[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6466517,"mediaKeyId","5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb","parentId",5822932,"title","Rockwall County adopts FY2026 budget, sets 2025 tax rate at $0.251 per $100 after late revenue adjustments","audioSeconds",3345,"startMs",2055000,"endMs",5400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb&start=2055&end=5400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb/thumbnail_2055000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466517/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-County-adopts-FY2026-budget-sets-2025-tax-rate-at-0251-per-100-after-late-revenue-adjustments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466517-ccaaeffc8c08d43d1610dac4b7726f6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775348488&Signature=fSxiZvX5DCURIClHC2hpgUlvsvdRUsLjlhsyl9dMlUIVTUulTwva1bXir93EmQtEFgMHN14Sz6~7UTKJ7I7LVXNRM~bPx1yMabgUoVQImRGV7ViJdJYioAJ8X9PvkZWXchcAeHfKCYCKg5hQksfJpE5nrfBgFbOdk9ijmQn2SAo5d2mA7l~P6nFpawCGWSfZAdueitJLxEtof2u4mffrwxvfDtP2hLGsOplVA0iDZxy4o4FJ1bU0jcm4mFf8N9zqiCwyL0bqpF10j6fOaPuCKdnxptFs7ljIrBXOEMAET5YFDtIFL7DruaLIkDfYdH4NM55VG9A5oZItJNGeTkX5HQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockwall County Texas","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Rockwall County Commissioners on Sept. 23 approved the FY2026 budget and set the county's 2025 ad valorem tax rate at $0.251 per $100 of assessed value.

Budget approval followed an extensive morning debate over revenue assumptions and last-minute adjustments. Commissioners discovered that previously included revenue from an interlocal agreement with McClendon Chisholm had not been approved by that city, creating a $264,712 gap in projected income; a separate discrepancy in expected dispatch revenue from Royce City was also discussed. The court tightened spending and moved several line items before approving the budget.

Key actions and votes
- The commission voted to add one full-time sheriff deputy to the authorized headcount but left the position unfunded; the motion passed 5-0. The deputy would be added as an unfunded FTE pending potential interlocal revenue.
- After multiple motions and line-item adjustments, a motion to approve the budget with adjusted additional revenue (an amendment that reflected the court's agreed changes) carried 4-1 (Commissioner Stacy recorded as the no vote in the transcript shorthand).
- The court then adopted the tax-rate order levying 0.251 per $100 assessed value for 2025; the tax-rate motion was made and passed 5-0.

Why it mattered
County leaders said the court aimed to preserve a 1% contingency and maintain fund balance levels while responding to late changes in expected interlocal revenues. Several commissioners said they did not want to make deeper cuts to services and capital programs after weeks of budget work; others pushed for specific savings, including delaying or deferring certain hires and capital items.

What commissioners debated
Commissioners discussed several possible reductions, including delaying an IT technician hire and removing courthouse door work from the general fund. The court considered lowering a $10 archival fee (see separate article) and shifting pay-range adjustments from 5.7% to 4% to reduce personnel costs; a proposal to reduce the pay-range increase from 5.7% to 4% failed on a 3-2 vote.

Clarifying financial points discussed on the record
- Commissioners identified a $314,712 combined shortfall once McClendon Chisholm revenue and Royce City adjustments were clarified; later adjustments and transfers reduced the immediate impact to a smaller amount the court accepted.
- Treasurer David Peake and the county auditor advised the court on fund balance and interest-earning assumptions; the court discussed the general fund reserve policy (target range 4'6 months) and the timing of tax collections in January.

Formal vote language and adoption
The court's tax-rate order levies ad valorem taxes for 2025 at a rate of 0.251 per $100 assessed value; the order sets the delinquency dates and penalties and includes the statutorily required homestead exemption language. Commissioners voted 5-0 to adopt the tax order.

Ending: With the budget and tax rate adopted, commissioners and staff said they would continue to monitor revenues and return to the court if unanticipated shortfalls or opportunities arise.

