[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6070318,"mediaKeyId","3051343-dd60e4798eafbe1d76e127fa10ebb519","parentId",3051343,"title","Council presses staff on customer experience, website, AI and community-survey data","audioSeconds",450,"startMs",5561000,"endMs",6011000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051343-dd60e4798eafbe1d76e127fa10ebb519&start=5561&end=6011","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051343-dd60e4798eafbe1d76e127fa10ebb519/thumbnail_5561000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6070318/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Council-presses-staff-on-customer-experience-website-AI-and-community-survey-data","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070318-a2551c1fbbe94888cfd2af292f307213/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936831&Signature=bIsP1IlzmA1dt~SoumdDWSf7PilswprzO76SQeR5nHV0d4jtgYFZeietWqM4zdgx35dqXBmWfNZ67HDjwt5HpEGNJ7mPsp~sb4m8pLTuH5UhKxom5CY0PlN4XBcEvl~Pl3vFE2N8V7Sgs4B4YqUMq~MmxcZwMpvtITCOIPOIb5IPuSjcXepVruXwgMMsFL9S0BPOKGoGqEsv6MwTnCNeCD0bfzvoHsKcgJY6JbpIV-4vFY6dFypHPNJo3rtAK-Kn59xsRKAS6LjOjGOk9dsvDsQkSgJE7k5KRd8ZrW9AllXjo52-AbK5v0VYdqXS9T5xuMqkR7iZFA8SaV-28CSQiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CityOfFate","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","Councilors used the strategic-planning workshop to press staff on how the city communicates with residents, how staff measures sentiment and what technology investments would improve resident experiences.

Staff reported the city\u0000s e-newsletter open rate is high \u0000 roughly 67 percent by staff\u0000s count \u0000 and that the community survey produces a statistically valid, weighted sample of responses (staff said the survey delivers a representative sample with an approximate margin of error in the low single digits). Staff cautioned that increasing survey response substantially would raise costs and produce diminishing returns.

Councilors and staff discussed the \"customer experience\" path forward rather than a narrower \"customer service\" label. Topics included consolidating user-facing services or creating a customer portal where residents could locate permitting, utility payments and other services from a single entry point. Staff said multiple backend software systems currently support different services and that a single sign-on solution is technically complex and often requires either third-party integration or in-house software development.

Members also asked staff to evaluate appropriate AI governance as the city pilots AI-driven tools for resident questions and internal efficiencies. Staff flagged the need to monitor outputs and ensure protections against biased or incorrect responses.

Staff described the community survey as cost-effective and statistically robust; staff estimated approximately 300 completed responses produce a representative result with a margin of error around three percent, and noted that reducing the margin of error further would require substantial additional cost. Councilors discussed boosting visibility of project maps and the city\u0000s project tracker so residents can more easily see ongoing work.

Ending: Staff will fold communications and technology recommendations into the draft plan and return options for a customer-experience portal, recommended AI governance practices, and costed survey/engagement options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Fate - Special City Council Meeting - March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors and staff reviewed communications and technology priorities: a high open rate for the city e-newsletter, the representativeness and cost of the community survey, improved customer portals, and governance for AI and cybersecurity.","taxTitle","Fate, Rockwall County, Texas","taxId",69589,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070323,"Council discusses parks, recreation programming and Fate Station Park—s role in downtown identity",724,6656000,7380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051343-dd60e4798eafbe1d76e127fa10ebb519&start=6656&end=7380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051343-dd60e4798eafbe1d76e127fa10ebb519/thumbnail_6656000.jpg","/articles/6070323/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Council-discusses-parks-recreation-programming-and-Fate-Station-Parks-role-in-downtown-identity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070323-37000ab78849628048ec3e55def7d36d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936831&Signature=JBaeY~6MLqjAfm55A8LYfRBrnD1Yk~H~XSjIn0jZFoatb9Ldb6qY59BtEXaGlKKBp7N7adDmjYqWZJs-cTPHV3pbYDEgFjRRiHLA2~mjlMzufoN0XThakdG66AkY-UHRZB2Y~L3J1Z49iaSNf9TAwatQVThIM~8LrjAqoSz~6y2GWa-ou7IDJV3oIJw2DEZ60usiPl2J-lOORCZ8y2-T8IqOkUgKyY7hscNiBLhl6BE9omUHoyrhsY-ukIrQOMXeQ0WCg-BTvmskNuUCHG-vWFnhDmU~1fiWU5ZbbUvvVbezfk~9eJOt27Ae43zS4XS28bI~AM4KJkRoSJSkxy173A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the strategic planning workshop the council considered parks maintenance and recreation programming as tools to build community identity and activate downtown.

