Rockwall County court sets FY2026 budget baseline, approves pay-scale shift and dispatch hires

Rockwall County Commissioners Court on Thursday set baseline budget changes for fiscal year 2026, approving reductions and transfers intended to preserve contingency, shift pay scales for county clerks and add personnel in the sheriff’s communications center and information technology staff.

The court voted 5-0 to lower the proposed legal-services allocation from about $425,000 to $355,000 and to fix the general-fund contingency at $600,000, moves commissioners said were intended to create a stable starting point for remaining budget decisions. Commissioner Lichty made the motion and Commissioner Galana seconded it; the court recorded the vote as 5-0.

Why it matters

The motions affect the size of the budget the court will consider alongside an expected decision on the tax rate. Commissioners repeatedly said they wanted to avoid setting a tax rate so low that the county would face sharp revenue shortfalls later; public comment at the meeting urged caution on premature rate cuts.

Public comment

Resident Bob Wacker, of 309 Featherstone Drive, used his public-forum time to criticize what…