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Commissioners agree to craft annex rental policy, waive fee for Republican Women’s Club luncheon
Summary
After a lengthy discussion about rental rates, security and IT support for the county annex multipurpose room, commissioners directed staff to draft a policy and voted to waive fees for the Rockwall County Republican Women’s Club luncheon on Jan. 31 (motion passed 3–1 with one abstention).
Rockwall County commissioners on Jan. 27 spent more than an hour debating rental fees, security protocols and fee‑waiver standards for the county’s annex multipurpose room before directing staff to draft a formal policy and approving a one‑time fee waiver for a local group.
Commissioner Galana opened the discussion, criticizing the current temporary rate and deposit: "It was like I could have gone to Hidden Creek and rented the building, for less money," she said, calling the $300‑an‑hour fee and $600 deposit “egregious” as a long‑term policy. The court heard competing views on whether the county should operate the annex as a community resource, a modest revenue generator, or primarily for county business.
Commissioner Stacy and other commissioners stressed the need to account for security, IT support and maintenance costs when setting rates. Judge New said security determinations should be left to the sheriff’s office: "No one should be deciding security other than the Sheriff," the judge said. Commissioners agreed to have Commissioners Galana and Stacy return with a proposed policy that will specify fees, deposit amounts, security and IT contacts, and standards for fee waivers.
During the same item, the court voted on a one‑time fee waiver for the Rockwall County Republican Women’s Club Membership Luncheon scheduled Jan. 31. After discussion about precedent and criteria for future waivers, Judge New moved to waive the fees for this event; the court recorded the motion as passing 3–1 with one abstention.
The policy requested will address when security or IT staffing is required, refundable damage deposits, criteria for waiving fees and when the county will prioritize county or nonprofit use. Commissioners indicated they expect the sheriff’s office and IT to be part of the policy’s administrative process.
Next steps: Commissioners Galana and Stacy will draft and return a formal policy with recommended fee schedules, deposit requirements, and procedures for assessing security and IT needs before the court votes on a permanent approach.
