Rockwall Voices Op-Ed
As families across Texas plan vacations and make summer memories, city councils are deep into the 2025–2026 budget season. This is when local priorities are set, taxpayer dollars are allocated, and critical decisions are made about public safety, infrastructure, parks, and overall quality of life.
Governor Abbott has already delivered real tax relief—signing into law significant property tax reductions for school districts and providing meaningful savings for all Texans, including our seniors. While the state is doing its part, it’s up to local leaders to ensure that city budgets reflect conservative principles: efficiency, transparency, upkeep of roads and parks, support for public safety—and resisting pressure to cut essential services in order to satisfy special interest groups that don’t even live in our city.
Since 2013, various Fate city councils have kept the city tax rate among the lowest in Texas, all while building a vibrant and thriving community.
Today, the Fate City Council includes four members with limited financial or budgeting experience—and no, simply not being a “numbers person” does not qualify as fiscal leadership. This lack of experience could have serious implications for the quality of services our residents expect and deserve.
Let’s be clear about the facts:
• During the May 2025 campaign, several candidates proposed cutting approximately $700,000 from the city’s budget. These cuts would directly impact services residents rely on every day.
• Fate voters approved a bond for our Department of Public Safety. To fund that commitment, the city must raise the tax rate by 3.9 cents per $100 of valuation.
• Even if the council eliminated its own $77,000 budget (which would include slashing funding for essential programs like Meals on Wheels), more than $630,000 would still need to be cut—likely from police, fire, road maintenance, or parks.
• There are responsible ways to reduce spending. For example, in May 2025, I recommended the city shift $15,000 in child safety program expenses to the newly approved Rockwall County Child Safety Fee—a move consistent with state law that could free up local funds without cutting vital services.
A race to the bottom on city tax rates is counterproductive. While it may sound appealing, the real cost comes in the form of fewer police officers, deteriorating roads, and neglected parks—costs ultimately borne by our residents.
Budgeting isn’t about slogans or politics—it’s about real dollars, real consequences, and real accountability to the taxpayers. As the city continues shaping the 2025–2026 budget, let’s hope common sense leads the way.
In Service,
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.
