The coordinated efforts that saved one of the City’s smallest residents, PG. 2
WEBSTER PD PROMOTES NEW SERGEANT
From the time he was old enough to play “cops and robbers” with his mother, Javier Mendoza always saw law enforcement as a possible career path. Now, seven years after first joining the Webster Police Department, he’s stepping into the role of Sergeant.
Born to immigrants from Mexico and El Salvador, Sgt. Mendoza first learned English at the age of 7 or 8, translating legal documents for his parents and helping them study for their citizenship.
“I think that really instilled the value of hard work and determination in me at a young age. It really taught me, and effectively altered my life,” he says.
Sgt. Mendoza never missed a single day of school from pre-K through 12th grade, and he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Texas A&M University. He says his desire to be a “lifelong learner” ultimately led him to his new position with Webster PD.
“I’m aware of perfection not being attainable, but I always want to make
myself 1% better every day.”
Since joining the force in 2018, Sgt. Mendoza has prioritized connecting with citizens, using his skills as a bilingual officer to relate to the diverse community of Webster.
“I have a little bit bigger of an opportunity to relate to people that might feel underrepresented. And so having that ability, I don’t want it to go to waste.”
His promotion to Sergeant came after a highly competitive assessment process, designed to evaluate leadership, decision-making, and communication skills. While Sgt. Mendoza considered himself an informal leader prior to his promotion, he’s now poised to make an even greater impact on his fellow officers.
“I’d like to place myself back at the bottom of the pyramid and have them stand on my shoulders, for them to be able to see and look out at what they can do and what their opportunities are.”
With his new title, Sgt. Mendoza seeks to instill in others the same values that have been important to him as an officer, and while he’s proud of his achievements, he plans to always reach for more.
“Now I’m in this position where I’m a supervisor, a dream that I had when I arrived here, and it doesn’t stop here. My dream is to continue on and maybe, hopefully, make it to the Chief’s chair.”
Rescue Tails: Kitten Pulled From Drain Finds New Home
On October 2nd, Webster Humane Services received a call about a kitten stuck in a drain outside of Texas Oncology Cancer Center on W. Medical Center Blvd.
Within minutes, Senior Animal Control Officer John Haywood, along with Wyatt Plaster and Yovanni Campos from Public Works, gained access to the drain and safely pulled the kitten out.
“Rescues and actions like this are made possible through the dedicated efforts not only of individual staff within the Webster Public Works Department, but also of the foreman and administrative staff whose support is essential to these operations,” Haywood says.
The kitten, named “Mario” by Haywood, has already been adopted into a loving new home. Many other cats and kittens here in Webster also need a home, and if you are interested in adopting, contact Humane Services at 281-316-3709.
Wyatt Plaster (left) and Yovanni Campos (right) pose with the kitten they rescued.
FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET
City Council has adopted the FY 2025-26 Annual Budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025, and ending September 30, 2026.
The annual budget reflects the programs, goals, and policies necessary to provide services to Webster’s citizens. The City is committed to enhancing the quality of life in Webster by continuing to provide essential services to its citizens and instituting programs and projects that will serve the City’s long-term interests.
The 2025-26 Budget for all funds totals $90,912,525. This includes $40,187,190 in the General Fund and $12,595,940 in the Utility Fund.
Sales tax is the largest revenue source for the City, accounting for approximately 53 percent of General Fund revenues. This is due to the significant presence of commercial restaurants and retail entities in the City.
Sales tax revenue allows Webster to maintain low property tax and utility rates. For FY 2025-26, the property tax rate is $0.37106 per $100 of taxable value. The City’s property tax and utility rates remain among the lowest in the area.
Public Safety constitutes the largest General Fund expenditure. Below are just a few of the Public Safety projects and expenditures slated for FY 2025-26:
NATIONAL GIS DAY
November 19th is National GIS Day, celebrating the technology and real-world applications of Geographic Information Systems.
The biggest GIS Day event in the Houston area is taking place over three days, November 19-21, at the University of Houston Clear Lake. This event is open to the public and has something for everyone, including students, professionals, or anyone curious about GIS.
Here in Webster, our GIS Division works together with all City Departments to maintain and expand on geographic offerings such as interactive City maps for the general public, engineers, and consultants. Scan the QR code to view City of Webster flood and elevation maps, utility maps, and more.
Pictured: GIS Specialist Jason Fife (left) and GIS Manager Richard Parkin (right)
Each varsity football season, the City of Webster partners with Clear Creek ISD to recognize outstanding educators through the Thank a Teacher special feature at Challenger Columbia Stadium.
