Dan Smith – Dan Smith for Katy

Learn About the City Charter Amendments

March 29, 2025
Dan Smith
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On February 10th, 2025, Katy City Council voted UNANIMOUSLY to place five important propositions on the ballot.

Introduction

On February 24, 2025 Katy City Council voted unanimously passing an ordinance calling for a Special Election to put the following Proposed Charter Amendments on the May 3, 2025 Ballot.

What is a City Charter & Why Does It Matter?

The City Charter is Katy’s version of a constitution. It lays out the rules for how our local government operates, from how elections work to what powers the mayor and city council have. Sometimes updates are needed to make sure things stay fair, functional, and in line with state law. The City Charter can not be changed without your vote. This May, you’ll see five propositions on the ballot. The purpose of these videos is to walk you through each one. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Proposition A

✅ Vote YES to Keep City Government Running
Right now, if the Mayor and just one Councilmember are absent, City Council cannot legally meet or take action—even in an emergency! This amendment simply ensures that when the Mayor is absent the Mayor Pro Tem is allowed to count toward a quorum, vote and prevents city business from halting.

Proposition B & C

✅ Vote YES for Fair & Consistent Election Rules

These amendments align our City Charter with the Texas Constitution, ensuring that a Mayor or Councilmember vacancy is limited, and the transition is handled in a way that maintains continuity of elected city leadership. It also avoids confusion with the State Constitution’s hold-over provision that can supersede the current charter. Keep it simple, fair, and consistent!

Proposition D

✅ Vote YES to Keep City Department Heads Professional, Not Political

This amendment ensures that appointed city department heads cannot be fired unfairly without a chance to appeal, which is a right that every other city employee already has. This protects the day-to-day operations serving the citizens, and ensures these professionals are not subjected to unilateral political whims. The actual change in the charter is simply removing some conflicting language to correct the mistake. The Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Secretary, City Attorney, Public Works Directors should not be political appointees, they are career public servants!

Proposition E

✅ Vote YES for Clear Term Limits with No Loopholes
City Council term limits are a mess. The City Charter says there’s a two-term limit, but two council seats have NO term limits at all due to a legal loophole. We currently have 2 councilmembers in their 3rd term, a former member who ran for a 4th term, and (loopholes aside) all 5 seats terming out within 12 months starting next May.

Prop E FIXES this by setting a clear and fair limit of four terms for all council seats. This ensures voters still have the ability to re-elect strong leaders while preventing anyone from staying in power

Below is the Ballot language you will see when you vote:

City of Katy Proposition A
SHALL THE CITY OF KATY CHARTER BE AMENDED BY AMENDING SECTION 1(B), ABSENCE OR DISABILITY OF THE MAYOR, OF ARTICLE III, THE MAYOR, BY ALLOWING THE MAYOR PRO TEM TO RETAIN VOTING PRIVILEGES AND COUNT TOWARDS QUORUM, BUT REMOVING THE POWER OF THE VETO WHEN ACTING IN THE ABSENCE OF THE MAYOR?

City of Katy Proposition B
SHALL THE CITY OF KATY CHARTER BE AMNDED BY AMENDING SECTION 5, VACANCY, OF ARTICLE III, THE MAYOR, TO REMOVE THE AUTOMATIC RESIGNATION OF THE MAYOR UPON FILING TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR NOMINATION OR ELECTION TO PUBLIC OFFICE IF SUCH FILING OCCURS WHEN THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THE OFFICE THEN HELD DOES NOT EXCEED ONE YEAR AND THIRTY (30) DAYS?

City of Katy Proposition C
SHALL THE CITY OF KATY CHARTER BE AMENDED BY AMENDING SECTION 4, VACANCY, OF ARTICLE IV, THE COUNCIL, TO REMOVE THE AUTOMATIC RESIGNATION OF A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL UPON FILING TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR NOMINATION OR ELECTION TO PUBLIC OFFICE IF SUCH FILING OCCURS WHEN THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THE OFFICE THEN HELD DOES NOT EXCEED ONE YEAR AND THIRTY (30) DAYS?

City of Katy Proposition D
SHALL THE CITY OF KATY CHARTER BE AMENDED BY AMENDING SUBSECTION (B)(2) OF SECTION 6, POWERS OF THE MAYOR, OF ARTICLE III, THE MAYOR, TO PROVIDE DEPARTMENT HEADS REMOVED BY THE MAYOR TO SEEK REINSTATEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT THROUGH AN APPEAL TO CITY COUNCIL?

