Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, an application must be submitted to remove any tree. Once the Urban Forester inspects the site, a permit will be required under the circumstances outlined in the following resource.

You must first fill out a tree removal application. See the tree removal resource for more information.

City regulations require that all trees to be removed be evaluated to determine replacement inches. The evaluation determines the amount of inches that must be replaced. 

No, only one tree per household.

West U provides water, sewer, and solid waste services, including recycling, to residents. 

The city does not provide electricity, gas, or cable services. 

Utility service may be set up from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at City Hall, 3800 University Blvd., or online via the City’s website. Service will not be started on the same day as the application, holidays or weekends. All documentation must be received by 4:00 p.m. the business day before the requested connection/termination. Any documents received after 4:00 p.m. on a given day will be processed the next business day to start the following business day.

All West U residents will need to set up utility service. The City does not "transfer" service from one resident to another. Each party is responsible for connecting services and terminating services when they leave the City or move to another residence within the City. You will be responsible for the account until you terminate it whether you still reside there or not.  

The following documents are needed to start new service:

• Homeowners do not pay a deposit but will pay a $50 connection fee, which will be charged on your first month's billing. Billing requires a photo identification of the owner (driver's license or passport). Billing will only discuss utility issues with any person listed on that account. In addition, the front page of your purchase contract or other proof of ownership to verify that you are the homeowner of the location for which you want service. Documentation MUST be received by 4:00 p.m. the business day before connection. 
• Renters are required to pay a deposit of $200 in addition to a $50 connection fee. Billing requires a photo identification of any secondary contact listed on the application. The driver’s license is used for identification purposes only. The department will discuss utility issues such as billing with only persons listed on that account, so it is imperative that we have all the vital information. We will also need the front page of your lease agreement to verify that you are the renter of the location for which you want service. The $200 deposit is due BEFORE services are scheduled to start in your name. The connection fee will be charged on your first month’s billing. When you leave the City or change residences, the deposit will be applied to your final bill; you will then be billed for the remainder of your final bill or will receive a refund, whichever is appropriate.
• Builders are required to pay a deposit of $500 in addition to a $50 connection fee. Billing requires a photo identification from a builder employee to start service.  The $500 deposit is due BEFORE services are scheduled to start. The connection fee will be charged on your first month’s billing. When construction is complete, the deposit will be applied to your final bill; you will then be billed for the remainder of your final bill or will receive a refund, whichever is appropriate. 
• If you come into the office, please bring photo identification for all adults as listed above as well as the contract or lease agreement information as required. If you call the department, please be prepared to FAX (713.662.5804), email (billinghelp@westutx.gov) or bring those documents to City Hall. Service will not be scheduled until the department has received the documentation. Documentation MUST be received by 4:00 p.m. the business day before connection.
• Owners of new construction --- you will not be able to start a utility account until AFTER your certificate of occupancy is received in the Finance office. Moving into a home while still under the builder’s name may result in fines.

Utility service may be terminated from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at City Hall, 3800 University Blvd. Service will not be terminated on the same day as the application, on holidays or on weekends. Documentation received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed for the following business day. All residents of West University Place are required to terminate utility service when they move from one residence to another residence within the city or move from West University Place. West University Place does not "transfer" services from one resident to the next. The resident (renter or owner) is legally responsible for the account until it is properly terminated, whether they still reside in West University Place or not. You are not released from legal liability until the termination process has been completed by submitting the termination request form online or at the Customer Service window within City Hall. 

For renters or builders, the deposit will be applied against your final bill; you will then be billed for any remainder or will receive a refund, whichever is appropriate. Without your termination information, we will be unable to provide refunds.

To setup automatic payments,  you will need to create an account through our online payment system, Point & Pay.  There is NO COST to the customer when using this feature. On the monthly due date, your credit card will be charged or your checking account will be drafted for the amount owed. The customer will still receive a statement and will be able to view their utility account online.  The statement will reflect the words "AUTO DRAFT" on the bottom portion of the statement as a reminder they are set up for automatic payments. You can find information about setting up automatic payments online or by calling Utility Billing at 713.662.5824.  

