[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6515515,"mediaKeyId","3859363-9fe292c2e64e762db1a062a27b955280","parentId",3859363,"title","Rockwall County clerk outlines large records funds, asks to use fees for digitization, fraud alerts and courtroom AV upgrades","audioSeconds",3770,"startMs",7470000,"endMs",11240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859363-9fe292c2e64e762db1a062a27b955280&start=7470&end=11240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859363-9fe292c2e64e762db1a062a27b955280/thumbnail_7470000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6515515/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-County-clerk-outlines-large-records-funds-asks-to-use-fees-for-digitization-fraud-alerts-and-courtroom-AV-upgrades","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515515-8813eb60495427e848ac607836ddc61b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627900&Signature=YEdW9-hLKAlJJTPzX8Hc8Pr~6~3z9quodsAhPbiNtB~LisL8yhMy7Evl1t7EW13Mo1MKzTdax7Dhrz11UGaehfVhMoIo~58QjbxHrb6zGRqoakn0Xvm9ODb1rkwoEfpgGPVmF6QdWZR~5DJfpSV4qfRb97Mc5zw9aGGxkJIWMMn6N5MecSiio~pHbETuApwKcwrQUWMW5G7EREL0~GVuZzI7W12HTXgcwYBGadk07TAqetEyDaWvldLu5qjtT-4HNJy0nQPiECjAJQVUgaYbfLleMOccrl-J4szHwxx0gu1mVx09HkN-iIJ0c6Okby2s5Ds~d0wYE6Ocl9TwMYQCeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockwall County Texas","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","Jennifer Fogg, Rockwall County clerk, reviewed several special funds that the county clerk’s office manages and described proposed uses for those funds, including continued digitization and records‑preservation work, property‑fraud and notary‑fraud alert subscriptions and courtroom audio/visual upgrades.

Special funds and balances: Fogg reported substantial balances in the county‑clerk special funds that are funded by statutory fee splits (filing, archival and records fees). She told commissioners that those funds have built up over years of fee collections linked to recorded documents and that balances are intended for archive, digitization and records‑preservation purposes under state law.

Proposed uses: Fogg asked to use records funds to pay for (a) continued digitization and reconstruction/preservation of old records, (b) software and maintenance agreements related to records and courtroom audio/video, and (c) property‑fraud and notary‑fraud alert services. She said a notary‑fraud alert product would require a one‑time implementation fee (about $30,350 in the estimate she presented) and an annual subscription (about $7,000), and that property‑fraud alert services were already in use or under consideration; she requested the ability to re‑implement a separate product where the Tyler Records module did not meet local needs for senior citizens or people who do not want to use a login/password system.

Records operations and staffing: Fogg described a records‑management plan and noted that she intends to shift many supply and maintenance costs to the records funds, reducing general‑fund pressure. She also proposed increasing part‑time records staff pay and using the special fund to cover that cost; commissioners asked whether those funds could legally be used for staff and requested statutory references and legal analysis before approving staffing shifts.

AV and courtroom systems: Fogg asked that some courtroom AV upgrades and maintenance (microphones, streaming and capture systems) be funded from records/archival funds because they relate to preserving court records and minutes. Commissioners directed coordination with the IT director and the auditor to ensure procurement and permissible uses match statute.

Legal and policy questions: Commissioners and the auditor asked Fogg to provide the statutes that authorize each permitted use; the court asked staff to follow up with written guidance about what each special fund can legally fund and whether interest earned on the funds may be used similarly.

