Waller County commissioners approved a public hearing for the installation by the city of Katy of a stop sign at the intersection of Morton and Pitts roads during their Nov. 23 regular meeting.

Commissioners were initially not privy to whether the sign would be paid for by the city or the county, but Katy Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris said the city would be paying for the sign which would be placed within city limits. The approval of the public hearing is a formality and the city will pay for any signage changes at that intersection.

Commissioners also unanimously voted to accept a $2,500 donation to purchase equipment to finish outfitting the Waller County Fire Marshal’s investigation trailer. The funds were donated by ATMOS Energy Pipeline which is located in southern Waller County.

Fire Marshal Brian Cantrell said he had met representatives from ATMOS during the response to the plane crash at the Houston Regional Airport on Oct. 19. After that event, he had contacted the company’s representatives via email and they had agreed to provide the money to purchase the fire investigation supplies.

County Judge Trey Duhon and Cantrell, who also serves as the county’s emergency management coordinator, discussed the state of the pandemic in Waller County. At the time, Duhon said the county had seen 5,360 cases of the disease since the pandemic began and the county then had 22 active cases. He added that the Texas Medical Center has remained at Phase I – the lowest response level in its pandemic plan – for several weeks now.

Cantrell said the county is still coordinating vaccinations for Waller County residents that are 18 years of age and older. Additional information regarding vaccinations is available through the county’s website at www.co.waller.tx.us.

Commissioners also:

• Approved multiple variances for land in northern Waller County to allow families to split land for sale to family members or for family members to build homes on.
• Held a public hearing to discuss subdividing property in northern Waller County. Duhon noted that some restrictions on the property would be the responsibility of relevant HOAs or other organizations to enforce in regard to types of homes installed on the land. Landowners would be required to meet environmental requirements for septic and water well systems.
• Approved expending $325 for membership dues for professional memberships for various programs.
• Approved $1,195 in payments to Magnolia Funeral Home for transportation services to the morgue.