Business and community leaders hear a message focused on rebuilding trust, strengthening partnerships and planning for Rowlett’s future
Following his formal 2026 State of the City address delivered during the Rowlett City Council meeting in July, Mayor Jeff Winget recently brought that message directly to the local business community during a State of the City event hosted by the Rowlett Area Chamber of Commerce.
The event drew a strong turnout of business owners, community leaders and residents who gathered to hear firsthand about the challenges Rowlett has faced, the progress made over the past year and the priorities ahead.
For Winget, who has served as mayor since May 2025 and has called Rowlett home since 2014, the conversation began with something more personal than city projects or economic development.
“Family is key for our community,” Winget said.
That theme carried through an address centered on the relationship between City Hall and the people it serves. Winget acknowledged past concerns surrounding transparency and communication and emphasized the City Council’s commitment to improving both.
Rebuilding Communication and Trust
The message builds on the City’s previously released State of the City report, which detailed progress in public safety, staffing, infrastructure, economic development and community engagement.
But the Chamber event offered an opportunity to put those accomplishments into a broader context: rebuilding confidence following a period of significant change.
Rowlett faced difficult decisions and substantial turnover during the past year, changes that affected both city operations and public perception. City leaders are now focused on restoring staffing levels while improving communication so residents and businesses have a clearer understanding of what their local government is doing and why.
That effort is particularly important following Rowlett’s first community-wide survey in more than 15 years. Communication was among the areas receiving lower marks from residents, reinforcing the City’s stated commitment to greater transparency and public engagement.
For local business owner and Chamber Ambassador Adam Dold, owner of Roofs by Shiloh, Rowlett’s willingness to work collaboratively is a reason for optimism.
“What gives me the most optimism about Rowlett’s future is the recognition that building a better city requires all of us to be involved,” Dold said. “When our city leadership, local businesses, community organizations, and residents work together toward a common goal, we have an incredible opportunity to make Rowlett even stronger.”
City and Business Community Strengthen Ties
The relationship between the City and the Rowlett Area Chamber of Commerce was another recurring theme.
City leaders expressed strong support for the Chamber and the role it plays in connecting local government with businesses and residents. The strengthening of that relationship represents an important shift as Rowlett works to encourage economic growth and expand opportunities for businesses.
Emily Stupnik, Executive Director of the Rowlett Area Chamber of Commerce, said the State of the City left her encouraged about what comes next.
“I left the State of the City optimistic about what lies ahead for Rowlett,” Stupnik said. “The potential is significant, but it will only be fully realized through continued partnership and shared purpose. The more closely the City, the Chamber, our education partners, and our business community work together, the stronger and more resilient Rowlett’s economic future will be.”
Economic development remains a priority, including continued efforts to grow the City’s economic development capabilities and attract new businesses.
City-sponsored events are also playing a role. According to information presented in the City’s earlier State of the City address, events in 2025 attracted more than 121,000 attendees, a 32 percent increase from the previous year. Downtown businesses reported sales increases ranging from 30 to 300 percent during event programming.
Staffing and Leadership Remain Priorities
One of the most consequential decisions ahead is the selection of Rowlett’s next city manager.
“Some key milestones in front of us are hiring a new City Manager, which is critical for our city,” Winget said. “The person taking on this role will have some large responsibilities. Hiring new individuals who will be permanent in their positions. Getting staffing back to where they need to be for the city.”
The focus comes after a period of turnover across the organization. Rowlett has already made progress filling vacancies, including in public safety. The City’s July State of the City report noted that the Rowlett Police Department had reached 97 percent sworn staffing and that the average time required to fill open city positions had fallen to 83 days after the addition of a dedicated recruiter.
Planning Rowlett’s Next Decade
Beyond immediate staffing and communication needs, city leaders are beginning work on a new strategic plan — Rowlett’s first since 2018.
The plan is expected to incorporate feedback from the community survey and help establish priorities that will guide Rowlett through the coming decade.
Other initiatives underway include accepting applications for the Downtown Advisory Board and exploring plans for a downtown pavilion through a partnership involving DART. City officials have emphasized that plans for the pavilion are not yet final.
The City is also preparing to celebrate Rowlett’s 75th anniversary on Sept. 4, 2027, with opportunities for residents to participate in anniversary planning through a community task force.
Another recent milestone is the installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station No. 1. The box, the first of its kind in Dallas County, provides a secure option for the legal surrender of an infant and was previously highlighted by The Rockwall Times.
City services are making an impact in other areas as well. Rowlett’s animal services team took in approximately 300 animals, with 85 finding homes through adoption or fostering, according to information shared at the Chamber event.
A Community Moving Forward Together
The State of the City gathering provided more than an update on projects and statistics. It offered residents and business leaders an opportunity to hear directly from their mayor at a time when Rowlett is working to define its next chapter.
The challenges of the past year were not ignored. Instead, the emphasis was on what comes after them: permanent leadership, improved communication, stronger partnerships and a long-term strategy shaped with community input.
For Winget and the City Council, that means strengthening the connection between local government and the residents and businesses it serves. For Chamber leaders and business owners, it means maintaining a seat at the table as Rowlett grows.
And if the turnout for the State of the City is any indication, there is significant interest in being part of that conversation.
Submitted by Steve Torres and edited for publication by The Rockwall Times.