NOTE: If you choose to use this option, it is the customers' responsibility to make any credit card/checking account updates within your Point & Pay account. This includes updating your credit card or banking information.

For more information on online bill access and payments go to Payment-Options.

The City does not offer over-the-phone payment. Payments can be made online through Point & Pay, at the Customer Service window at City Hall, or at the drop box located beside the fire station on Amherst Street. 

West U meters are automatically read every hour, 24 hours a day. Those readings are then uploaded into the system for billing. 

Any adjustments are made to the next month's billing cycle. If you do not pay your bill in full --- any bill --- you will be liable for late fees on any unpaid amount. It is better to pay your bill, however high, and see a lower bill the next month.

Residents are billed for the water that runs through their meter; if there is a leak in the street, that water does not go through their meter. Therefore, a leak in the street can only impact you through low water pressure or disruption of service while the leak is repaired. Because people and equipment are being utilized, errors can happen. The City offers residents the opportunity to file for an adjustment once a year for an unusually large bill due to a defect or some unknown cause. Understand that when utility staff tell you to monitor your account for more than one bill, it is not to get more money from you, but to get to the real reason for the increase if it is not due to increased water usage. The adjustment is only allowed once per 12-month period; if you file for it after one high bill and you have a leak, then you lose the chance to recoup some of the loss for additional affected months.

No, homeowners are responsible for repairing any leaks on the house side of the meter. Additionally, the city cannot recommend contractors to repair leaks.

If the leak is coming from near your water meter, please contact the city by calling 713-662-5824. If it is after hours, please call 713-668-0330.

Meters are read on the last day of the month. The data is then uploaded into the system during the next three weeks. Billing is typically done on the 26th of the month. The due date is the third Wednesday of the next month. Payments become delinquent if not received on the due date.

The City Council passed Ordinance 1969 on February 25, 2013, which allows the late fee to be waived by approval of the City Manager and Finance Director under certain conditions. Any approved waiver will be applied to the following month’s utility statement. 

To request the waiver of a late fee, the user must: 

•Make a written request within 30 days of the delinquent notice to billinghelpt@westutx.gov; 

•Have not received a waiver for late fees within the preceding 24-month period.

The city does not shut off water without ample notice to the home in question. The city will attempt to make contact by phone and email to allow residents the opportunity to make payment before their water is shut off. By the time residents receive their monthly statement, they are paying for water consumed two and a half months before, as West U bills a month in arrears for utility services. 

EXAMPLE: You move into your home in West U on June 1. On June 30, your meter is read, and the data is uploaded. The statements are sent to the printer, who will mail the statements on July 26. By the time your bill is due, the third Wednesday of August, you are paying for services that began approximately two and a half months before. 

If you find that you cannot pay your current utility bill, contact Utility Billing to discuss if a payment plan is available. 

Residents who need to set up payment plans may do so by contacting Utility Billing at 713-662-5824. You must be prepared to pay your current month’s bill plus an additional amount toward the delinquent portion each month. Failure to pay your agreed payment plan amount will result in the cancellation of the plan, and your water service will be terminated. Full payment will then be required to have your water service reconnected. Payment plan holders do not receive late fees on the delinquent amount, nor do they get termination notices UNLESS they do not pay the required amount. 

EXAMPLE: In October, a West U Resident received a $700 utility bill, which he cannot pay in total. He contacts the office and agrees to pay $50 each month toward his delinquent bill. His November bill is $400; this resident will have to pay $450 by the due date or face termination of his services. 

West U does not offer electronic transfers for utility payments. If you use your bank bill-paying program, the bank then cuts a paper check and mails it to us. Depending on the lead time you allow for payment, that could result in late charges for your account even though it shows the money was taken days earlier. We post payments to your account and deposit payments the day they are received. It is not the date that it is removed from your account that determines your late fees; it is the date we receive your payment.

• Name of all adult parties on the account (spouse, partner or roommate) who might possibly need to contact us about issues with the account. Copies of drivers’ licenses are also needed; 

• Current mailing address if different than service address; 

• Telephone numbers: home, work and cell; and 

• Email address.

