Fate taxpayers are on the hook for $150,000 after the Rockwall County city's council voted 4-0 on Wednesday, Aug. 12, to settle a personnel dispute with former Department of Public Safety Chief Lyle Lombard for $250,000.

The city's insurance carrier will cover the remaining $100,000, according to the Rockwall County Herald-Banner. City officials said the insurer recommended approval of the deal.

Mayor Andrew Greenberg and Councilman Mark Hatley abstained from the vote.

The city never publicly explained why Lombard was fired in November 2025 after leading the department for 7½ years. In a statement posted to Facebook the same day as the vote, the city called the settlement a "practical business decision" that does not represent an admission of liability or wrongdoing.

Hatley challenged firing

Hatley, who served as deputy mayor pro tem at the time of Lombard's departure, was the only council member to publicly challenge the firing. In a social media post in November 2025, shortly after Lombard's departure, Hatley said City Manager Michael Kovacs terminated Lombard and that the justification he was given was based on reasons that were "unsubstantiated, anonymous or based on information that could not be verified."

Hatley said he disagreed with the decision. His abstention from the settlement vote was not explained in the city's statement.

DPS restructured after departure

Lombard's firing came as Fate was restructuring its public safety operations. In February, the council voted unanimously to split the Department of Public Safety into separate police and fire departments.

The city appointed Ron Winegar, a 29-year law enforcement veteran and former Boise, Idaho, police chief, to lead the new police department. His appointment was announced in May. John Taylor, who had served as interim chief since November 2025, was named fire chief.

The city has not disclosed whether the restructuring was connected to Lombard's termination. No statement from Lombard or his attorney regarding the settlement has been made public.

The settlement appears to conclude the personnel matter. No follow-up vote or public comment period was listed in available city records.