Katy homeowners would pay about $14 more in city property taxes next year under a proposed budget heading to its first public hearing Monday, Sept. 14.
The Katy City Council is scheduled to open the hearing at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 901 Avenue C. The session also carries votes on a 72-lot subdivision plat, a FEMA flood ordinance update and a $219,647 wastewater plant repair.
Lower rate, higher bill
The proposed fiscal year 2026-27 tax rate is $0.420 per $100 of assessed value, down from the current $0.425. That is a 1.18% decrease in the rate itself.
Rising home values eat the savings. The average homestead taxable value across Katy's three counties is climbing from $383,500 to $391,368, according to the city's agenda packet. The tax bill on the average home would rise from $1,629.88 to $1,643.75, an increase of $13.87.
The total city tax levy on all properties is projected to grow from $25.2 million to $25.7 million, a 2.26% increase. The city's official budget notice states the proposed budget would raise $1,508,112 more in total property taxes than last year's budget, a 5.8% jump. Of that, $241,066 comes from new property added to the rolls.
All five council members voted to propose the $0.420 rate at the Aug. 24 meeting: Mayor Pro Tem Gina Hicks, Johnston Dietz, Paul Follis, Michael Miehls and Paula Taylor. Mayor Dusty Thiele was present but did not vote.
At that Aug. 24 session, Thiele announced the hearing schedule, as the Katy Times reported. The proposed budget is on file for public inspection at City Hall.
Boardwalk Reserve subdivision
On the consent agenda is the final plat for Katy Boardwalk Reserve Section 1, a 72-lot development on 9.452 acres straddling Fort Bend and Harris counties. The property is owned by Pelican Katy Boardwalk, LLC, acting through Pelican Builders, Inc.
The City Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on Aug. 11. Chairman Eric Paulsen signed the recommendation letter. The plat falls within Fort Bend County MUD 163 and Katy ISD, and sits in the city's Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 1. No lots would have direct access from Kingsland Boulevard or Boardwalk Drive.
Flood rules and wastewater fix
Council members are also set to vote on an ordinance updating Article 3.04 of the city code, "Flood Damage Prevention," to incorporate required FEMA provisions. The Katy Building and Standards Commission recommended approval on Aug. 12. The agenda packet does not detail which FEMA provisions the update adds.
A separate resolution would award a $79,710 bid to Lonestar Turbo of Houston for a replacement blower at Wastewater Treatment Plant Unit 4. The total project cost, including emergency rental, installation and engineering, is $219,647. Funding would come from $66,304 in current-year enterprise fund reserves and $153,343 budgeted in the new fiscal year.
Residents who want to weigh in on the tax rate have a second chance at the Sept. 28 hearing at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, when the council is scheduled to take its final adoption vote.
