Rockwall County Commissioner John Stacy says only 15.2 miles of new road lanes have been added in 22 years, excluding Interstate 30.

Stacy, who represents Precinct 4 on the Rockwall County Commissioners Court, laid out his case in a guest column published Sept. 6 in the Rockwall County Herald-Banner. He called the track record "a failure of an executed plan" and said State Highways 276 and 66, included in road bonds as far back as 2008, are still not under construction.

Stacy noted he does not speak on behalf of the full court but wanted to share his perspective as he finishes his first term and prepares to begin a second in January.

$50 million in bond funds released

The Commissioners Court voted unanimously to release $50 million from the 2021 voter-approved road bonds, Stacy wrote. The money will advance roadway design countywide and fund construction on several projects.

Stacy explained why the funds sat untouched for years. Voters approved the bonds in 2021, but until the court formally issues the debt, there are no tax-rate implications. Leftover money from 2004 and 2008 road bonds had to be spent first. With those older funds now allocated, the court approved issuing the $50 million in January, and the new debt payments are built into the county's proposed budget.

A county bond-program document from September 2025 listed the first issuance at roughly $33 million across all precincts. The relationship between that figure and Stacy's $50 million reference was not clear from available records.

As we reported Sept. 3, the Commissioners Court voted 3-1 on Aug. 13 to set a proposed FY2027 tax rate of .28. County Judge Frank New voted against. A public hearing on the proposed tax rate and budget is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Consultant change and unbuilt highways

Stacy also criticized the county's longtime transportation consultant. The county hired Innovative Transportation Solutions, Inc. (ITS), alongside Bucher, Willis & Ratliff Corporation, after voters approved a road bond in November 2004, according to the county's bond program page.

"Changing the transportation consultant the county has had for 22 years was critical to better serve the citizens," Stacy wrote. He did not name the replacement firm, describing it only as one with a strong track record.

County planning consortium reports from June through August 2026, still prepared by ITS, show that SH 276 East carries an estimated construction cost of nearly $128.5 million but has zero construction funding. Its let date is listed as "Pending Funding." SH 66 interim intersection improvements also show zero construction funding, with a consultant still developing a fee for the project, according to the August 2026 consortium report.

Not all projects are stalled. FM 549, from SH 276 to SH 205, began construction May 4 with an anticipated completion date of Jan. 31, 2029. TxDOT moved the SH 205 South project's construction timeline up from November 2028 to June 2027.

What's next

Stacy acknowledged the problems built up over decades and said none of the current commissioners were on the court until 2023. He wrote that results will take time.

Residents can weigh in at the Tuesday, Sept. 8, public hearing on the FY2027 budget and tax rate at 9 a.m. at the Rockwall County Courthouse.