Photo by Photo courtesy city of KatyThe 2014–15 Katy City Council, from left: Durran Dowdle, James Mendez, Mayor Fabol Hughes, Charles Brawner, Steve Pierson and Bill Lawton
Big decisions made in 2014
Reorganization of the Katy Fire Department
Katy's force of volunteer firefighters was changed into a staff of paid firefighters. During November elections, a $5 million bond was passed to build the city's second fire station on Kingsland Boulevard.
Cane Island
The Katy City Council worked to approve the final plats of Cane Island, the city of Katy's first master-planned community that will feature more than 2,000 homes and open in the spring.
Top issues for 2015
Katy Mills boardwalk project
Plans are underway for the construction of a 2-mile boardwalk around an 80-acre retention pond behind Katy Mills. The site will feature a convention center, hotel and zones for residential, commercial and office use.
New City Hall
City officials broke ground on the new Katy City Hall Jan. 15. The 33,000-square-foot building will cost about $6.8 million–$7.3 million and will be built across the street from the old city hall on Avenue C. Construction is expected to last throughout 2015 with the building to open in spring 2016.
Terms and compensation
The mayor receives a salary of $1,590 per month
Council members receive a salary of $958 per month
The mayor and council members are elected for two-year terms
Ward A—two council members; Ward B—two council
members; At large—one council member
There is a three-term limit for council members
Meetings
The council meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month.
Katy City Hall
910 Ave. C, Katy
281-391-4800
County Commissioners
Andy Meyers
Fort Bend County, Pct. 3
Big issue of 2014
Cane Island Parkway, Bellaire Boulevard
Two key mobility projects that got underway were the construction of Cane Island Parkway and the widening of Bellaire Boulevard west of the Grand Parkway.
Top issue of 2015
FM 1093
Work should begin in the late summer on FM 1093 to expand the road to eight lanes and add two feeder roads from the Grand Parkway to Spring Green Boulevard and to four lanes through Fulshear.
Meetings
The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court meets at 1 p.m. on the first, second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
Fort Bend County Courthouse
500 Jackson St., Richmond
281-341-8608
Steve Radack
Harris County, Pct. 3
Big issue of 2014
Grand Parkway, Segment E
The opening of the Grand Parkway north of I-10 has improved mobility around the Katy and Houston areas and encouraged economic growth and opportunity at sites along the highway.
Top issue of 2015
Managing growth, mobility
The constant increase in population, developments coming to rural areas and Katy ISD's expansion after the passing of its bond will create challenges in many ways, including improving mobility.
Meetings
The Harris County Commissioners Court meets at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
Harris County Administration Building
1001 Preston St. 9th Floor
713-755-6306
Justin Beckendorff
Waller County, Pct. 4
Big issue of 2014
Groundbreaking of Cane Island
Cane Island is a game-changer for Waller County. It's the type of development we strive to have here, and it has set the bar high for new housing coming to the area.
Top issue of 2015
Preparing for growth
Waller County has to continue to work with master-planned communities to bring them to our area, and we have to make sure we have the type of roads and infrastructure needed for such growth.
Meetings
The Waller County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Wednesdays.
Waller County Courthouse
836 Austin St., Hempstead
1-800-901-4412
