Rockwall County commissioners are building a legislative agenda for Austin ahead of the 90th Texas Legislative Session, zeroing in on unfunded mandates, road funding and managing growth outside city limits.
The Commissioners Court held a legislative workshop Oct. 26 at the Rockwall County Historic Courthouse, according to meeting minutes. County Judge Frank New, Commissioners Bobby Gallana, Dana Macalik, Lorne Liechty and John Stacy were present, along with Jennifer Fogg. Candace Willis was absent. The session ran from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Commissioner Gallana laid out four priorities: exposing and reducing unfunded mandates, managing growth in unincorporated areas, funding roads and keeping decisions local. He called for another commissioner to join him in forming a legislative committee.
Criminal justice accounts for 60% of the county budget, Commissioner Stacy said. He urged the court to reframe unfunded mandates as a partnership issue, asking state lawmakers to work with local governments when they increase the burden on communities.
Stacy also identified neighboring Republican counties, including Kaufman, Collin and Denton, as potential allies. He recommended the court produce white papers on its top issues and make legislative priorities a recurring agenda item to fine-tune positions before the session begins.
Commissioner Macalik raised the question of data centers, asking whether the court should adopt a formal position. She said she would reach out to the CUC to form a consortium of similarly situated counties. She also referenced the Rockwall Chamber of Commerce's priority list, noting its emphasis on supporting business and economic competitiveness.
Commissioner Liechty offered a caution on data center legislation, warning that broad state-level rules could give the legislature control over development in small counties. He supported Gallana's unfunded-mandates push and suggested the court fund two buses of citizens to travel to the State Capitol for a meeting on a specific subject.
Road funding drew extended discussion. Judge New said he wants the court to identify a specific road project, attach a dollar amount and bring a concrete ask to lawmakers. Stacy discussed FM roads, traffic findings and TxDOT apportionment, arguing that the fastest-growing counties in Texas need a dedicated path to fund FM roads. The court agreed on producing two white papers.
Stacy also raised platting rules in unincorporated areas, saying the court needs to agree on what platting standards should look like for Rockwall County.
A follow-up workshop took place Monday, Nov. 9, at 11:00 a.m. at the Historic Courthouse, with the 90th Legislative Session again on the agenda. Minutes from that session were not yet available. Stacy recommended the court keep legislative priorities on each upcoming agenda to sharpen its positions before lawmakers convene.
