3.  Law Enforcement  Courts System  Adult Probation/Juvenile Services  Indigent Health Care  Emergency Management  Extension Office  Auditor  Treasurer  Tax Office  Human Resources  911 Rural Addressing  Road and Bridge Department  Elections

4.  Library  Parks and Recreation  Veterans Services  Online Services  Community Colleges  Civic Centers  Museums  Courthouse Tours  Environmental – Recycling/Landfill  Transportation Planning  Conservation Foundation  Animal Shelters  Historical Programs

5. Like SizedCountiesLarger Counties  Bastrop  Hunt  Kaufman  Rockwall  Collin  Hays  Williamson

6. County SizeSq. Miles Population Veterans Services Parks and Rec Animal Control RecyclingPlanning Health Clinic Library Civic Centers/ Arenas Other Bastrop 89574,876 XXXX Hunt 84182,831 XX Kaufman 786103,038 X Rockwall 14978,000 X Victoria 88387,790 X Collin 848791,000 XXXXXX Hays 678155,545 XXXXX Williamson 1,124410,686 XXXXXX

7. 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

8.  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

9.  Texas County Information Project: http://www.county.org/resources/countydata/ http://www.county.org/resources/countydata/  Texas County Profiles: www.txcip.org/tac/census/CountyProfiles.php www.txcip.org/tac/census/CountyProfiles.php  Hayes County: www.co.hays.tx.us/index.php/government/plans- policies-reports/  Williamson County: www.wilco.org/CountyDepartments/Commissione rs/Strategic Plan/tabid/2635/language/en- US/Default.aspx www.wilco.org/CountyDepartments/Commissione rs/Strategic Plan/tabid/2635/language/en- US/Default.aspx  Collin County: www.co.collin.tx.us/commissioners_court/2006_2 010_Adopted_Strateic_Plan.pdf www.co.collin.tx.us/commissioners_court/2006_2 010_Adopted_Strateic_Plan.pdf

10.  Bastrop: http://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/Strategic Plan not online, hard copy available http://www.co.bastrop.tx.us/  Hunt : http://www.huntcounty.net/ No Known Strategic Plan (Road and Investment Policy online)http://www.huntcounty.net/  Kaufman: http://www.kaufmancounty.net No Known Strategic Planhttp://www.kaufmancounty.net  Rockwall: http://www.rockwallcountytexas.com/ http://www.rockwallcountytexas.com/

11. 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

12.  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.

13.  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:

14. 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 ?

15. 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

16.  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

17. 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

18.  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

19.  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

20.  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

21.  Financial  Arts and Recreation  County Services

22.  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

23.  Recreational facilities.  Land use.  The Theater.  Music and Art Groups.  Facilities for the Arts.  Programs.  Other.

24.  Facilities.  Law enforcement.  Educational organizations and programs.  Customer service as one interfaces with the County  Other