Our county is experiencing rapid growth, which brings long-term opportunities and challenges. This requires us to develop smart solutions that will shape the future of Rockwall County. We must act strategically and purposefully, identify opportunities and challenges, and create an integrated plan for success. By doing so, we can shape and influence the quality of life, economic vitality, purposeful design, and civic richness for all Rockwall County residents, businesses, and visitors for the next 25 years.
Our Vision and Mission are written from the perspective of Rockwall County's elected officials, appointed officials, and employees as they work to meet the short-term and long-term needs of Rockwall County and its residents. The residents of Rockwall County expressed the Core Values.
Our Purpose: To create a roadmap for the future of Rockwall County to continue as a safe, low-density, thriving, family-friendly community that is an oasis from the urban sprawl of the North Texas region.
Our Vision: Creating a place where families flourish by providing a high quality of life that is welcoming, resilient, and safe by incorporating livable and innovative growth, conservation of our open spaces, and effective use of our natural resources and history.
Our Mission: We will work daily to create a uniquely vibrant community that promotes public health and safety, ensures transparency and accountability in governmental actions, supported by an exceptional educational system, thriving business network, and quality county services. We aim to keep our way of life by refusing to lose our unique local character to uncontrolled growth by embracing positive transformation through collaboration and innovation.
Our Core Values:
Strategic Goals:
Strategic Plan Implementation Timeline:
The Commissioners Court adopted the final draft of the Strategic Plan on April 8, 2025. Implementation is underway.
The Final Draft of the Rockwall County 2050 Plan is now available below. During the Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 9 AM at the Historic Courthouse, the Court will accept public comments regarding the Strategic Plan. You can also comment by using the link below. The Plan will be presented to the Commissioners Court for formal adoption in April.
The Discover Phase Summary Report and its purpose:
The Discover Phase Summary Report, produced by Baker Tilly, provides a comprehensive overview of the data gathered and reviewed for Rockwall County's 2050 Strategic Plan engagement. The report begins with joint themes and analysis, integrating insights from all data sources to inform Rockwall County's strategic direction. It also includes a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, as well as an environmental scan to identify external and internal factors affecting the County's current operation and future plans. The report includes insights and data gathered from internal stakeholder reviews, employee surveys, and external stakeholder reviews to understand the perspectives of key external parties that impact the County. The Discover Phase Report is one of the sources that will be used to create the Rockwall 2050 Strategic Plan. You can view the report here:
Public Engagement Report and its purpose:
Freese & Nichols produced the Public Engagement Report which provides the responses collected during several in-person and online public engagements held for the Rockwall County Strategic Plan 2050. The County hosted six in-person public forums from May 14th to June 27th, 2024, at the Rockwall County Courthouse. Each public forum began with a brief presentation on the project and the discussion topic, then participants provided their comments on the interactive boards. Approximately 330 people attended the in-person public forums.
The dates and topics covered were:
Additionally, an online survey was made available for all Rockwall residents to provide their views and comments on the same subjects between April 30th and July 3rd, 2024. Approximately 550 people participated in the online engagement activities, contributing over 11,000 responses. View the results here:
Upcoming Key Dates & Milestones for the Rockwall County Strategic Plan 2050
The Commissioners Court adopted the Strategic Plan 2050 on April 8, 2025.
Internal Project Leadership Group
An internal project leadership group has been established to direct the strategic planning process, coordinate with the consultant teams, and serve as the primary point of contact for the County. This group includes:
Commissioner Dana Macalik (Precinct 2), Commissioner Court Representative
Kami Webb, Executive Coordinator, County Commissioners Court
Chris Lynch, Rockwall County Director
Jim Barto, County Public Information Officer
Mark Kipphut, County Facilitator
Ryan Breckenridge, County Engagement
Community Steering Committee (CSC) Members
The Community Steering Committee (CSC) is comprised of volunteers and community leaders who contribute to the County, its municipalities, communities, and other organizations. This group includes:
Andrew Ainsworth, City of Royse City
Carl Alsabrook, City of Royse City
David Billings, Mayor, City of Fate
Eric Bott, County Liaison
Karly Brooks, County Liaison
Cyndi Brown, County Liaison
Heather Buegeler, County Liaison
Ashlee Burke, President & CEO, Royse City Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Catherine Casteel, County Liaison
Rick Crowley, County Liaison
Kenda Culpepper, District Attorney, Rockwall County
Paul Day, Council Member, City of McLendon-Chisholm
Rich Dean, County Liaison
Sarah DiGirolamo, County Liaison
Joseph DiNuovo, County Liaison
Dave Embry, County Liaison
Bobby Gallana, County Commissioner (Precinct 1), Rockwall County
Terry Garrett, County Sheriff, Rockwall County
Wade Gent, County Liaison
Lee Gilbert, County Liaison
John Harper, County Liaison
Charisa Hauser, County Liaison
Sharon Henson, County Liaison
Leland Hernandez, County Liaison
Amy Hilton, Board of Trustees President, Rockwall Independent School District (RISD)
Cindy Horne, County Liaison
Mayowa Ijagbemi, County Liaison
Trace Johanssen, Mayor, City of Rockwall
Meredith Joyce, County Liaison
Ryan Joyce, County Liaison
Clarence Jorif, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Rockwall
Michael Kovacs, City Manager, City of Fate
Jenny Krueger, County Liaison
Tom Kula, County Liaison
Autumn Kuschel, County Liaison
Christina Lee, County Liaison
Lorne Liechty, County Commissioner (Precinct 3), Rockwall County
Blake Margolis, Mayor, City of Rowlett
Christina McClure, County Liaison
Jeremiah McClure, Mayor, City of Heath
Patrick McDonald, County Liaison
Bryan McNeal, Mayor, City of McLendon-Chisholm
Scott Muckensturm, Board of Trustees President, Royse City Independent School District (RCISD)
Frank New, County Judge, Rockwall County
Janet Nichol, Council Member, City of Royse City
Darby Nielsen, Rockwall Chamber of Commerce
Larry Parks, County Liaison
David Peek, Treasurer, Rockwall County
Maddie Purk, County Liaison
Michael Purk, County Liaison
Trevor Reed, County Liaison
Lauren Rowe, County Liaison
Mark Russo, Justice of the Peace, Rockwall County
Travis Sales, City of Rockwall
Curtis Schaibly, County Liaison
Debra Shinder, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Rowlett
Trey Slinkard, County Liaison
Mary Smith, City Manager, City of Rockwall
Shelly Spearman, County Liaison
Susie Stansel, County Liaison
Sheri Starkey-Parks, County Liaison
Christa Stewart, County Liaison
Dalton Tasset, County Liaison
Cindy Tayem, County Liaison
Kevin Walker, County Liaison
Matt Wavering, County Liaison
Brent Weaver, Council Member, City of Heath
Ryan Wells, City of Fate
Kerry Wiemokly, County Liaison
Brian Williams, Presiding Judge, Rockwall County Court at Law
Asa Woodberry, City Planner, City of McLendon-Chisholm
Denise Zackery, County Liaison