Ending: Fogg said she would work with the auditor and county IT to produce a clearer list of allowable expenses to present alongside any capital or subscription requests; commissioners asked staff to be cautious and to obtain legal confirmation before reallocating funds or paying ongoing personnel costs from special‑fee balances.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockwall County Texas - Commissioners Court Workshop Meeting - Jun 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County Clerk Jennifer Fogg presented special‑fund balances and proposed uses, asking to fund digitization, fraud‑alert services and some courtroom audio/visual work from records and archival fees rather than the general fund.","taxTitle","Rockwall County, Texas","taxId",54914,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515520,"District clerk asks for more staff, a records manager and reclassification to handle rising e‑filings and a new district court",463,7215000,7678000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859363-9fe292c2e64e762db1a062a27b955280&start=7215&end=7678","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859363-9fe292c2e64e762db1a062a27b955280/thumbnail_7215000.jpg","/articles/6515520/Rockwall-County/Texas/District-clerk-asks-for-more-staff-a-records-manager-and-reclassification-to-handle-rising-efilings-and-a-new-district-court","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515520-ea676712dcbd7d7a3110e55ba449db4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627900&Signature=Hh1Ea1dFguYsgAn5JV88SGNP32~~MK1VSKB2qwrUddUomRfnVvNJmFnKztSXoB7gSJziBnn7eSdWXkc5Tm3aODzJnR0evIL9zZGzdEj8i7n2AmrIjdCOX8239ZBKyv5b5gGQJbOS1C029baQ8p31Sg4CXxSjE7QPwbASR62iMBhk1w5JVpkSIuazx5DifW6HEuLr3i3g4Rmo7KTgr-5Yta1H75-UpRIxagF6OhLrLOwJXsCyU5BQ-O2H1LWWcLG0SdFdsHzxiec51F3L6A-wefomB6uImR02uICcIbMYyGi0NHdHkNAoSDWzd8V5clsw1~iwAfsmRuE4qiGknQsR8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leah Carlson, Rockwall County district clerk, told the Commissioners Court on June 17 that her office is handling a higher workload driven by rising civil/family filings and a steady increase in electronic filings, and she requested multiple new positions and reclassifications to keep court operations staffed.

Carlson presented three years of filing data showing that felony filings are relatively flat while civil and family filings have increased by roughly 400 cases over two years. She said the biggest pressure is on civil level‑1 cases (small civil claims) and on the routine volume of electronic filings: the office processed about 28,736 e‑filings in 2024, which she estimated averages 18–20 e‑filings per day per employee — well above her team’s target of 10–12 per day for manageable workload.

Staffing requests: Carlson proposed hiring an additional clerk dedicated to county courts at law to relieve two overburdened county‑court clerks. She also asked for staffing to support the incoming “500th and 3rd” district court (two clerks for civil/family work plus two clerks for felony support: one courtroom clerk and one support clerk). Carlson asked to promote an existing employee to civil/family supervisor to reduce administrative burden on the chief deputy.

Records management: Carlson requested a full‑time records‑management clerk to be paid from the district clerk’s records fund. She described an ongoing digitization program (last ledger/minute books remain to be digitized) and said the new position would identify digitized files eligible for legal destruction and manage that process; she noted thousands of physical files remain on the fifth floor of the new courthouse.

Pay grades and retention: Carlson asked the court to consider reclassifying deputy clerk positions from grade 9 to grade 13 and moving senior clerks from grade 13 to 14 after comparing starting salaries with neighboring counties. She said neighboring counties (Dallas, Collin, Kaufman among others) have higher starting pay for comparable positions and reported turnover in recent years tied largely to higher pay outside Rockwall County.

What’s next: Carlson said some planning steps (schematic design requests for space used by the district clerk and adult probation) could be scheduled as workshops and facility tours. Commissioners asked the district clerk to work with the auditor and the judges to quantify the staffing needed for the new court and to present the aggregate fiscal impact so the public and the court can see the total cost of adding a court.

Ending: Commissioners asked the district clerk to coordinate with the district attorney and judges and to return with a consolidated staffing and budget impact estimate for the new court.","District Clerk Leah Carlson told commissioners that civil and family filings and electronic filings have risen sharply; she requested additional clerks assigned to county courts at law, two clerks for a new district court, a records‑management clerk funded from special fees, and job‑grade adjustments to improve recruitment and retention.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515525,"Rockwall County hears $2.7M in capital proposals, including new courthouse planning and lighting overhaul",822,3973000,4795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859363-9fe292c2e64e762db1a062a27b955280&start=3973&end=4795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859363-9fe292c2e64e762db1a062a27b955280/thumbnail_3973000.jpg","/articles/6515525/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-County-hears-27M-in-capital-proposals-including-new-courthouse-planning-and-lighting-overhaul","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515525-92a148366f66e703fe145613db9dcebd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627900&Signature=JxWWwZvJ6BsBpMwIg6mv5yoMGkMKWgXslVgnBY3v0oaKIElA50YWW8nbb6-1x3F2-WZuzC2LvT9gig6InbODM9hFAX9jhfK-NezTpXTHcC94iB0lfvCJGuyE~hmPVg5kObs-k0IN5lHwSXYlOC4NkyH6OnAw1B8DMZJtr7kbhP1pZxoyOX9vgrxTAEtYSnFkDzCseBMJ19cBAT9vSrUkIMMJ8R56fL0AiqWqVGm-9~GMxbMCEZjJG53Wk54s23If3Uvt7MbuhdquZnO7~R5hevTcyA1W6lSVV17QJddYH~8iaXtwMlOVddj~ldkH1ZTojCL9LMAEgUGAqLbFfjoheg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barry Compton, the county’s facilities director, presented a package of capital planning requests that together totaled several million dollars and covered multiple facilities across Rockwall County.

