Rockwall County commissioners set tentative tax-rate target, approve DA funding and courthouse door repairs while debating other budget cuts

The Rockwall County Commissioners Court met Sept. 18 at the historic courthouse to continue public hearings and consider revisions to the proposed fiscal 2026 budget. The court set a working tax-rate figure of 0.2513 if remaining agenda items are approved, approved a $100,000 allocation for a district attorney expansion and approved several other targeted expenditures, but did not adopt a final budget or tax rate by the end of the session.

The actions matter because the court is balancing requests for new positions, sheriff and court space projects, and road maintenance against the court’s own contingency goals and the desire to avoid raising the tax burden on existing property owners. Commissioners directed staff to provide further fund-balance projections before any final rate vote.

Most-significant actions and votes

- The court voted to allocate $100,000 from the general fund toward the District Attorney’s office expansion. Commissioner Galana moved the allocation and Commissioner Lichty seconded; the motion passed 4–1. The money was placed as a line item in the draft budget while commissioners discussed possible additional FY2025 transfers or future reallocations.

- The court approved $55,000 to replace four doors on the historic courthouse and reduced the sheriff’s remodel allocation by the same amount; that motion passed unanimously, 5–0. Facilities staff had estimated aluminum doors could be used for the east and west entrances at lower cost than full wood replacements and recommended pricing adjustments.

- The court approved an annual $600 alarm-monitoring contract for the county annex; motion by Commissioner Stacy, seconded by Commissioner Duane; passed 5–0. Staff said a formal contract will follow and the line item…