By the time you receive a statement on your account, you are paying for services used approximately 6 weeks before. After the due date has passed, a reminder notice is sent to delinquent accounts, notifying them that they missed the deadline. If this is disregarded, the services will be terminated, and the account will be assessed a $50 disconnection fee. 

To prevent termination of services, a resident MUST bring the account current or set up a payment plan to have the service turned back on. If a resident uses a credit card to bring their account current before termination, the Finance Office MUST be contacted as soon as the payment is made to allow staff time to verify payment and stop the termination process; payments made at the window will be automatically credited at the time of payment, stopping the termination process. It is the residents' responsibility to inform the Utility Department that payment has been made if not at the customer service window. Service is normally restored during business hours; it can be restored after hours, weekends, or holidays at an additional cost, so it is very important that you respond promptly to the reminder letters. 

If your service is disconnected, the City will still take payments in the form of cash, check, money order, or credit card. However, the payment SHOULD be made in person to ensure a quick reconnection. The City will not reconnect until the payment has been received. If you put a check in the mail, it generally takes 3 days to arrive; if a weekend or holiday is involved, the time may be longer. It is in your best interest to bring the payment to the counter and pay in person. If you place it in the utility drop box during the day, it will not be processed until the next morning, as the box is checked between 7:15 to 7:30 a.m. during business days. If you choose to pay by credit card, you MUST contact our office and let us know that a payment has been made so that we can verify if and apply it to your account. Again, it is to your benefit to come into the office and pay by credit card with staff. 

If you struggle remembering to make payment, you might want to consider a free automatic draft on your checking account, or recurring credit card payments, generated online through your Point & Pay account.

The city reduces the cost of solid waste pickup for customers who are over 65 or disabled. This discount will apply starting with the next billing cycle after the necessary paperwork is submitted. No retroactive refunds will be given for any time before the application is filed.

To receive the "over 65" reduction, provide Utility Billing with a copy of your driver’s license at the Customer Service window at City Hall during office hours or via email to billinghelp@westutx.gov.

Maybe.... that is the best answer we can give without checking your account. In 2011, the Finance Department changed software. Some of your contact information easily populated in the new system, while some were lost in the transition. We want the following information on all our customers at a minimum: 

• Account holder information; if you are not listed on the account, we can’t talk to you about the account. 
  • Names of all adults listed on contract or lease 
  • Mailing address if different than physical address 
  • Current telephone information including home, work and cell 
  • Current email address 
  • Driver’s license information on all account holders; this is used to verify identity. If driver’s license is unavailable, a copy of a current passport will suffice. 
• Copy of the first page of your sales contract or HCAD documentation of ownership; copy of the first page of a lease if a renter. 
• Optional: 
  • Legal information for executors including driver’s license 
  • Divorce decrees to remove a once married spouse from the account 
  • Death certificate to remove a deceased spouse from the account 
  • Authorization from the account holder for staff to act in behalf

The City provides curbside solid waste, recycling, and yard waste collection. Residents can find their collection days online or by downloading the West U Collects app. 

For more information about collection services, please visit westutx.gov/publicworks. 

Sharps, needles and lancets need to be stored in a home sharps container that can be purchased at any pharmacy and sealed when full. Disposal may be done by mail. Sharps Compliance, Inc. (800.772.5657) and MedWaste Tracker (866.699.6466) are 2 Houston-based companies that provide this service.

Expired and unwanted pharmaceutical drugs may be disposed of by either purchasing a takeaway envelope from your local pharmacy for a nominal fee, or participating in a Prescription Drug Take-Back Day offered by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) twice a year.

All items should be placed curbside no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before scheduled collection and no later than 8 a.m. the day of collection.

Replacement bins may be picked up at the Public Works Administration office located at 3826 Amherst St.

West U offers weekly curbside bulk trash collection during your regularly scheduled trash day. Bulk trash is large items that are not considered typical household trash, such as bar stools, chairs, and miscellaneous bulk items.

The City does not provide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection; however, West U residents can dispose of these items with Harris County or the City of Houston. To learn more about these programs, please visit www.westutx.gov/hhw.

