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 will be included in general government services rather than drawn from contingency after budget adoption.

- The court voted to remove funding for one dispatch/communications position (leave the position in the head count but not fund it immediately). Motion by Commissioner Stacy; second by Commissioner Lichty; the motion passed 3–2. Sheriff’s office representatives told the court filling the position typically takes weeks to months and said frozen funding could limit prompt hiring if an urgent need arises.

- A separate motion to add $175,000 to Road & Bridge to complete four projects left over from FY25 (projects cited included Munson Road, McDonald Road and Jones Road) failed 3–2 after discussion of fund sources and whether bond or operating funds were appropriate for maintenance work.

Where the money stands and next steps

Auditor and staff briefings during the meeting cited a projected contingency (uncommitted general-fund balance assumed in the draft) of about $858,643 under the current revision of the proposed budget. Commissioners discussed a number of possible ways to free one-time funds, including FY25 carryovers and limited fund-balance transfers, but repeatedly asked the auditor for a clearer projection of unencumbered fund balance as of Oct. 1 before committing to any further transfers.

Commissioners debated whether to treat the District Attorney expansion as a one-time capital-style allocation (using fund balance) or include it as an item in the FY2026 operating budget. The court put a $100,000 line item for the DA in the FY2026 draft and directed staff to return updated fund-balance projections and options for moving additional FY25 dollars if available.

Discussion highlights and constraints

- Forfeiture funds: Kendall Culpepper, District Attorney, reminded the court that state law strictly limits use of law-enforcement forfeiture funds. She said forfeiture proceeds are “for law enforcement purposes” and warned the court against using those funds for general building projects that would leave future occupants unable to move without raising legal questions. (Transcript: discussion with Kendall Culpepper.)

- Sheriff’s vehicles: Finance staff and commissioners clarified a budget line for law-enforcement vehicles and outfitting costs. Staff said nine vehicles were purchased in FY25, one vehicle purchase occurred before year-end and a separate line item — roughly $34,680 per unit — covers outfitting. Finance said the outfitting cost will be paid out of fund 79 and that the money will remain in that fund until FY26 when the outfitting occurs.

- IT and staffing debates: Commissioners spent significant time debating several proposed new positions — especially an additional IT technician and two part-time clerks for JP courts 3 and 4 — and whether to defer or remove some hires to reduce the tax-rate impact. Supporters of the IT hire cited the county’s growing technology needs tied to the new district court, sheriff expansion and other projects; opponents flagged the size of the head-count increase and said some positions could be delayed until next budget year.

- Courthouse audio and microphones: Commissioners and staff noted ongoing problems with courtroom audio and remote sound quality. County staff said they will pursue additional equipment and troubleshooting as a post-budget item.

What the court did not do

The court did not adopt a final FY2026 budget or set a final tax rate at the Sept. 18 session. The auditor told the court the draft that would result if all outstanding items were approved would yield a tax rate of about 0.2513; the judge expressed a personal target near 0.2499 and asked the auditor to identify further options to get to that figure. The court recessed and directed staff to return with fund-balance projections and other reconciled numbers before a final record vote.

Votes at a glance (key recorded votes from the Sept. 18 session)

- Annex alarm monitoring: approve $600 annual contract; motion Commissioner Stacy; second Commissioner Duane; outcome: approved 5–0. - District Attorney expansion: fund $100,000 from general fund (line item added to FY2026 draft); motion Commissioner Galana; second Commissioner Lichty; outcome: approved 4–1. - Courthouse doors: reallocate $55,000 from sheriff remodel to replace four historic courthouse doors; motion Commissioner Lichty; second (recorded); outcome: approved 5–0. - Dispatch/communications position: remove funding for one communications/dispatch position (leave head count); motion Commissioner Stacy; second Commissioner Lichty; outcome: approved 3–2. - Road & Bridge supplemental funding: add $175,000 for four FY25 projects; motion Commissioner Lichty; second Commissioner Stacy; outcome: failed 3–2.

Next steps

Staff was directed to provide an updated projection of unencumbered fund balance as of Oct. 1 and to return updated budget pages reflecting the court’s revisions. The court scheduled additional continuations of public hearings on the FY2026 budget and the proposed 2025 tax rate for upcoming meetings; no final adoption took place on Sept. 18.

(Reporting note: this article is based solely on statements and votes recorded during the Sept. 18, 2025 Rockwall County Commissioners Court special meeting transcript.)