Speakers quoted or cited in this report appear in the court transcript and include the county judge, commissioners, the county auditor and treasurer; quote usage is limited to those entries in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockwall County Texas - Commissioners Court Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After finding unconfirmed interlocal revenue and debating cuts and contingency, the court approved the FY2026 budget by a 4-1 vote and adopted a 0.251 tax rate by a 5-0 vote.","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},6466522,"Rockwall County approves county clerk archive plan, keeps $10 preservation fee after debate",1417,671000,2088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb&start=671&end=2088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb/thumbnail_671000.jpg","/articles/6466522/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-County-approves-county-clerk-archive-plan-keeps-10-preservation-fee-after-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466522-6bf4b70df15634382605942dbc509d3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775348488&Signature=JXimAhrk8mb~sBrAxWOGVmBd6p6WGZdpMtWb5Ro2yEkW8dpXfN1qnLP-U3gvg~rVsQX~34utFbwmtKwKm5OtSigZAsKnJDd8CFSzBOYR7DvwNScKUr0fU6JlwSOrsyae18CVQFOLVGci~unbeBmN3PNFZlIzpraTNXPcEwi9~bbjeNw2hai~32nfYhnbM8yiejMonKy950KbWSjpmkIiugNptUHCpXd9EACjawDDWZ3c3TpsYw1xsNrA0UlBbVFKAEnW6h2iRIdLytf9HsHXuRs9Aw2OXW3PDOOCpbXGeydSvHwxfs7j97BYzT~30bHCEI6XZg83079W4sp3HArUMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockwall County Commissioners on Sept. 23 approved the county clerk's FY2026 archive plan for preservation and restoration of county clerk records and archives, voting 4-1 to retain the $10 record-archive fee.

County Clerk Ms. Fogg presented the plan and told the court the archive and records-management accounts come from filing fees rather than the general taxation process; she warned recent state legislation is shrinking some clerk fee revenue streams and could reduce funds available for future preservation projects.

The clerk outlined several bills that she said affect fees collected in her office, citing Senate Bill 1547' (electronic copy fees), Senate Bill 1760 (guardianship transfer fee reductions), Senate Bill 1537 (interpreter appointment requirements), and House Bills and other measures she said would change collections and effective dates. She said the archive fund balance stood at about $1,856,268.19 (reported as of Aug. 8) and described an agreed contract with an outside vendor, Cofile, for preservation work she estimated at roughly $126,000.

Commissioner Lichty proposed cutting the archival fee from $10 to $5 for FY2026 on grounds the county is accumulating a large balance in the archival account; he said the fund balance indicated the county was collecting substantially more than it currently spends for preservation. That motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Stacy then moved to approve the archive plan as presented (keeping the $10 fee); Commissioner Gallano seconded, and the measure passed 4-1.

Why it matters: The county clerk's archival and records-management fees pay for document preservation, digitization and rehousing work that the county says would otherwise fall on the general fund. The clerk warned that recent legislative changes to what clerks may charge for electronic copies and other courtroom fees reduce revenue streams and could shift more pressure onto local budgets if state law continues to change.

Details and financials
- The clerk described the FY2026 total budget request for her office as about $4,900,000.00. She reported year-to-date expenses of $1,154,122.89 as of Sept. 19, 2025.
- Reported fund balances and collections cited by the clerk included: archival fund collected $266,290 and records-management fund collected $269,190 (both reported as $10 fees tied to document recordings and filings).
- The clerk said a contract with Cofile covering preservation work was in the plan and estimated it at about $126,000; microfilm digitization work is planned but not yet quoted.

Courtroom exchanges and procedural notes
The clerk repeatedly framed the archive and records-management accounts as funds derived from document fees rather than the county's general tax levy; several commissioners and the clerk debated whether those receipts should be called \"non-taxpayer funds,\" with some commissioners pointing out county property owners still ultimately bear the fees and taxes associated with property activity.

The court approved the plan and the $10 archival fee by roll-call shorthand: \"It passes 4 to 1.\" The transcript shows no roll-call naming each commissioner for that vote.

What comes next
The clerk said she plans to bring quotes for additional preservation work (microfilm digitization and possible AI-assisted indexing/captioning options) to the court for approval before funds would be spent.

Speakers quoted or cited in this article are limited to court participants recorded in the public transcript.

