diane Walker
By George Slaughter Diane Walker, who works as a virtual assistant, is seeking a Ward A seat on the Katy City Council. This is her second bid for a council seat. Last year she unsuccessfully ran for the seat held by Janet Corte. This year she faces Dan Smith, a territory senior manager. In addition to the council race, voters will decide whether to approve a $6 million bond proposal. The proposal has two propositions: […]