Katy council adopts AI policy, renews cybersecurity consulting, approves fire ladder and investment policy

During its Oct. 13 session, the Katy City Council approved several consent and contract items including an IT generative-AI policy, renewal of virtual CISO consulting services with True North Consulting Group, purchase authorization for a 107-foot Pierce aerial ladder for the Katy Fire Department and adoption of the City of Katy investment policy updates.

The virtual CISO contract term listed in the packet runs from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026; the original agreement was approved Aug. 28, 2023 (referenced in the packet as resolution 14 95). A councilmember praised the arrangement as cost-effective compared with hiring an in-house security professional: "the cost is a fraction of what it would be to have someone on our payroll," a councilmember said.

The fire-department purchase was presented as a capital purchase through the HGAC cooperative (contract FS12-23) to provide the department with an aerial ladder unit. The investment policy item repealed conflicting ordinances and updated sections of the city policy; the item was moved and seconded with brief procedural questions.

All items were moved and seconded on the consent calendar and approved as recorded in the meeting transcript. Council members thanked staff for the work and highlighted cybersecurity awareness month as context for the IT items.

Next steps: staff will finalize the contracts and purchase orders and implement policy updates consistent with the council’s approvals.