Katy budget to fund $3.91M in West Katy drainage improvements

By: Aubrey Vogel - Community Impact

Katy’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget emphasizes public safety, drainage and parks.

In a nutshell

The budget, approved at a Sept. 23 City Council meeting, includes $73.13 million in expenses for FY 2024-25, a nearly $3.81 million decrease from FY 2023-24.

Additionally, council decreased its tax rate to $0.425000 per $100 property valuation, down 1.16% from FY 2023-24. The rate is greater than the no-new-revenue rate of $0.420787, which is the rate that would generate the same property tax revenue as the year prior, according to budget documents.

Digging in

The largest part of the budget will go toward public safety such as police, fire and animal control for a total of $25.04 million. This is a 9.3% increase over last year’s budget, according to budget documents.

The increase includes 8-10% salary bumps for police officers, police corporals, firefighters and equipment operators and drivers. It will also fund rising technology and maintenance fees.

Additionally, all other eligible positions will receive a 3% pay increase beyond the traditional step increase.

“We want Katy to be that place where you want to come to work and stay,” Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris said.

The budget will also bring three new positions, including an information technology director, which was approved at the Aug. 26 City Council meeting.

What else?

The budget also lays out nearly $9.29 million in capital improvement investments for FY 2024-25, including:
-$3.91 million for the West Katy drainage project
-$1.5 million for multipurpose field renovations
-$350,000 for a water line rehabilitation
-$70,000 for Wood Creek Elementary’s electrical upgrades

Looking ahead

The FY 2024-25 budget will begin on Oct. 1, city officials said.

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