CITY OF KATY (Covering Katy News)—In an unprecedented move, Katy will lose 81 acres from its extraterritorial jurisdiction despite unanimous city council opposition Monday, marking the first time a property owner has sought to leave the city.
The 81-acre property, owned by Katy Trees LLC and spanning Harris and Waller counties, will be removed from Katy's control under a state law passed in 2023. The legislation allows property owners to withdraw from a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction within 45 days of filing, regardless of city council opposition.
The bill was designed primarily to stop Houston's longstanding practice of annexing distant retail centers, some as far away as Fulshear, to collect sales tax revenue. Now, residents and commercial property owners, annexed without their consent or approval can reverse that process if they choose to do so.
"We've had, many times over the last few years, petitions for coming into our ETJ," Ward A Council Member Dan Smith said. "This is the first time, at least in my tenure, we've had anyone want to leave."
The de-annexation legislation's path to passage spanned 20 years, in a relentless fight led by Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers.
"We have been in contact with the landowner, said City Administrator Byron Hebert. "We looked at numerous ways to keep them in, and the land itself is just not lending itself to these larger lots that we require and the attention we require. They feel they could do better if they link to a MUD closer to them."
Mayor Thiele Running for Re-Election
In other developments, Mayor Dusty Thiele plans to seek re-election when candidate filing opens Wednesday for the May 3 municipal election. The mayor's term is three years and is the only seat on the ballot. He filed to run for mayor in 2022 and was declared the winner after no one else filed to run.
Thiele, a former insurance executive who previously served on the council representing Wards A and B, ran unopposed in 2022.
To be eligible to run, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old, a qualified voter and a city resident for the past year. The deadline for filing candidate paperwork is Feb. 14. For more information, visit the city elections page.
Other Council Business
The council also approved a $47,300 change order for a new 6-inch water line installation on Roberts Road and Thomas Avenue between Pin Oak Road and Highway 90. McKinney Construction estimates the work will take 14 days, funded through the city's 2016 bond.
The council named Jaime Corona and Durran Dowdle to local management district boards.
Corona, a local realtor, will serve on Katy Management District No. 1, while Dowdle, a former council member and Brown and Root site manager, joins the Village at Katy Development District board.
City Secretary Becky McGrew was elected president of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association on Dec. 11. McGrew has served as city secretary since 2019.
"It's quite an honor, and we're proud of you, Becky," Mayor Thiele said.
Mayor Dusty Thiele is expected to file for reelection as mayor when the candidate filing period opens Wednesday.
Only the mayor’s position is on the ballot for this year’s municipal election, which is set for May 3. The term of office is three years.
Thiele, a former insurance executive, served as a council member at separate times for both Wards A and B. He filed to run for mayor in 2022 and was declared the winner after nobody else filed to run.
To be eligible to run, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old, a qualified voter and a city resident for the past year. Deadline for filing candidate paperwork is Feb. 14.
City to install new water line on Roberts Road and Thomas Lane
The Katy City Council Monday approved a $47,300 change order for a new 6” water line on Roberts Road and Thomas Avenue between Pin Oak Road and Highway 90.
City Engineer David Kasper said the city asked McKinney Construction, which currently is performing water line installations on Pine Terrace as part of another water line replacement project, to provide the estimate. The company estimated it would need 14 days to do the work, and that time would be added to the existing contract with the city.
The money will come from the city’s 2016 bond.
Council appoints Corona, Dowdle to management district boards
The council appointed Jaime Corona and Durran Dowdle to the boards of directors of Katy Management District No. 1 and Village at Katy Development District, respectively, at Monday’s Katy City Council Meeting.
Corona is a Katy realtor. Dowdle, a former Ward B council member and mayor pro tem, is a former site manager for Brown and Root. Corona resigned his seat with the Village at Katy Development District to be appointed to the Katy Management District No. 1 following the resignation of Bob Hargarther. Corona’s resignation set the stage for Thiele appointing Dowdle to the Village at Katy Development District seat.
The Texas Legislature created these municipal management districts to support local economic development and infrastructure improvement.
City releases about 81 acres from extraterritorial jurisdiction
In an unusual move Monday, the city will release about 81 acres of property in Harris and Waller counties that is now under its extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ, to Katy Trees, LLC, which owns the property.
“We’ve had, many times over the last few years, petitions for coming into our ETJ,” Ward A Council Member Dan Smith said. “This is the first time, at least in my tenure, we’ve had anyone want to leave.”
City Administrator Byron Hebert said the city is used to receiving land for, and not giving land away from, its ETJ.
“We have been in contact with the landowner,” Hebert said. “We looked at numerous ways to keep ‘em in, and the land itself is just not lending itself to these larger lots that we require and the attention we require. They feel they could do better if they link to a MUD closer to them.”
Hebert the developer is using a tactic under ETJ law, what he called a “45-day shot clock,” in which the property would be de-annexed, regardless of what the council chose to do. The land would no longer be in Katy’s ETJ, officials said.
All five council members voted against the proposed ordinance.
McGrew elected municipal clerks’ association president
CIty Secretary Becky McGrew has been elected president of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association.
According to its website, the association, based in Denton, is a professional association dedicated to serving the demands of excellence in Texas local government and public problem solving.
McGrew, who was named Katy city secretary in 2019, was chosen to the association post Dec. 11.
“It’s quite an honor, and we’re proud of you, Becky,” Thiele said.
The owner of Covering Katy News, Dennis Spellman, is also employed by the Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner's Office.