Mayors Request Governor Abbott
Roll Back Tax Appraisals to 2019 Values

Rockwall, Texas – April 8, 2020 – Rockwall Mayor Jim Pruitt, in partnership with the mayors of several other cities in Rockwall County, has petitioned Governor Gregg Abbott to put a freeze on property tax values for 2020. In concern for the numerous financial challenges residents have already experienced this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and the potential hard times still ahead, the mayors sent a unified letter to the governor requesting that he put a stop to property appraisal increases for this year, essentially rolling back the appraisals to 2019 values. The clock is ticking on this request, as the valuation letters are currently at the printer and are set to be mailed on Tuesday, April 14.

The 2020 appraisals are representative of the market value on January 1, as required by state law. That was before coronavirus wreaked havoc in so many ways. A lot has changed since January, in Texas and around the world. In fact, the entire State of Texas has been hit hard by the COIVD-19 pandemic this year, and with the end still uncertain, effects will potentially be felt for quite some time.

“There is so much stress in our communities right now as we navigate through this COVID-19 crisis; it seems unconscionable to generate the expected double digit increase in valuations during this time,” the letter reads. “In addition to the stress created, it would also require residents to present themselves to the Central Appraisal District for protest hearings, which would fly in the face of the stay-at-home and physical distancing orders we have all implemented.”

Without relief, residents will receive the new assessments and have to follow the same appeal process as in previous years. Unfortunately, that means long lines of frustrated citizens who are supposed to be social distancing and staying at home. There are thousands of protests filed each year in Rockwall County alone.

There are no ulterior motives behind this request—only a concern for residents in a time of crisis. The Rockwall City Council has voted to lower the tax rate every year for the last six years. Governor Abbott is the only one who can fix this problem by executive order.

City of Rockwall Cancels
Pool Season for Summer 2020

Rockwall, Texas – April 8, 2020 – The City of Rockwall has made the difficult decision to keep pools at Gloria Williams Park and Harry Myers Park closed for Summer 2020 due to COVID-19. Based on the current Stay-At-Home order and uncertainty of when those conditions will change, the proper training of life guards cannot be conducted in a timely manner to provide this recreation amenity to the public. Once public health restrictions are lifted, there will be many other exciting recreation opportunities to enjoy. Follow the Parks & Recreation Department on Facebook, Instagram, and Playrockwall.com for future updates.

City of Rockwall to Cancel
Founders Day Festival 2020

Rockwall, Texas – April 7, 2020 – The City of Rockwall is cancelling the Founders Day Festival scheduled for May 16 at Harry Myers Park due to the coronavirus. The action to cancel the event for 2020 is to further protect the public and minimize the risk of community spread of the virus. This is consistent with current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health authorities. The City of Rockwall continues to provide citizens with essential services and will remain focused on taking all precautions during the COVID-19 situation. The City looks forward to a great event in 2021.

Rockwall Baseball & Softball League
Cancelled for Spring 2020

Rockwall, Texas – April 6, 2020 – The Rockwall Parks & Recreation Department is cancelling the spring season of the RBSL due to ongoing risks related to COVID-19. Summer tournaments may still be offered, but the timeline for registration will depend on the length of Stay-at-Home orders issued by Governor Abbott. The current order is in effect until April 30, 2020. Follow the Parks & Recreation Department on Facebook, Instagram, and Playrockwall.com for future updates.

City of Rockwall Continues Work to
Limit In-Person Interaction to Increase Safety

Rockwall, Texas – March 26, 2020 – As we mentioned last week with building inspection permits, the City of Rockwall is working to limit in-person interaction, while continuing to provide essential services to residents and the public. In an attempt to protect everyone in these uncertain times, the Rockwall Municipal Court, Utility Billing, Building Inspections and Neighborhood Improvement Services departments will be working with customers to handle business either online or via telephone:

Municipal Court

• All court sessions have been cancelled through the month of April. The cases will be reset to a date in the future. If you need an extension, have questions, or would like to request other assistance to process your case, you can call (972) 772-6478 to speak with a court clerk.

Utility Billing

• Utility billing payments can be made online.
• Residents can call to make payments at (972) 771-7736.
• Utility billing new service applications can be downloaded and then you can call (972) 771-7736 to pay the deposit.

Building Inspections and Neighborhood Improvement Services

• Obtain permits, certificates of occupancy, and contractor registrations here.
• Residents can also call for assistance at (972) 771-7709

Emergency Alert and
Preparedness Program Details

Rockwall, Texas – Rockwall County Emergency Management is currently utilizing a communications service that allows us to send important, valuable safety information directly to residents using the latest technology. more...

City of Rockwall Performs Regular
Test of Outdoor Emergency Warning Siren

The City of Rockwall conducts regular tests on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 2:00 p.m. unless there is severe weather approaching or already in the DFW area.

For more information, please contact:
Joey Boyd
Director of Internal Operations
Phone: (972) 772-6408
Email

Facts about Drinking Water Disinfection

Disinfection of drinking water is critical to protecting consumers from disease-causing microorganisms, called pathogens, including bacteria or viruses. Disinfectants are very effective at inactivating (or killing) pathogens and have enormously benefited public health. For example, the incidence of typhoid fever was reduced by 1,000-fold in the U.S. in the last century by implementing the disinfection of drinking water. more...

Only Rain
Down The Drain

Do your part to help Keep Rockwall’s Waterways Clean!  Be on the lookout for pollutants that can damage our natural environment.  If you see any illicit/illegal discharges into our Inlets, Storm Sewers, Lakes, Creeks and Streams please report by calling (972) 772-6791.  Types of Illicit/illegal discharges:  Chlorinated backwash and draining associated with swimming pools, fertilizers, pesticides, lawn/landscape waste, household toxins, Industrial discharges, oil, anti-freeze, paint, cleaning fluids, sanitary sewer discharges, septic tank discharges, wash waters from commercial/industrial activities and washing machine discharges.

Lake Ray Hubbard
Lake Lavon

Mayor Jim Pruitt has announced he will have open office hours each Monday from Noon to 4 P.M. at Rockwall City Hall, 385 S. Goliad Street (one block south of the Downtown Square). more...

Open Forum is an opportunity for citizens to address the Council so that it can hear specific concerns or general comments. 

The Mayor and Council welcome any citizen wishing to address the City Council during the Open Forum providing that no public hearing is scheduled for the topic and comments be limited to (3) three minutes. 

The City Council does not typically respond to citizen concerns or take action during the meeting as a result of comments offered during Open Forum.  If directed by Council, the appropriate action to address a citizen’s concerns will be initiated by a member of the City Manager’s staff during normal business hours.

The latest North Texas Municipal Water District Consumer Confidence Report is available on their website.  
NTMWD Consumer Cconfidence Report

Let's Tackle
Kitchen Grease!

Why Should I help?

• Prevent grease buildups from blocking sewer lines.
  
  
• Stop sewer overflows into streets and storm drains
  
  
• Save money spent on costly cleanups of sewage spills.
  
  
• Reduce the number of times you have to clean your
  grease trap (food services).
  
  
• Protect the quality of our water.
  
  More (English)... | More (Spanish)...

City of Rockwall gets
an "Excellent” Rating
for Transparency

The City of Rockwall received an excellent rating and ranked among the best in this area related to transparency in handling and responding to requests for public information. The City was one of 113 local agencies audited by The Dallas Morning News over a period of one year, a study in which the newspaper assessed how well state laws were followed regarding open access to information about how taxpayer money is spent and whether best practices were followed.