Collin County judges report need for increased court capacity amid population growth

The Collin County Toll Road Authority meeting on June 2, 2025, focused on the anticipated growth of the county and the need for additional judicial resources to accommodate this expansion. Officials discussed projections indicating that the population of Collin County could reach approximately 1.6 million by 2030, a significant increase from the current population of around 915,000.

The discussion highlighted that, based on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) guidelines, the county may require up to 11 county courts to effectively manage the expected population growth. Currently, Collin County operates with seven county courts, which officials argue is insufficient given the projected doubling of the population by 2030. They emphasized that the existing judges are already handling workloads that exceed reasonable limits, with each judge managing 22% more cases than is typical for their counterparts in other Texas counties.

The meeting underscored the importance of planning for future growth, with projections suggesting that by 2060, the population could reach 2.5 million, potentially making Collin County the most populous in North Texas. Officials noted that even adding one additional court would still leave the county operating above capacity, while two additional courts would allow for a more manageable workload.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the urgent need for judicial expansion in Collin County to keep pace with its rapid growth. The discussions will likely inform future decisions regarding the allocation of resources and the establishment of additional county courts to ensure that the judicial system can adequately serve the increasing population.