Rockwall Voices Op-Ed
I am proud to share how the City of Fate, Texas continues to thrive by applying sound fiscal planning, strong financial responsibility, and a steadfast commitment to conservative principles — principles that prioritize taxpayers, protect property rights, and ensure limited yet effective government.
Since 2014, Fate has faced growth pressures and financial challenges similar to many rapidly growing communities. Our city is burdened by four large landowners—two commercial and two residential developers—who collectively control approximately 1,000 acres. As a result, over 67% of our single-family homes were entitled before 2010. Despite these challenges, successive city councils have charted a bold and responsible path forward.
We designed and approved Lafayette Crossing, destined to become a premier destination for Rockwall County. We delivered transformative economic development projects like Fresh by Brookshire’s, Fate Village, and our revitalized, award-winning downtown — each a testament to conservative, strategic investment in our community’s future.
Since 2014, our city councils implemented vital reforms that brought transparency and accountability to city governance, including:
• Financial reporting enhancements,
• Securing long-term water and wastewater contracts to support our city,
• Creating a long-term road plan, including delivering critical road infrastructure,
• Implemented a water and wastewater long-term rate plan,
• Developed robust city investment policies,
• Authorized external city audit process,
• New Human Resources processes,
• Implementation of the Fate DPS step-pay program to attract and retain quality officers,
• Effectively split Fate DPS into separate police and fire departments,
• Establishing the city’s first-ever recession plan and five-year financial plan,
• Recruited and retained the best city staff in Rockwall County and North Texas,
Today, Fate is one of the safest cities in Texas, with one of the lowest city tax rates in North Texas and low city debt, and all our citizens’ total property tax bill is down by over 25%
By any measure, Fate is a well-run, fiscally conservative city. This success is no accident — it reflects the forethought, leadership, and discipline of many past and present city council members.
This conservative approach has produced real results: safe neighborhoods, robust economic development, and a city government that is accountable to all the people it serves.
However, the city faces significant challenges ahead as Austin continues efforts to reduce local control and limit the ability of city councils to make decisions that best reflect the values and priorities of their communities.
As the City of Fate population growth is slowing, we must plan to continue our significant economic growth and embrace our faith community, as they are the soul of our community.
We must remain vigilant, resist the urge to pass unnecessary ordinances, ignore state law, purposely violating city and developer approved agreements, and instead focus on delivering limited and effective government that respects the rights of all our residents.
As we plan for the years ahead, we must recognize, embrace, and honor our unique spirit as a young and growing community — building a future rooted in freedom, opportunity, and responsibility. The future of our city is rooted in our younger generation.
It has been an honor of a lifetime to be a small apart of building this robust conversative led city.
Only together can we keep Fate a shining example of conservative governance in Texas.
Former Mayor David Billings
For Fate & Freedom
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of The Rockwall Times. We encourage a respectful exchange of perspectives to enrich our community dialogue.
