City Manager's Office

The City Manager leads, directs and coordinates all City operations and staff. The position is, in effect, the Chief Executive Officer, who answers to the “Board of Directors,” the Mayor and City Council, elected by you, the citizens of Fate.

The City of Fate operates under a system of local government called the Council/Manager form. The elected officials (Mayor and City Council) are the community leaders and policy makers who establish a vision for their city, town, or county, and who hire the City Manager to carry out that policy and ensure that all residents are being equitably served. The City Manager coordinates the work of department heads and other employees, who help ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of services.

Responsibilities

  • Implements City Council policy
  • Encourages and provides for citizen input regarding City operations, services and programs
  • Engages in special studies and projects to ensure productive operations
  • Serves as a liaison to other governmental entities
  • Prepares the annual budget, submits it to elected officials for approval and implements it once it is approved
  • Manages the day-to-day operations of the City

About the City Managers

Michael Kovacs has served as Fate’s City Manager since 2014, and has over 25 years of experience in city management.  He describes his management style as being a servant leader who is personally invested in the mission of the City, knowing and helping the staff, and focusing on the needs of the community.  He is passionate about building fiscally resilient cities.

Michael was last City Manager in Galveston, Texas, where he worked to further the city’s recovery from Hurricane Ike.  Prior to Galveston, Michael was Asst. City Manager in Park City, Utah, the City Manager for Port Aransas, Texas, the Town Administrator in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, and the City Administrator for Presidio, Texas.  Michael has a MPA and BA from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.  

 Michael is also a dual citizen of the U.S.A. & Canada and served during the first Gulf War era in the Canadian Army with a mechanized infantry regiment.  

Justin Weiss, MPA, ICMA-CM is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Fate, Texas. Mr. Weiss first joined the City of Fate team in January, 2013 as the Assistant to the City Manager, Economic and Community Development. In June of 2015, he was promoted to serve as the Assistant City Manager and oversees Economic and Community Development, Public Works, Engineering, Planning & Development, Building Safety, and Information Technology. 

Prior to his career in local government, Justin worked in the private sector as a department head for a fast-growing telecommunications company in Utah. He also has experience in Healthcare Administration as the Executive Director of a Skilled Nursing Facility in Texas. He received both his MPA and BA from Brigham Young University. Justin and his wife, Shannon, have been married for 14 years and have two children, a daughter and son.

Spencer Foster joined Fate’s city management team in June 2022 as the Assistant to the City Manager.  With almost a decade of public sector experience, he has worked with municipal projects of all types. He excels at building relationships with the public and staff, helping solve problems with creative solutions, and maintaining public trust and government transparency. Spencer obtained an MPA from Brigham Young University and a BA from Utah Valley University. He, his wife, and two children love being involved in Fate’s community and utilizing the parks, trails, and businesses throughout the city.