[{"_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",6654833,"mediaKeyId","5442654-84c7aac0ad3124fb4f0c3c98983e5494","parentId",5442654,"title","Votes at a glance: Rockwall County Commissioners Court actions, July 22, 2025","audioSeconds",1821,"startMs",2774905,"endMs",4596740,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442654-84c7aac0ad3124fb4f0c3c98983e5494&start=2774&end=4596","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442654-84c7aac0ad3124fb4f0c3c98983e5494/thumbnail_2774905.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6654833/Rockwall-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Rockwall-County-Commissioners-Court-actions-July-22-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654833-afc11de1d7c00da2c5361617f023c122/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447729&Signature=EMDxtdyK43Z1zfrFsIe1Pg69Bphq6eHLQXysVD5x1iwBoX07hbLH721LvuiLjTCAiVa-m4AUBN~2E-O7vteTD3FeS9t9f6vk17aGwqP5m5tDfqpkzk0XAYcjwTk3rifzVVuUxc0KvOe5Xcw7bPXWd9TyKXQJw8q5B~yeuwwNEH-bW4ot1sOIKqooVUMrG9c3r1zmTj4n~BITG4Ec~qsrfAWfXXBPTcBNTTIztdpNLPv3uPPddDC58N8UzVkRt0aVMNmjLwzRww3ukej5W05H1nN5WVKOhlrD9rRf~H-w6vtJpwi7vR8Ilu2WnTBwniiVfm5D39inuy7nOK9sitZGOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockwall County Texas","date","2025-07-22T00:00:00Z","article","Here are formal actions voters and observers may want to track from the Rockwall County Commissioners Court meeting on July 22, 2025. Each entry lists the motion, any recorded teller information provided in the meeting, and the outcome as recorded in the court minutes.

Construction and facilities

- Approved proposed change order number 3 with Hill & Wilkinson Construction Group for the Rockwall County Courthouse Third Floor project (credit related to elevator shaft conditions). Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved proposed change order number 4 with Hill & Wilkinson Construction Group for the Rockwall County Courthouse Third Floor project (relocation of a fire panel). Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved proposed change order number 5 (additive) with Hill & Wilkinson Construction Group to include the audiovisual scope for both Third Floor courtrooms; county will fund AV from previously set-aside funds. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved change order 5 28 (accounting reallocation) for the Rockwall County Annex project. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved several other annex PCO/accounting reallocations and closeout items as listed on the agenda; motions recorded and passed 5-0 where recorded.

Contracts, inspections and audits

- Approved an agreement with Carruth Protection Services for annual inspection of the Rockwall County Annex fire alarm system at a fee of $945. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved a construction audit services agreement with R. L. Townsend & Associates for the sheriff's office renovation project. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved amendment number 3 to the Broadus owner's-representative agreement to extend representation through the sheriff's office renovation. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

Design and planning

- Approved Park Hill schematic design services for courthouse modifications and a potential District Attorney expansion for $41,993 from county contingency funds. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

Procurement and vendor selection

- NemoQ text-message service (Tax Assessor-Collector): After debate, the court directed staff to pursue the texting configuration at 10,000 texts per month (annual quote shown in the meeting paperwork as $3,066). The motion passed 3-2. The court directed counsel to edit the contractor change-order paperwork to reflect the selected tier before final contract execution.

Policy, personnel and other actions

- Approved a court order to have county maintenance staff hang artwork and wall items in the new County Annex; motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved termination of a previously approved professional services agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc. (approved originally 02/27/2024); motion recorded and passed 5-0. Staff reported no expenditures under the contract.

Grants and justice-related authorizations

- Authorized submission of a grant application for the Crimes Against Children Prosecutor grant (DA's office). Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Authorized submission of a grant application for a Victim Assistance Coordinator grant (DA's office). Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Authorized submission of a grant application for the Violence Against Women Justice and Training Project. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

Budget and financial approvals

- Approved consent agenda items A through O (details in public packet). Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved budget amendment 2025-01. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved non-emergency budget transfers 2025-17, 2025-18, 2025-19. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved paid claims in the amount of $101,391.40. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved unpaid claims in the amount of $3,883,195.07 (includes debt service interest payments due Aug. 1). Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- Approved payroll for the period ending 07/05/2025 in the amount of $1,125,383.49. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

Executive session and subsequent open-session motions

- During an executive session the court considered several pending and potential legal matters. In open session the court approved a purchase and sale agreement with Jeff Hitson for 10.31 acres to acquire right-of-way (fee-simple language to be clarified by counsel) for Crenshaw Road expansion. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

- In open session the court also approved a resolution accepting the Purdue Pharma/Sackler bankruptcy plan as presented at the meeting. Motion recorded and passed 5-0.

