[{"_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",6219982,"mediaKeyId","3619505-3fcad9b32c76a33d14cac6ba3c473e63","parentId",3619505,"title","Fate council declines proposed 20% general homestead exemption and repeal of senior exemption","audioSeconds",3001,"startMs",2869845,"endMs",5871325,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619505-3fcad9b32c76a33d14cac6ba3c473e63&start=2869&end=5871","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619505-3fcad9b32c76a33d14cac6ba3c473e63/thumbnail_2869845.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6219982/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Fate-council-declines-proposed-20-general-homestead-exemption-and-repeal-of-senior-exemption","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219982-6e1d28a8b8480f77d2f0898bd8fc1e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163207&Signature=onP4Mcj2oU4e56QzQjt-Vp20wYAkakzNnU7xRRYla9yWQEswChOZP6jA5VF5LzoOd5JLFa1UEhp4IsNmtPrMI6K5l1g3n5A2nifnRmE6aPgJL4ocC7nqes~KYZFgUC7SaH8gJDxcEPFoUlOPf8sWCkykwFMoFCxEN~XgPnq~kRXSwl9n5iPkA5nMvuSlGLQ~zEeisMNBmt0FwBDI5RzbSiv2wsVDId0j66iK8jroUBsheoHYuSwYQdUxsH~kUYt7V9z9PhHcO1vGcgNBuArfR7F~yvxNo87jtXv-Qh7b8CHiC23NlQGjjISI4hIC583wBZMWZk7rFqr6NvdG~U85cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CityOfFate","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Fate City Council on May 19 considered Ordinance O-2025-018, which would have established a 20% homestead exemption for residential property and repealed or reduced the existing $50,000 senior exemption. After extensive public comment and council discussion, the council voted to deny the ordinance.

The proposal would have set a general homestead exemption equal to 20% of appraised value (not less than $5,000) and would have eliminated or modified the existing $50,000 exemption for taxpayers age 65 or older. City staff told the council a July 1 deadline applies for enacting exemptions that would apply in tax year 2025.

Why it mattered: supporters said a broader homestead exemption would provide long‑term relief for homeowners, especially those subject to special assessments (MUDs and PIDs). Opponents said the change would shift the tax burden onto businesses and non‑homestead property and risked discouraging new commercial investment at a time the city is trying to broaden its tax base.

Most of the public comment on the item came from Fate residents and local business owners. Shane Hollis, who identified himself as a Fate business owner, asked council to avoid actions that would “make it harder for businesses” and urged a focus on increasing sales tax by bringing in new businesses. Lauren Megacy, identifying herself as a former mayor, and other speakers warned the proposed change could amount to a significant tax increase for some businesses and retailers; Megacy said the headline 36% figure circulating online did not tell the full story but stressed the need to protect small businesses. Allen Robbins and other commenters emphasized that exemptions for one group produce a tax shift to others.

Council discussion mixed fiscal context and policy values. Staff said the preliminary tax roll projects a required tax‑rate increase tied to debt service (notably a police/DPS bond) even without the exemption proposal; staff estimated implementing the 20% exemption could move the city’s tax rate from roughly 0.2999 toward the mid‑0.30s (the presentation cited an illustration moving a 26¢/100 to about 35¢/100 in some scenarios). Councilmembers noted that about 78.5% of existing entitled homes are inside special assessment districts (MUDs/PIDs), so many homeowners do not fully realize the benefit of lower municipal rates because they also pay assessments.

Councilmembers also discussed the effect on large taxable properties (for example, apartment complexes and major retailers) and noted business personal property would also face higher tax bills under the proposed shift. Economic development staff cautioned that higher property tax burdens can discourage new businesses and expansion.

Decision and next steps: a motion to deny Ordinance O-2025-018 was made and seconded; the council voted to deny the ordinance. Councilmembers and staff said the discussion could continue in future meetings and that there remains a July 1 deadline if council chooses to adopt an exemption for 2025. No ordinance language was adopted that night.