To view the City's holiday collection schedule, please visit www.westutx.gov/trash.

West U Collects is the City's collection service mobile app. Users can enjoy features such as setting reminders for collection days, resources on how to properly dispose/recycle items, and more.

Yes! The Public Works Department and the Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Board host a variety of special events such as the Biannual Recycling Event, Candy Wrapper Recycling, String Light Recycling, and more. To learn more, visit www.westutx.gov/specialevents.

West U works with two qualified vendors to offer food waste collection. To get started, visit www.westutx.gov/foodwaste.

To report missed collection, please contact Public Works at 713-662-5839 or submit a Click West U.

The Click West U app can be downloaded from the following locations for iPhone and Android.

A typical scenario would include a citizen needing to contact a city department for a service - this could be to report a water leak, a missing or damaged traffic sign, etc. Instead of the citizen looking up a telephone number to call the city, or stopping by a city facility in person, they can report the issue through Click West U.

Requests can be made online or through the mobile phone application. The resident will then complete a simple electronic form - they can choose to provide their name or remain anonymous. A tracking number is provided for each request. The request is then sent to the appropriate city staff person who can be dispatched to resolve the issue.

Through Click West U, city staff can track all requests, make notes of the work completed, or provide an explanation of why the work will be delayed or cannot be completed. That information is automatically sent to a citizen (if they provided email) who requested the work.

To report a street light outage, please visit CenterPoint Energy's website. 

To report or monitor power outages in the area, contact the CenterPoint Energy website at http://gis.centerpointenergy.com/outagetracker/

The West University Library is a branch of the Harris County Public Library system. For more information about its services, please visit https://hcpl.net/locations/WU/.

Bissonnet Street, Kirby Drive, and W. Holcombe Boulevard are the property of the City of Houston. To report potholes, traffic signal issues, water leaks, or any other matters related to these roads, please visit https://www.houstontx.gov/311/.

To file a property tax exemption, please contact the Harris Central Appraisal District.

Visit ReadyHarris to sign up for notifications from Harris County.

The City does not currently offer any advertising opportunities. The City only promotes events and programs it sponsors.

Parks and tennis/pickleball courts are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

You may reserve a court online by visiting www.westutx.gov/reg. If you need assistance in reserving a court, please call a team member at the Recreation Center at 713.662.7420. Any court times booked outside of the 72 hours window are for city lessons and/or scheduled maintenance.

Please visit the Tennis Courts page to learn more.

Colonial Park reservations are made through the West University Place Recreation Center at 4210 Bellaire Blvd. or by calling 713.662.7420.

The Colonial Park Pavilion is available to rent online at www.westutx.gov/reg. 

Visit the Rentals page for more info. 

To reserve the Community Building or Scout House, please contact the Senior Services staff at the Community Building at 6104 Auden or by calling 713-662-5896.

Please visit the Rentals page for more information. 

Yes! The Play West U app has all your favorite classes, events, and updates right at your fingertips. Please visit www.westutx.gov/pardapp to learn more. 

Visit www.westutx.gov/reg.

In the top right corner click the button that says Sign in/Register.

Click the button that says New User.

You will be prompted to create a username and password and then enter your household information.

Once that is complete, please allow 3–5 business days for your account to be confirmed by Parks & Recreation staff.

Once your account is confirmed and activated, you then will be able to register for classes. 

Please call the a team member at the Recreation Center at 713-662-7420 if you need assistance. 

Find the class you want to register for.

Visit the website at www.westutx.gov/reg. Click on the category. 

To register online, a user name and password are necessary. If you do not already have a user name and password, please allow 3–5 business days to receive this information once the account has been created. 

Choose your class and click to register.

Complete registration, pay with a credit card, and receive an instant email confirmation of your enrollment.

To view the department's registration policies, including refunds, please visit www.westutx.gov/regpolicies 

The Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of activities and programs for residents 50 and older. To learn more, visit www.westutx.gov/seniors. 

Yes! The department has seasonal lifeguards, customer service team members, swim instructors, and more. To view current job openings, visit www.westutx.gov/jobs. 

