[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6483776,"mediaKeyId","5587781-39c2cf60ea271c5564d20618bbc4cb42","parentId",5587781,"title","District attorney seeks immediate workspace; commissioners debate courthouse lighting and doors","audioSeconds",5689,"startMs",7675235,"endMs",13365000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587781-39c2cf60ea271c5564d20618bbc4cb42&start=7675&end=13365","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587781-39c2cf60ea271c5564d20618bbc4cb42/thumbnail_7675235.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6483776/Rockwall-County/Texas/District-attorney-seeks-immediate-workspace-commissioners-debate-courthouse-lighting-and-doors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483776-39a2ad227e897465f3d14c8d0e647fd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770499327&Signature=nzMkNQw02xJXiZ00eb~oIBxK6HGQRaZEAkBb5Ioxi8Sli1zrc0qXsAwAGR5KKi1prBEQLm1EzJjTvZxuMx6NBuUonIE4yS5BQ-fanRhQ-G5cpGzrS4d0F4nFRJggdLvQRZrF3nkXklNiyB-ojsOtWJ1xs3uczUwToJ5j7rILvoFfRjEPpU5158eFDfzlP-5Ye0fNV0ch5hFpdj2Su-XQCgdjwIJyC9EDYRT9dOjf2acJWbZsmjWWyzVD9sbS3WdV2D-Eq2H6iIiklzKyxoUP7NudlWJzYfuUSQZIm1bMJkPZrfstyIgZZsHQQDYfk-2xSJOPvn9gQ-Dx-fPGTrB7TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockwall County Texas","date","2025-08-14T00:00:00Z","article","District Attorney Kendra Culpepper told the commissioners at the Aug. 14 special meeting that the DA's office is already out of usable workspace and needs offices that meet criminal-justice security requirements.

Culpepper said prosecutors and investigators must have CJIS-compliant, lockable office space to access criminal-history systems and manage evidence. \"In order for us to get criminal histories, there are laws that say that you have to have it in an enclosed space,\" Culpepper said, adding that the office has converted conference and interview rooms into workspaces to cope with current demand.

Park Hill, the county's consultant on several facilities items, provided a rough estimate for a DA expansion and remodel: about $962,500 in a preliminary worksheet provided to commissioners. Culpepper and some commissioners said that number seemed high; staff said the estimate included mechanical and electrical rework needed to create multiple enclosed offices and to meet security and systems requirements.

Separately, Commissioner Stacy described persistent problems with the Historic Courthouse lighting and door hardware. The meeting included discussion of a $711,000 estimate for reprogramming and repairing the courthouse's computerized lighting controls and a separate $130,000 estimate to repair or replace the building's historic exterior doors. Commissioners debated whether to treat those as immediate capital needs or to defer them until other large projects (notably the sheriff's remodel and the Third Floor courtroom work) are further along.

Why it matters: The DA's need for secure workspace affects case-processing timelines and statutory access to criminal databases; the courthouse lighting and doors are capital-maintenance items that affect building security, historic preservation and long-term maintenance costs.

What's next: Commissioners asked Park Hill, the auditor and facilities staff to clarify the scope and hard costs for the DA expansion and the courthouse lighting/doors, and to return with phased or lower-cost alternatives; staff also discussed short-term partitioning options to provide immediate space while formal remodel planning continues.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockwall County Texas - Commissioners Court Special Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","District Attorney Kendra Culpepper told the court the DA's office is out of space and needs CJIS-compliant enclosed offices; Park Hill provided a preliminary estimate of about $962,500 for a remodel and expansion of the auditor's area.","taxTitle","Rockwall County, Texas","taxId",54914,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6483780,"Commissioners debate using public-safety sales tax (Fund 51) for fire marshal, sheriff remodel",1017,3857125,4875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587781-39c2cf60ea271c5564d20618bbc4cb42&start=3857&end=4875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587781-39c2cf60ea271c5564d20618bbc4cb42/thumbnail_3857125.jpg","/articles/6483780/Rockwall-County/Texas/Commissioners-debate-using-public-safety-sales-tax-Fund-51-for-fire-marshal-sheriff-remodel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483780-4133642c9218e5c4739e4a17fc13e5dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770499327&Signature=eWMK~n2Ec2ztvlwrhjQxe5yPcNohqtbAbB5KgTrNprYmKkG7xDlyG8jW6gW4ILbAS8hteWK5TD2iF2q8GEqRCyW-xkuvDS8NpgFy7ch6rH8f5n1xFIcDTguXLspWjxrf6iRomEUD4uZLR7ESdJa1rZsZ2E2hQEKXHe-PYiYYG5Xg-~1Zv4ZRvrHVd3Vw25l-Vy6pJekb7YpRWH11UVzwib17togHVtu1htpmOiOr795i0YYSZe-FhA6UebsJbLub0QhMg6fSPT1xghohKLGGtjgqGG6jIaWpf~4dhPh5DuN5qd3UY5-F6orUW8fIyAPWT017mfTpehSDCzdJfEkt5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners spent a substantial portion of the Aug. 14 special meeting discussing Fund 51, Rockwall County's public-safety sales-tax reserve, and possible uses for that fund in FY2026.

