The Ledger

Fate City Council Special Meeting/Budget Workshop - June 24, 2024

Fate Gazette

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The Fate Gazette — Ledger Entry

Meeting Information

  • Body: Fate City Council
  • Meeting Type: Special City Council Meeting / Budget Workshop
  • Date: June 24, 2024
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:59 p.m.
  • Location: Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Parkway, Fate, Texas

Call to Order and Quorum

  • Mayor David Billings called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
  • Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary, confirmed a quorum.

Attendance

Council Members Present

  • David Billings, Mayor
  • Mark Harper
  • Scott Kelley
  • Allen Robbins
  • Mark Hatley
  • Lance Megyesi

Council Members Absent

  • Heather Buegeler

City Staff Present

  • Michael Kovacs, City Manager
  • Steven Downs, Assistant City Manager
  • Cynthia Kirchoff, City Attorney
  • Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary
  • Leigh Corson, Director of Human Resources
  • Lyle Lombard, Director of Public Safety
  • Ryan Ragan, DPS Captain, Police Operations
  • Jordan Pope, DPS Public Safety Officer
  • John Taylor, DPS Captain, Fire Operations
  • Steve Gilbert, Director of Community Services and Building Safety
  • Scott Monaghan, Director of Public Works
  • Lee Goddard, Utility Superintendent
  • Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services
  • Shelbi Stofer, Public Engagement Coordinator
  • Raju Anthony, Director of Finance
  • Teresa Stevens, Accounting Manager
  • Justin Weiss, Economic Development Manager
  • Isaiah Tackett, IT Systems Administrator
  • Michael Wright, IT Manager

Invocation and Pledge

  • Invocation delivered by Pastor James Gilbert, FAME Mission Church.
  • Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas flags.

Resolution No. R-2024-038 — Canvass of Runoff Election

  • Purpose: Canvassing returns of the June 15, 2024 runoff election for Council Member, Place 1.
  • Election Results:
    • Cinnamon Krauss: 633 votes (43.06%)
    • Codi Chinn: 837 votes (56.94%)
  • Motion to approve made by Mayor Billings; seconded by Council Member Robbins.
  • Vote: Unanimous approval.
  • Mayor Billings declared the motion carried.

Oath of Office

  • Codi Chinn was administered the Statement of Elected Official and Oath of Office by City Secretary Victoria Raduechel.

Updated Attendance (Post-Seating)

  • Council Members Present: David Billings, Codi Chinn, Mark Harper, Scott Kelley, Allen Robbins, Mark Hatley, Lance Megyesi
  • Council Members Absent: None

Public Comment

  • No speakers addressed the Council.

Action Items

Resolution No. R-2024-039 — Mayor Pro Tem

  • Nomination: Allen Robbins (nominated by Council Member Harper).
  • Motion to approve made by Mayor Billings; seconded by Council Member Megyesi.
  • Vote: Unanimous approval.
  • Term expiration: May 2025.

Resolution No. R-2024-040 — Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

  • Nominations:
    • Lance Megyesi (nominated by Council Member Robbins)
    • Scott Kelley (nominated by Council Member Hatley; declined)
    • Mark Harper (nominated by Council Member Kelley)
  • Vote on nominations:
    • Mark Harper: 5 votes
    • Lance Megyesi: 2 votes
  • Motion to approve Mark Harper made by Council Member Robbins; seconded by Council Member Kelley.
  • Vote: Unanimous approval.
  • Term expiration: May 2025.

Resolution No. R-2024-041 — County of Rockwall Emergency Services Corporation

  • Nominations:
    • Scott Kelley (nominated by Council Member Robbins)
    • Mark Harper (nominated by Council Member Kelley)
  • Vote on nominations:
    • Scott Kelley: 6 votes
    • Mark Harper: 1 vote
  • Motion to approve Scott Kelley made by Mayor Billings; seconded by Council Member Robbins.
  • Vote:
    • Ayes: Mayor Billings; Council Members Chinn, Harper, Robbins, Hatley, Megyesi
    • Nays: Council Member Kelley
  • Motion carried.

Budget Workshop

Introduction and Framework

  • Presented by Michael Kovacs, City Manager.
  • Strategic Priorities for FY 2025:
    • Public Safety
    • Fiscal Resiliency & Accountability
    • Sense of Community
    • Sustainable Infrastructure & Services
  • The Three Constituencies:
    • The People of Today
    • The People of Tomorrow
    • This Physical Place
  • General Fund Spending FY 2024: 95% of budget.

Revenue Highlights

  • Property Tax:
    • De-minimis rate projected at 0.2505, reduced from 0.26421.
  • Garbage Rates:
    • Waste Connections CPI increase of 1%.
    • City Clean Team: 1 staff member, $1.50/month.
  • Road Fee:
    • Consideration of elimination; $3/month equating to $350,000 reduction.
  • Public Improvement District (PID) Maintenance Taxes:
    • Consideration of elimination or retention.
  • Water & Sewer Rates:
    • Rate study in progress; no immediate increases noted.
  • Single Family Permit Revenue Replacement:
    • Review of permit and commercial tax revenue projections.

Operating Expense Highlights

  • Policies:
    • Conservative staffing growth.
    • Focus on DPS needs.
    • Best-value approach.
    • Consideration of inflation impacts.
    • Ongoing maintenance responsibilities.
  • Road Maintenance:
    • Contract increase to $1.5 million annually.
    • Addition of Street Maintenance Technician: $71,595.
    • Addition of Litter Control Technician: $71,595.
  • Public Safety Staffing:
    • Two traffic officers (existing authorization).
    • Three Fire Lieutenants: $433,118.
    • Fire part-time/OT: $80,000.
    • Narcotics Detective (half-year): $72,333.
    • School Resource Officer (two months): $31,359.
  • Utility Customer Service:
    • Utility Technician: $71,595.
    • Utility Billing Clerk: $70,534.

Capital Improvement Plan Highlights

  • FY 2025 CIP:
    • Total: $25.1 million.
    • New roads: $11 million.
    • DPS bond reduced from $29 million to $8 million.
    • Pump Station 3 continuation: $5 million.
  • Major Projects:
    • Miss May Drive: $5 million.
    • Pump Station 3: $5 million.
    • N. Ben Payne Road: $3.3 million.
    • Gettysburg to Blackland: $2.7 million.
  • DPS Capital Projects:
    • Fire apparatus (aerial and pumper): $2.725 million.
    • Fire station remodel: $250,000.
    • Police station/HQ: $3.5 million.
    • MDD/Ramston land: $400,000.
    • Future west side station land: $1.5 million (alternative ownership structure discussed).

Budget Calendar and Direction

  • Budget calendar reviewed by the City Manager.
  • Mayor Billings requested a July 1, 2024 agenda item to discuss FY 2025 property tax rate.

Budget Preparation Votes

  • Road Fees (Residential & Commercial):
    • Motion to allow expiration in September made by Council Member Megyesi; seconded by Council Member Harper.
    • Vote: Unanimous approval.
  • PID Maintenance Tax:
    • Motion to set rate to zero made by Council Member Robbins; seconded by Council Member Megyesi.
    • Vote: Unanimous approval.

Adjournment

  • Motion to adjourn made by Council Member Robbins; seconded by Council Member Harper.
  • Vote: Unanimous approval.
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.

Record Note
This Ledger entry records the publicly observable proceedings of the meeting listed above. It does not offer analysis or commentary.

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