Commissioners approve modification to 2009 U.S. Marshals intergovernmental agreement to add ICE detainee housing

The Rockwall County Commissioner’s Court on Oct. 28 approved a modification to a 2009 intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the U.S. Marshals Service allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be an authorized agency user for short‑term housing of federal detainees at the Rockwall County Detention Center.

Sheriff (presenting the item) described the change as an update to the existing federal contract. "This is just an addendum and update to the current contract we have, through the Federal Government," the sheriff said, adding that county counsel (Craig Odestri) had reviewed and approved the update. The sheriff said the change would let the county house detainees locally "for a period of time until they can be transferred to their Dallas facility," avoiding immediate transport to Dallas in every case.

Commissioner Stacy moved to approve the modification; Commissioner Lichty seconded the motion. The court recorded the vote as 5–0 in favor.

The agreement is an amendment to a long‑standing IGA with the U.S. Marshals Service; the sheriff said the amendment preserves existing contractual stipulations while authorizing an additional federal user. No additional financial terms or staffing changes were described at the Oct. 28 meeting. County counsel had reviewed the amendment, the sheriff said.

The court’s action authorizes county officials to execute the agreed modification; staff did not present further operational details or budget impacts during the meeting.