Katy City Council

• New City Hall opening: The city of Katy dedicated its new City Hall building June 10. The $7.5 million facility is three stories tall, features three large clocks on a tower and is designed to be reminiscent of the area’s history when settlers from Galveston traveled north to homesteads on the Katy Prairie. The city funded the project through reserve funds and without a tax increase or a bond measure.
• Budget and tax rate: The balanced $24.5 million budget for fiscal year 2016-17 that was passed by the Katy City Council at its Sept. 26 meeting includes a reduced property tax rate for residents, funds for 12 new positions and a 3 percent employee pay raise. The city is in its fourth year of a five-year property tax reduction plan, and the rate was set at 50.672 cents per $100 valuation for FY 2016-17. More than $15.5 million in budget expenditures was allocated for public safety.
• Typhoon Texas opening: The Typhoon Texas opening kicked off Memorial Day weekend. Located next to Katy Mills, Typhoon Texas was constructed as an additional entertainment venue for local residents and to grow the area’s tourism options. The water park features 3 million gallons of water, nine water rides, 30 private cabanas, 2,000 lawn chairs, multiple dining options and employs 800 seasonal employees.

Top issues for 2017

• Downtown renovations: In its quest to return downtown Katy to the feeling of an early 1900s town square, the city plans to make progress on its $6 million to $8 million downtown renovations project this year. The city began $3 million of street improvements to the area Jan. 16 and expects the various components of the project to be completed by October. Additionally, a public plaza will be constructed across from the new City Hall building that includes a civic center, a visitors center and an amphitheater. The demolition of part of the old City Hall building—which is where the civic center will go—is expected to take place in March or April, and construction of the plaza is projected to begin in late 2017.

• Boardwalk progress: City officials said 2017 will be a key year for the Katy Boardwalk. The city will begin clearing land in late January and reviewing its designs on how the lake will interact with the rest of the project. The convention center, hotel and boardwalk are expected to enter an eight- to 12-month design phase; road infrastructure for the lofts is projected to begin in March or April; and Phase 1 of a three-phase process for the lake is expected to take place. While cost is still to be determined, city officials are aiming for an October 2020 opening for the convention center and hotel.

How does the city plan to address flooding issues in the wake of this past April’s weather events? [The] city of Katy formed an advisory group headed by former state Representative Bill Callegari [R-Houston] to address flooding issues and have contracted with Costello Engineering to do a local as well as regional hydro[logy] study. They are working in tandem with the counties involved to come up with a mitigation plan.

Fort Bend County

Accomplishments in 2016

• Mobility: Work progressed on county roads, including Precinct 3’s FM 1093 from the Grand Parkway to just east of FM 1463, Bellaire Boulevard from Parkway Lakes Lane to Lakehead Lane, and Spring Green Boulevard from South Firethorne Road. Other projects include Brand Lane, Golfview Drive and Harlem Road.

• Facilities: Construction began on several county projects. Featured projects include an expansion of the Justice Center parking garage to double its capacity and the construction of a 2-acre multipurpose fairgrounds livestock barn. The projects are expected to be completed in April and June, respectively.

• Community: The county bought a facility for Neighborhood Centers to operate a Head Start program. Jones Creek Park was updated for a partnership with a YMCA summer camp program. A public defender’s office was established for indigent defense.

• Missouri City Library: Comprehensive renovations began on the Missouri City Library, which is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2018.

Top issues for 2017