Ending: The archival plan will move forward with the $10 fee in place; the county clerk and commissioners signaled ongoing attention to how state law changes may shrink fee-derived funds used for records preservation, and the clerk said she plans further procurement work to spend down planned projects in the coming months.","After a lengthy discussion about special funds and recent state fee changes, Rockwall County Commissioners approved the county clerk's FY2026 archive plan and kept the $10 archival fee by a 4-1 vote.",{"_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},6466503,"Commissioners approve routine contracts, interlocal agreements and software addenda",543,7032000,7575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb&start=7032&end=7575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb/thumbnail_7032000.jpg","/articles/6466503/Rockwall-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-routine-contracts-interlocal-agreements-and-software-addenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466503-56855353ed556c73373904d0d9aefe6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775348488&Signature=Rp7vxQTBmZq9PkQ1Osgma4wr~Pu5og21kugh7bZNckpYHl3dvAHbyIp2Iaw7uKzZecnUPQnuLyDs0cvZXc4-ENcxzmNX0Z-I7-aZ-zU75uI5VrGw1076sQq1SO0jg5cWVLRBtUsIP4W~XPsOkg9as57Y-sR17D~hQqC6zNweGf9J5BvrQf6ydLVVUNf2YW3Fv4y8BOK4~3muvoRdNmxz-jNOQ8QYXwuA91sRxc23lWWQj6ZLtk9yxrj0HEMuyjDy7ETIYkorRErnOlOrtf9QXJppTAdvG5dF1vOutPawQNJLTBsoDM8GN0t8Yi~mkl1BYJjD-7tZ8bYu1j339qZyQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockwall County Commissioners on Sept. 23 approved a slate of routine contracts, interlocal agreements and vendor renewals as part of the meeting's business and consent agendas.

Highlights of approved items
- Four five-year software-as-a-service agreements and county addenda with Kologic Software Inc. to provide COPSYNC-like services for each county constable (initial year costs covered in current budgets, annual ongoing license estimated thereafter). Approved unanimously.
- Interlocal agreements for fire-protection services with the cities of Rockwall, Heath, Fate, Royce City and McClendon Chisholm for the 2025'2026 year, approved unanimously. The transcript notes Fate included updated language about de-annexed homes and additional-insured insurance language.
- A one-year renewal with Kelly Akins, MS LPC dba Phoenix Professionals LLC to continue mental-health services for Rockwall County Detention Center inmates, approved unanimously.
- A one-year service contract renewal with Aisling Equine Therapy to provide selected programming for jail inmates, approved unanimously.
- Approval to enter into an agreement with Foresight Labs Inc. for inmate-health monitoring equipment and monitoring services (replacement provider; turnkey provider discontinued monitoring), approved unanimously.
- Approval of a 5-year lease with Caterpillar Financial Services for a 2025/26 wheel loader (payments as scheduled; first-year trade-in credit shown), approved unanimously.
- Annual service agreement with Accurate Controls Inc. for security-equipment maintenance at the law-enforcement center ($54,137.02 per year), approved unanimously.
- Awarded multiple road-and-bridge construction-materials bids (hot-mix asphalt, asphalt oils and emulsions, gas and diesel, corrugated metal pipe, cement-treated materials) to recommended vendors as listed in the procurement tabulations.

Why it matters: These approvals are largely operational and budgeted items that support county operations, law enforcement, road maintenance and intergovernmental service delivery.

Votes and procedure
Most items were considered on the consent agenda or as routine procurement approvals and carried by unanimous votes when brought to the court. The Kologic and fire-interlocal agreements were discussed and approved individually by recorded voice votes.

Ending: Commissioners said these routine procurements and interlocal agreements move forward under the terms approved and will be implemented by the respective departments.","At the Sept. 23 meeting the court approved multiple routine items: constable software addenda, fire-protection interlocal agreements, inmate services renewals, equipment leases, and several service renewals and bids.",{"_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},6466507,"Rockwall County adopts neighborhood speed-hump policy requiring 60% resident support",208,5897000,6105000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb&start=5897&end=6105","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb/thumbnail_5897000.jpg","/articles/6466507/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-County-adopts-neighborhood-speed-hump-policy-requiring-60-resident-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466507-a83c85a763a920cc7554904c798176f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775348488&Signature=BvaTux~akVeepAk7wsrTmns4IYyJwMtYVjsi0sodET3DD~Q8HeHbeCXvayHHlo7qkH9JrhA1pPanO7Sc~CJCnPFa8DxFk4ooVEsCZVY6uKMrZ20A9OQZ7~VdDzkBDnJXdyGcUWnlV9D1e5rKADlwxraB72rcnSYQNB3MyJ4jczkA2eRJIQQR7iWn-UXHLbTlWODHU~l5KDahEKTqRAqUyhdFQTqMkO2BWSHjsVTyg53vNVPeek95EivJzl7f5nGFAldzv7m-K9PkUENjFeh2vFgv3Jfl7xGquG5b~6Zh6YENIPhyUqsUgWNaKZrK8T60qUa92PH4BtuITgIMYfRDQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockwall County commissioners on Sept. 23 adopted a formal speed-hump procedure to govern requests from neighborhoods for traffic-calming measures.