Commissioner discussion centered on whether a new Fire Marshal position should be paid from Fund 51 or from the general fund and whether Fund 51 could help offset costs for the sheriff's remodel. Commissioners and staff reviewed Fund 51's balance and a proposed transfer of $1,000,000 into the fund in the draft budget; that draft also showed a contingency of roughly $789,488.

Several commissioners said they prefer funding vehicles, equipment and one-time public-safety projects from Fund 51 while leaving recurring personnel costs in the general fund. Commissioner Stacy proposed moving an existing GIS coordinator position (vacant in the draft) to fund a Fire Marshal and to reduce emergency management vehicle funding to rewrap a vehicle for the Fire Marshal, producing a near-budget-neutral outcome.

Auditor and treasurer staff explained legal limits and common practices for Fund 51. The auditor noted that some items budgeted in Fund 51 were selected to provide usable appropriation authority rather than holding the dollars in fund balance; staff cautioned that transfers out of Fund 51 must comply with restrictions on eligible expenditures. The treasurer confirmed the fund balance and that the fund has supported interlocal payments to cities for fire calls in prior years.

Commissioners also discussed the annual allocation to municipal fire departments, which is calculated from prior-year call volumes and is distributed via interlocal agreement. Staff said they hope to present the updated fire-call allocation spreadsheet at the next court meeting.

Why it matters: Fund 51 is a sizable dedicated revenue source for public-safety and related uses. How the court chooses to allocate those dollars affects one-time capital projects (vehicles, remodels) as well as recurring costs (staffing, interlocal payments to fire departments).

What's next: Auditor and captain-level staff were asked to provide a revised spreadsheet showing the impact of moving a Fire Marshal to development services, the cost to rewrap a vehicle, and estimates for applying Fund 51 to sheriff remodel phase 2. Commissioners flagged the road-safety study ($200,000) and a potential TxDOT grant match as other Fund 51 candidates for discussion in the next draft budget.","The commissioners discussed moving a proposed fire marshal position into development services and using Fund 51 (public-safety sales tax) to help fund the sheriff's remodel and other public-safety projects; staff were asked to provide impact estimates and car rewrap costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6483785,"Rockwall County approves higher constable pay after sheriff, constable press staffing needs",1301,96245,1398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587781-39c2cf60ea271c5564d20618bbc4cb42&start=96&end=1398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587781-39c2cf60ea271c5564d20618bbc4cb42/thumbnail_96245.jpg","/articles/6483785/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-County-approves-higher-constable-pay-after-sheriff-constable-press-staffing-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483785-7072f7f886d2a1d0c00682d30f5f4345/orig.mp4?Expires=1770499327&Signature=S9btSOvdyloQM~hNjcKt8WEnBq0XejPsT6HvcMqDBK69hEWyuX3qjm47j0IOp3p-U5ryaLmMBk-tFZy422k1LDgTbAEbLU1gHxAJ6PxM0ov6wASVifkNcP4yjH6L5-Sl5y79bH9IFexehr28yVGyTTSfawGbc6dpLNysHz9xfwNfRR6z7LM7PdqvTlXoRuJqxnN83QjBX0L4HDUqU1NumCGNrILwQOunQoSiFdg2eT~A8daY9avqz1SFfPCjioZrgdT0aszdnVE2n~ZIk56UHda1-rp067wtt6xQAaUVWFUfMnqJnl4YYVuPqe-acCH95u9xBB1lJieYjRJeuDMFMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockwall County Commissioners on Aug. 14 voted to set next year's constable salary at $98,000 after testimony from the sheriff and a precinct constable pressing for more staffing and equipment.

The change followed public comments from Sheriff Terry Garrett and Constable Randy Parks, who urged the court to restore several items that were removed from the first draft of the FY2026 budget.

Sheriff Terry Garrett told the court that \"public safety is an essential function in keeping our community safe and secure,\" and said Rockwall County has seen rapid growth that has not been matched by staffing increases. \"Since 2017, Rockwall County population has grown by 93%, yet our staffing has only increased by approximately 45%,\" Garrett said, adding the jail is \"housing 264 inmates who committed crimes here in our county.\" He asked the court to reinstate communications, detention and courthouse deputy positions, reclassifications and salary adjustments to retain staff.

Constable Randy Parks said Precinct 4 workload has risen sharply and asked the court to restore a part-time deputy and equipment. Parks described a part-time deputy at roughly 27 hours per week as costing \"$49,140\" in base pay and a \"loaded total amount\" of \"$58,977\" after benefits and employer costs. He also asked for a replacement vehicle (a Tahoe) and associated radio and camera, citing figures presented to the court during his remarks.

