Rockwall Mayor’s Message: City ‘positioned for success’ in 2013

(January 28, 2013) I feel like shouting it from the rooftops – 2013 is going to be a great year for the City of Rockwall!

I’m very excited about our improved local economy. We welcome 2013 with a residential tax value of $2.2 billion and a commercial tax value of $948 million. We anticipate growth specifically on the commercial side to continue to increase this year – and that will decrease the taxing impact on our residents. Among the many projects either underway or planned for 2013 are the Stone Creek retail center, an emergency/urgent care facility at Interstate 30 and Alpha, and the Flagstone Assisted Living facility.

I can’t wait for the renovation of our historic downtown to start this spring. It will soon be one of the town jewels in Rockwall. Work will include much needed sidewalk and ramp improvements and the San Jacinto Street Pedestrian Mall along with reconstruction of selected streets.

Property values in the Downtown District have increased 36 percent in the last 10 years, and city sales tax collections for the area increased 30 percent since first tracked in 2009. Just imagine the possibilities when the new Downtown is unveiled!

I remain proud of our City Council and city staff as they continue to focus on customer service – the product we sell – driven by the belief that we are people serving people. City Hall gets it, and we share that value.

We expect exciting changes in 2013 from our new management team: City Manager Rick Crowley and his assistant city managers, Brad Griggs and Mary Smith. They know our city well, and all three are well qualified to lead Rockwall and take it to an even higher level of greatness.

As your City Council and city staff begin this great New Year, we are building on the many achievements in 2012 – a very productive year. Highlights included:

• We took a big step forward in Public Safety by budgeting to add four new police officers and two firefighters.
• We celebrated the reopening of the Shores Country Club under its new name, the Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club.
• Economic development new construction took a big step forward with the addition of Bimbo Bakeries USA, Hatfield & Company and Nolan Power in the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation Technology Park along with the expansion of Whitmore Manufacturing Group. Also, Texas A&M Commerce announced the opening of a facility at the tech park.

There is a lot of work to be done in our great city with a host of qualified people ready to take on the task of making Rockwall an even greater hometown. Our city is positioned for success because we are prepared for growth and ready to provide services to our new residents and businesses. Let the building begin!

A very Happy New Year to you all from the City Council and from all those that contribute to serving this great community!

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