Progress, Vision, and Community Engagement
In a significant move for the future of Rockwall County, the Commissioner’s Court has approved the Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategic Goals for the Rockwall County Strategic Plan 2050 during a special session held on August 27, 2024. This approval is a result of months of collaborative work from consultants Baker Tilly and Freese & Nichols, the Rockwall 2050 Management Team, and the Community Steering Committee (CSC).
The Rockwall County Strategic Plan 2050 is designed to guide the county’s growth and development over the next quarter-century, ensuring that future generations benefit from a vibrant, safe, and sustainable community. The plan focuses on how elected officials, appointed representatives, and county employees will meet both short-term and long-term needs of the county’s residents while balancing responsible growth, conservation, and the preservation of the county’s rich heritage.
Vision and Mission: Shaping the Future of Rockwall County
The Vision and Mission statements, rooted in feedback from Rockwall residents, reflect the county’s ambitions to create a family-friendly environment that promotes innovation, collaboration, and transparency while maintaining a high quality of life for all residents.
- Vision: Creating a place where families flourish by providing a higher quality of life that is welcoming, resilient, and safe through livable and innovative growth, conservation of open spaces, and effective use of natural resources and history.
- Mission: We work daily to create a uniquely vibrant community that promotes public health and safety, ensures transparency and accountability in government, and is supported by an exceptional educational system, a thriving business network, and quality county services. We aim to preserve our way of life while embracing positive transformation through collaboration and innovation.
Core Values: Anchoring Growth in Tradition
At the heart of the Strategic Plan are the Core Values expressed by Rockwall County residents. These values serve as guiding principles for the county’s future development:
- Texas Proud: Preserving Rockwall’s traditions, history, and small-town atmosphere.
- Quality of Life: Fostering a safe, family-friendly environment where all residents can thrive.
- Collaboration and Transparency: Committing to ethical, open decision-making that serves the community.
- Diversity: Embracing diverse perspectives and cultural richness.
- Stewardship: Ensuring responsible use of financial, environmental, and cultural resources for future generations.
- Innovative Leadership: Encouraging an open-minded, trailblazing approach to leadership for the betterment of the community.
Strategic Goals: A Framework for Growth
The Strategic Plan 2050 outlines six key goals that aim to address the future challenges and opportunities facing the county:
- Promote trust and transparency in government operations.
- Position county government for sustainable growth.
- Strengthen collaboration at local, regional, and state levels.
- Invest in county-wide infrastructure.
- Foster economic growth while preserving local culture and traditions.
- Expand support for judicial, law enforcement, fire, emergency, and public health services.
Public Engagement: The Heart of the Plan
Throughout the summer of 2024, Rockwall County residents actively participated in shaping the Strategic Plan. Between May and June, six in-person public forums were held at the Rockwall County Courthouse, drawing approximately 330 participants who contributed ideas and feedback on key topics such as economic development, public safety, education, and environmental preservation.
An online survey further expanded engagement, with over 550 participants contributing 11,000 responses, providing valuable insights into residents’ priorities and concerns. The high level of participation demonstrates the community’s commitment to shaping a sustainable future for Rockwall County.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps for the Strategic Plan
The work doesn’t end here. The final draft of the Rockwall 2050 Strategic Plan will be presented to the Commissioners Court by April 2025 for formal adoption. In the meantime, the Discover Phase Summary Report, compiled by Baker Tilly, provides a comprehensive overview of the data collected during the public engagement phase and is available to view online. This report, along with the Public Engagement Report produced by Freese & Nichols, will serve as foundational documents informing the next steps of the Strategic Plan.
Discover Phase Summary Report: Click here
Public Engagement Report: View the results here
Rockwall County is poised for significant growth, and with the collaborative efforts of residents and local leadership, the Strategic Plan 2050 aims to ensure the county thrives while preserving its unique heritage for future generations.
Stay tuned for updates on the Strategic Plan and ways you can get involved in shaping the future of Rockwall County.
