Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Van Zandt County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
16 issues in public safety
Sheriff's Office staffing, pay, and dispatch capacity
The Sheriff wants four deputies, four dispatchers, and 12% raises for sworn officers after a salary survey showed county pay 9% below the regional average. Dispatchers handled over 15,000 calls last year with two on shift.
Indigent defense representation in the 294th District Court
Indigent defense hit $867,091 last year, and Judge Martin is warning of more expenses with the DA transition — the district judge may need to nearly double that budget. CPS cases drive costs since every parent and child can require appointed counsel.
Officer tracking and radio system improvements
The P25 radio system needs a sixth tower to meet its 95% coverage guarantee, but L3 Harris hasn't acted since a key account manager left. The county is pushing a $300K change order in exchange for future maintenance discounts — and ongoing maintenance will run $240K/year now, $600K/year once the refresh contract kicks in.
Veteran Services funding and staffing
Veterans Service Officer Tommy Ford says he can't keep up working 24-26 hours a week, and asked the court for nearly $200,000 to go full-time, add a second accredited officer and an assistant. The county's 5,000+ veterans bring in about $32 million a year in VA compensation, and supporters argued better outreach could push that higher. The court leaned toward a gradual step-up rather than the full ask.
JP court technology and civil caseload growth
The JP courts want the iTicket system ($1,250 per court) so DPS tickets upload automatically instead of arriving by mail weeks later. Meanwhile, the legislature may raise JP jurisdictional limits from $20,000 — possibly to $50,000 — which could nearly double civil caseloads.
Youth Diversion Program funding
The county's youth diversion program finished its first full year with a 91% success rate helping kids avoid the juvenile justice pipeline. The FY27 request is $76,456 — but none of it comes from the general fund; a state grant jumped 389% to nearly $49,000, with the rest from dedicated court costs and cities.
DPS trooper staffing and traffic enforcement
State troopers report they'll be at full strength — eleven in the county — by November, and it shows: traffic stops are already up 1,200 over all of 2025, with fines flowing to the JP courts up 65% at the five-month mark. Crashes rose 9.7%, but officers say that tracks with population growth and would have doubled without enforcement.
Volunteer fire department funding increase
Volunteer fire departments have gotten about $600 a month since 2012 — the Judge wants to nearly double total county support to $180,000, if revenues allow.
License plate reader surveillance
Commissioner Phillips spoke out against plate readers and data tracking, saying folks should need a warrant. Others noted the tools catch real criminals — a genuine civil-liberties vs. law-enforcement debate.
Jail overcrowding and rising housing costs
Female inmate populations are rising, pushing more housing to Henderson County, whose daily rates will nearly double under a new agreement; food costs also need a roughly $35,000 increase.
Fire Marshal staffing and code enforcement expansion
The Fire Marshal proposes an environmental services supervisor and two part-time deputy fire marshals to expand inspections, illegal dumping enforcement, and public education — with certified letters and follow-up visits for violators.
Constable staffing shortages and rising civil process workload
Constables report surging debt-collection papers, evictions, and after-hours sheriff's calls, and warn a potential JP jurisdiction increase to $50,000 could double the workload. Two asked for full-time deputies.
Countywide burn ban
Dry, dormant vegetation means even legal controlled burns are escaping. The 30-day ban carries a $500 fine, with site-specific ag exemptions available through the Fire Marshal and commissioners.
Rural ambulance service grant (HB 3,000)
The county applied for a new state grant worth up to $250,000 toward an additional ambulance unit, which Christus has agreed to staff. A new unit runs roughly $285,000–$295,000.
Low-cost spay/neuter services
Late county checks were causing the Animal Protection League to cut off the 50% discount program. Quarterly payments should keep the service flowing for residents.
Victims assistance funding (VOCA grant)
The annual state VOCA grant pays for the victim's assistance coordinator in the DA's office. The court approved reapplying for 2026-2027.