The City of West University Place does not prohibit or regulate the occasional sale of lemonade or any nonalcoholic beverage from a stand in a public park by an individual younger than 18 years of age. See the Texas Local Government Code Sec. 250.009 HERE.

The sale of items other than lemonade or other non-alcoholic beverages by those over the age of 18, that may be considered concessions, is not protected by Texas Local Government Code Sec. 250.009., and the City may regulate those sale according to Sec 58-80. If you are interested in selling concessions, visit the Instructor and Vendors page to learn more. 

To learn more about DirectLink, or to sign up, click here.

During business hours, please contact Animal Control Services at 713-662-4605. After hours, please use the after-hours emergency line at 713-668-0330. 

West U residents are eligible for the Vacation House Watch Program if their home will be unoccupied for a minimum of 72 hours. To learn more about the Vacation House Watch Program, or to sign up, click here.

To report an issue, contact the non-emergency line at 713-668-0330 or submit a Click West U.

To report a violation, contact the non-emergency line at 713-668-0330 or submit a Click West U. 

West U residents are required to register their pets with the city. To complete your pet registration, please visit the Public Works Administration Office located at 3826 Amherst Street. Proof of the pet's rabies vaccination is required. The fee is $20 ($15 for owners over 65 years of age) per animal for a lifetime registration.

The West U Police Department publishes a weekly crime report. Residents can sign up to receive the crime report by text message and email. To subscribe to the Weekly Crime Report, please visit www.westutx.gov/notifyme.

The West U Police Department communicates non-emergency public notices through its official Facebook page and its public safety subscription group. Residents who use social media are encouraged to follow the West U Police Department. To join the Public Safety subscription group, visit www.westutx.gov/notifyme.

The Citizens Police Academy is a free program that educates residents about police operations and builds community partnerships. To learn more about the program, visit www.westutx.gov/cpa.

West U's Virtual Gate is a system of strategically placed cameras that utilize a combination of license plate recognition and live feed cameras, creating a searchable database to aid in police investigations.

Yes. All dogs outside of a secure enclosure must be on a leash. To report a dog at-large, please contact the non-emergency line at 713-668-0330.

As a service to the community, the Fire Department will assist those in need with their smoke detectors.

The Fire Department will come to your house and check your smoke detectors' function and/or replace batteries as needed. To schedule a visit, please call 713-662-5835 and ask for a fire officer.

To schedule a tour of the fire station, please call 713-662-5835 and ask to speak to a fire officer on duty. Fire station tours are scheduled as time allows and may be interrupted due to emergency responses.

The West University Place Fire Department has personnel certified by Safe Kids USA to perform child restraint system inspection/ installations. This service is provided only to residents of the community and is free of charge. This service is provided by appointment only and inspections are scheduled between the hours of  9-11 on Wednesday and Saturday each week. Please call 713-662-5835 to schedule an appointment. Ask to speak to a fire officer.

The City of West University Place Fire Department generates an incident report for every call for service including fire and medical responses. We comply with Texas Safety and Safety Code, Chapter 773 Subchapter D. Confidential Communications and Chapter 181 Medical Records Privacy, HIPAA, and other applicable medical confidentiality parameters, as well as the Retention Schedule for Records of Public Safety Agencies as outlined in Government Code section 441.158. To obtain a copy of a Fire or EMS report, please contact our Administrative Offices at 713-662-5836 or 713-662-5837or visit our main office located at 3800 University Blvd, Houston Texas, 77005 Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Please call ahead so we may locate the report for you in advance of your arrival. Reports may be delayed if they are awaiting completion or missing information. EMS Patient Care Medical Records are restricted in disclosure in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In order to obtain a complete copy of an EMS Patient Care Report, you must demonstrate proof of the following: You are the patient listed on the EMS/Medical Report. Picture ID required. You must sign in person for the report after showing proper identification. We will not fax or e-mail you an EMS Patient Care Report. If the patient is a minor, or you are the legal custodian of an orphan, the elderly or other circumstance, you must provide legal documentation for our review. An EMS Patient Care Report may also be obtained by a court order, or by providing legal authorization through a law firm representing you as a client. These procedures are required in order for compliance with the HIPAA and other medical confidentiality legislation to assure protection of your private health care information. We appreciate your understanding as we comply with federal law. For more information contact the City of West University Place Fire Department Administrative Offices at 713-662-5836 or 713-662-5837 or visit us at 3800 University Blvd. (adjacent to City Hall)

If you smell natural gas in your home or outdoors, leave the area immediately and call 911.