New courthouse planning and lighting: Compton said the court directed staff on April 8 to work with Parkhill (the architect) and that staff recommend tackling district attorney office reconfiguration and rotunda improvements as soon as fiscally possible. He warned that the courthouse’s current lighting control software is obsolete and parts are no longer available; vendors reported designed obsolescence so a full system replacement may be required. Compton supplied a planning estimate for engineering and design services of roughly $285,000 and a higher, hardware/installation estimate that a vendor had previously provided (about $827,000) which commissioners characterized as large and asked staff to seek competitive bids and clarifying scope documents before committing construction funds.

Rotunda and security: Compton and the commissioners discussed reconfiguring the courthouse entrance/exit and creating a more secure, temperature‑controlled security office; they also discussed how a reconfiguration could affect future occupants and circulation. Commissioners said they want design work done so that construction can proceed in a coordinated way rather than piecemeal.

Adult probation and library planning: Parkhill provided schematic and design‑phase cost estimates for an adult probation facility study (one proposal included possible conversion at Road & Bridge property), with an $460,241 consultant/oversight figure that includes schematic design and phased services. Compton recommended a smaller first step (schematic design ~ $67,536) if the court wishes to pursue the option.

Library needs assessment: Compton recommended a specialist library needs assessment (about $75,000) and noted the building opened in 2008; systems are approaching the typical 20‑year life cycle. Commissioners discussed staging any major overhaul and possibly pairing a needs assessment with a capital campaign.

Sheriff’s office and jail projects: The roof for the sheriff’s office is coordinated with the sheriff’s office remodel project; Compton expected a total roof cost near $350,000 but said $210,000 has been set aside in a facilities fund (fund 202) and other previously earmarked monies could be combined to cover the balance. In the jail, Compton recommended replacing unreliable kitchen appliances; he said repair bills on one dishwasher exceeded $11,000 and that leasing alternatives were under consideration to spread cost and reduce capital outlay.

Other items: Compton listed professional cleaning and power‑wash quotes for courthouse exteriors and window washing, exterior door replacement options for the historic courthouse (solid wood vs stamped aluminum), parking‑area conversions by the jail (a quote of roughly $110,000), and epoxy‑floor replacement/repair in the jail.

What’s next: Commissioners and staff agreed to prioritize the DA/new courthouse planning and to bring planning‑level budgets and options (schematics, procurement strategy, and funding sources) back to the court. Commissioners instructed staff to coordinate with the auditor on timing and potential use of the county’s facilities reserve fund rather than drawing heavily on the general fund.

Ending: Compton said he would return with refined estimates and vendor bids; commissioners said they would discuss funding sources and schedule a court agenda item to approve any engineering or construction work.","Facilities staff recommended immediate planning for remodels and systems replacement at the new courthouse (lighting), rotunda security, adult probation facility options and a library needs assessment; commissioners discussed timing and potential use of reserved facility funds.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515528,"Rockwall County reviews facilities budget; discusses moving jail maintenance staff under facilities",6859,36000,6895000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3859363-9fe292c2e64e762db1a062a27b955280&start=36&end=6895","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3859363-9fe292c2e64e762db1a062a27b955280/thumbnail_36000.jpg","/articles/6515528/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-County-reviews-facilities-budget-discusses-moving-jail-maintenance-staff-under-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515528-0f16ffccd1050ebfd3107b3e83d9826a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627900&Signature=WYu87q1qcK4g3OmfiLO3awmVZc7kA3y-zy~GxiYwBjpy1WIqfA5qBBYmdeb~ZfgIfhdiyf49BglKtBJV8SP3wT0msk5p23VQ9awUf3CvOYZrJCmfVuK2d84YA2Fpvs7pOnRFisA6CmZzI1Dle9pPoJA1v6eSTtBEhVyyOTHBHQxaf3oJVbO2uHzLN7oB4BrdPgu21EhYjNTk6sqrShiAMy8clFlXT6p4LaocDm9Be7F4pjyBGKo87NGGJDEjpyabORmhs6A5Bd2Sr3PsS-m7tXVdK3WqtT95lBKhklNZc7rj0JP523m2Ovfgdq~RiRFwPmul-eWO53AREJv-i2b6bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barry Compton, Rockwall County director of facilities and operations, outlined the department’s FY2026 operating and maintenance requests during the county’s June 17 budget workshop, and answered commissioners’ questions about contracts, staffing and contingency spending.

