Transcript Rockwall County Citizens Master Planning Committee

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Law Enforcement
Courts System
Adult
Probation/Juvenile
Services
Indigent Health
Care
Emergency
Management
Extension Office
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Auditor
Treasurer
Tax Office
Human Resources
911 Rural
Addressing
Road and Bridge
Department
Elections
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Library
Parks and
Recreation
Veterans Services
Online Services
Community
Colleges
Civic Centers
Museums
Courthouse Tours
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Environmental –
Recycling/Landfill
Transportation
Planning
Conservation
Foundation
Animal Shelters
Historical Programs
Like Sized
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Bastrop
Hunt
Kaufman
Rockwall
Counties
Larger Counties
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Collin
Hays
Williamson
County
SizeSq.
Miles
Population
Veterans
Parks
and Rec
Animal
Control
Recycling
Planning
Health
Clinic
Library
Civic
Centers/
Services
Arenas
Bastrop
895
74,876
X
Hunt
841
82,831
X
Kaufman
786
103,038
X
Rockwall
149
78,000
Victoria
883
87,790
X
Collin
848
791,000
X
X
X
X
X
Hays
678
155,545
X
X
X
X
X
Williamson
1,124
410,686
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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X
Other
•Foster a high quality of life
•Plan for growth
•Ensure fiscal responsibility
•Efficient use of tax dollars
•Improve delivery of services
•Provide appropriate public services
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Online Resources
Rockwall County’s Improvements in Last 5
Years
Informal Feedback From Citizens to Elected
County Officials in Last 5 Years
Citizens Group Questionnaire
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Texas County Information Project:
http://www.county.org/resources/countydata/
Texas County Profiles:
www.txcip.org/tac/census/CountyProfiles.php
Hayes County:
www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/government/planspolicies-reports/
Williamson County:
www.wilco.org/CountyDepartments/Commissione
rs/Strategic Plan/tabid/2635/language/enUS/Default.aspx
Collin County:
www.co.collin.tx.us/commissioners_court/2006_2
010_Adopted_Strateic_Plan.pdf
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Bastrop:
http://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/Strategic Plan
not online, hard copy available
Hunt : http://www.huntcounty.net/ No
Known Strategic Plan (Road and Investment
Policy online)
Kaufman: http://www.kaufmancounty.net
No Known Strategic Plan
Rockwall:
http://www.rockwallcountytexas.com/
1. Land Use Planning
2. Plan for Growth and Development
3. Fiscal Responsibility/Efficient Use of Tax $
4. Parks/Access to The Rockwall
5. Transportation Needs
6. Veterans Services
7. Arts
8. Recreational Facilities
9. Bike and Pedestrian Trails
10. Preservation of History
11. Conservation of Natural Resources
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Approximately 1 ½ years ago, local citizens
formed a group to increase community
contacts and their understanding of Rockwall
County. This group, the Power Team, was led
by Hylan Lyon. Guest speakers were invited
each week to talk about business
development, infrastructure, education, etc.
Over the course of one year, common themes
emerged about the need to plan for growth.
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The Power Team decided to organize a forum
in which the needs of our county would be
addressed and that every citizen would have a
chance to participate.
Hylan Lyon passed away suddenly, and the
group decided to postpone the forum.
Basic information that was gathered by the
Power Team is as follows:
1. Why do you live in Rockwall County?
2. What brought you here and what keeps you here?
3. What are the top issues facing Rockwall County?
4. How are Rockwall County, member cities, school district, and
other organizations responding to growth?
5. How can we improve our lifestyle in Rockwall County?
6. Do you have a special interest or see an opportunity for
residents in Rockwall County?
1. What major events or factors influenced the
development of our county?
Railroad
Construction of I-30,
Cotton Farming
Growth of Dallas,
Creation of Lake Ray Hubbard
DFW Airport
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2. What are the most important characteristics of Rockwall
County today?
Small Town Atmosphere
Great Schools
Lake Ray Hubbard
Suburban Neighborhoods
Countryside
Use of Technology: Cell phones, Satellites(GPS, TV)
Big Box Stores
The Harbor
I-30 corridor
Technology Park
Growth in Population
Growth in commerce- Business Opportunities
• 3. What 2 or 3 most important characteristics that need to
be part of our future in Rockwall County?
Plan for Growth
Retention of Lifestyle
Use of Natural/Man-made Resources
Consider Possibilities in:
Virtual Stores on the Internet
Energy Costs
Virtual Firms
Social Networking
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Improved Website
Added Online Services for Citizens
Added Human Resources Department
Updated Employee Handbook
Major Role in Road Improvements
New Library Facility
Building New Courthouse
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Town Hall Meetings
Increased Elections Services/Electronic Voting
Digitized County Records- County and
District Clerk
Financial Transparency Award from the State
Road and Bridge - Updated Equipment
Bond Rating Increased
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Sheriff/Jail are Model Operations for Others
Progressive District Attorney Office
New District Court
Treasurer’s Office – New Procedures, Checks
& Balances
Auditor’s Office – Streamlined Procedures
Audio Stream Commissioners Court Meetings
Evening Commissioner Court Meetings
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Financial
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Arts and Recreation
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County Services
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Financial forecasts out through 5 years.
Capital plan over the same period.
Tax forecasting to meet operating and capital
requirements.
Alternative ways of doing business.
Other
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Recreational facilities.
Land use.
The Theater.
Music and Art Groups.
Facilities for the Arts.
Programs.
Other.
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Facilities.
Law enforcement.
Educational organizations and programs.
Customer service as one interfaces with the
County
Other