This is an open letter to Rockwall Mayor Trace Johannesen detailing the community’s concerns about the mayor endorsing a double-digit property tax increase and $838 million in tax-funded bonds that Rockwall Independent School District trustees placed on the November ballot.
As a long-time resident of Rockwall, I feel compelled to address your recent endorsement of the school bonds and the VATRE (Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election). While quality education is a priority we all share, it’s crucial to consider the broader impact of these measures on our community, especially during challenging economic times.
Disconnect with Voter Priorities
In the recent Republican primary election, our community voiced clear preferences on key issues:
- Proposition 1: “Texas should eliminate all property taxes without increasing Texans’ overall tax burden.” This passed locally with 78% approval.
- Proposition 11: “Texas parents and guardians should have the right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding should follow the student.” This received 80% approval from Rockwall voters.
Your support for policies that increase taxes and potentially limit school choice seems at odds with these overwhelming voter mandates. This disconnect raises concerns about whether our local leadership is truly representing the wishes of its constituents.
Favoring Developers Over Residents
Under your leadership, the city council has consistently approved high-density developments, such as the 900-home project and the proposed 500 apartments by IKEA. These decisions have accelerated population growth without ensuring developers contribute adequately to necessary infrastructure and services. The financial burden of supporting this rapid growth has been shifted onto taxpayers, leading to overcrowded schools and strained resources.
Economic Strain on Families
Many residents recently received tax bills that included the higher rates submitted by the school district, as is standard practice by our Rockwall Appraisal District, even before the VATRE has been approved. If passed, the VATRE is projected to add anywhere from $500 to $1,000 to the annual tax bills of average families, with even higher amounts for those owning higher-valued homes.
At a time when inflation is at its peak and families are struggling to afford basic necessities, proposing further tax increases feels unsustainable and out of touch with the community’s needs.
Leadership and Accountability
Your endorsement of State Rep. Justin Holland, who was not re-elected in favor of Katrina Pierson, further illustrates a pattern of supporting positions that conflict with voter preferences. Reports indicate that our district left $109 million in state school funding unclaimed during the last legislative session—funds that could have alleviated the need for local tax increases. This shortfall is attributed to opposition against measures widely supported by our community.
Community’s Call to Action
The swift rise of the “Vote No” campaign reflects the community’s urgent concerns. The impressive voter turnout, with long lines at polling stations, demonstrates that citizens are eager for their voices to be heard. Taxpayers are expressing frustration over leadership decisions that seem to prioritize developers and increased taxation over the well-being of residents.
A Need for Realignment with Community Values
It’s concerning that your stances often appear more aligned with progressive policies rather than the fiscally responsible principles valued by our community. By frequently opposing measures that residents overwhelmingly support, there’s a growing perception that our leadership is not in tune with the electorate.
We urge you to:
- Respect Voter Mandates: Align your policies with the clear preferences expressed by residents in recent elections.
- Hold Developers Accountable: Require developers to contribute fairly to infrastructure costs, reducing the financial burden on taxpayers.
- Seek Available Funding: Actively pursue state resources to support our schools, minimizing the need for local tax increases.
- Engage with the Community: Listen to the concerns of citizens to ensure that leadership decisions reflect the community’s best interests.
The citizens of Rockwall are not opposed to growth or supporting our schools. However, we believe it’s time for our leaders to prioritize sustainable solutions that do not place additional financial strain on residents. Imposing further taxes during an economic hardship is not only unsustainable but also indicative of a disconnect between elected officials and the community they serve.
We ask that you reconsider your stance on these issues and work towards policies that genuinely reflect the values and needs of Rockwall families. By doing so, we can ensure that our community thrives without compromising the well-being of its residents.
This is a commentary published with the author’s permission. If you wish to submit a commentary to Texas Scorecard, please submit your article to submission@texasscorecard.com.