City of Katy Proposition E
SHALL THE CITY OF KATY CHARTER BE AMENDED BY AMENDING SECTION 2, TERM, OF ARTICLE IV, THE COUNCIL, TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE TERMS FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER FROM TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS TO FOUR CONSECUTIVE TERMS, INCLUSIVE OF TIME ALREADY SERVED, AND PROHIBIT AN INDIVIDUAL FROM SERVING AS A COUNCILMEMBER, WHETHER IN WARD A, WARD B, OR AT LARGE, FOR MORE THAN THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CONSECUTIVE TERMS?

The Green at Katy Park

Katy, TX, October 30, 2024 – On Monday City Council approved a Planned Development District for The Green at Katy Park, located on the Northwest corner of Morton and Katy Hockley Cutoff Rd.

I have seen a lot of discussion on this because it was a re-zone from R1 residential. The vote was 3-2 with myself, Janet Corte, and Gina Hicks FOR; Chris Harris and Rory Robertson AGAINST.

I want to explain why I believe it should have been unanimously approved, and why I was a YES vote.

The entire Katy community spent over a year working to update the City of Katy comprehensive plan – a process that engaged hundreds of residents through multiple town halls and other events. City Council provided feedback into the plan multiple times in public meetings. That plan set this piece of land as mixed use commercial, and this current Council unanimously passed it. That is what set all of this in motion.

Much of our traffic issues are caused by roads that need to be expanded already and projects are in the works. The unincorporated areas outside of Katy are exploding with growth and lack of restaurant and entertainment venues are causing both Katy and non-Katy residents to drive farther to seek out those amenities, making traffic worse.

Katy Hockley Cutoff, Katy Hockley, and Morton Road all have projects approved and funded. Katy Hockley Cutoff will be complete prior to construction starting on this project. In addition to expansion of these roads to accommodate traffic, drainage improvements are a critical component of each one.

Good city planning incorporates residential and commercial to reduce traffic. This is why the comprehensive plan identified this property for this use, and again – this current City Council unanimously passed it after giving and receiving multiple rounds of feedback.

This project significantly improves drainage in the area. Our City Engineer has done amazing work improving drainage all over the city. I have complete confidence based on his track record that this will work as intended and benefit Heritage Park West. This is not blind trust – you can go back to the videos and minutes of City Council meetings and listen to all 5 councilmembers expressing their enthusiasm about the results of ARKK’s drainage projects.

If this location was developed as residential, city code would allow 35′ tall homes to be constructed less than 100′ from the back of every Heritage Park West home on the southern edge of the development. Now – all but 4 of those homes will have more than a football field of space separating them from the nearest building, and the PDD imposes a 32′ limitation on the height of the building that will be behind those other 4 homes. I also personally added in a higher fence for those homes than what was in the PDD based on the public hearing (see the motion made at the meeting).

In 2022 we passed a light pollution ordinance that strictly prohibits commercial properties from impacting neighboring residences with light pollution.

City ordinance protects residential properties that neighbor commercial development with buffer and vegetation requirements that must be followed.

I understand the growing pains and emotion that this causes. In my comments at the meeting I referenced HTeaO as an example. When dirt starts moving it creates a lot of emotion. Then you find out that the developer and business owner wants to create something that adds value to the community because they want to be a part of our community. Now that corner looks better than ever, traffic is no worse, and we have a great business and partner.

At the end of the day I believe this is the best possible use of the land, even more so than staying empty. When all projects are complete (Roads and PDD), we will have improved traffic, improved drainage, improved property values, and improved amenities to enjoy. All of this is on top of the tax revenue that will enable us to invest in public safety, parks and green-spaces, public works, and more.

100% understand that not everyone will agree with me, and I acknowledge that the growing pains are real, but hopefully this helps inform on the decision that was made. I am not perfect, none of us are, but for these reasons I absolutely stand by the decision.

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Councilmember Smith statement on Re-election to Katy City Council

Katy, TX, February 20, 2024 – Katy City Councilmember Dan Smith today released the following statement on being re-elected unopposed to a second term on Katy City Council:

“I am humbled and honored to serve another term on City Council. The fact that Councilmember Hicks and I were both unopposed is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire City Council and staff. It reaffirms that we are serving the city well and addressing residents’ concerns. The progress we have made in public safety, infrastructure, drainage, parks, lowering the tax rate, and more are clearly the things residents want prioritized by their City Council.

While we have accomplished a lot in the last 3 years, there is much more work to be done. I am thankful for the encouragement, support, and prayers of our community, and I am excited and looking forward to continuing to serve Katy. I hope that residents will continue to reach out, sharing their thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Thank you Katy!”

Councilmember Smith was first elected to Katy City Council on May 1, 2021

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Sworn in

I have to start by saying how humbling it is to be elected to serve here. Katy is a historic city, so it’s not lost on me whose shoulders I stand on, nor the voters who placed their trust and confidence in me to serve here. I am forever grateful, and I will endeavor to make you proud.

