All you have to do is become a City Council Member to get free marksmanship classes.
An email obtained by the Fate Tribune exposes a unique “perk” for City Council members – free marksmanship classes, generously paid for by the citizens of Fate. The email, sent by Fate City Manager Michael Kovacs, invites council members to participate in the upcoming DPS open-range days at Texas Gun Ranch, a facility located at 15950 State Hwy 205, Terrell, TX 75160.
The email, dated November 21, 2023, outlines the scheduled shooting sessions on Tuesday, December 5th, and Thursday, December 7th, both from 9 am to 1 pm. In the email, Council members are encouraged to express their interest at least a week before the range dates to ensure the availability of a range master from the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The Texas Gun Ranch is a facility with which the city holds a contract in order to train our Police. The disclosure raises questions about the use of public funds to provide what seems to be an exclusive benefit for City Council members.
City Manager Michael Kovacs emphasizes that council members are not obligated to attend the entire time block and even suggests the possibility of carpooling. However, the controversy lies in the fact that these marksmanship classes are not open to the public but are seemingly reserved for elected officials.
Critics argue that the exclusive nature of these marksmanship classes creates a significant disparity. While council members enjoy free access to shooting range facilities, ordinary citizens would have to pay for memberships at private clubs, such as Texas Gun Ranch, where individual memberships start at $500 and family memberships can go up to $3500.
In light of the recent revelation regarding City Council members enjoying free marksmanship classes, it becomes essential to examine the legal implications of such perks, especially in the context of the Texas Penal Code. Specifically, Title 8, Chapter 39, titled “Abuse of Office,” outlines offenses against public administration. Section 39.02 focuses on “Abuse of Official Capacity,” which includes situations where a public servant intentionally violates a law related to their office or misuses government property with the intent to obtain a benefit or harm another.
In the case of Fate City Council members receiving free shooting range time at a facility contracted by the city, questions arise regarding the potential misuse of government resources. If it can be argued that the marksmanship classes represent a misuse of government property or services, Council members may find themselves subject to the provisions outlined in Section 39.02.
Emails point to at least one person on the council accepting the invitation, Mayor David Billings.
The severity of the offense varies based on the value of the misused property or services. Subsection (a)(1) categorizes the offense as a Class A misdemeanor, while Subsection (a)(2) outlines a range of misdemeanor and felony classifications depending on the value involved. This includes Class C misdemeanor to felony of the first degree, with penalties increasing significantly for higher values.
Moreover, Section 39.02(d) provides clarification that certain discounts or awards given for travel are not considered things of value belonging to the government. However, the core question remains: does free access to a shooting range, provided by a facility under a government contract, constitute a misuse of government resources under the Texas Penal Code?
As the community grapples with the implications of these perks, it remains to be seen whether the actions of City Council members align with the legal standards set forth in the Texas Penal Code. Authorities may need to assess whether these marksmanship classes qualify as a misuse of government resources and, if so, determine the appropriate consequences based on the value of the services provided. This legal framework serves as a crucial backdrop for evaluating the ethical and legal dimensions of public officials enjoying exclusive benefits at the expense of the taxpayers they serve.
As Fate residents grapple with this revelation, the Fate Tribune will continue to investigate the issue and provide updates on any official response from the City Council or other relevant authorities. The question remains: should taxpayer money be allocated to provide exclusive perks for elected officials, or should these funds be directed toward initiatives that benefit the entire community?