Staff and councilors described existing park assets (including Joe Burger Park and Robert Smith Park), trail planning progress, and incremental improvements such as additional courts. Several council members said citizens ask frequently about a recreation center; staff said the city currently maintains parks and pursues smaller, targeted upgrades but has not yet budgeted a full recreation center. Staff noted that completing larger projects (for example, finishing Joe Burger Park) would require substantial funding; at one point staff referenced earlier bond cost estimates that scaled up since initial planning.

Council discussion covered two connected questions: whether to create a recreation programming capacity (events and classes) and whether to budget for capital investments such as a community recreation center or expanded park amenities. Several members favored a staged approach: add staff or program headcount to run events and then, if demand and funding allow, evaluate larger capital investments.

Council members also discussed downtown activation and Fate Station Park as a place to build a branded identity for the city that could support businesses, events and wayfinding. Staff pointed to existing comprehensive-plan goals on revitalizing downtown and encouraged implementation through events, wayfinding and park activation.

Ending: Staff will fold parks, recreation programming and downtown activation into the draft action plan and identify possible funding paths and timelines for incremental and capital work.","Councilors reviewed parks maintenance priorities, discussed recreation programming and whether to create a parks-and-recreation function as the city grows, and identified Fate Station Park and downtown activation as focal points for building local identity.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070327,"Council weighs public-safety staffing needs, medical-call response and possible split of police and fire duties",481,2875000,3356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051343-dd60e4798eafbe1d76e127fa10ebb519&start=2875&end=3356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051343-dd60e4798eafbe1d76e127fa10ebb519/thumbnail_2875000.jpg","/articles/6070327/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Council-weighs-public-safety-staffing-needs-medical-call-response-and-possible-split-of-police-and-fire-duties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070327-65d9c9f112c7248799c6541975063223/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936831&Signature=FmzLal4UWNPp51iVT7x3Sx9H3TzePHiKXlnw4g5GdgLK3712jcjaDRGdJ1qDatvCoLKBw~5J1SL7L~gBDYuOSFHo5LxyhqkZ1NlGMLbiwk4SLeShVhEXrIZ223HJaoJmsM1tUi0Ch~kqar4BXwYDP1dh4JNxkhzYjbGcX0RD~UaqUYlGYcdUdr0jkavOozznaGP-4rZXca-RP52aEl53XGo-MYtLqBo0sZw8t8p4oQiw3tsoVqpqxqUSEDsEyfa5wSNh7xUR5EX4Q99VkMScOJkPrBYOZmexHYFw0YdJwaP02iuyaiWjofee8jhWBrpUF6q4oJx8Uh6HDMNzAE6KpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fate City Council members in the March 24 workshop gave extended attention to public safety, focusing on staffing, response capacity and whether the city should continue hiring \"triple-certified\" personnel (officers certified for police, fire and emergency medical services) or transition toward separate police and fire workforces.

Staff and the police chief described recruitment challenges, background checks that narrow applicant pools and a current shortfall of sworn officers. A pay study is underway and staff said implementation of any pay adjustments would be considered in the next budget. \"There's a pay study going on right now. And that would be implemented in your budget for next year,\" a staff member said.

Council members discussed the pros and cons of triple certification. The police chief and others noted triple-certified personnel can provide flexibility but can only perform one role at a time. Several councilors urged a multi-year transition plan rather than an immediate split. One councilor described the transition as a multi-year process and staff characterized it as a staffing and scheduling change that would likely unfold over several years.

Staff proposed several operational improvements the council could include as goals: retain and recruit personnel; broaden public-safety strategy improvements (including traffic calming and home safety); and strengthen emergency-call response. Specific short-term proposals listed by staff included implementing license-plate-reader technology in some fixed locations, training and equipping a crisis intervention response team, and adding three firefighters plus a pickup truck to boost flexibility for medical calls.

On call volume, staff said overlapping medical calls are occurring about \"0.6 times every day\" (roughly one overlap every couple of days), and argued that adding a small rapid-response vehicle and additional personnel would reduce delays. The chief told the council the bond program had identified the police building as the largest facility deficiency and that apparatus and ladder truck needs are being addressed through the existing bond program.