I want to thank everyone who supported my campaign with their time, energy, money, and prayers – no one gets here alone, and I can never thank you enough. I want to thank my entire family, especially my wife and son – both of whom sacrificed so much.

I also want to thank my opponent, Mrs. Walker. She worked long and hard in the campaign, and did so with class and a servant’s heart. We spent about 14 hours together on election day, and I hope that in this world where politics seems to keep getting uglier, future candidates can look at our race as an example of the mutual respect voters wants.

To our amazing city staff and employees, thank you for everything you do every day. My goal over the next 3 years is simple. I want the city to empower you with everything you need to serve our residents, and you have my commitment to work with the team here to that end.

Without question, the best part of running for this office was meeting hundreds of residents from all over Katy. I had never gone door to door before, and If I can share a story with you all… I remember vividly how that began. I pulled up to the house, and I sat in my car for at least 10 minutes trying to psych myself up for it. I had no idea what to expect.

On the other side of that very first door was Mrs. Prosser, one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. She was so kind and encouraging to me. My whole mindset started to shift, and I became more aware of who Katy really is. This city is filled with the most wonderful people – people who love their family and are proud of their town. People who care deeply for their neighbors and show up in good times and bad.

Toward the end of the campaign, I went back to visit with Mrs. Prosser again. I wanted to tell her how honestly nervous I was and that her kindness made such a difference for me and probably saved my campaign from the very beginning. I’ll never forget her reaction – she looked me in the eye and said “well – that’s what I do”.

I think that exemplifies so much of what and who Katy Texas is, and there are so many examples of it:

When rain falls and flood waters rise, or when temperatures drop and pipes burst, Katy rolls up its sleeves and gets to work because, well – that’s what we do.

When our stadium lights burn bright, and championships are on the line, Katy comes together and cheers with one voice because, well – that’s what we do.

And sometimes political tensions rise; folks get passionate about their positions and their candidates. But Katy still comes together in the end and moves forward in unity because, well – that’s what we do.

Together there’s no challenge we can’t overcome. We won’t always agree, and certainly government is incapable of solving every problem. But we can commit to caring. We can engage each other in a way that makes all of Katy proud call this place home.

To my fellow council members, I am excited to serve with you. While each of us brings something unique to the table, I know we share a common love for our city. When Ronald Reagan was in the White House, he kept a little plaque on his desk that read: “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he does not mind who gets the credit.” That’s my challenge for each of us, to imagine what good we can do in the city of Katy if none of us cares who gets the credit. Let Katy benefit from each of our best efforts, and history will sort out the rest.

I’ll close by saying that I am very optimistic about the future, and equally determined to work together to bring about positive changes and new opportunities. Katy is a great city, and together we can ensure that remains true for generations to come.

Thank you so much, and God bless our city.

Katy Times Q&A

Why are you running for Katy City Council and what should voters know about you?

Katy is truly a treasure, with rich heritage and strong community spirit. In only 10 short years, the number of Katy households has grown by nearly 50%. Our city is changing quickly and all aspects of Katy need to keep pace with this explosive growth.

I am running to bring my 20 years of professional experience creating great experiences for my customers to Katy City Hall. I view residents as “customers” of the City of Katy. Every ordinance passed, dollar spent, and city employee action must serve and provide a great experience to residents. This customer service mindset, along with resident input, will guide my decisions on council.

My top priorities also include improving economic development and enhancing public safety. As Katy and the surrounding areas continue to grow, I will fully support our first responders and funding investments in Police, Fire, and EMS services.

Do you support making Katy’s Animal Control Department a “no kill” animal shelter with an in-house adoption program? If so, why? If not, why not?

I strongly support the humane and ethical treatment of all animals. I have visited both Katy Animal Control as well as Rosenberg, which was identified by the “No Kill” community as a vision of good.

My biggest learning from Rosenberg Animal Control was how they focus on each case as an individual in order to take the appropriate action. While they focus on getting adoptable pets out of the shelter into loving homes, they do euthanize animals when it is deemed to be the best outcome for the animal and/or the public. I think this individualized approach is a good one, and something Katy can seek to replicate.

I am very excited to have an Animal Control Advisory Board in place, and I am looking forward their recommendations on programs such as adoptions, partnerships, and more. I would support adoptions from the shelter in a way that fits within the context of our city and the relatively low number of animals. Weekly events operated in partnership with 501(c)(3) charities could be a great start.

Ultimately, it is the job of City Council to listen to the taxpaying citizens who put them there. I am committed to representing Katy residents.

