Rockwall County’s Commissioner’s Court on Oct. 28 voted unanimously to authorize preparation and submission of a grant application to the North Central Texas Council of Governments to install electric vehicle charging stations on county‑owned property.

Commissioner Lichty, who led the presentation, told the court the program offers an 80/20 federal‑matching model and that each awarded site would receive a cluster of four charging outlets. "It has to be on county owned property," Lichty said, describing two potential locations: the library lot and an overflow area near the courthouse, both near Interstate 30.

The proposal includes engineering and technical work managed by Kimley‑Horn, the consultant engaged by the council of governments. Dana and Commissioner Lichty said Kimley‑Horn will prepare the formal application materials on behalf of applicants. "They take over the responsibility for filling out the application," Lichty said, and the county will review and sign the final form.

Commissioner Stacy asked whether the county would pay electricity costs or whether the vendor would do so. Dana and others said vendors typically operate the stations as a profit center and that the charging price would be structured so the operator recovers electricity costs. "It's built into the charging price," one staff member said. County staff also said the vendor network (Encore was mentioned) generally handles billing and revenue distribution.

Speakers noted the county would provide the parking space only; the county would not likely have an upfront capital cost if the vendor covers the county’s 20 percent match. Commissioners emphasized that there is no commitment if the county is later awarded a grant and decides the terms are not acceptable.

The court voted to approve the preparation and submission of the application; the motion passed 5–0.

If Rockwall County is awarded a grant, county staff said further details about siting, parking impacts (each station would use about five parking spaces), installation timing and operating agreements with vendors would return to the court for review and approval.