The record: the council’s public hearing and debate included multiple speakers from the community and staff presentations on tax‑rate scenarios and special assessment impacts. The council’s final action was to deny the ordinance as presented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fate City Council Meeting - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fate City Council on May 19 considered Ordinance O-2025-018, a proposal to create a 20% general homestead exemption and to repeal or reduce the existing $50,000 exemption for taxpayers 65 and older; after public comment and council debate the council voted to deny the ordinance.","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},6219967,"Council debates one‑ versus two‑story police station; executive session set to discuss land and price",908,6668264,7576805,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619505-3fcad9b32c76a33d14cac6ba3c473e63&start=6668&end=7576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619505-3fcad9b32c76a33d14cac6ba3c473e63/thumbnail_6668264.jpg","/articles/6219967/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Council-debates-one-versus-twostory-police-station-executive-session-set-to-discuss-land-and-price","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219967-e36d320dd0a9d98ef5b5f4d53665d68b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163207&Signature=Sw52NT5g6ORuVBUjIlT87TmEVxw9tOmPd-VGQaGa-8ufL1X1Qo5cHzzZEX6~PgHdJV7lsfV8sIb7wmKSqJeSIzxLw9bM1I9i~Y2a1iZxwWCKLqiFHvyZhWg-KYXEJC0i3HuR03BhW23mWcxxqk29tXot937frL2GCk4pJ-zqKWM1V8mrNcY14c0LS5XMdzgn6qLiwYQapIdPPHOKawy9A6DCv-8KYpD7zfsXXLUlaiEfJhGp27Pg~Byz0vRjbbHpWRnUsgmQoQgzcJdsHiopdVXeq4FxUt~oJbfxV1ZJ6EcH37TO8JEL4FSSr6Dbz91DXrPyVhFYW3bTtZI5KQp27g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fate councilmembers and public‑safety leaders debated the configuration of a planned police station that had been funded in a recently approved public‑safety bond. Staff told the council an architect had suggested the city could save up to $2,000,000 by building a single‑story facility rather than the two‑story design originally envisioned; councilmembers and the police chief described advantages and disadvantages of both options.

Why it mattered: the bond program is strictly for public‑safety facilities and equipment; any design choice affects the project budget, land needs, and contingency planning. Councilmembers observed that debt structure for tax‑exempt bonds limits the city’s ability to use near‑term savings to reduce outstanding debt until bonds become callable (staff said the bond is typically callable in about 10 years). Staff also said the original bond included a comparatively small construction contingency (about 10%), meaning cost overruns could require additional resources.

Key points of debate: advocates for a two‑story design emphasized civic appearance, smaller building footprint, and the ability to separate patrol and administration functions by floor. Advocates for a single‑story building stressed accessibility, elimination of elevator requirements, and potential savings that could be applied to contingencies or other public‑safety needs. The mayor and several councilmembers noted a longtime preference for co‑locating a future fire station and police facility; a single‑story plan might require additional land acquisition to accommodate both uses.

Executive session and outcome: the council voted to recess into executive session under Texas Government Code §551.072 to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property (North Fire Station) and to discuss land‑price details. After reconvening the council reported no final action taken on the station configuration; councilmembers asked staff and counsel to pursue real‑estate discussions in executive session and return with recommendations.","The Fate City Council debated whether the new police facility funded by the public‑safety bond should be a single‑story building (up to $2 million estimated savings) or a two‑story civic building before sending land‑price discussions to executive session.",{"_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},6219971,"Fate council asks staff to draft ordinance limiting unsecured bagged flyer distribution",3012,3647010,6659705,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619505-3fcad9b32c76a33d14cac6ba3c473e63&start=3647&end=6659","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619505-3fcad9b32c76a33d14cac6ba3c473e63/thumbnail_3647010.jpg","/articles/6219971/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Fate-council-asks-staff-to-draft-ordinance-limiting-unsecured-bagged-flyer-distribution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219971-ebc6eadc8a2b0bb64cfeb1e871ec4582/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163207&Signature=ZAitBp4hTQYY9vd2rzfV9T0TUaF5lMEIICwPdXrvkW8Ul-qFSrFDxSmIa165B6PYgAmwxhc274aRrak5AxRvfuDFqtoMB9VozZJ2g6b-omzoFSQpX26Z14mF81Pwu6ctd95xikjAWVixFphfjChCpUGAnKgjixbu9yadstuI1K9AnpSoKsqKI~yEuJmWnUwiYFMbwlrFAQuJwBsMT7gIYijdazFr3Z9aksBM8Hz1h7jIf8F1C7zidw3e3M0aladgcIH8z78--vqsVU3akXVz3XgxZVHs53ncGeJd~2kjpdk3aFj7KBDCA95VPmrIR7Pr7VQLLL055P7BTKev20u1qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmembers on May 19 directed city staff to prepare an ordinance to address distribution of unsecured bagged flyers left on streets, curbs or driveways. The item followed multiple resident complaints that contractors distributing multi‑retailer advertising in plastic bags leave stacks or loose flyers in the public right‑of‑way.