Yes, West U firefighters are full-time employees of the city.

Yes, all West U firefighters are certified EMTs or paramedics.

A person, firm, or corporation shall not erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, install, convert, or demolish any building or structure (including fences and storage buildings) within the City of West University Place without first obtaining a permit (building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, stormwater, and/or floodplain development).

View permit forms and applications.

You may request an inspection by completing an Inspection Request Form.

Depending on the type of project and the completeness of your application, plans and adherence to codes, the permit may be processed over-the-counter, however for more complex plans needing review (e.g. zoning, building setback requirements, pervious calculations, etc.), "behind the counter" review will be required which takes approximately 10-15 business days if all information is accurately submitted.

View more about the permitting and plan review process.

To apply for a permit, please complete the appropriate permit application forms and documentation and submit them to the Public Works Administration office at 3826 Amherst St. Monday - Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

View permit forms and applications

While homeowners may perform certain work themselves, a permit and/or inspection may still be required depending on the type. if you're unsure if a permit is required, please conract the Community Development office at 713-662-5833.

Contractors in West U are permitted to work Monday - Friday between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturdays between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays (or any observed city holiday) between 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. To report a noise violation, contact the non-emergency line at 713-668-0330 or submit a Click West U.

View the City Manager's staff directory. 

The City Secretary's office contracts with the Harris County Elections Division to administer city elections. 

The City Secretary's Office has the authority to release public records in accordance with the Public Information Act. To submit a request for public information, please visit the Public Information Requests page or contact the City Secretary directly via email at: tgarcia@westutx.gov

Residents can subscribe to email and text message notifications across various city topics. To opt in to receive these notifications, please visit www.westutx.gov/notifyme.

Regular city council meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Mondays of every month at City Hall. The meetings are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Generally, the city solicits volunteers to serve on its various boards and commissions in August and September during odd-numbered years. To learn more, visit www.westutx.gov/boards.

To find contact information for the City Council, please visit the City Council staff directory. 

By state law, agendas must be posted three (3) business days before the scheduled meeting. To view the agendas, please visit the agenda center.

The City offers a variety of options for employees and their family. Medical, dental and vision plans include spouse, children, and family coverage, in addition to employee only coverage. There is no waiting period for these benefits and are effective from date of hire. For full information on current plans and premium schedules, contact Human Resources.

The City now has a contract for direct primary care services with Next Level Urgent Care at no cost to full-time employees and their dependents, regardless of the health plan they choose to enroll in. This allows employees and their dependents to be seen at any Next Level Urgent Care, giving employees the peace of mind when it comes to their health.

TMRS is the primary retirement plan offered by the City. Participation is mandatory and becomes effective on the first day of employment. Your tax deferred contribution will be 7% of your gross income and the City's contribution is approximately twice that amount, depending on actuarial determinations (7%, 2:1). You may retire with benefits after five (5) years of service at age 60 or with 20 years of service at any age. If you should die while still in the City's employment, TMRS provides a death benefit payable to your beneficiary that would equal approximately your current annual salary. If you are a retiree, your death benefit would be $7,500.

