City of Katy approves fire department personnel additions, continues new City Hall discussion

To help the Katy Fire Department improve its Insurance Services Office rating, the Katy City Council approved the hiring of three part-time fire fighters, which set the city back about $200,000, at its April 8 meeting. Additional personnel additions will be considered when determining the 2013-14 budget, according to City Administrator Johnny Nelson. Council also approved allowing an architecture firm to design plans for a proposed new City Hall.

"We are out of room," Mayor Don Elder said. "We have two jail cells, and you can't whip a cat inside of them."

The new hall would potentially stand in place of the former Social Services Building in Downtown Katy, at Second Street and Avenue D, but would need the support of the public and entire council before being approved.

Councilman Larry Gore expressed concern for the project in that he is not confident taxpayers would support it and the costs associated with construction.

"I know we are out of room...But I am concerned because everyone I talk to wants to know, what is the real need?" he said.

Elder said although council approved an architect to move forward with the design, the new mayor and City Council will ultimately move forward with the remainder of the project, and that the public will have the opportunity to provide input.

"Everything we do in this city when you are growing is a big expense," Elder said. "But yes, the public will have to approve it."

Other City Council news

• City Auditor Christopher Breaux with Whitley-Penn presented a Comprehensive Annual Finance Report, which detailed how the city's money is spent. About 52 percent of city revenue comes from sales tax, and of the city's expenditures, public safety accounts for 54 percent.
• Council tabled an item that considered increasing garbage collection rates and fees by several pennies to allow for a more thorough presentation be brought to the next meeting, April 22.