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Rockwall commissioners change economic goal phrasing after debate over county's role
Summary
Commissioners debated whether the county should 'grow the economy' or instead 'foster the growth of the economy'; the court revised the goal wording and left operational approaches (such as a county economic development corporation) to future discussion.
A sustained exchange in the Rockwall County special meeting centered on how to phrase the plan's economic goal and what role county government should play in local economic development.
One commissioner objected strongly to language that read "grow the economy," arguing "I do not believe it's the job of county government to grow the economy," and warned against using taxpayer dollars to pick economic winners. The Chair responded that promoting or fostering economic growth can be part of the county judge's role in representing and attracting opportunities for the county. After discussion, the court agreed to revise the goal from "grow the economy" to "foster the growth of the economy" and to leave specific operational choices'including whether to create a county economic development corporation'for future workshops and debate.
Commissioners said the operational objectives and potential budget implications for the economic goal would be developed at the October workshop, where staff will return with proposals for the court to consider.