The City recognizes ten paid holidays for full-time employees:

• New Years’ Day
• MLK Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day following Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• One additional Christmas holiday

Employees accrue vacation each pay period based on years of service. Vacation may be used for paid time off work, subject to approval by the supervisor. For full-time employees, the accrual rates are:

• Four (4) years of service or less - 6.667 hours per month
• Start of the fifth (5th) year of service but fewer than 12 years of service - 10 hours per month
• At the start of the twelfth (12th) year of service - 13.333 hours per month
• At the start of the twentieth (20th) year of service - 16.667 hours per month

The accrual rates for shift Fire Department personnel are:

• Four (4) years of service or less - 10 hours per month
• Start of the fifth (5th) year of service but fewer than 12 years of service - 15 hours per month
• At the start of the twelfth (12th) year of service - 20 hours per month
• At the start of the twentieth (20th) year of service - 25 hours per month

Sick leave with pay shall be granted when an employee has a physical incapacity not incurred in the line of duty, a personal illness or immediate family member illness, or enforced quarantine. Sick leave shall be accrued at the rate of 120 hours per year for all full-time personnel. For Fire Department shift personnel, they shall accrue 180 hours per year. 

The City also developed a sick leave incentive program to reward good attendance by annually converting a portion of their unused sick leave into vacation if the employee elects. Full-time employees with 12 months of service are eligible to convert leave time based on the following:

• 0 Days taken: May convert 3 days of sick to vacation
• Up to 1.5 days taken: May convert 2 days of sick to vacation
• More than 1.5 days but not more than 3 days: May convert 1 day of sick to vacation

Personal leave is provided to employees at the rate of 8 hours (12 for Shift Fire personnel) per quarter for all full-time employees at the beginning of each quarter (January, April, July, and October). Personal Leave does not accrue beyond the calendar year and unused hours shall be paid at the end of each year. Employees may use personal leave for any purpose, subject to approval by their supervisor.

Most employees work a 9/80 schedule (work 80 hours in nine days, with a tenth work day scheduled off). Some departments also work 12-hour shifts, others work four 10-hour shifts in a week, and our fire department works a 48 hours on and 96 hour off schedule. These flexible schedules allow a greater work life balance for employees and reduce the number of times an employee has to commute in a given work week.

Tuition reimbursement will be provided for tuition costs up to $5,000 per year offered by accredited educational institutions. Reimbursement is provided as an incentive for employees to improve their skills and upgrade their performance by assisting employees with educational assistance for courses directly related to the essential functions of their present job, or in line with a position that the City believes an employee can reasonably achieve. Classes and course work must be completed on the employee's own time, maintain a grade average of "C" or better, and this benefit is coordinated with and secondary to any other source of funds you may receive for the purpose of attending classes. If an employee takes a leave of absence for educational purposes, they will not be eligible for tuition reimbursement.

The City provides a $30,000 Life and AD&D policy at no cost to the employee. An additional $90,000 policy ($120,000 total) is provided for fire fighters and police officers. Employees are given the option to purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their dependents.

The City provides disability insurance for periods of extended disability due to an accident or illness. Coverage is generally available after the elimination period of 30 days or 90 days, whichever applies.

The City offers voluntary participation in a 457 tax deferred compensation plan through MissionSquare Retirement Corporation (formerly ICMA-RC). This allows employees to defer amount of compensation on a pre-tax basis under existing regulations. The City does not match any deferred compensation, but offers it as an alternative investment opportunity. The City also offers an optional Roth IRA through MissionSquare as well.

The City of West University Place participates in Social Security.

The City offers a free program that can assist and refer employees who have the need for help with personal problems that can adversely affect his or her health and job performance. The program is confidential and professional assistance is there to help you and your immediate family members. 

After completion of one year of service, full-time employees are eligible for longevity pay. Longevity pay is $5.00 per month will be provided for each year of service rendered to the City. Longevity pay is in addition to base salary and is paid annually in December.

Upon approval of your department director, training schools are available to employees who are required to attend mandatory training for certification purposes or maintain certification at the City's expense.

The West U auto decal can be purchased in the Finance Department, 3800 University Boulevard. The cost is $1.00 per sticker and you must show proof of residency. Auto decals are not required for parking in West U.

We offer one-time payment or recurring payments by automatic draft from a checking account or using a Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit card through our online payment system, Point & Pay.  In addition, we accept payment by check, money order, credit card and cash at the Customer Service window in City Hall.  We also accept checks or money orders in the mail and drop box located on Amherst.  Our mailing address is:  Utility Department, 3800 University Blvd, West University Place, TX  77005.  Please do not send cash through the mail or through our drop box. For more information, call 713.662.5825 (Utility Billing) or 713.662.5826 (Customer Service).

