Phil Wagner, president of the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation, presented the EDC’s FY2026 work plan and operating budget to the council and said the EDC expects to deliver substantial taxable value from recent and pending projects. Wagner told council the EDC’s operational budget is lower than the previous year after vendor changes and that the organization expects roughly $150 million in new taxable activity from projects tracked in the board packet.

A major point of debate was capital requests in the EDC budget for pad-ready office sites and related infrastructure. Wagner asked for roughly $5.5 million in capital improvements (board materials cited pads and a regional detention pond among items), including about $4 million estimated to prepare two office pad sites and a regional detention pond. Wagner and EDC materials argued pad-ready sites reduce time-to-market for employers and make Rockwall more competitive in attracting high‑quality office users.

Several council members — including Council member Thomas and others — said they support long-term EDC land acquisition but questioned spending millions to construct office pads now, arguing incentives or more flexible funding could be preferable. Council members asked Mary and EDC staff to provide detailed, line-item cost estimates for the pad work so council can evaluate alternatives before the Sept. 15 adoption. Phil said the board recently cut some costs and expects to approve the Tech Park budget at its September meeting; the EDC budget will return to council for formal action Sept. 15.

No final action was taken on EDC capital requests at the Aug. 25 council meeting; council directed staff and the EDC to exchange precise cost estimates and to return with refined proposals before the adoption hearing.