Notes on procedure and documentation

Motions with contested language or contractor-supplied PCO wording (notably the NemoQ texting configuration) will return to the court on the consent agenda with revised contract/change-order documents once counsel and staff finalize the language. Several PCOs and contract items remain in the \"bullpen\" and were described as not yet ready for execution; staff said they will be returned for final approval when prepared.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockwall County Texas - Commissioners Court Regular Meeting - Jul 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A concise list of formal actions taken by the Rockwall County Commissioners Court on July 22, including change orders, contract approvals, grant application authorizations, budget actions and two executive-session outcomes.","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},6654838,"Rockwall commissioners warn special session bills could curb local lobbying, affect bonds and tax-rate decisions",877,1786690,2664109,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442654-84c7aac0ad3124fb4f0c3c98983e5494&start=1786&end=2664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442654-84c7aac0ad3124fb4f0c3c98983e5494/thumbnail_1786690.jpg","/articles/6654838/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-commissioners-warn-special-session-bills-could-curb-local-lobbying-affect-bonds-and-tax-rate-decisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654838-08b74d5ebc5ba4589ce32e97d5ff6640/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447729&Signature=oKuCJd0FnJCq049GLneAc~o4GDChOEKM9VJW8lkFhczcwYzP2AE-WzHrSq2QF-KQSAj7wNCLW9uQdjWSDDVYpA0pWgMjV6zH-TPYoPfJOMjE5S76K3B~eXm1b469OPCN436lFIWnS2Emm0zH0vavyRVqYT4LPjEOVgvYDsVEQf106cWDfSHYfiftUWBEytcGD7ukEWmlqrXD2fdRdxbHUm6bbhzaijUabvCMpATE8sC98z5m7B9FnL1sADir3VfguFBoVyPuSKvTPZ1-XfJIF0ThkV1oVES6h-zF6nc9nN52fwxYW18DU0Jlc1j8yVgw36oPdOmqmib0OnamubwIgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Gallana briefed the Rockwall County Commissioners Court on July 22 about activity in the Texas special session that began the prior day, warning that early filings include proposals that could change how local governments obtain legislative information and how bond and tax votes are approved.

Gallana described Senate Bill 12, filed by state Sen. Maze Middleton, as a measure that would prohibit certain nonprofit associations that employ registered lobbyists from receiving taxpayer funding. She told the court that organizations such as the Texas Association of Counties (TAC), conferences of urban counties and municipal leagues provide continuous on-the-ground legislative information and updates to county officials during session, and she warned that eliminating taxpayer-funded lobbying could force counties to send elected officials to Austin more often to gather the same information.

\"Taxpayer-funded lobbying is a great headline,\" Gallana said, but she argued the ban could have unintended consequences that would make local governments less informed during session and could shift influence to large urban counties and corporations with in-house legislative staffs.

Other bills and local concerns

Gallana and other commissioners also flagged a suite of House bills that would change voting thresholds for bonds and tax-rate increases (proposals included supermajority thresholds such as 60% or 67% for bond elections). Commissioner Lichty said he opposed the bills and asked the county's state legislators to vote against measures he described as contrary to democratic principles that would make it \"extraordinarily difficult\" for counties, cities and school districts to function.

Redistricting and other priorities were discussed: Gallana said redistricting would be taken up early in the special session and noted Representative Katrina Pearson had been named to the House redistricting committee. The court also discussed sessions on judicial operations, hemp-derived product regulation and proposals around election-crime enforcement.

Why it matters

Commissioners said the proposed changes could reshape how local governments stay informed during session (if associations that traditionally provide legislative summaries are limited) and could change the political dynamics that govern bond financing, school construction and county operations. Several commissioners urged the county's state legislators to oppose bills that would impose new vote thresholds on bonds or reduce the ability of counties to access association-provided legislative expertise.