Compton told the Commissioners Court he is seeking modest increases in some lines — uniforms to cover expected hires — and reductions in equipment and furniture where he expects reuse of furniture from other projects. He explained that maintenance and repair lines are tracked by building to monitor recurring costs, and cited a prior major plumbing failure at the Whitmore Building as an example of unpredictable, high-cost repairs.

The county’s building abbreviations used in Compton’s worksheet include AX (annex), JL (jail/law enforcement center), AP (adult probation), CH/HCH (historic courthouse), NCH (new courthouse) and SB (services building). Compton said the new annex will still require maintenance from start-up even while most systems remain under warranty, which explains an initially low but non‑zero first-year budget for that facility.

On maintenance agreements, Compton described the county’s use of vendor-neutral firms for commercial HVAC inspections (he named Intech Sales and Services), and said proprietary systems such as Siemens fire‑detection equipment require vendor contracts because third parties can be unable to fully service those systems. Commissioners pressed him on competitive pricing and whether contracts were periodically bid; Compton said Intech is on a purchasing cooperative and that alternative quotes he had obtained were more expensive.

Jail maintenance staffing: Compton summarized a longstanding, complicated arrangement in which three certified jailers have performed maintenance duties and the jail’s maintenance budget flows through the county maintenance department. He and commissioners discussed moving two of those positions into the facilities department while retaining at least one sergeant or supervisor inside the jail for inspections and inmate‑area responsibilities. Compton and commissioners said the change would aim to provide qualified maintenance technicians to perform specialized mechanical, plumbing and electrical repairs while the jail retains personnel to provide required inmate escorts and satisfy jail staffing standards. Law‑enforcement command staff and the sheriff’s office have reviewed a memo about this shift and the court said it will examine head‑count and state jail‑standards implications before approving a permanent reorganization.

Fleet management proposal: Compton proposed a new fleet technician position and modest shop equipment (a two‑post lift, basic oil supplies and emissions‑testing gear) to handle in‑house oil changes, basic preventative maintenance and the time‑consuming removal/installation of emergency equipment for law‑enforcement vehicles. He and commissioners noted the county rotates roughly 182 vehicles and that the external cost cited for removing equipment has been about $3,000 per vehicle; Compton said in‑house work could materially reduce downtime and disposal delays. Commissioners asked for a financial analysis that includes equipment costs, expected throughput (oil‑change rates and specialty work such as brakes and emissions), and contingencies for growth to a two‑person shop if demand requires it.

Contingency and unanticipated expenses: Compton asked the court to approve a $25,000 unanticipated expense line (about 5% of the proposed department budget) to allow faster responses to urgent repairs without asking the court for every small expenditure. Commissioners indicated they prefer to minimize open contingencies but accepted that facilities maintenance commonly requires a contingency balance.

What’s next: Compton said he will return with any contract renewals or new project bids and that the court needs to resolve the jail staffing/headcount issues in conversation with the sheriff and state jail standards before shifting positions permanently. Commissioners asked staff to provide the requested fleet cost/benefit analysis and to supply more detail about maintenance agreement bid history.

Ending: Commissioners thanked Compton and his staff for the presentation and asked for follow‑up materials (vendor bid comparisons, proposed organizational chart and projected savings estimates) ahead of the next budget hearings.","Facilities director presented FY2026 operations requests including maintenance agreements, a contingency fund, and a proposal to move most jail maintenance positions into the county maintenance department while keeping some jail-certified staff on site for inmate security.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rockwall County clerk outlines large records funds, asks to use fees for digitization, fraud alerts and courtroom AV upgrades

District clerk asks for more staff, a records manager and reclassification to handle rising e‑filings and a new district court

Rockwall County hears $2.7M in capital proposals, including new courthouse planning and lighting overhaul

Rockwall County reviews facilities budget; discusses moving jail maintenance staff under facilities