The Rockwall County Commissioners Court Workshop Meeting on June 12, 2025, focused primarily on the request for additional staffing in the county's judicial system. Judge Witten presented a case for hiring an additional clerk to manage the increasing caseload, particularly in civil matters, which have seen a significant rise.

Judge Witten emphasized the need for another clerk, noting that the current workload is overwhelming, with 485 new civil lawsuits filed this year alone. This figure translates to approximately 60 cases per month, highlighting the growing demands on the court system. The discussion included questions about the necessary resources to support this new position, such as office space and equipment. Judge Witten confirmed that while a desk and chair are available, a computer and other electronic resources would need to be acquired to ensure the new hire can effectively perform their duties.

Commissioners expressed the need for comparative data to justify the request, referencing staffing levels in neighboring counties like Collin and Kaufman. The conversation underscored the importance of understanding how other counties manage similar caseloads and the number of clerks they employ. Judge Witten agreed to provide additional data on the court's performance over the past few years to support the request.

The meeting also acknowledged the hard work of current staff, particularly highlighting the contributions of Clerk Yanez, who has been instrumental in managing the workload and providing bilingual support in court. The discussion concluded with a recognition of the need for careful consideration of staffing levels across all precincts in light of Rockwall County's growth.

Overall, the meeting underscored the challenges faced by the judicial system in Rockwall County and the necessity for additional resources to maintain effective court operations. The next steps will involve reviewing the requested data and making a decision on the staffing proposal.