Katy’s permitting process for new buildings/businesses is one of the strictest in the Houston metro area and those seeking permits express concerns about the process being excessive and inconsistent. What do you feel should be done to improve and streamline the process while ensuring safety and quality of life are maintained within city limits?

City Council recently approved a full audit of the permitting department, which I support. The results of this audit need to be taken seriously and acted upon. The majority of issues residents tell me about relate to training. This opportunity falls in two areas: inspection integrity/consistency, and customer service.

We must ensure that all inspectors are properly trained to the same standard. Residents should never receive a passing inspection by one inspector only to be failed by another for the same thing.

We must ensure that customer service is an ingrained part of the culture. Inspectors may be paid by the City of Katy, but they work for the resident or business owner whose project they are inspecting. This people-centered design is very different from what we have today.

We also need to look into implementing better technology to streamline the process and improve convenience, communication, and transparency. These are important aspects that also fall into improving the experience of the whole process. My entire professional career has been centered around customer service, and I am eager to bring my knowledge and experience to benefit our great residents and businesses who need to work with Katy’s permitting department.

Business owners throughout the city have suffered economically due to the pandemic. What do you feel the city should do to help local businesses recover from the financial struggles brought about by COVID-19?

Economic Development is one of my top priorities, and I encourage voters to see my full growth plan at www.DanSmithForKaty.com/issues. This issue goes well beyond the financial impacts from COVID-19. As a city we must do more to encourage and support businesses in a way that enables them to thrive in Katy.

My plan includes support for the creation of an Economic Development Coordinator role at City Hall, creation of an Economic Development Board for Katy residents, improving Katy’s reputation by fixing challenges in permitting, and more. Today, the city “outsources” much of the support small businesses need to area organizations such as the county chambers of commerce. I would like to see Katy take on more of this responsibility with dedicated resources. We can do this in a budget neutral way with increased economic activity in the city. This is a win-win-win for small businesses, the city, and taxpayers!

What do you feel is the biggest challenge the city is facing over the next five years and what do you feel should be done by the city to address that concern?

It is critical that we take action over the next 3-5 years to ensure the City of Katy remains a great place to live for the next generation. All around our borders is Houston ETJ, which is rapidly growing without zoning restrictions or input from Katy. This growth impacts everyone. We are seeing large developments, multi-family apartment complexes, commercial, and industrial growth in the greater Katy area.

We must focus on economic development to secure our small town charm and increase sales-tax revenue to fund city services including Police, Fire, EMS, and flood mitigation. This also enables us to keep residents’ property tax rates low. We need an updated comprehensive plan that will serve as a roadmap for the Capital Improvement Project Fund to ensure we stay ahead of the curve. This will also include things like infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

I will bring my experience and passion for service to City Council to benefit all residents of Katy. Ultimately, I believe that city government is about customer service, and you are the customer!

Community Impact Q&A

Thank you Community Impact for the opportunity to participate in the election Q&A! Here are my answers to their questions.

• What is the biggest issue facing the city of Katy, and how would you address it?

We must focus on economic development to secure our small town charm and increase sales-tax revenue to fund city services including Police, Fire, EMS and flood mitigation while keeping property taxes low. I will bring my experience and passion for service to City Council to benefit all residents of Katy.

• What could the city of Katy have done better during February’s extreme winter storm and the subsequent power outages? If elected, what would you do to help prepare Katy for similar events in the future?

First of all, it was inspiring and heartwarming to see our community pull together with people helping one another, sharing food and water, opening their homes as shelter, and showing real compassion for each other. This is Katy!

We need a list of elderly and at-risk residents to prioritize check-ins before, during, and after storms. While this storm was unlike others we have experienced, the community’s needs were similar to a hurricane – generators, fresh water, food, and shelter. On City Council, I will work with the Mayor, Staff, and Emergency Management Office to help plan, communicate, and fulfill those needs.

• How do you plan on balancing Katy’s growth while preserving its history?

This is one of my top priorities, and I encourage voters to see my full growth plan at www.DanSmithForKaty.com/issues

Most importantly, I strongly support managing growth in each area to benefit residents. We must prioritize a charming small town feel downtown, while also balancing quality commercial growth. This preserves Katy’s rich history while boosting sales-tax revenue that enables city services and low property taxes.

• What will you do to keep the public informed about the progress of city projects, such as when changes are made to a timeline or when unexpected obstacles arise?

I will work with the Mayor, Staff, and Public Information Office to ensure they have the required resources and funds approved in the city budget to execute a comprehensive communication plan.

Residents who are engaged on social media are often kept aware of city projects through various pages and groups, but we need to ensure that no one is left behind. One strategy we could consider is adding to our existing communication methods such as KTAlerts to push more information directly to residents.

Ultimately, I believe that city government is about customer service, and you are the customer!