Fate, October 2nd, 2023 – The Fate City Council meeting scheduled for today has been postponed due to the absence of City Manager Michael Kovacs, who is currently attending the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) event in Austin, Texas. This decision has left some citizens frustrated, with questions arising regarding the priorities of city leadership.
The ICMA, since its inception, has been an advocate for the council-manager form of government and professional local government management. They have emphasized the importance of appointing skilled city managers to ensure the success of communities. The organization has curated resources highlighting the benefits of professional local government management and the valuable contributions of city and county managers.
However, one contentious issue arises from ICMA’s position on “Race, Equity, and Social Justice.” The organization states on their website, ICMA Race, Equity, and Social Justice, that it work towards achieving equity and social justice, affirming human dignity, and improving the quality of life for individuals and communities. This stance has sparked debate among some members of the Fate community who believe city leaders should not be involved in social justice programs.
The city council has rescheduled the next meeting for Monday, October 9th, 2023. Subsequently, another meeting will take place the following week on October 16th, 2023.
Notably, Mr. Kovacs is known for his progressive positions, including support for multi-family zoning, the elimination of highway funding, and reductions in parking, aligning with the principles advocated by “StrongTowns.org.” This adds an additional layer of complexity to the ongoing debate. It remains to be seen how Mr. Kovacs will learn to bring Social Justice to the City of Fate.