What the court will do next

Commissioners said they would monitor filings closely and prepare to engage with state lawmakers. Gallana recommended the court and staff weigh possible next steps in communicating local impacts if the bills advance. The court did not take a formal vote on a resolution at the July 22 meeting, but several commissioners expressed strong opposition to measures they view as limiting local control.","Commissioners discussed early activity in the Texas special session, focusing on bills that would restrict taxpayer-funded lobbying, proposed changes to bond and tax-rate voting thresholds, redistricting and other items of local concern.",{"_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},6654843,"Rockwall County approves multiple change orders, AV scope and annex finish work; NemoQ texting limit set at 10,000 texts/month",2772,2684670,5457235,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442654-84c7aac0ad3124fb4f0c3c98983e5494&start=2684&end=5457","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442654-84c7aac0ad3124fb4f0c3c98983e5494/thumbnail_2684670.jpg","/articles/6654843/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-County-approves-multiple-change-orders-AV-scope-and-annex-finish-work-NemoQ-texting-limit-set-at-10000-textsmonth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654843-a85da862de5b8886d064da63810d172f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447729&Signature=QVAOImzWoW6~7x0-n~dlg8EJcCnaj2qROJ5KuYHxerrN-xH4G26xdMCgWpmxzk30gdfOak4oXwGBd6TSEG3chf4st0D6cplBbepPQWhIj7mPoEbj-bLr-JUbU4cGFt~WizjYn6DW0GEQNKQGLL1O-1~ilBvP11MiXEu3nWvACZrMdzWDN5h1q3SSCG0entOwTX6cUeQKNX3-cgMR~2JWZrge6xeTbhHuOkyjgDRYhbKXOukGnGKZpXCyIRsNAJsw790f6hOle9ZeAY3v-leZKgyF14i5daotjj9qXDV0QQyUUOSkGKN81LAvDRu2NDlGkNJwO5fdtirtQuuXfj71bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockwall County Commissioners on July 22 approved a string of construction change orders, audiovisual upgrades and project management contracts tied to the courthouse third-floor renovation and the new county annex, and set an interim texting allowance for the county tax assessor'collector's NemoQ customer-notification system.

The court approved proposed change orders for the courthouse Third Floor project with Hill & Wilkinson Construction Group that included both credits and additions tied to unforeseen site conditions and equipment relocations. Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve proposed change order number 3 (credit related to existing elevator shaft conditions), change order number 4 (relocation of a fire panel) and change order number 5 (an additive change to include the courtroom AV scope in the construction contract). A court motion recorded during the meeting said the AV scope would be funded from money the county had set aside for that purpose.

Annex project status and contingency

Project staff reported the Rockwall County Annex project was performing on schedule and under budget, with a remaining contingency shown on the presentation of about $192,427 (staff noted that figure was updated during the meeting). Substantial completion was listed as the day following the presentation; final punch-list work, furniture deliveries and systems turn-up were ongoing. Two remaining furniture delivery dates were given as July 24 and Aug. 14.

Construction auditing and owner representation

The court approved a construction audit services agreement with R. L. Townsend & Associates for the sheriff's office renovation project and approved amendment number 3 to the county's owner's-representative agreement (Broadus) to extend those on-site project management services through project completion. Both votes passed 5-0.

Park Hill schematic design for courthouse adjustments

Commissioners approved a proposal from Park Hill for schematic design work related to possible courthouse improvements and a District Attorney expansion, authorizing schematic design funding of $41,993 from the county contingency fund. The schematic phase will provide floor plans, conceptual options and an opinion of probable cost; the court will decide whether to proceed to design-development later.

Annex technical items and inspection contracts

The court approved multiple annex-related change orders and accounting reallocations needed to close the project, and it approved a one-year proprietary inspection agreement with Carruth Protection Services for annual inspection of the annex fire alarm system at a fee of $945 (vote 5-0).

NemoQ text-message allotment and PCO process

The court debated and then set a temporary texting allowance for the tax assessor-collector's NemoQ system. The initial contract option presented included a 50,000-text-per-month tier at $12,265; an alternative listed 5,000 texts per month at an annual cost of $1,800. After extended discussion about likely usage and cost, the court directed staff to pursue a service configuration for 10,000 texts per month (annual cost shown in the negotiated quote: $3,066); the motion to proceed with that configuration passed 3-2. Staff and legal counsel warned that the formal proposed change order language on the contractor's paperwork would need to be edited to reflect the chosen texting limit, and additional board action would appear on a subsequent consent agenda to finalize the contract wording and change-order documentation.

Other logistics and next steps

Contractors and staff said remaining items include a handful of PCOs in the bullpen that are not yet ready for execution, final systems testing, owner's training, and scheduling the grand opening for the annex once the Tax Assessor-Collector's office physically moves in (staff said the county is targeting early fall to ensure the building is occupied when the public tour occurs). The court approved several accounting PCOs intended to reallocate costs between trades as the project closes; those votes passed unanimously.

