Katy council approves pay-grade changes and job descriptions in personnel update

Katy City Council on Monday approved amendments to the city’s employee classification and compensation plan, including changes to multiple job descriptions and adjustments to pay-grade ranges for director-level positions.

The ordinance approved by council amends 14 job descriptions and adds additional job descriptions (most described by staff as formalizing existing part-time roles) and adjusts the classification and salary-grade structure, including changes for fire and police department classifications. Councilmembers discussed the scope of the changes and whether the listed descriptions had been shown at an earlier budget workshop.

City staff said most of the job descriptions being added were for part-time positions already in use and that the recent changes to director pay grades amount to a one-time adjustment intended to align the city with neighboring municipalities. A staff member told council the salary survey that supported the director pay-grade adjustments was conducted recently and that another comprehensive survey is unlikely for a few years, though the city plans to continue periodic local surveys with HR departments in the area.

Councilmember Janet Court said the 7.5% increase for directors was more than typical annual increases but acknowledged the comparison materials showed Katy moving closer to peer cities’ pay levels. Councilmember Court and other members indicated they do not expect such large increases annually and described the action as “catching up.”

The motion to adopt the ordinance carried on a roll-call vote with Mayor Pro Tem Tim Harris, Councilmember Court, Councilmember Hicks and Councilmember Smith recorded as voting in favor.