At the annual “State of the City” luncheon hosted by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Katy Mayor William H. “Dusty” Thiele and City Administrator Byron Hebert said that “It’s all about quality of life” in the city of Katy, and that “quality of life” goes beyond the city limits to include the greater Katy area.

Thiele noted that while there are 12 Katy exits from Interstate 10, only six fall within the city limits of the City of Katy – but that the areas served by the other six exits affect quality of life in the city. He described the city’s partnerships with each of the three counties where Katy sits, with the state and TxDOT, and other organizations.

Noting that “Nothing improves quality of life like green spaces,” Thiele reviewed plans for improvements to Katy City Park, including provisions for pickleball courts and installation of new turf on the multipurpose field

Hebert described plans for the Snow Goose Trail, a 3.5-mile walking trail that will go from Leyendecker Landing near Pitts Road and Morton Road to the historic downtown square. The project is supported by City of Katy park bonds and the Katy Development Authority with METRO funds. Hebert said that the trail is named for the snow geese that once came in the hundreds of thousands to the rice fields in the area. The trail will be restricted to walkers and cyclists, and golf carts will not be allowed, he said.

Hebert described another project dear to his heart – the “3B Learning Center,” which will begin advertising for bids this week. The complex is not a park, but a learning center designed for field trips and experiential learning about “birds, bees and butterflies,” he said. Hebert also described the two miles walking trails along the lake at the Boardwalk which will soon have an overlook and restrooms added and said that a grand opening was planned.

Thiele and Hebert reviewed mobility projects funded with METRO dollars, highlighting the widening of Morton Road in cooperation with Waller County and the widening of Pin Oak Road south of I-10. Mobility issues affect the entire region, not just the city of Katy, the pair said.

The $34,630,000 in projects funded by METRO contract revenue bonds include:

· 10th Street from Bartlett to Avenue C, beginning January 2027 and ending in October 2027

· Avenue C from 10th Street to the historic downtown, beginning in October 2027 and ending in June 2028

· Franz Road and Cane Island Parkway to the city limit, beginning in October 2026 and ending in April 2027

· Katy Hockley Cutoff from Franz to Morton, beginning in January 2028 and ending in February 2029

· Pitts Road north of Morton to city limit, beginning in January 2028 and ending in August 2028

· Morton Road from Pitts to city limit, starting in August 2028 and ending in April 2029


A highlight of the flood control and drainage projects is the addition of the Pitts detention ponds north of Katy, which will keep water from flowing into the city of Katy, Hebert said. Hebert presented were the Heights/Airline/Drexel drainage improvements, the Village Green drainage improvements and the West Katy drainage improvements, among others.

The City of Katy is currently working with the West Harris County Regional Water Authority with the goal of providing city water through surface water by 2035, Hebert said. The project will not only help with reducing dependence on groundwater but will also help battle subsidence, Hebert said. Hebert gave an overview of the Katy Management District’s reuse irrigation project, which will use treated water from the city’s sewage plant for irrigation purposes. As part of the project, the water will be used to irrigate more green space is planned at Katy Mills Mall, adding flowers and trees.

In the area of “smart economic development,” Hebert gave an update on the commercial developments at Texas Heritage Marketplace, which will house Target, Academy, Sam’s, Lowe’s and various restaurants, and the Green at Katy Park, at Morton Ranch Road and Katy Hockley Cutoff, which will also add green space along with more restaurants. He also mentioned two projects which will complete the buildout of available residential land within the city limits. Katy Court Homes on Katy Hockley Cutoff near Clay Road is nearing completion, and construction is planned at the Boardwalk for Pelican Homes and the Second Loft apartments. Hebert also spotlighted new tenants at Katy Mills Mall, including Primark, Vineyard Vines, Cabi, Ann Taylor and Ciccio’s Pasta, and said that future additions would include P.F. Chang’s, Swarovski, La Fragrancia, Pika Park and Culture Shack, along with an expansion of Skechers.

In the area of public safety, the pair said that Katy Fire Department would add a new fire engine in 2026 and a 75-foot ladder truck in 2028, with Hebert saying that it takes years to build these machines and that a lot of planning is needed. New fire and police substations are planned for the Texas Heritage Marketplace to serve the growing areas around Young Ranch. New interim KFD Chief Dana Massey – the first female chief in Katy’s history – was also introduced.

Katy Police Chief Bryon Woytek showed a live video presentation of a police training exercise in progress, involving the SRT unit, drones, canine units and other specialized equipment. Two additional canines have been added at KPD, and an MRAP armored vehicle has been purchased for the special response team.

Thiele and Hebert credited current city council members – four of whom were in attendance -- for many of the accomplishments presented.

Thiele, a long-time City of Katy resident and retired business owner, was sworn in as mayor in 2022. Hebert was appointed as the City Administrator for the City of Katy in 2014, after serving as the city’s finance director from 2000 to 2014.