The 10,000-seat venue draws students, families, educators, and fans from across the region. Behind the scenes, C3 Studios’ student-led production team brings the games to life with live footage, crowd shots, and custom features on the stadium’s highresolution video board. With the City’s sponsorship, every game spotlights a CCISD teacher in a feature video, followed by an invitation for all teachers in the stands to rise so the crowd can properly “Thank a Teacher.”
The games run from late August through November, but the preparation begins much earlier. Over the summer, Marketing and Tourism Specialist Katie Vela invites Webster businesses to
participate in this sponsorship by contributing generous gifts for teachers. These items are thoughtfully assembled into picnic baskets, creating the signature Webster Staycation Basket.
At the start of the school year, Mayor Donna Jasso personally delivers the baskets to about a dozen of the district’s most recent Teacher of the Year honorees, with their students present to share in the recognition. In 2025, eleven teachers received baskets filled with gifts from Webster businesses, and finally—after four consecutive years of the sponsorship—Mayor Jasso has delivered at least one basket to every CCISD campus, 45 in total.
The Thank a Teacher special feature has become a heartwarming tradition—bringing together the City of Webster, CCISD, Webster businesses, and high school football fans to recognize the educators who make a meaningful difference every day.
Vickiela Wright - McWhirter Elementary
Susan Rizzo - North Pointe Elementary
Sharon Dixon - Hyde Elementary
Christine Suchman - Clear Creek High School
Master Sgt. Al Rose - Brookside Intermediate
Heather Perren - Bayside Intermediate
Alisa Schulz - Clear Path Alternative School
Chloe White - Bay Elementary
Claudia Blanco - Stewart Elementary
Lauren Manning - Ward Elementary
Brandilyn Trobaugh - Clear Brook High School
Veterans Day is November 11th, and the City of Webster salutes all of the brave servicemen and women in our community. Below are just a few of the dedicated City employees who have served our country.
Brad Starkey, EMS Chief Air Force 1997 - 2006
James Smith, Police Army/Army National Guard 2006 - 2014
Lochlyn Putnam, EMS Army National Guard 2018 - 2024
Juan Quintana, Police Marines 1994 - 2001
Austin Wood, EMS Army National Guard 2011 - 2017
Shane Martin, Asst. Fire Chief Army/Army National Guard 1990 - 1998
Orlando Zepeda, Fire Army/Army National Guard 2007 - 2017
Logan Jager, Fire Army 2019 - 2023
Ramon Cantu, Police Army 2011 - 2014
Joel Salazar, Police Marines 2004 - 2012
CITY COUNCIL RECAP
• Mayor Donna Jasso presented proclamations recognizing September 2nd as Great Wolf Lodge Day, September 11th as 911 Day, and the week of September 17th - 23rd as Constitution Week. October was declared Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• City Council voted to adopt an ordinance amending the Flyway Planned Development guidelines by removing standards for electric vehicle charging stations and modifying the vision statement.
• City Council voted to amend Chapter 98, “Zoning,” of the Code of Ordinances to reduce redundancy, provide clarity, and ensure alignment with long-range planning objectives.
• City Council voted to adopt and establish charges for the provision of utility services, repealing other such fee schedules.
• City Council voted to authorize payment to GWR Webster, LLC, from the Hotel Occupancy Fund in the amount of $1,000,000 for the second installment of the Development Grant.
• City Council voted to approve renewal and extension of the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement with Republic Waste Services of Texas, Ltd., for a three-year term ending November 30, 2028.
• City Council voted to authorize a purchase order in the amount of $98,512.62 for the replacement of galvanized water service lines for residential and commercial customers.
• City Council voted to approve a list of qualified brokers and dealers authorized to engage in investment transactions with and on behalf of the City of Webster, effective October 1st, 2025September 30th, 2026.
• City Council voted to authorize the disposal of City surplus property in an online auction.
• City Council voted to authorize the sale of two surplus police sedans to Spring Branch Independent School District, and one patrol vehicle to the Harris Co. Precinct One Foundation.
• City Council voted to approve the Webster Economic Development Corporation adopted annual budget for fiscal year 2025-2026.
• City Council voted to adopt the fiscal year 2025-2026 annual budget for the City of Webster.
• City Council approved the proposed minimum ad valorem tax rate for fiscal year 2025-2026.
• City Council voted to authorize a purchase order for $98,250 to National Works, Inc. to remove and replace Lift Station No. 6.
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING, VISIT OUR WEBSITE BY SCANNING THE QR CODE!
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
WEBSTER CITY COUNCIL