Why it mattered: Councilmembers and staff cited stormwater and litter concerns — wet or torn flyers can clog drains and contribute to nonpoint pollution. Staff noted the city’s Phase II TCEQ stormwater permit credits local actions that reduce litter in streams.

What the council asked staff to do: staff said political, religious and press‑related distribution cannot be banned because of First Amendment considerations; the proposed ordinance would focus narrowly on unsecured bagged distributions that are left in the public right‑of‑way. Councilmembers asked staff to draft language that covers unsecured bagged distributions and to return with an enforceable ordinance.

Enforcement and scope: staff and council discussed enforcement practicalities. Possible enforcement options include initial notices to distribution firms, code‑enforcement complaints, and citations if the problem continues; police may be able to stop vehicles observed in violation. The council did not vote; direction was to draft language and bring it back for consideration.","Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance addressing unsecured bagged flyers left on streets or curbs; the item stems from citizen complaints about litter and stormwater pollution and staff cited the city’s Phase II TCEQ stormwater permit as a relevant consideration.",{"_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},6219976,"Council approves Kimley‑Horn contract for Fate downtown drainage conceptual master plan",145,3499485,3644930,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3619505-3fcad9b32c76a33d14cac6ba3c473e63&start=3499&end=3644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3619505-3fcad9b32c76a33d14cac6ba3c473e63/thumbnail_3499485.jpg","/articles/6219976/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Council-approves-KimleyHorn-contract-for-Fate-downtown-drainage-conceptual-master-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219976-87626950a0154ea1fe4b71a64a58c051/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163207&Signature=i81nQrQUjRqtXjPyCAxz9BqlnNNlay5DgBakN36QnqJqmzuhfDrMhO4iy6dee3zgnS0y3UsW43li1-JyFE3c9gr091Xy3ZJCEXw-DPPN03L0fcDHSEE095wlJEsq47ZZxV~VU0eqakEZ1wBmhdQRJA9nNsTF6EfHNjIqrKu-oYyJqAbzLYIWyBIQv6z62N4n1TURrwGnwKDXKOUJSoy3Z~8nGUz19HpbjMlkA5LuMHuJxZcpZxrhVqj2Jfb8OBQ1KndoS4RZxIEwMrH-1MLeUD0iPJHW2QU6m0DZ-g5wycouVHqZ9z~HQZg6c-tabJZbomBrFRfj66IFo2i5rSSf3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fate City Council on May 19 unanimously approved Resolution R2025‑029, awarding a professional engineering services agreement to Kimley‑Horn and Associates for a downtown drainage conceptual master plan.

Why it matters: downtown drainage has been a recurring local infrastructure concern. The study targets detailed drainage needs in the core business district, including stormwater outlets, inlet spacing and downstream connections, and will inform future project prioritization and funding.

Staff presentation: a city staff member explained the study area and funding split to the council and the earlier meeting of the Municipal Development District (MDD). The total contract amount with Kimley‑Horn is $75,000. The MDD approved a contribution of $50,000 toward the detailed business‑core component; the city’s storm‑drain fund will cover the remaining contract balance.

Council action: a councilmember moved approval; the motion was seconded and passed 7–0.

Next steps: the firm will begin the conceptual master‑planning work for the downtown area identified in staff materials. The plan will include a focused, detailed look at core parcels and a broader master‑plan area; staff will report progress back to council and the MDD.","The City of Fate approved a professional engineering services agreement with Kimley‑Horn for a downtown drainage conceptual master plan; the city council authorized staff to execute the contract with funding split between the MDD and the city’s storm‑drain fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fate council declines proposed 20% general homestead exemption and repeal of senior exemption

Council debates one‑ versus two‑story police station; executive session set to discuss land and price

Fate council asks staff to draft ordinance limiting unsecured bagged flyer distribution

Council approves Kimley‑Horn contract for Fate downtown drainage conceptual master plan