Katy council sets 2025 tax rate, funds tourism grant and approves road, legal and tech contracts
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Summary
At its Aug. 25 meeting the Katy City Council approved maintaining the 2025 tax rate at 0.425, authorized up to $950,000 in metro funds for Katy Fort Bend Road design, approved a $28,000 tourism grant to produce a Good Taste TV episode, and adopted several legal and technology contracts by voice vote.
The Katy City Council voted Aug. 25 to keep the proposed 2025 tax rate at 0.425 — unchanged from 2024 — and approved a package of resolutions and contracts intended to support infrastructure, tourism promotion and city operations.
During an urgent item, Councilmember Kort moved to set the proposed 2025 tax rate at 0.425; Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris seconded and the council carried the motion by voice vote, reported in the meeting as 5–0. The council scheduled a public hearing and formal adoption of the tax rate for Sept. 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Katy City Hall.
Council also approved a Convention and Tourism Bureau hotel-occupancy-tax grant application of $28,000 for the Katy Foundation Inc. to contract with Good Taste TV LLC to produce an episode highlighting local restaurants, retail and tourism. Mayor Pro Tem Harris moved the grant approval; Councilmember Gina Hicks seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
On transportation, the council approved a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement with the Katy Development Authority and Harris County to contribute up to $950,000 in metro funds toward the design of the Katy Fort Bend Road project. The item was listed as approved by KDA July 21 before council action.
The council approved two related legal items: designating Lineberger, Goguen, Blair & Sampson LLP as special counsel under section 2254.1036 of the Texas Government Code, and authorizing a contract with the same firm to assist in collecting unpaid fines, fees and court costs under article 103.0031 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Both motions carried by voice vote.
Council also approved a five-year contract (Oct. 31, 2025–Oct. 30, 2030) with Dictation Sales and Service, doing business as Equitur, to provide SmartScore Auto QA software for the police dispatch center. The motion was moved by Councilmember Court and seconded by Councilmember Dix; the council carried the motion.
Mayor Dusty Field and councilmembers said the votes were taken by voice; the transcript records outcomes as motions carried but does not include roll-call tallies for most items. No further hearings on the listed items were scheduled in the Aug. 25 meeting minutes recorded in the transcript.
The council adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
