Government
BY MELISSA ENJAE, TOMER RONEN & KEVIN VU
3 Katy-area counties issue burn bans Katy-area o cials have imposed a burn ban in all unincorporated areas of the tri-county area following the Texas A&M Forest Service’s report of worsening drought conditions across the state. Zooming in Fort Bend County commissioners were the rst to impose a ban at an Oct. 13 special meeting, followed by Waller County o cials on Oct. 15. Lastly, Harris County issued their burn ban Oct. 16 as one of the 132 counties across Texas to impose a ban as of Nov. 4. The state is currently at a Level 3 wild re preparedness level, which means wild re activity is impacting several regions of the state as a result of drought, dry vegetation or frequent re weather events. Looking ahead Each ban will last up to 90 days, until rescinded by commissioners or until the Forest Service determines drought condi- tions no longer exist. Fulshear forms police salary review committee Following discussions about Fulshear Police Department salaries falling behind those of neigh- boring cities, City Council created a committee Oct. 7 to discuss police salaries and future budgets. Zooming in The nine-person committee will meet to discuss police department salaries, area pay comparisons and anticipated sta ng needs, as well as to evaluate the future budget impact, City Manager Zach Goodlander said. The committee is charged with creating a ve- year police pay plan similar to Houston and Harris County, which both approved raises this year. What’s next? Once chosen, the committee will have an initial meeting with a plan to present a report to council in January.
ESD 48 gains new chief
Committee members
Former Bellaire Fire Chief Deacon Tittel has retired from the Bellaire Fire Department after 25 years, as he starts a new role at Harris County Emergency Services District No. 48 Fire
Chief of Police Kenny Seymour
Council member At-Large Jason Knape
Council member At-Large Camron Miller
Deacon Tittel
District 5 council member Abhijeet Utturkar
Department, according to a Sept. 30 news release. Tittel, who will replace interim Fire Chief Vince Moreno, will play a key role in planning, coordinating and executing the response to natural and man-made emergencies. About the district ESD 48 covers 29.54 square miles across the western portion of unincorporated Harris County, including 160,000 residents in subdivisions, numerous apartment com- plexes and more than 20 Katy ISD schools.
One member of the economic development corporation
One volunteer resident
Finance department member
HR department member
SOURCE: CITY OF FULSHEAR COMMUNITY IMPACT
Harris County adopts 2025 26 budget By a 3-2 vote, Harris County commissioners adopted the $2.76 billion scal year 2025-26 general fund budget Sept. 24 that prioritizes pay parity and public safety initiatives. Commissioner Rodney Ellis and County Judge Lina Hidalgo cast the dissenting votes. In the months leading up to budget adoption, county o cials weighed how to o set at least $102 million in savings. The county implemented a yearlong hiring freeze for various department leaders to identify service cuts. Some context Law enforcement pay parity has reached various points at Commissioners Court, starting with a motion commissioners approved May 22 that paved the way for increasing county law enforce- ment pay. By Sept. 9, commissioners approved a motion, with a 3-1 vote, to increase elected constable salaries to $260,000. More details The county’s employee minimum wage pol- icy, $20 per hour for employees and $21.64 for
From the $2.76 billion general fund budget, $2.57 billion will be allocated to the 70 Harris County departments, aiming to:
Support pay parity initiatives for law enforcement and county employees
Expand the District Attorney’s O ce
Grow the Harris County Flood Control District maintenance program
Commissioners are expected to approve the county’s property tax rate of $0.6241 per $100 of valuation by the end of October, after press time. Harris County: $0.3809 per $100 of valuation Harris County Port of Houston Authority:
$0.0059 per $100 of valuation Harris County Hospital District: $0.1876 per $100 of valuation Harris County Flood Control District: $0.0496 per $100 of valuation
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE COMMUNITY IMPACT
contractors, took e ect with the budget adoptions. Service cuts will not a ect community-facing services, such as parks, road maintenance and community centers.
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KATY FULSHEAR EDITION
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