The Ledger

Fate City Council Special Meeting - Budget Workshop - May 23, 2022

Fate Gazette

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The Fate Gazette — Ledger

Meeting

Special City Council Meeting – Budget Workshop

Date

May 23, 2022

Location

Fate City Hall
1900 CD Boren Parkway
Fate, Texas

Call to Order and Quorum

  • Mayor David Billings called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
  • Deputy City Secretary Samantha Harris confirmed a quorum.

Council Members Present

  • David Billings, Mayor
  • Heather Buegeler
  • John Brandt
  • Allen Robbins, Mayor Pro Tem
  • Jim DeLand
  • Lance Megyesi

Council Members Absent

  • None

City Staff Present

  • Michael Kovacs, City Manager
  • Justin Weiss, Assistant City Manager
  • Samantha Harris, Deputy City Secretary
  • Jessica Larson, Assistant to the City Manager
  • Lyle Lombard, Director of Public Safety
  • Ryan Wells, Director of Planning and Development Services
  • Scott Monaghan, Director of Public Works
  • Raju Anthony, Director of Finance
  • Teresa Stevens, Accounting Manager
  • Sherry Green, Human Resources Generalist
  • Michael Wright, IT Manager
  • Jon Thatcher, City Attorney

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

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

Public Comment

  • No members of the public spoke.

Budget Workshop

Citizen Survey Recap and Strategic Pillars

  • Assistant City Manager Justin Weiss presented results of the City of Fate Community Survey.
  • Topics presented included:
    • Comparative results from 2021 to 2022:
      • 35 items received more positive ratings
      • 106 items received similar ratings
      • Five items received more negative ratings
    • Resident perceptions of community connection and quality of life
    • Valuation of public safety and related services
    • Resident views of city leadership and governance
    • Indicators of economic trends
  • Strategic pillars presented:
    • Safe Community
    • Economic Development
    • Community Engagement
    • Strong Financial Management
    • Recreation
    • Sustainable Infrastructure

Managing Growth and Maintaining Level of Service

  • Topics identified included:
    • Population estimate of 27,690
    • New home permits
    • Current inflation
  • Sharon Tuley, 171 Chamberlain Drive, Fate, Texas, spoke recommending incentive pay for police and fire departments.
  • City Manager Michael Kovacs presented on:
    • Garbage contract rates and CPI increases
    • Solid waste collection
    • Water contract rates and connections
    • Wastewater rates tied to North Texas Municipal Water District increases
    • Debt service impacts related to Sabine Creek expansion
    • Use of wastewater impact fee reserves to mitigate short-term rate increases
  • Council discussion addressed:
    • Reserve fund status
    • CPI increase caps
    • Development impacts
    • Impact fee obligations
    • Water and wastewater infrastructure planning
  • Jeanie Schneider, 269 Eden Drive, Fate, Texas, spoke regarding property taxes and the homestead exemption.
  • The Council discussed the homestead exemption process and stated clarification would be provided at a future meeting.

Ad Valorem and Fee Revenue Policies

  • Information presented included:
    • Current tax rate: 0.339872
    • Estimated de minimis rate: 0.292801
    • Average property value: $273,050
    • Estimated homestead value with 10% increase: $300,355
    • Property taxes paid to the City of Fate:
      • 2021: $928
      • 2022: $879
    • Identified reduction in taxes paid to the city
    • Road, drainage, and park fees
    • Senior exemption of $50,000
    • Options for a tax freeze
  • Council discussion addressed:
    • Fee structures
    • Tax freeze mechanics
    • Exemption options
    • Additional data to be provided at a future meeting
  • Citizens speaking included:
    • Mark Harper, 401 Attlee Drive, Fate, Texas
    • Mike Manning, 168 Baldwin Drive, Fate, Texas
    • Karen Kiser, 1093 North Churchill, Fate, Texas
    • Michelle Dominique, 2302 Bryant Lane, Fate, Texas
    • Patty Mattlage, 267 Callaghan Drive, Fate, Texas
    • Tom Slolsar, 100 Katie Street, Fate, Texas
    • Julie Howerton, 120 Baldwin Drive, Fate, Texas
    • Mark Hatley, 267 Callaghan Drive, Fate, Texas
  • Speakers addressed tax freezes for residents aged 65 and older, homestead exemptions, MUD tax concerns, and property tax impacts.

Adjournment

  • Council Member Allen Robbins moved to adjourn.
  • Council Member Jim DeLand seconded the motion.
  • The motion passed unanimously.
  • The meeting adjourned at 8:29 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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