The Ledger

Fate City Council Special Meeting - Budget Workshop - May 22, 2023

Fate Gazette

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Ledger Entry

Special City Council Meeting – Budget Workshop
City of Fate, Texas
Date: May 22, 2023
Location: Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Parkway, Fate, Texas
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:02 p.m.

Call to Order and Quorum

  • 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
  • Jon Thatcher, City Attorney
  • 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

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  • Council Member Allen Robbins delivered the invocation.
  • The Council led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas flags.

Public Comment

  • Sharon Tuley, 171 Chamberlain Drive, addressed the Council regarding impact fees and enterprise tax collection.
  • Lloyd Bly, 187 Griffin Avenue, addressed the Council regarding senior tax breaks.
  • No additional speakers came forward.

Budget Workshop

A. Citizen Survey Results Presentation

  • Joe Dell’Olio of Polco presented an overview of the 2023 National Community Survey results for the City of Fate.
  • The presentation addressed survey methodology, benchmarking, community livability facets, comparisons to national benchmarks, year-over-year comparisons, special topics, and summary conclusions.
  • Council members asked questions during the presentation.

B. Strategic Plan, Growth Management, Cost Controls, and Revenue Policies

  • City Manager Michael Kovacs reviewed the City Council Strategic Plan, growth management, cost control approaches, and revenue policies.
  • Discussion topics included:
    • Strategic priorities for FY 2024
    • Federal and state impacts, including ARPA funding
    • Growth management and planning initiatives
    • Cost containment measures
    • Revenue considerations, including tax rates, fees, permit revenue outlook, and service costs

Additional Discussion Items

  • De minimis tax rate impacts on single-family homestead properties
  • Potential monthly fees related to roads, drainage, parks, and community cleanliness
  • Options for funding Fate DPS
  • Consideration of separating police and fire departments
  • Updated tax rate calculations following the legislative session
  • Unfunded mandates and liability considerations

Additional Public Comment

  • Clint Sykes, 178 Balfour, spoke regarding:
    • DPS diversity initiatives
    • City involvement in future development through property acquisition and redevelopment

Adjournment

  • Council Member Allen Robbins moved to adjourn.
  • Council Member Mark Harper seconded the motion.
  • The motion passed unanimously.
  • The meeting adjourned at 8:02 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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