West U's current and historical annual budgets are available online at www.westutx.gov/budget.

The property tax rate is set annually by the City Council. To view the current property tax rate, please visit www.westutx.gov/finance.

Yes. The Finance Department produces monthly financial and investment reports. Current and historical reports can be accessed by visiting www.westutx.gov/transparency.

Yes. Annually, an audit is performed by a third-party firm, as required by state law. Current and historical Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports can be accessed by visiting www.westutx.gov/transparency.

Municipal Court hours are 7:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please contact the court at 713-662-5825 with any questions regarding traffic citations or by email at court@westutx.gov. You may be able to resolve your citation without appearing in court. Please visit our website at westutx.gov/court. If you received a ticket and need to schedule your in-person court hearing, contact the court at least 5 days prior to your initial appearance date on the citation.

Fines and court costs may be paid by cash, check, money order, or credit card using a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Please make checks payable to "The City of West University Place", and mail to:  Municipal Court, 3800 University Blvd, West University Place, TX  77005. Online payments can be made at https://www.westutx.gov/172/Payment-Options or by phone at 1-800-444-1187.

Yes, there is a court dress code. To view more about courtroom decorum, please visit https://westutx.gov/1580/Courtroom-Decorum.

Court sessions are held on Tuesdays at 5:30 P.M. inside the City Hall Council Chambers at 3800 University Blvd., West University Place, TX  77005.

Please review your options by visiting our website at westutx.gov/court.

If you are eligible, you may take a driving safety course or receive a deferred disposition. Certain conditions, such as having a CDL, an allegation of traveling more than 25 miles over the posted speed limit, speeding in a work zone with workers present, and others, may make you ineligible for a deferral. Please contact the Municipal Court to find out if you qualify.

You may contact the court at 713-662-5825 with any questions regarding traffic citations or by email at court@westutx.gov. 

Yes. Texas State Law requires persons who are 16 years of age or younger to appear in open court before a judge with a parent or legal guardian.

You must appear during an arraignment session. Please contact the court at 713-662-5825 to schedule your court appearance. Be prepared to present your ID. No shorts are allowed in the courtroom.

No. You may have an attorney represent you if you desire, but this is not required. Most defendants in Municipal Court do not use attorneys.

No. If you would like to consult with an attorney, it will be your responsibility to do so.

No. Texas State Law requires that you enter a plea on your own behalf.

It may take up to ten business days for your citation to appear in the system. Search online to check the system for your ticket by visiting the traffic payment website. 

Please allow five business days for the holds to clear with the Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS will NOT accept a payment receipt from the court as proof; you must wait for the hold to clear.

You will need to contact the court at www.westutx.gov/court. 

You must make a written motion for discovery requesting all evidence and file it with the Municipal Court in person.

No. All court appearances must be made in person by scheduling a court date.

You may search by Vehicle Information (License Plate Number and State), and you may search by Citation Number.  If your citation number begins with '00', do not enter the two zeros. Only enter the numbers after the zeros. You must also enter this Date of Birth to search for your parking citation: 01/01/1900. Please visit https://www.trafficpayment.com/SearchByInvoiceInfo.aspx?csdId=665 to complete your search.

After acquired insurance does not qualify for immediate dismissal. You may be eligible for deferred disposition if your request is approved by the Judge. You may provide proof of insurance in person or by email to court@westutx.gov. The insurance agency will be contacted by telephone to verify coverage.

Prior to making a Citizen’s Criminal Complaint, it is required that you report the incident to the City of West University Place’s relevant Enforcement Agency, whether that be the Police Department or Code Enforcement. A Citizens' Complaint will not be processed without such a report, as any sustained Complaint contemplates Class C criminal charges. Then, please fill out the above information as much detail as possible. Please (1) personally deliver this Complaint in person to the Municipal Clerk’s Office (at the address on this letterhead) during business hours, and (2) sign below in the presence of one of the Municipal Clerk’s designated representatives.