Commissioners debated several options for addressing workload in the constable offices, including adding a shared administrative clerk under the county clerk's office to handle paperwork, deputies or part-time positions, and standardizing vehicle, fuel and maintenance allowances across precincts. The court discussed funding sources, including whether to use Fund 51 (the public safety sales tax) to pay for some requests.

Formal actions: the court voted 5-0 to set constable salaries for FY2026 at $98,000. Separately, the court later voted 4-1 to increase all other elected-official salaries (excluding constables) by 3% over their FY2025 pay; that motion was made and seconded on the record and the auditor was directed to prepare the required written notices to elected officials per Texas Local Government Code. The judge also asked staff to \"add 3 dispatchers headcount in, but not funding\" so the court can identify funding sources; that was recorded as direction to staff rather than a funded appropriation.

Why it matters: Commissioners said salary and staffing choices affect response times and employee retention in a competitive labor market. Several members framed pay adjustments as a step toward preventing chronic vacancies that push remaining staff into excessive overtime.

What's next: Staff were asked to return revised budget numbers, cost impacts, and written materials on funding options (including use of special funds and potential offsets) in time for the second draft of the FY2026 budget and the public hearing cycle.

","Commissioners voted to raise constable salaries to $98,000 and approved other elected-official pay changes after Sheriff Terry Garrett and Constable Randy Parks urged restoration of staffing and equipment requests during an August 14 special meeting on the FY2026 draft budget.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6483773,"Commissioners set voter-approved rate, schedule September hearings on budget and tax rate",117,14173645,14291000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587781-39c2cf60ea271c5564d20618bbc4cb42&start=14173&end=14291","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587781-39c2cf60ea271c5564d20618bbc4cb42/thumbnail_14173645.jpg","/articles/6483773/Rockwall-County/Texas/Commissioners-set-voter-approved-rate-schedule-September-hearings-on-budget-and-tax-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483773-f21722c0d00c73dd551f006de9738e88/orig.mp4?Expires=1770499327&Signature=EWZXmao~hQA-94q6QsL4PV8GA0OqeJ8YZB8xKJmwPpqf7w2R4jZ~lV~4JvB1qdq5ZG0a~k66nivHP~z50X~LiDyzHzcPrBoIZQrDG4vnPmBvyQTaeGif~Egh4K36sLwuPZeDbwPMKJlzKBYkDtpIHj9aOV2f6llcrb~JoP20tG~6iUdNZphalMy6hkLeehEyVHQYeKH8VFKs2HYCMYmJjYu81t~juatMi4IAVttNBMX7K6TCdzzJHKdKb5T7CTKtm2PWI1WTgQI6Xlkk7Yn-kPC2KJoLN7579xBD9GDI4A1w8MAk9F4DRFYN-E9Cf0e1NpyzJbaD7tUEH9sDSXjLEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockwall County Commissioners took formal votes on the proposed 2025 tax rate and on calendar items required for the FY2026 budget process during a special meeting Aug. 14.

Commissioner debate focused on whether to publish a lower proposed rate (0.2498 per $100) or to publish the voter-approved rate and keep options for adjustments during the public-review process. A motion to set a proposed rate of 0.2498 failed 3-2. The court then voted 3-2 to set the proposed tax rate at the voter-approved rate of 0.252113 per $100 of valuation.

The court also directed the auditor to publish statutory notices and scheduled two public hearings for Sept. 9, 2025, at 9 a.m.: one on the proposed 2025 county tax rate and one to approve the FY2026 annual budget. Both publication and hearing motions passed 5-0.

Motions and votes (selected):
- Motion to set tax rate at 0.2498 per $100 (failed 3-2).
- Motion to set proposed tax rate at the voter-approved rate 0.252113 per $100 (approved 3-2).
- Motion to schedule public hearing on proposed tax rate on Sept. 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (approved 5-0).
- Motion to schedule public hearing to approve FY2026 annual budget on Sept. 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (approved 5-0).

Why it matters: The proposed rate the court publishes triggers required public-notice language and determines whether the budget-setting process requires additional public steps; using the voter-approved rate is a standard procedure that preserves the court's ability to lower the adopted rate later.

What's next: The auditor was directed to run the required newspaper notices and the statutory letters to elected officials; the court will revisit the second draft of the budget and formal adoption at the Sept. 9 hearing.","After debate the court voted to use the voter-approved tax rate for FY2026 and scheduled public hearings for Sept. 9, 2025, on the proposed tax rate and the FY2026 budget; an initial lower proposed rate failed on a 3-2 vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District attorney seeks immediate workspace; commissioners debate courthouse lighting and doors

Commissioners debate using public-safety sales tax (Fund 51) for fire marshal, sheriff remodel

Rockwall County approves higher constable pay after sheriff, constable press staffing needs

Commissioners set voter-approved rate, schedule September hearings on budget and tax rate