Councilors also discussed evidence-processing and the need for an additional detective dedicated to narcotics in the coming year, and questioned whether existing facility and equipment plans were adequate as staffing increased.

No formal action or vote was taken on staffing changes at the workshop; staff said the discussion would inform the draft strategic plan and budget proposals to be returned to council.

Ending: Staff will incorporate council direction on public-safety recruitment, response needs and transition planning into the draft action plan and bring cost and timing estimates back for council consideration.","Councilors and staff discussed recruitment and retention, a pay study, staffing shortages, a potential multi-year transition away from heavily triple-certified personnel, and short-term proposals to add firefighters and equipment to improve medical-call response.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070332,"Fate council narrows strategic priorities and debates where to place 'governance'",7833,1066000,8899000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051343-dd60e4798eafbe1d76e127fa10ebb519&start=1066&end=8899","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051343-dd60e4798eafbe1d76e127fa10ebb519/thumbnail_1066000.jpg","/articles/6070332/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Fate-council-narrows-strategic-priorities-and-debates-where-to-place-governance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070332-4112c09ce9fc501b95268929b7f31ec3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770936831&Signature=OG~CopyUD1fo6hU57iAGFOMKVLYKvw6iZ1Xf9vGmZx0jobx08ZYMSTz9nc8Dh1bLelCRPU-MyV67Awtg-WBDshNR2DB4thjarG54h5N0oTKcC0DWUgTyrebR1gsgtzI09or0De4cBW7-MapQ0RS2s2CH7oqeZQzkYYdwJhQCImKkOKi~C9rVDYIUeFn~zvK3sVntfz73Mc-USYjIAslNgErw3UMDoJ3d4P6ji6p6lxFidpY1FAQEYrNhdYKZjcDvfOOJ5khvRalmtFVKU-35Xw9V-b2MxawXkiCVERbvDD-EE3B85RDBxcBTKmp9IT~-s4NU6z0HyMoxk7PrleVq0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fate City Council members spent the bulk of a March 24 strategic planning workshop refining pillars and goals for the city\u0000s next planning cycle and debating how to treat governance in the plan.

The facilitator reviewed the city\u0000s 2024 pillars \u0000 public safety; fiscal resiliency and accountability; sense of community; and sustainable infrastructure and services \u0000 and presented a staff proposal to split out service excellence and economic growth so each would receive clearer attention. \"Tonight's where we put pen to paper,\" the facilitator said as the council moved from broad vision to specific goals.

Council members generally agreed on retaining most 2024 priorities but diverged on governance. Some argued governance should be a separate pillar devoted to local decisionmaking, zoning and the comprehensive plan; others said governance is foundational and should apply across all pillars. Councilmember Alan suggested treating governance as a vertical element applied to every pillar, while Councilmember Lance and others favored a separate category to capture items such as comprehensive plan updates and standing up for local decisions.

On scope, councilors and staff discussed operationalizing pillars into measurable, multi-year goals. The facilitator described the expected process: staff will translate the council's direction into specific objectives and timelines, bring back recommended action steps and identify when items would be included in budgets. The facilitator asked members whether any 2024 goals should carry forward; councilors repeatedly confirmed multiple items should move forward.

Councilors also discussed the comprehensive plan\u0000how often it should be updated and where it fits in the pillars. Several members said the comp plan typically runs on a 5-7 year cycle and noted it should remain an area of focused work rather than an annual priority.

Next steps outlined by staff: refine the draft pillars and goals based on tonight\u0000s input; produce an action plan with estimated timing (this fiscal year vs. multi-year); publish the adopted plan for public transparency; and set a reporting cadence so councilors receive regular updates on implementation.

Votes and formal adoption were not taken at the workshop; staff said a refined draft would be returned for formal consideration and possible adoption at a later meeting.

Ending: Staff will consolidate the council\u0000s direction into a draft action plan for future presentation and asked council members to identify their preferred cadence for reporting progress.","At a March 24 special meeting, the Fate City Council reviewed draft strategic pillars and goals for 2025, largely endorsing the 2024 pillars while debating whether governance should be a standalone pillar, a vertical value applied across all pillars, or placed under service excellence.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council presses staff on customer experience, website, AI and community-survey data

Council discusses parks, recreation programming and Fate Station Park—s role in downtown identity

Council weighs public-safety staffing needs, medical-call response and possible split of police and fire duties

Fate council narrows strategic priorities and debates where to place 'governance'