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