Ending

County staff said they will return to commissioners with final PCO paperwork and adjusted contract language reflecting the NemoQ choice for 10,000 texts per month and with any remaining closeout items for approval.","Commissioners approved a series of change orders for the courthouse third-floor renovation and the new county annex, added an AV scope to the courthouse contract, approved schematic design work for courthouse improvements, and set a one-year texting allowance for the tax office's NemoQ system at 10,000 texts per month after debate.",{"_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},6654848,"McClendon Chisholm officials describe cleanup after June sewer line break; county officials praised response",505,1270525,1775539,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442654-84c7aac0ad3124fb4f0c3c98983e5494&start=1270&end=1775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442654-84c7aac0ad3124fb4f0c3c98983e5494/thumbnail_1270525.jpg","/articles/6654848/Rockwall-County/Texas/McClendon-Chisholm-officials-describe-cleanup-after-June-sewer-line-break-county-officials-praised-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6654848-adbfffde76e07fe5b249ca309719c97e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447729&Signature=NL3ruCC94CYofat-OGr~vXjIY9ji-PoWzFfnd2M1k0kSddCyCv6LN2VZNB37qGhPb94BraBuCBdTUtQ-ZJFn7Ls37h-RC37lqj082VfKjMym8GKOc-DtSyESx3kyknBgJdvXBfx7S9XuwGn2xFP-qfWZ2d0Xe6CtjBpywuMImX3nc32vNOhR2t8kiq7Mi6LvHanU57V~GpKeVw8ASytfPcGPYHtyOdjnxb8x886JbOOWNMIAZdRGVDkwm6fjKbQRl9YUSgiqMEGkBg6PFM3qsZr2inmjSBfTqm56YsWV4ImtY50d96Ual4Nq4rXMaPuhiZVat2PQjBSaQtan~lWi2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McClendon Chisholm Mayor Brian McNeil told the Rockwall County Commissioners Court on July 22 that city crews and contractors contained and began remediating a sewer main break that occurred on June 17, 2025, and released wastewater into a nearby creek and properties.

McClendon Chisholm Mayor Brian McNeil said the city mobilized partners within an hour and \"we pumped approximately 40,000 gallons of sewage\" as part of an initial response. He said the full spill volume was an estimated 60,000 gallons, with some absorbed into the ground, and that the city used a phased, targeted cleanup strategy rather than excavation.

The mayor said the city engaged contractor Inframark to halt the flow, EnviroServe as a cleanup partner, and a biological treatment firm (referred to in the presentation as MicroBac/BioRemedy) to treat contaminated soils and water. \"By focusing on targeted treatments rather than excavation we not only manage cost effectively but also preserve the surrounding vegetation,\" McNeil said. He said MicroBac/BioRemedy \"fight bacteria with bacteria\" and that soil sampling began on day one and continued through the following weeks; he expected one more confirmatory sample.

Why it matters: Commissioners and the county judge praised the speed of response and interagency cooperation, and the city said it coordinated notifications to residents, the county's Nixle alerts and other public messaging to reassure the public that the water supply was not affected. County officials noted the importance of a documented response path and commended use of drones and sheriff's office assistance to assess impacted areas.

Details of the response and technical tradeoffs

McNeil said crews used a combination of mechanical pumping, temporary dams and spot treatments. In a second phase of the operation, the presentation said crews released approximately 8,000 gallons of a microbial product into a pooled area to \"flush\" the channel and then pumped and treated water downstream. McNeil said the excavation-and-replacement approach would have been far more expensive, estimating soil excavation costs in the $4 million to $6 million range, while the chosen biological treatment approach and spot remediation were in the roughly $1.4 million to $1.5 million range as presented to the court.

McClendon Chisholm Fire Chief Simmons, who spoke after McNeil, described the decision to use microbial remediation as an established option used in HAZMAT responses and said the city selected a vendor who could deploy quickly and treat absorbed contamination. The chief said the tactical decision balanced cost, homeowner impacts and environmental protection.

Regulatory oversight and follow-up

McNeil said the city engaged BioRemedy to conduct sampling to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requirements and that TCEQ had given \"positive feedback\" on the action plan. He said the city would likely collect at least one more soil sample to confirm cleanup goals had been met and that the remediation contractor would continue to adjust treatment zones based on lab results.

Public and county reaction

During the court discussion, a commissioner who visited the site praised McNeil and Chief Simmons for quick action, noting crews had already excavated and shut off flow before some elected officials arrived. McNeil thanked county responders and the sheriff's office for drone support and other on-scene assistance. The mayor also recognized that this approach preserved vegetation and limited disruption to private property.

What the city said it will do next

McNeil said the city will continue sampling and monitoring until contractors and TCEQ agree treatment goals are met. He also said the presentation aimed to show county officials an alternative, lower-cost remediation approach so other cities could adopt similar methods if they face a comparable incident.

Ending note

Officials urged residents with concerns about private property impacts to contact city staff; public-safety and environmental follow-up was ongoing at the time of the July 22 meeting.","McClendon Chisholm Mayor Brian McNeil and the city's fire chief described cleanup steps after a June 17 sewer main failure that released wastewater into a creek and private property, saying crews pumped about 40,000 gallons, used biological treatment and worked with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Rockwall County Commissioners Court actions, July 22, 2025

Rockwall commissioners warn special session bills could curb local lobbying, affect bonds and tax-rate decisions

Rockwall County approves multiple change orders, AV scope and annex finish work; NemoQ texting limit set at 10,000 texts/month

McClendon Chisholm officials describe cleanup after June sewer line break; county officials praised response