Under the policy the county will accept petitions requesting a traffic-calming device only after an initial threshold of resident support: 60% of affected property owners must sign a petition to initiate review. The policy calls for an engineering study by the county's Environmental Development Services department to determine whether a speed hump or other traffic-calming option is warranted.

Commissioner Stacy, who sponsored the policy, told the court the proposal borrows elements from other Texas counties and sets a high bar so measures are not installed for one-off complaints. Commissioner Lichty said petitions that offer to cost-share or fully fund installation would be prioritized.

The court voted 5-0 to approve the speed-hump policy. The policy also includes a process for removal: taking down a speed hump requires the same 60% petition threshold.

Why it matters: The policy creates a clear, documented path for residents seeking traffic-calming measures while limiting ad-hoc installs and ensuring county engineering review.

Process summary
- Initiating petition requires signatures from at least 60% of affected property owners.
- County will conduct engineering analysis to determine appropriate treatment; high-traffic or collector roads are excluded from typical speed-hump installations.
- Removal also requires a 60% petition in favor of removal.

Ending: Residents seeking traffic-calming are advised to organize a neighborhood petition and work with their precinct commissioner and the county's development services department to initiate the study.","The commissioners approved a new procedure for neighborhood speed-hump requests that requires a 60% petition threshold, engineering study and defined removal rules.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466512,"Sheriff's office remodel progresses; county OKs $152,870 evidence-locker purchase",345,5355000,5700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb&start=5355&end=5700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822932-a885d55a536929130f1adf783cb39deb/thumbnail_5355000.jpg","/articles/6466512/Rockwall-County/Texas/Sheriffs-office-remodel-progresses-county-OKs-152870-evidence-locker-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466512-81f308a4fdc83f31956327b908a8edc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775348488&Signature=DdqDmwo0VGXRoU3~EzgQDBduxRu4Zivk2ORWLHCeYXcrbpSLzR5WRSQx4I6AjJCwEuvfyEU7r7I2BB~RWeAUqJdAjPRtEYgEgjs6KWsu5EGmn~5zo1PceR15JtPXDRYGjZ0A7cB55tLLaTkXXKYPHIlfMIj1FMUrBrKY85WinWEcv0BWCobJNcO-D9e2Ux2W5sJczaooj3YYi3tbrUjObtb4AiQ1l3btipcZ6ZUxWdG2jdC2aVo5R2m6epNMOr4GSkCX67jcbTK22BgDQ58MQloR0K1ipe~2LZnU4YH3OoIf~lY~0pBhStRgwA6AOj8Je5MQSm8xenzA-2E8exxsFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockwall County received construction updates for its sheriff's office remodel on Sept. 23 and approved a vendor quote for evidence lockers totaling $152,870.

Owner's representatives said the sheriff's office renovation is performing under budget and is back to work after a permitting delay. Construction work described in the meeting included interior partitions and framing, plus mechanical, electrical and plumbing work; project staff said they are tracking change orders that will be returned to the court for approval.

Separately, commissioners approved a purchase of evidence lockers from Southwest Solutions Group for $152,870. Commissioner Stacy moved to approve the quote and Commissioner Gallano seconded; the court passed the motion 5-0.

Why it matters: Evidence storage and secure chain-of-custody systems are critical to law-enforcement operations; the purchase will be funded through the project's furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) allowances and will be reconciled as part of the guaranteed maximum price change-order process.

Project status and next steps: The owner's representative reported the security/detention partitions are being installed; schedule impact has been reduced and, if progress continues, the earlier January substantial-completion target could move earlier. Several permit-driven changes generated additional ASI (architect's supplemental instruction) items; the design and construction teams are pricing those changes and expect to bring change orders to the court at a future meeting.

Speakers cited in this article are limited to those on the public record in the transcript.","Officials reported the sheriff's office renovation is ahead of schedule and under budget; commissioners approved a purchase of evidence lockers for $152,870 to meet project needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rockwall County adopts FY2026 budget, sets 2025 tax rate at $0.251 per $100 after late revenue adjustments

Rockwall County approves county clerk archive plan, keeps $10 preservation fee after debate

Commissioners approve routine contracts, interlocal agreements and software addenda

Rockwall County adopts neighborhood speed-hump policy requiring 60% resident support

Sheriff's office remodel progresses; county OKs $152,870 evidence-locker purchase