The Ledger

Fate City Council Special Meeting - Budget Workshop - June 26, 2023

Fate Gazette

— 2 min read

The Fate Gazette — Ledger Entry

Meeting

Special City Council Meeting – Budget Workshop

Date

June 26, 2023

Location

Fate City Hall
1900 CD Boren Parkway
Fate, Texas

Call to Order

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

Council Members Present

  • David Billings, Mayor
  • Heather Buegeler
  • Mark Harper
  • Scott Kelley
  • Allen Robbins, Mayor Pro Tem
  • Jim Deland
  • Lance Megyesi, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

Council Members Absent

  • None

City Staff Present

  • Michael Kovacs, City Manager
  • Justin Weiss, Assistant City Manager
  • Victoria Raduechel, City Secretary
  • Spencer Foster, Assistant to the City Manager
  • Shelbi Stofer, Public Engagement Coordinator
  • Lyle Lombard, Director of Public Safety
  • John Taylor, DPS Captain
  • Ryan Ragan, DPS Captain
  • Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services
  • Steve Gilbert, Director of Community Services and Building Safety
  • Scott Monaghan, Director of Public Works
  • Raju Anthony, Director of Finance
  • Teresa Stevens, Accounting Manager
  • Leigh Corson, Director of Human Resources
  • Michael Wright, IT Manager
  • Isaiah Tackett, Systems Administrator

Invocation and Pledge

  • Invocation delivered by Bryan Duffin of the Latter-day Saints Church.
  • Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas Flags.

Public Comment

  • No speakers were present.

Budget Workshop

A. Recap of Strategic Priorities

Presented by Michael Kovacs, City Manager.
Strategic priorities for Fiscal Year 2024:

  • Public Safety
  • Fiscal Resiliency & Accountability
  • Sense of Community
  • Sustainable Infrastructure & Services

B. Growth Management

Presentation by Michael Kovacs, City Manager, including economic development activity:

  • Regional growth trends based on census data
  • Protection of rural areas
  • Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance changes
  • Hunts and Yu tracts / downtown future development projects

C. Economic Development Activity

  • Addressed as part of the Growth Management presentation.

D. Examples of City Stewardship

Presented by Michael Kovacs, City Manager:

  • Pump Station 3 project rebid
  • Recession plan execution:
    • Personnel
    • Street work
    • General reductions

E. Economic Approach

Discussion led by Michael Kovacs, City Manager:

  • Current inflation
  • Interest rate forecast survey

F. Property Taxes, Fees, and Building Permits Revenue Estimates

Presentation by Michael Kovacs, City Manager, with Council and staff discussion:

  • State property tax cuts and proposed changes
  • Estimated impacts to average homeowners
  • De minimis property tax rate comparison
  • City of Fate property tax rate ranking among surveyed cities
  • Garbage contract rate adjustments
  • Woodcreek MUD 1 anticipated tax rate changes
  • Consideration of limiting growth of services
  • Discussion of DPS staffing options
  • Residential and commercial building permit revenue projections using an 80% confidence factor
  • Council support for the 80% confidence factor methodology
  • Consensus for staff to return with road fee option data during the budget process

G. Public Safety Staffing

Discussion led by Michael Kovacs, City Manager:

  • Staffing scenarios with and without grant funding
  • Cost impacts
  • DPS budget growth rates
  • Council consensus to add four Public Safety Officers in the proposed budget regardless of grant award
  • Public comment from Sharon Tuley regarding mental health benefits for DPS staff

H. Capital Improvement Projects and Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan

Overview provided by Michael Kovacs, City Manager:

  • FY 2024 Capital Improvement Plan highlights
  • Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan highlights
  • Capital improvement decision points
  • Discussion regarding a potential future Public Safety Bond
  • Council request for additional information related to bond planning
  • Incremental approach to new roadways and urban renewal projects

I. Budget Calendar

  • Review of the budget calendar conducted by Michael Kovacs, City Manager.

Adjournment

  • Motion to adjourn by Council Member Robbins.
  • Second by Council Member Deland.
  • Motion passed unanimously.
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

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

Read more